Sight Unseen, a Canadian-American crime drama series, premieres on The CW on April 3, 2024 at 9.00pm with an intriguing storyline that revolves around a clinically blind former homicide detective, Tess Avery (Dolly Lewis). Diagnosed with Leber’s Neuropathy, a rare mitochondrial disorder characterised by sudden vision loss, Tess is forced to leave her career in homicide. The condition primarily affects young adult males, making Tess an unusual sufferer.
Struggling to adapt to her new life, Tess is determined to continue solving cases. She connects with a remote seeing-eye guide, Sunny Patel (Agam Darshi), who works for an assistance app called EyesUp. Sunny, an agoraphobe residing 3000 miles away in New York City, becomes Tess’s unconventional partner. Using a hidden camera and an earpiece, Sunny remotely steers Tess through investigations, challenging preconceptions about ability and trust.
The series premiere focuses on the disappearance of a young mother, a case that haunts Tess following her diagnosis. Using Sunny’s assistance, Tess aims to solve the mystery and bring the culprit to justice. The episode also introduces key supporting characters, including Tess’s former partner, Detective Jake Campbell (Daniel Gillies), and her childhood friend and tech-savvy professor, Matt Alleyne (Jarod Joseph).
The series is inspired by the real-life experiences of co-creator Karen Troubetzkoy, ensuring an authentic portrayal of sight loss. Troubetzkoy, who served as a consulting producer on Orphan Black, co-created the show with her sister Nikolijne. Sight Unseen is produced by Blink49 Studios and Front Street Pictures in association with Sisters Troubetzkoy Productions.
The debut episode offers a gripping insight into the world of a visually impaired detective, blending mystery and drama with a touch of innovation. With a unique premise, strong performances, and a commitment to diverse representation on and off screen, Sight Unseen makes a compelling entrance into the spring 2024 TV lineup.
