Rush’s Geddy Lee set to guest star on ‘Murdoch Mysteries’ episode

TORONTO – Geddy Lee is putting down his bass guitar for a guest role on “Murdoch Mysteries.”

The former Rush band member will make another case for his occasional acting career with a bit part on an episode of the detective series set to air Monday on CBC and stream on CBC Gem.

The storyline follows the mystery of a murdered blues saxophonist whose death was seemingly foretold in vivid detail through the lyrics of a song.

Lee is part of a subplot, playing a carriage driver who’s transporting lead character William Murdoch and his pregnant wife. His character is named Tom Sawyer, a nod to Rush’s synthesizer rock favourite.

The musician’s appearance adds to his growing number of cameos and small roles on hit TV series, including “Chicago Fire,” “How I Met Your Mother,” and the Hollywood comedy “I Love You, Man,” where he starred alongside Rush bandmates Alex Lifeson and the late Neil Peart as themselves.

In a promotional clip, Lee explained he first entertained the “Murdoch Mysteries” role while mingling with star Yannick Bisson and his wife at a fundraiser.

“We just got chatting through the course of the evening and he said, ‘Why don’t you come and hang out with us one day?’ And I said, ‘Sure sounds like fun.’ And here I am,” he said.

“I have to use some sort of modest acting skill to fit into the already well-established ‘Murdoch Mysteries’ scenario,” he added with a laugh.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 16, 2022.