Sergeant Jake Doyle is assigned to protect a mob informant but when a mysterious group of men impede him, Jake finds the tables turned – himself the target of a manhunt. Will the dismantled Team Doyle band together to help Jake before he’s arrested or worse? Guest stars: Russell Crowe, Kevin Durand, Scott Grimes, Alan Doyle, Daniel MacIvor.

From James Bisson of the Canadian Press:

• Russell Crowe reunites with acting pals on CBC-TV’s ‘Republic of Doyle’
  Allan Hawco says his show doesn’t need famous guests to succeed — but that didn’t stop him from landing one of Hollywood’s most recognizable leading men. Russell Crowe will make an appearance on CBC-TV’s “Republic of Doyle,” which has its third season premiere on Wednesday. The season opener of the Newfoundland and Labrador-based drama will feature the kind of star power rarely seen on Canadian television, with Crowe featured prominently in the episode. Read more.

From a media release:

OSCAR-WINNER RUSSELL CROWE GUEST STARS IN SEASON PREMIERE OF REPUBLIC OF DOYLE

• Great Big Sea’s Alan Doyle also guest stars in season premiere Wednesday, January 11 at 9 p.m. (9:30 NT) on CBC Television

CBC-TV’s smash hit detective series REPUBLIC OF DOYLE kicks off its third season with a very special guest star: ACADEMY AWARD® winning actor Russell Crowe joins series star Allan Hawco in the season premiere next Wednesday, January 11 at 9 p.m. (9:30 NT).

The special season opener will also see Crowe reunite with the trio who played the Merry Men to his title character in Ridley Scott’s 2010 blockbuster “Robin Hood” – Alan Doyle (of Great Big Sea fame), Scott Grimes and Kevin Durand. The four play a group of troublemakers causing headaches for Doyle & company on the streets of St. John’s.

Watch the trailer here: http://www.cbc.ca/republicofdoyle/videos/episodes/temp-episode.html

REPUBLIC OF DOYLE stars Allan Hawco as the charming and irreverent detective who struggles daily to navigate the complications of running the family P.I. business while keeping his very volatile private life in check.

Also returning to the Republic are the individuals that help define the mystique surrounding the Doyle clan: former colleague and father Malachy Doyle (Sean McGinley); colleague (and de facto stepmother) Rose Miller (Lynda Boyd); vandal turned P.I. apprentice Des Courtney (Mark O’Brien); enterprising niece Tinny (Marthe Bernard) and charming Constable Leslie Bennett (Krystin Pellerin).

From Bill Harris of QMI Agency:

• Crowe flies to ‘Republic of Doyle’
  Allan Hawco has a “Rock-solid” way of describing Russell Crowe. “There are movie stars out there, and there are actors,” Hawco said. “Russell’s an actor.” Read more.