Due South is a television show that ran first on the CBC (Canada) and on CBS (USA) simultaneously. Because it was an
imaginitive, entertaining and entirely
unclassifiable show, it was cancelled shortly after starting its third season. Due to fan response and financial resources from the Canadian Film Board and the
BBC, it was revived in syndication. It lasted through another season before the principle actors decided to go their separate ways.
Due South is about RCMP Constable Benton Fraser (Paul Gross) and his adventures in Chicago, assisted by his faithful wolf Diefenbaker and his good friend Chicago PD's Detective Ray Vecchio (David Marciano). Later in the series, Ray had to go under deep cover, and was replaced by Detective Stanley Ray Kowalski (Callum Keith Rennie), called Ray for short.
Constable Fraser used to work in the Territories in northern Canada, until his father was killed. He first came to Chicago on the trail of the killers of his father, and for reasons that don't need exploring at this juncture, he's remained attached as liaison to the Canadian consulate. He is very polite, and is often known to say things like "please," "You're welcome," and "Thank you kindly."
The series blurred the line between comedy and drama as often as it could, much like other shows on the air around the same time, Northern Exposure and Picket Fences being two of the most notable examples. It was charming and often whimsical in nature, and still has quite a following around the world.
Much more information about this show can be gotten at its official site, http://www.duesouth.com , or at the excellent and highly detailed fan site at http://home.hiwaay.net/~warydbom/duesouth.htm .