GLAMOUR Exclusive: Kathleen Munroe on the psychology of Law & Order: Toronto

Behind every headline lies a human story, and behind every detective, a delicate balance of protocol and raw intuition. We caught up with actor Kathleen Munroe to unpack her role as Detective Frankie Bateman, navigating the complex psychological landscape of Criminal Intent, and bringing the real soul of Toronto to global screens.

We caught up with actor, Kathleen Munroe to discuss bringing a deeply layered female detective to life, the effortless off-screen bond that fuels her on-screen partnership with Aidan Devine (Henry), and what she hopes international viewers, especially audiences in South Africa will discover about the multifaceted heart of Toronto.

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In the vast universe of crime dramas, few franchises carry the iconic weight of Law & Order. But in Law & Order: Toronto: Criminal Intent, the focus shifts from the standard "whodunit" to the far more fascinating question of why. At the emotional center of this high-stakes storytelling is Detective Frankie Bateman, an intuitive empath who relies as much on emotional intelligence as she does on police protocol.

GLAMOUR: Detective Frankie Bateman is described as an intuitive empath whose emotional intelligence is one of her greatest strengths. What drew you to her, and what did you enjoy most about bringing such a layered female detective to life?

Kathleen Munroe: That’s a beautiful first question, thank you. I think it’s exactly that description that drew me in, an empathetic person who’s deeply interested in the humanity behind criminality, choosing to become a police officer because she believes it’s how she can do good in the world.

She relies on the system and on protocol to achieve that, but sometimes the system works, and sometimes it doesn’t. Exploring that tension has been really interesting. I’ve also loved diving into the psychology, motivations, and emotions behind the people who commit these crimes.

On a personal note, my grandfather was a homicide detective in Buffalo. Knowing him after he retired made me reflect on what he might have been like on the job. That gave me a sense of the human side of this work. Frankie shows glimpses of that humanity, but she also keeps her emotions close to the chest. Figuring out how to show up as a human within such a structured system was a really exciting and personal challenge.

GLAMOUR: Unlike many crime dramas that focus on who did it, Law & Order: Toronto focuses on the why. How did that deeper psychological approach shape your performance?

Kathleen Munroe: That’s really at the heart of the Criminal Intent format, it’s what makes it different from other branches of the franchise. As actors, it’s a thrill. Each episode, especially in the final act, we dive deep into someone’s psychology, not just to understand why they did something, but to guide them toward a confession. Our approach is strategic, but primarily interpersonal and psychological. We explore people’s pasts, their vulnerabilities, and sometimes broader structural or social issues that lead to criminality.

It allows us to examine both the individual psyche and the wider cultural context. Motive is complex, and exploring that makes the storytelling incredibly dynamic.

GLAMOUR: Frankie and Henry have such an intriguing partnership. What was it like working alongside Aidan Yang, and how did you build that on-screen chemistry?

Kathleen Munroe: I love him so much. We actually met years ago on a film in a very remote part of British Columbia. We had time to get to know each other, and we really connected, he’s fascinating, hilarious, and unlike anyone I’ve ever met.

Coming into this show with that existing trust and warmth meant we were already ten steps ahead. We didn’t need to figure out how to work together, we could just be.

That kind of connection is hard to manufacture quickly. It gave us the freedom to take risks, support each other, and really explore our scenes. He’s such a phenomenal actor, and working with him has helped me grow as well. There’s a familiarity between us—it feels effortless, like he’s an extension of me. And within the structure of a classic detective duo, we still get to bring real humanity to our partnership.

GLAMOUR: The series is inspired by real Canadian headlines and showcases Toronto vividly. What do you hope international audiences, especially viewers in South Africa, take away from the show?

Kathleen Munroe: It’s such a privilege, and a little daunting to be part of this franchise, which means so much to so many people. It’s also meaningful to represent Toronto. We want locals to feel seen, but also give global audiences a fuller picture of the city. There’s this perception that Canada is always peaceful, but we’re showing the depth of human experience here.

At its core, the show is about life, death, relationships, and the societal factors that can push people to desperate actions. What I hope audiences take away is that there isn’t just one Toronto, there are many. It’s a city made up of diverse experiences, perspectives, and stories.