‘Murder in a Small Town’ Season 2 Episode 3 Preview

Fox’s Murder in a Small Town season two episode three features one of the last performances by Malcolm-Jamal Warner, who passed away far too soon on July 20, 2025 at the age of 54. Warner plays a murder suspect in episode three, “Mother Love,” airing on Tuesday, October 7, 2025 at 8pm ET/PT.

Rossif Sutherland stars as Karl Alberg and Kristin Kreuk plays Cassandra Lee. Mya Lowe is Corporal Edwina Yen, Savonna Spracklin is Isabella Harbud, Aaron Douglas is Sergeant Sid Sokolowski, Fritzy-Klevans Destine is Constable Andy Kendrick, and Marcia Gay Harden is Mayor Christie Holman. The series also features Bethany Brown, Marci T. House, and Joshua Close.

“Mother Love” Plot: A protective father becomes a top suspect in a murder investigation when his ex-wife is killed just after returning to town. Still heartbroken years after the split, he wears his anger and pain on his sleeves, but his only goal in life is to keep his daughter safe. Meanwhile, Holly and her friend show Cassandra photos they’ve been taking around town and Cassandra recognizes the photo of a shrine to her old schoolmate Lauren Park who died many years ago under mysterious circumstances. Cassandra assists a local unhoused man who is being tormented by some local kids.

Murder in a Small Town Description, Courtesy of Fox:

Murder in a Small Town follows Karl Alberg (Sutherland), who recently moved to the quiet coastal town of Gibsons to be the new police chief and quickly learns that this gentle paradise has more than its share of secrets. As a world-class detective, Karl calls upon all his skills to solve murders that, even in this seemingly idyllic setting, continue to wash up on his shore. Meanwhile, his deepening relationship with the town librarian Cassandra Lee (Kreuk) is challenged as her career and community involvement take her in new and unexpected directions. 

In the second season, Karl’s jurisdiction expands, and he has to contend with an increased caseload and limited resources, investigating cases like a body found at a local wedding between members of two feuding families; a double kidnapping that may mask an even bigger crime; a pop star who retreated to Gibsons for a quiet vacation only to be followed by a dangerous stalker; and many more. 

Academy Award-winner Marcia Gay Harden joins the cast as Mayor Christie Holman, a practicing doctor, beloved figure in the community, and a consummate political operator. She has the best interests of the people of Gibsons at heart but sometimes lets her personal interests take precedence, as she complicates life for Karl and Cassandra. 

• Season 2 Episode 4 “One Last Song” Preview
• Season 2 Episode 5 “Strangers Among Us” Preview
• Season 2 Episode 6 “Trust, But Verify” Preview