From a media release:
The Nightingale Company is pleased to announce that eight additional scripts for THE WEIGHT have been commissioned by The Movie Network (eastern Canada) and Movie Central (western Canada).
Produced by Debbie Nightingale (Chicks with Sticks, ZIXX), written by acclaimed playwright George F. Walker and writing partner Dani Romain (This Is Wonderland), and directed by Gail Harvey (Things That Say, Terry), THE WEIGHT follows a collection of cops, criminals and everyone in between as they intersect in the suburban wasteland they call home. The series centres on Max (Ron White, Screamers, Tag: The Jonathan Wamback Story) and Donny (Daniel Kash, Fugitive Pieces, Cinderella Man), two cops as damaged and morally ambiguous as the criminals they pursue.
Production on the first eight-episode order commenced in August and, based on dailies alone, The Movie Network and Movie Central has agreed to support the development of eight more scripts for the second season. The first season of the series will premiere on the pay networks in the fall of 2008.
When the concept was originally pitched, the innovative broadcasters immediately embraced the show and, as producer Nightingale explains, “George and Dani’s unique voice fits well with The Movie Network’s and Movie Central’s vision of providing quality, unique programming that you won’t see anywhere else. They are creating a real brand in the international marketplace.â€
Nightingale continues, “Now here we are, in production for only two months, and we feel truly validated by the networks’ decision to commit to a second season.â€
“Right from the script phase we believed that this series would resonate with subscribers and be the kind of engaging, compelling and thought-provoking drama that we look for,†said Michelle Marion, Director, Canadian Independent Production, The Movie Network. “We look forward to bringing this truly unique entertainment experience to our subscribers in fall 2008.â€
“We are excited to be commissioning eight more scripts of our new original drama
series THE WEIGHT,†said Erica Benson, Director, Programming, Movie Central. “George F. Walker and Dani Romain have created an intriguing world of characters and storylines that make really compelling television. And with the exceptional cast, viewers will want to dig deeper into the lives of these flawed but fascinating characters.â€
THE WEIGHT’s additional ensemble cast is an outstanding mix of talent, including Sharon Lawrence (Desperate Housewives, NYPD Blue), Linda Hamilton (The Terminator, Terminator 2: Judgment Day), Edward Asner (Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, The Mary Tyler Moore Show), and Clé Bennett (Doomstown, This is Wonderland). With a cast of 84 actors, including 30 mains, this ambitious piece includes wonderfully layered and original characters – raw, flawed, and funny, but most importantly, real.
George F. Walker and Dani Romain are Executive Producers and writers of THE WEIGHT with Debbie Nightingale as Executive Producer. THE WEIGHT is directed by DGC nominated filmmaker Gail Harvey (Some Things That Stay, Terry). Producer is Norman Denver (Show Me Yours) with award-winning Director of Photography Peter Benison, Paul Day is the Editor and Peter Emmink, Production Designer.
THE WEIGHT is developed and produced by The Nightingale Company in association with Corus Entertainment’s Movie Central and Astral Media’s The Movie Network. The series is produced with participation from the Canadian Television Fund and the Independent Production Fund.
THE WEIGHT is being distributed outside of Canada by the London/Los Angeles-based Alchemy Television Group and by the Paris-based Double V for French speaking territories outside of Canada.
