Jonny Harris on Murdoch Mysteries: Why His Role Has Changed

Anyone who has followed Murdoch Mysteries over the years knows Constable George Crabtree as the earnest, comedic heart of Station House No. 4. But viewers have started asking why Jonny Harris, the actor behind the badge, has been popping up less often — and what he’s been doing instead.

Seasons on Murdoch Mysteries: 15 (2008–2023) ·
Episodes credited: 200+ ·
Years active: since 1999 ·
Birth year: 1975

Seven key facts, one pattern: Jonny Harris’s professional identity is rooted in two distinct roles — the fictional constable and the real-life comedian. The table below captures the confirmed biographical details.

Why isn’t Jonny Harris on Murdoch Mysteries?

Has Jonny Harris left Murdoch?

• No official announcement of departure exists. Harris continues to be credited as a main cast member on IMDb (editorial film database) through the most recent season.
• His reduced presence is widely attributed to scheduling conflicts with Still Standing, which films in remote communities across Canada.
• The show’s producers have not publicly commented on his episode count.

Why did Jonny Harris leave Murdoch Mysteries in season 19?

• Season 19 (2021) saw Harris appear in 8 of 24 episodes, a decline from earlier seasons.
• Viewer speculation online has conflated his absences with a permanent exit, but no credible source supports that.
• According to CBC Television (Canadian public broadcaster), Harris’s focus on Still Standing requires extended travel, making full-season Murdoch appearances impractical.

The pattern: Harris has not left — he is simply stretched between two demanding, geographically opposite productions. For fans, the trade-off is fewer Crabtree scenes but a steady flow of new comedy content.

What is Jonny Harris doing now?

Jonny Harris Still Standing

• Harris hosts and stars in Still Standing, a CBC comedy-reality series that premiered in 2015 (IMDb (editorial film database)).
• Each episode visits a Canadian community “on the ropes” and culminates in a stand-up performance for local residents (CBC/YouTube (official broadcaster channel)).
• Season 10 completed production in late 2024, per TV Week (Canadian television industry outlet).

Jonny Harris comedy tours

• He continues live stand-up performances across Canada, often in smaller venues and festivals.
• Before his television breakthrough, Harris performed at Rising Tide Theatre in Trinity Bay, Newfoundland (Murdoch Mysteries Wiki (fan community site)).

Jonny Harris upcoming projects

• No announced new series beyond Still Standing.
• He has not indicated any intention to leave Murdoch Mysteries permanently.

What this means: Harris’s career has shifted from supporting actor to lead-comedian-producer. Still Standing gave him the platform to become a household name — a status he has acknowledged in interviews with CBC.ca (Canadian public broadcaster).

Does Jonny Harris have children?

Who is Jonny Harris married to?

• Public records are inconsistent. IMDb (editorial film database) lists his spouse as Kaitlin Kozell (married 2020).
• The Murdoch Mysteries Wiki (fan community site) also names Kaitlin Kozell and adds a 2017 wedding date.
• Some biographical summaries on social platforms use “Jennifer Harris”; no official statement or credible news report resolves the discrepancy.

Jonny Harris wedding

• No widely published wedding photos or ceremony details exist in mainstream Canadian media.
• The lack of public documentation may reflect Harris’s preference for privacy.

Jonny Harris height

• Listed as 5 ft 10 in (178 cm) on IMDb (editorial film database).

Jonny Harris illness

• No credible public reports of any serious illness. The question appears to arise from speculation about his reduced Murdoch appearances.

The implication: Harris guards his private life closely, leaving his family details partly in the “unclear” column. The confirmed facts are his birth date and career milestones — the rest remains unverified by tier-1 sources.

Who is Kaitlin Kozell in Murdoch Mysteries?

Kaitlin Kozell role

• Kaitlin Kozell appeared as a young mother in a single episode of Murdoch Mysteries (IMDb (editorial film database)).
• Her character was a minor guest role, not a recurring part.

Kaitlin Kozell actress

• Kozell is an actress and, according to some sources, married to Jonny Harris.
• Her IMDb page lists limited credits, primarily in small independent productions.

The pattern: Kaitlin Kozell is connected to Harris personally, not professionally. Her single Murdoch appearance generates search curiosity out of proportion to the role’s actual significance.

Why was Yannick Bisson written out?

Yannick Bisson departure

• No credible source indicates that Yannick Bisson has left Murdoch Mysteries. He continues to star as Detective William Murdoch in all seasons (IMDb (editorial film database)).

Yannick Bisson Murdoch Mysteries

• The rumor may stem from confusion with other cast changes or temporary plotlines that sidelined the character.
• Bisson has given no interviews suggesting an exit.

The catch: The “Yannick Bisson written out” query is a dead end — no evidence supports it. It likely arises from the same general uncertainty around the Murdoch Mysteries cast that fuels the Jonny Harris departure myths.

Timeline signal

• 1975 — Born in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador.
• 1999 — Begins professional comedy and acting career.
• 2008 — Joins Murdoch Mysteries as Constable George Crabtree (CBC Television (Canadian public broadcaster)).
• 2015 — Launches CBC comedy series Still Standing (IMDb (editorial film database)).
• 2023 — Continues Murdoch appearances but with fewer episodes per season.

Confirmed facts

• Jonny Harris is a Canadian actor and comedian from Newfoundland and Labrador.
• He was born in 1975.
• He portrays Constable George Crabtree on Murdoch Mysteries.
• He hosts and stars in Still Standing on CBC.
• His early career included summer theatre at Rising Tide Theatre.

What’s unclear

• Exact reason for his reduced role on Murdoch Mysteries — no official announcement.
• Whether he will permanently leave Murdoch Mysteries.
• Any health issues — no credible public reports.
• His marital details (spouse name) are inconsistent across sources.

“I thought I’d end up penniless in a ditch somewhere.”
— Jonny Harris, reflecting on his early career before his breakthrough, in an interview with CBC Television (Canadian public broadcaster)

“Harris went from a one-man show to a household name.”
— CBC headline describing the comedian’s rise, per CBC Television (Canadian public broadcaster)

Jonny Harris has not left Murdoch Mysteries — but his role has evolved. The demands of hosting a cross-country comedy series mean fewer episodes as Constable Crabtree, while his public profile as a stand-up comedian grows. For Canadian viewers who grew up watching the earnest young constable, the choice is clear: accept a lighter Murdoch schedule, or follow Harris to the small towns where he’s built a second career, one punchline at a time.

Frequently asked questions