Sphere Media Sells First 13 Episodes of Comedy-Drama Sophie to ABC Family

From a media release:

Sphere Media Plus has sold the first 13 episodes of Sophie, its Montreal-produced comedy-drama – broadcast by CBC since January 9 – to ABC Family. The network, a member of the Disney-ABC Television Group, also took an option on the series’ second season.

“I am particularly proud of this production, especially since Sophie is the product of a rewarding partnership between Canadian actors and Quebec creative talent,” said producer Jocelyn Deschenes, founding president of Sphere Media Plus. “The purchase of this series by ABC Family shows us that new possibilities are now opening up in the Canadian television industry.”

Sophie1

Adapted from the popular Francophone series Les hauts et les bas de Sophie Paquin, which Radio-Canada has been carrying for two years, Sophie attracted the American broadcaster’s notice during CBC’s winter programming launch last fall.

The series was then described as a comedy-drama in which a pregnant businesswoman is having a particularly tough year. As she looks for a break, Sophie, played by actor Natalie Brown of Timmins, Ontario, has no choice but to reach out to friends and relatives who – unfortunately for her – are a largely dysfunctional and neurotic group of people.

“Sophie is a wonderful show for ABC Family,” said Tom Zappala, ABC Family’s senior vice president, acquisitions and scheduling. “It’s fresh, and funny but with real heart and warmth. And Natalie Brown is such a wonderful star – beautiful but so relatable. She and Sophie show the level of talent that’s currently coming out of Canada.” ABC has not yet indicated a broadcast date.

“As much as Natalie Brown’s work charmed them, the people at ABC Family told us they were equally taken in by the attention to detail, pacing and ensemble cast,” said Jocelyn Deschenes. “According to them, Sophie appeals to their target audience of women 18 to 49 years of age.”

A creation of Richard Blaimert, Sophie is directed by Eric Tessier with support from executive producer Howard Busgang. In addition to Natalie Brown as Sophie Parker, the series also stars Sebastian Spence (Rick Ryder), Jeff Geddis (Matthew Scott), Amy Lalonde (Melissa Bryant), Mimi Kuzyk (Judith Parker), Sara Botsford (Estelle Burroughs), Chantelle Chung (Ophelia Burroughs) and Catherine Berube (Bridget). It is currently broadcast Wednesdays at 8:30 PM on CBC.

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2 thoughts on “Sphere Media Sells First 13 Episodes of Comedy-Drama Sophie to ABC Family”

  1. NATALIE BROWN IS THE BEST…
    PLEASE NATALIE MADISON BROWN CAME HIERE IN ROUMENIA..
    WERRY MATCH PEOPLE WEITH SEE YOU..
    WE WEITH YOU…..
    WE LOVE YOU WERRY MATCH AND ME Y LOVE YOU VERRY MATCH…
    MY DREAM IS SEE YOU..
    I WANNA BE ACTRICE LIKE YOU ONLY FOR PLAING IN YOUR COUNTRY CANADA…
    ONLY FOR SEE MY FAVOURITE ACRTICE ..
    YOU….
    PLEASE CAME HIERE AND DON”T DEZEPOINT AS…
    PLESE…Y HAWE 16 YEARS AND Y WANNA SEE YOU..
    AND Y WANT YOU KNOW THAT YOU ARE THE BEST…
    WITHE WERRY MATCH LOVE YOUR BEST FAN…
    ANDREEA….
    LOVE YOU 4Ever&Ever!

  2. Y like verry match Sophie and acshely y like Natalie Brown verry match
    Sophie is a verry beautiful women and werry strong…
    And Natalie Brown is verry good in her job..
    like actrice of courses…
    Y hope that Natalie Madison Brown came hiere in our countri Roumenia ,because we weith see her…
    And verry queclei…because we can weith verry match…
    Love tou SOPHIE..and of courses Love tou NATALIE

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