From a media release:
The Movie Network and Movie Central announce new original drama series set for production
Astral Media’s The Movie Network (eastern Canada) and Corus Entertainment’s Movie Central (western Canada) today announced production dates for the original drama series Sanctuary, Bloodletting & Miraculous Cures and the second season of The Weight.
Currently in production in Vancouver until September 10, 2008, Sanctuary is a 13-episode series that is shot almost entirely on green screen using cutting-edge visual effects and the latest in camera technology. Sanctuary is commissioned by The Movie Network, Movie Central as well as SCI FI Channel in the U.S. and will premiere in October 2008.
Bloodletting & Miraculous Cures, an eight-part drama series based on the Scotiabank Giller Award-winning best-seller by Vincent Lam, will begin production in Toronto in spring 2009 and will debut on The Movie Network and Movie Central in fall 2009.
The second season of George F. Walker and Dani Romain’s The Weight begins shooting in Toronto in July 2008 with seasons one and two premiering consecutively on Movie Central and The Movie Network in spring 2009.
“From Durham County and ReGenesis to Slings & Arrows and Terminal City, The Movie Network and Movie Central have successfully carved out a niche in Canadian television for original drama that boasts bold and intelligent story-telling, high production values and strong on- and off-air creative talent,” said Michelle Marion, Director of Canadian Independent Production, The Movie Network.
“This year’s slate of new series illustrate the kind of smart, provocative programming that our subscribers have come to expect,” said Erica Benson, Vice President, Programming, Movie Central. “And with the upcoming premieres of ZOS: Zone of Separation and The Weight, our audiences will get to experience the visions of some of the country’s finest creative talents.”
SERIES SYNOPSES:
SANCTUARY
Sanctuary is the first television series in North America to use the RED camera, a digital system that captures images at more than double the resolution of a high definition-camera. The series follows the adventures of the beautiful and enigmatic Dr. Helen Magnus, her new and somewhat reluctant protégé Will Zimmerman and her fearless daughter Ashley, as they track down, study and try to help the strange and often terrifying creatures that secretly populate our world. Sanctuary stars Amanda Tapping (Stargate SG-1), Robin Dunne (Dawson’s Creek), Emilie Ullerup and Christopher Heyerdahl. Helmed by some of the innovative talents behind Stargate SG-1 and Stargate Atlantis, the series creative team includes executive producer and creator Damian Kindler; executive producer and lead actor Amanda Tapping; and executive producer and
director Martin Wood. In addition, Sam Egan (Jeremiah, The Outer Limits)
serves as executive producer and writer and John Smith (Stargate SG-1,
Stargate Atlantis) and Keith Beedie as executive producers. Sanctuary is
produced by Stage 3 Media Inc. and distributed by Tricon Films and Television.
BLOODLETTING & MIRACULOUS CURES
Bloodletting & Miraculous Cures follows a group of conflicted young doctors from medical school to their years as emergency room doctors, and shows that there are no miracles in hospitals, just hard work, fear, hope, pain, mistakes – and the occasional triumph. Produced by Shaftesbury Films (ReGenesis), award-winning writer Jason Sherman (ReGenesis, Murdoch Mysteries) is developing and writing the series.
THE WEIGHT (SEASON 2)
The Weight (Season 2) is created by playwright/screenwriter George F. Walker (This Is Wonderland, Criminals in Love) and Dani Romain (This Is Wonderland) and tells the story of Max and Donny, two cops who are often as morally ambiguous as the criminals they pursue. Produced by The Nightingale Company, the team comprises executive producers George F. Walker, Dani Romain and Debbie Nightingale, producer Norman Denver, directors Gail Harvey and Shawn Alex Thompson and executive story editor/consulting producer Joseph Kay and stars Ron White and Daniel Kash.
