From a media release:
SHAFTESBURY STARTS PRODUCTION ON KEN FINKLEMAN’S HOTLY ANTICIPATED NEW SERIES, GOOD DOG
- Lauren Lee Smith co-stars fresh off hit series CSI
Shaftesbury Films, Canada’s leading creator and producer of original content, today announced that the company has commenced production on Good Dog, a half-hour comedy created, written and directed by Ken Finkleman (The Newsroom). Starring Finkleman and Lauren Lee Smith (CSI, The L-Word), the 13-episode series will be shot on location in Toronto until August. Produced in association with Astral’s The Movie Network and Corus Entertainment’s Movie Central, Good Dog will premiere in 2011.
Good Dog centers on the life of George (Finkleman). He’s self-absorbed, neurotic and he lives with Claire, (Smith) a gorgeous ex-model, half his age. It’s a hot May-December relationship in which George discovers he must be a “Good Dog†if he wants it to work out. Did we mention Claire has two young children and a nanny, who over time come to live with them? George’s friend, Doug (Jason Weinberg), bears the brunt of most of George’s “bright ideas,†which generally end badly, but not without revealing a nugget of truth.
Finkleman is best known as the writer, creator and producer of the International Emmy award-winning series, The Newsroom for CBC TV and PBS. He also produced Married Life (Comedy Central) and Foolish Heart, Foreign Objects, More Tears and At the Hotel. Finkleman’s first novel, Noah’s Turn, will be published by HarperCollins in late August 2010.
After an extensive casting search, Vancouver native Lauren Lee Smith has been selected for the role of Georges ‘ much younger girlfriend, Claire. Smith returns to Canada after playing CSI agent Riley Adams in season nine of the international hit series CSI: Crime Scene Investigation alongside Laurence Fishburne. Smith is also known for her starring role in Clement Virgo’s award-winning film, Lie with Me, and the Showtime series The L-Word. Rounding out the cast is Jason Weinberg (Law & Order, Casino Jack) as George’s friend, Doug.
Good Dog is produced with the participation of the Canada Media Fund, Rogers Cable Network Fund, Movie Central and The Movie Network. The series is executive produced by Shaftesbury’s Christina Jennings and Scott Garvie and by Ken Finkleman, and is produced by Peter Meyboom for Shaftesbury. Ken Finkleman writes, directs and stars in the 13-episode half-hour series. Shaftesbury Sales Company holds international sales and distribution rights.
