From a media release:
SEX, GUNS, THE MOB AND MONEY. JUST ANOTHER DAY IN THE INSURANCE BUSINESS
- Showcase launches new original series Cra$h & Burn
- Sleek companion website will be loaded with thrilling interactive features including digital car collision and detective game
Showcase delves deep into the surprisingly dangerous and often unsavory world of insurance fraud and investigation with the launch of the new original dramatic series Cra$h & Burn. The 13 one-hour episodes will air Wednesdays at 9 pm ET/PT beginning November 18, 2009. This marks the first time a one-hour original drama has been solely commissioned by Showcase.
Cra$h & Burn follows streetwise insurance adjuster Jimmy Burn as he navigates the gritty city streets. He is squeezed between the cutthroat corporate culture that is big insurance, the con artists that make a living claim by claim and the city-wide infiltration of organized crime. Throughout the series, Jimmy must dodge shifty clients, crooked lawyers, backstabbing co-workers and the Russian mob as he fights to keep his job. All the while, fighting to make a life for himself and struggling to grab a piece of the middle-class dream – home, family and security.
Cra$h & Burn is executive produced by Whizbang Films’ Paul Gross and Frank Siracusa, as well as Malcolm MacRury (ZOS: Zone of Separation, Deadwood). MacRury also serves as the series’ creator and showrunner. The series stars Luke Kirby (Tell Me You Love Me; Slings and Arrows) as Jimmy Burn, the cocky yet charming up-and-comer looking to claim a slice of the corporate pie as an insurance adjuster. Casting also features Leela Savasta (Battlestar Galactica, Intelligence) as Lucia Silva, Jimmy’s feisty social worker fiancée; Caroline Cave (The LWord; This Beautiful City) as Catherine Scott, the company’s beautiful and cunning in-house lawyer; Clark Johnson (The Wire, Homicide: Life on the Street, also an Emmy-nominated director on The Shield) as Walker Hearn, a veteran insurance investigator and Steve Bacic (The Guard; Andromeda) as Korkov, a conman and Russian Mafioso hustling to scam the system.
A companion website for the series, www.crash-and-burn.com will launch on November 11. The site gives viewers an unprecedented digital experience as they interact with the show and its characters. A digital version of the Protected Insurance spokesperson – the advertising face and voice of Protected Insurance in each episode – will guide users through the site. In addition to a dynamic trailer for the series, character bios, an episode guide, a look at life from a Protected cubicle and faux commercials for Protected – there are two innovative content streams: “Autotopsy†gives viewers an up-close and personal look at a car crash with an interactive deconstruction of a major collision. Users can also channel their inner detective when the website launches “Protected Detective: Branch Investigation†(active November 18). This exciting addition allows viewers to become involved in an interrogation of Protected employees accused of insurance fraud and determine the perpetrator through an on-line vote. The site is being produced in association with the Bell Broadcast and New Media Fund and the Canadian Television Fund. At the conclusion of the season the investigation will be resolved. Viewers can link to the site from showcase.ca.
Full episodes of Cra$h & Burn will also be available exclusively on showcase.ca the day after broadcast.
This is a great premise for a series. I’ve recently been listening to the old-time radio series, Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar, which was also about an insurance investigator. It ran for 12 years and is perhaps my favourite of the OTR Detective serials. I’m amazed that the premise hasn’t been used since.
It’s good to see Luke Kirby on the small screen again–I enjoyed his Keanu Reeves-like role in the first season of Slings and Arrows. I admit the premise for this new series sounds promising and will have to tune in to the premiere!
I saw a sneak preview of the pilot and another episode (I think episode 2, but I’m not sure) last night. Really, really great show. The detective/procedural part of the show is very smartly written, and very darkly comic. It’s definitely got a lot going for it.
I can’t wait to see this series and how it turns out.
They have been activly filming most of the show just outside my office. Nearly everyday for the last few months.
Nov 18 is going to be an exciting day.
This is a very promising show. I saw the pilot of the show and can’t wait to see the rest. Great story,very real. Good actors. Don’t miss it!
I like the show. I was on set for the SANTA SCENE CRASH 11/21/09. I have behind the scene pictures @ The Weather Network / Hamilton. Go into View Gallery and search for ACTION or GRZENDA.
I like to support this project so please give me a click. Check out SANTA in his DRESS.