From a media release:
Canadian R&B sensation Keshia Chanté stars in new drama series SOUL, premiering Feb. 11 on VisionTV
Mahalia Brown has a talent that could open doors for her. But if she dares to step through, she may find herself in a dangerous place, far from everything in her life that’s safe and true and comforting. Is it a price worth paying to live her dream?
Welcome to Mahalia’s world. Welcome to SOUL. A six-part drama premiering in February on VisionTV, SOUL stars Canada’s premier R&B artist, Keshia Chanté, as Mahalia, a gifted young gospel singer on the verge of leaving behind the safety of church and family for the fast track to pop stardom.
SOUL is VisionTV’s first original hour-long drama series. It airs on Wednesday nights, starting Feb. 11, at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT.
The series was produced for VisionTV by Halifax Film, an award winning production company whose credits include This Hour Has 22 Minutes and The Guard. Principal photography took place in Halifax, NS last fall.
SOUL is the first small-screen starring role for Ottawa-born Keshia Chanté, who earned a Juno Award in 2005 for R&B/Soul Recording of the Year.
As Mahalia, Chanté plays a young woman at a crossroads. A member of the Keystone Church choir, she has been content to play second fiddle to her best friend Alicia (Jessica Parker Kennedy, Smallville), the choir soloist, while secretly dreaming of stardom.
When Keystone competes in a televised choir competition, Mahalia seizes a chance to step into the spotlight, putting her friendship with Alicia at risk.
Courted by an influential record producer, she finds her principles put to the test. Can she stay spiritual in a material world?
Mahalia’s story unfolds against a backdrop of sometimes violent conflict within her troubled urban neighbourhood – a dangerous world of drugs and guns into which her ambitious brother Malcolm (Ish Morris, ReGenesis) is increasingly drawn.
SOUL also co-stars Eli Goree (North/South) as her boyfriend and fellow choir member Samson, a young man struggling to protect a troubling secret, and Karen LeBlanc (Playmakers) as choir leader Dee Dee Washington, a former pop star and recovering addict trying to undo the damage of her past.
Michael Anthony Rawlins (Intelligence), Kim Roberts (I’m Not There), Mpho Koaho (Flashpoint) and series co-creator Andy Marshall (The Life and Hard Times of Guy Terrifico) also star. Michael Beach (ER, Third Watch) guest stars as gospel music mover and shaker Rev. Isaiah Hunter.
The Executive Producers of SOUL are Floyd Kane (North/South), Peter Lauterman (North of 60), Michael Donovan (Bowling for Columbine) and Charles Bishop (The Guard). Joan Jenkinson is the Executive Producer for VisionTV.
Andy Marshall is Creative Producer, and Margaret Harrison (Shake Hands with the Devil) is Line Producer. The series writers are Andy Marshall, Peter Lauterman and Floyd Kane. The directors include Stefan Scaini (Degrassi: The Next Generation) and Steve DiMarco (The Chris Isaak Show).
