# The Listener (TV series)
**The Listener** is a Canadian fantasy drama television series created by Michael Amo, starring Craig Olejnik as Toby Logan, a Toronto paramedic who can hear people's surface thoughts and uses that ability to help solve crimes as a consultant to an investigative police unit.[1](https://play.google.com/store/tv/show/The_Listener?hl=en_US&id=7D15E8FC747672BBEP) Produced by Shaftesbury Films in association with CTV and Fox International Channels, the series ran for five seasons of 13 episodes each, 65 episodes in total, from 2009 to 2014.[2](https://www.channelcanada.com/canadian-channels/english-networks/ctv/ctv-orders-fifth-season-of-hit-original-series-the-listener/)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Premise | Telepathic paramedic Toby Logan hears people's surface thoughts and works as a special consultant with the Integrated Investigative Bureau (IIB)[1](https://play.google.com/store/tv/show/The_Listener?hl=en_US&id=7D15E8FC747672BBEP) • [2](https://www.channelcanada.com/canadian-channels/english-networks/ctv/ctv-orders-fifth-season-of-hit-original-series-the-listener/) |
| Production | Created by Michael Amo; developed by Shaftesbury Films with CTV; executive producers Christina Jennings and Scott Garvie; showrunner Peter Mohan[3](https://broadcasting-history.ca/listener-the/) • [4](https://deadline.com/2014/02/the-listener-to-become-ion-original-series-as-network-joins-as-co-producer-688108/) |
| Run | Five 13-episode seasons, 65 episodes, 2009–2014; canceled by CTV in August 2014[2](https://www.channelcanada.com/canadian-channels/english-networks/ctv/ctv-orders-fifth-season-of-hit-original-series-the-listener/) • [1](https://play.google.com/store/tv/show/The_Listener?hl=en_US&id=7D15E8FC747672BBEP) |
| Lead cast | Craig Olejnik (Toby Logan), Ennis Esmer (Oz), Lauren Lee Smith (Sgt. Michelle McCluskey), Rainbow Sun Francks (Dev Clark), Peter Stebbings (Alvin Klein), Tara Spencer-Nairn (Sandy)[2](https://www.channelcanada.com/canadian-channels/english-networks/ctv/ctv-orders-fifth-season-of-hit-original-series-the-listener/) |
| International reach | Licensed in 120 countries and 33 languages through Fox International[3](https://broadcasting-history.ca/listener-the/) |
| Ratings peak | Series-high 1.4 million Canadian viewers in season 4, among the Top 15 most-watched programs in Canada that summer[2](https://www.channelcanada.com/canadian-channels/english-networks/ctv/ctv-orders-fifth-season-of-hit-original-series-the-listener/) |
| Critical reception | Metacritic score 42/100 from 14 critics; Rotten Tomatoes 31% positive from 13 critics[5](https://www.metacritic.com/tv/the-listener/) |
## Premise and format
The series follows Toby Logan, described in the show's own promotional material as a 28-year-old first-year paramedic who never knew his father and grew up in foster homes. Toby can hear people's surface thoughts, an ability he confides to Dr. [Ray Mercer](https://www.edgepedia.org/ray-mercer), and with the help of Detective Charlie Marks and his on-and-off girlfriend Olivia Fawcett, an ER doctor, he realizes he can use his gift to help other people.[6](https://www.youtube.com/@The_Listener) Netflix's synopsis describes the same premise: a paramedic with telepathic abilities, out on calls alongside his partner, attempts to aid people facing emergencies and, along the way, address some of his own emotional injuries.[7](https://www.netflix.com/title/70251286)
From season 2 the format centered on his role as a special consultant with the elite Integrated Investigative Bureau (IIB), working alongside Sergeant Michelle McCluskey.[2](https://www.channelcanada.com/canadian-channels/english-networks/ctv/ctv-orders-fifth-season-of-hit-original-series-the-listener/)
## Production and development
The Listener was piloted in the summer of 2006 as part of CTV's new program development policy, and the network gave it a 13-episode series commitment in February 2008.[3](https://broadcasting-history.ca/listener-the/) Michael Amo created the series, which was developed by Shaftesbury Films in association with CTV, with Christina Jennings as executive producer.[3](https://broadcasting-history.ca/listener-the/) Deadline identifies the full executive team as Jennings and Scott Garvie for Shaftesbury, Sharon Tal Yguado for Fox International Channels, and Peter Mohan as showrunner.[4](https://deadline.com/2014/02/the-listener-to-become-ion-original-series-as-network-joins-as-co-producer-688108/) The series was produced for CTV by Shaftesbury in association with Fox International Channels and distributed by Shine International.[2](https://www.channelcanada.com/canadian-channels/english-networks/ctv/ctv-orders-fifth-season-of-hit-original-series-the-listener/)
## Cast and characters
Craig Olejnik led the series as Toby Logan. The ensemble around him comprised [Ennis Esmer](https://www.edgepedia.org/ennis-esmer) as Osman "Oz" Bey, Toby's paramedic partner; [Lauren Lee Smith](https://www.edgepedia.org/lauren-lee-smith) as IIB Sergeant Michelle McCluskey; Rainbow Sun Francks as Corporal Dev Clark; Peter Stebbings as Alvin Klein; and Tara Spencer-Nairn as Sandy, a nurse.[2](https://www.channelcanada.com/canadian-channels/english-networks/ctv/ctv-orders-fifth-season-of-hit-original-series-the-listener/) Season 1 also featured Detective Charlie Marks and ER doctor Olivia Fawcett.[6](https://www.youtube.com/@The_Listener) Smith and Spencer-Nairn joined when season 2 debuted on CTV on February 8, 2011.[3](https://broadcasting-history.ca/listener-the/) The Netflix listing also credits Mylène Dinh-Robic among the starring cast.[7](https://www.netflix.com/title/70251286)
## Episodes and broadcast history
Each of the five seasons consisted of 13 episodes, for a total of 65.[2](https://www.channelcanada.com/canadian-channels/english-networks/ctv/ctv-orders-fifth-season-of-hit-original-series-the-listener/) [The Canadian](https://www.edgepedia.org/the-canadian) premiere date is reported differently by sources: the Canadian Communications Foundation's broadcast-history record states that the series debuted on CTV and NBC on June 4, 2009 at 10:00 pm, with the Space Channel premiere the previous day,[3](https://broadcasting-history.ca/listener-the/) while the [Google Play](https://www.edgepedia.org/google-play) listing and the Japanese-language specialist wiki give a CTV premiere of March 3, 2009.[1](https://play.google.com/store/tv/show/The_Listener?hl=en_US&id=7D15E8FC747672BBEP) Later seasons premiered on February 8, 2011, May 30, 2012, May 29, 2013, and May 26, 2014.[1](https://play.google.com/store/tv/show/The_Listener?hl=en_US&id=7D15E8FC747672BBEP) Season 3 ran to September 12, 2012.[3](https://broadcasting-history.ca/listener-the/)
In the United States, NBC acquired the rights in 2008, first for a fall 2008 broadcast later revised to summer 2009; this made The Listener the second CTV series within weeks to receive a U.S. network commitment, after CBS acquired Flashpoint for summer 2008.[3](https://broadcasting-history.ca/listener-the/) Deadline describes the same run more loosely as cut short "after several episodes."[4](https://deadline.com/2014/02/the-listener-to-become-ion-original-series-as-network-joins-as-co-producer-688108/)
## Reception, ratings and awards
Critical reception was mixed. Metacritic records a score of 42/100 based on 14 critic reviews, broken down as 2 positive, 8 mixed, and 4 negative.[5](https://www.metacritic.com/tv/the-listener/) A Wall Street Journal critic, quoted in the Metacritic record, found the plots complex enough to sustain mystery and noted that the show aimed to entertain rather than shock.[5](https://www.metacritic.com/tv/the-listener/)
Canadian audiences were stronger than the reviews. During its fourth season the series drew million-plus audiences, including a series-high 1.4 million viewers, and ranked among the Top 15 most-watched programs in Canada that summer, with A25-54 audience growth in Toronto, Vancouver, and Calgary over season 3.[2](https://www.channelcanada.com/canadian-channels/english-networks/ctv/ctv-orders-fifth-season-of-hit-original-series-the-listener/) The series received 3 Canadian Screen Award nominations, 2 Directors Guild of Canada nominations, and 2 Canadian Comedy Awards nominations.[5](https://www.metacritic.com/tv/the-listener/)
## International distribution and the Canadian-procedural context
The Listener was broadcast on CTV and Bravo! in Canada and licensed internationally through Fox International in 120 countries and 33 languages.[3](https://broadcasting-history.ca/listener-the/) In the United States, ION Television acquired the first two seasons in 2011 with an option for future seasons.[4](https://deadline.com/2014/02/the-listener-to-become-ion-original-series-as-network-joins-as-co-producer-688108/) In February 2014 ION joined Shaftesbury, CTV, and Fox International as a co-producer on the 13-episode fifth season and became the exclusive U.S. network for originals of season 5 and beyond; the season debuted on ION in midseason 2014 alongside the network's off-network procedurals Cold Case, Burn Notice, Psych, and Leverage.[4](https://deadline.com/2014/02/the-listener-to-become-ion-original-series-as-network-joins-as-co-producer-688108/)
The series sits in a recognizable Canadian export pattern. Its U.S. network sale followed CBS's acquisition of [Flashpoint](https://www.edgepedia.org/flashpoint-tv-series) by weeks,[3](https://broadcasting-history.ca/listener-the/) and ION applied to The Listener the same syndication strategy it had used for Flashpoint, first inking a deal with CBS for that show's season 1–4 episodes.[4](https://deadline.com/2014/02/the-listener-to-become-ion-original-series-as-network-joins-as-co-producer-688108/)
## Cancellation and availability
Season 3 was shot in and around Toronto through February 2012.[3](https://broadcasting-history.ca/listener-the/) CTV ordered the fourth season of 13 episodes on July 27, 2012.[3](https://broadcasting-history.ca/listener-the/) In August 2014 CTV announced the show's cancellation, and the series finale aired on August 18, 2014.[1](https://play.google.com/store/tv/show/The_Listener?hl=en_US&id=7D15E8FC747672BBEP)
The series remains widely available. As of the current listings it streams on Amazon Prime Video (with and without ads), [The Roku Channel](https://www.edgepedia.org/the-roku-channel), Tubi TV, and Amazon MX Player, and can be purchased on Amazon Video;[8](https://www.justwatch.com/us/tv-show/the-listener) it is also listed for streaming on Netflix,[7](https://www.netflix.com/title/70251286) and is available for purchase on Google Play.[1](https://play.google.com/store/tv/show/The_Listener?hl=en_US&id=7D15E8FC747672BBEP)
## References
1. [The Listener – TV on Google Play](https://play.google.com/store/tv/show/The_Listener?hl=en_US&id=7D15E8FC747672BBEP)
2. [CTV Orders Fifth Season of Hit Original Series THE LISTENER, CTV via Channel Canada](https://www.channelcanada.com/canadian-channels/english-networks/ctv/ctv-orders-fifth-season-of-hit-original-series-the-listener/)
3. [Listener, The – The History of Canadian Broadcasting, Canadian Communications Foundation](https://broadcasting-history.ca/listener-the/)
4. ['The Listener' To Become ION Original Series As Network Joins As Co-Producer, Deadline (February 2014)](https://deadline.com/2014/02/the-listener-to-become-ion-original-series-as-network-joins-as-co-producer-688108/)
5. [The Listener Reviews, Metacritic](https://www.metacritic.com/tv/the-listener/)
6. [The Listener – official YouTube channel](https://www.youtube.com/@The_Listener)
7. [Watch The Listener, Netflix](https://www.netflix.com/title/70251286)
8. [The Listener – watch tv show streaming online, JustWatch](https://www.justwatch.com/us/tv-show/the-listener)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Series and fictional screen worlds › Scripted television and comedy series › Genre and subject-scripted series › Fantasy, supernatural, and horror series › Horror drama and thriller series › Supernatural and occult dramas › Titles symbols to L*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Oct 15, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
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License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license