Wojeck
Encyclopedia
Wojeck is a Canadian
dramatic television series, which aired on the CBC
from 1966 to 1968. It was the first successful drama series on English Canadian television.
The series starred John Vernon
as Steve Wojeck, a crusading big city coroner
who regularly fought moral injustices raised by the deaths he investigated. He often tackled tough and controversial issues—the very first episode of the series examined the role of racism in the suicide of a young Ojibwe man. The show was inspired by the career of Dr. Morton Shulman
.
The cast also included Ted Follows, Patricia Collins, and Carl Banas
. Jennifer Dale
played his daughter.
Although it was one of the highest-rated shows on Canadian television in its time, only 20 episodes of the series were made, because Vernon was lured to Hollywood by the promise of more money than the CBC could offer. He only returned to the role once, for a TV-movie Wojeck: Out of the Fire (1992).
The show inspired the later American
series Quincy, M.E.
A more recent Canadian series, Da Vinci's Inquest
, is also considered to have been inspired by Wojeck.
In 2002, Wojeck became a MasterWorks honouree by the Audio-Visual Preservation Trust of Canada
.
in the investigation of crime has been the central theme of several TV mystery-suspense dramas, including:
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
dramatic television series, which aired on the CBC
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, commonly known as CBC and officially as CBC/Radio-Canada, is a Canadian crown corporation that serves as the national public radio and television broadcaster...
from 1966 to 1968. It was the first successful drama series on English Canadian television.
The series starred John Vernon
John Vernon
John Keith Vernon was a Canadian actor. He made a career in Hollywood after achieving initial television stardom in Canada.-Early life:...
as Steve Wojeck, a crusading big city coroner
Coroner
A coroner is a government official who* Investigates human deaths* Determines cause of death* Issues death certificates* Maintains death records* Responds to deaths in mass disasters* Identifies unknown dead* Other functions depending on local laws...
who regularly fought moral injustices raised by the deaths he investigated. He often tackled tough and controversial issues—the very first episode of the series examined the role of racism in the suicide of a young Ojibwe man. The show was inspired by the career of Dr. Morton Shulman
Morton Shulman
Morton Shulman, OC was a Canadian politician, businessman, broadcaster, columnist, coroner, and physician.-Biography:...
.
The cast also included Ted Follows, Patricia Collins, and Carl Banas
Carl Banas
Carl Banas is a Toronto born radio personality and actor. As a TV actor he appeared in the series Wojeck as police detective Byron James, and provided voices for numerous TV series and features. He was also known as a radio personality on Toronto radio station CKFM-FM, later and more famouly known...
. Jennifer Dale
Jennifer Dale
Jennifer Dale, née Ciurluini , is a Canadian television, dancer, and actress.- Early life :She is the sister of Canadian actress Cynthia Dale...
played his daughter.
Although it was one of the highest-rated shows on Canadian television in its time, only 20 episodes of the series were made, because Vernon was lured to Hollywood by the promise of more money than the CBC could offer. He only returned to the role once, for a TV-movie Wojeck: Out of the Fire (1992).
The show inspired the later American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
series Quincy, M.E.
Quincy, M.E.
Quincy, M.E., also called Quincy, is a United States television series from Universal Studios that aired from October 3, 1976, to September 5, 1983, on NBC...
A more recent Canadian series, Da Vinci's Inquest
Da Vinci's Inquest
Da Vinci's Inquest is a Canadian dramatic television series that aired on CBC Television from 1998 to 2005. Seven seasons of thirteen episodes each were filmed for a total of ninety-one episodes....
, is also considered to have been inspired by Wojeck.
In 2002, Wojeck became a MasterWorks honouree by the Audio-Visual Preservation Trust of Canada
Audio-Visual Preservation Trust of Canada
The Audio-Visual Preservation Trust of Canada was a charitable non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the preservation of Canada’s audio-visual heritage, and to facilitating access to regional and national collections through partnerships with members of Canada's audio-visual community...
.
See also
The use of forensic pathologyForensic pathology
Forensic pathology is a branch of pathology concerned with determining the cause of death by examination of a corpse. The autopsy is performed by the pathologist at the request of a coroner or medical examiner usually during the investigation of criminal law cases and civil law cases in some...
in the investigation of crime has been the central theme of several TV mystery-suspense dramas, including:
- Quincy, M.E.Quincy, M.E.Quincy, M.E., also called Quincy, is a United States television series from Universal Studios that aired from October 3, 1976, to September 5, 1983, on NBC...
, US (NBC), 1976 - Silent WitnessSilent WitnessSilent Witness is a BBC crime thriller series focusing on a team of forensic pathology experts and their investigations into various crimes. First broadcast in February 1996, the series is still airing to the present day, with a fifteenth series expected to air in January 2012. The series was...
, UK (BBC), 1996 - Da Vinci's InquestDa Vinci's InquestDa Vinci's Inquest is a Canadian dramatic television series that aired on CBC Television from 1998 to 2005. Seven seasons of thirteen episodes each were filmed for a total of ninety-one episodes....
, Canada (CBC), 1998 - Waking The DeadWaking the DeadWaking the Dead may refer to:* Waking the Dead , an album by US rock band, L.A. Guns* Waking the Dead , a US film, produced in 2000, and starring Jennifer Connelly and Billy Crudup based on the Scott Spencer novel...
, UK (BBC), 2000