
Show: Murdoch Mysteries
TV: Streaming / Network: Netflix
Character Status: Recurring
Endgame: Dead
Orientation: Lesbian
Show Status: Still Airing
Tropes: Bury Your Gays
Show: Murdoch Mysteries
TV: Streaming / Network: Netflix
Character Status: Recurring
Endgame: Dead
Orientation: Lesbian
Show Status: Still Airing
Tropes: Bury Your Gays
On historical forensic drama Murdoch Mysteries, Lillian Moss was introduced in season 8 as a part of the Suffrage movement, where she met Dr. Emily Grace. Lillian was disowned by her family because she refused to marry the man picked out for her. It became clear early on that she was a lesbian and had feelings for Emily. The two eventually kissed and began a romance.
In 9×03 “Double Life”, Lillian and Emily were all set to move to London together to continue their advocacy there, until Lillian was found murdered.
It is revealed that Lillian was really a woman named Helen who once had a relationship with a married woman. Lillian thought they had killed the woman’s jealous husband in the midst of a shipboard fight, but he had survived and went into hiding, while Lillian and the woman separated. The husband returned and demanded Lillian tell him where his ex-wife was, and when Lillian refused he shot and killed her. At the end of the episode a grieving Emily left for London on her own.
“Double Life” was the last episode appearance for both actresses/characters.
Relationship story arc with a woman: Yes
Relationship story arc with a man: No
Male love interest after being identified as a lesbian? No
Storyline during sweeps? No
[1] A relationship story arc is defined as explicit, developed on screen, and lasting more than 3 episodes. It is listed as questionable or subtext if romance is only implied, mentioned instead of shown on screen, part of a dream sequence, or otherwise not explicit for the viewer.
[2] Sweeps episodes air in February, May, July and November, the periods when advertising rates are set. A character is marked as "sweeps" when there is a very limited number of episodes that address their sexuality, all air during sweeps period, and the storyline is otherwise ignore/dropped.
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1 Comment on "Lillian Moss, Murdoch Mysteries"
I thought it was nice that they introduced a lesbian relationship but too bad they ended it but sort of had to because Georgiana Reilly left the show–it’s too bad they killed off Lillian but given it’s a mystery show I’m not surprised. I think the episode with Chief Constable Giles later on was a much better portrayal of the agonies of being gay at the turn of the century and Nigel Bennett gave a bravado performance!