From the Writers Guild of Canada:
Writers Talking TV – The Next Step
Host Nicole Demerse talks with showrunner Frank van Keeken about his approach to The Next Step, a show for young people based on the lives of a group of dancers at the fictional Next Step Dance Studio. Listen here.
From Melissa Hank of Postmedia:
When Calls the Heart the anti Game of Thrones
Meanwhile, in Canadian television, a handful of series have been priding themselves on their family-friendly focus, exchanging sex scenes for sweetness, and violence for valour. Coincidentally or not, they all feature strong female lead characters. Continue reading.
From Bridget Liszewski of TV Junkies:
Ruby Rose to clash with Zoie Palmer’s android on Dark Matter
If you’re anything like us here at The TV Junkies you can’t get enough of Orange is the New Black’s Season 3 breakout star Ruby Rose. Thankfully we’ll be able to get another look at the Australian actress when she guest stars on the July 24 episode of SyFy/Space Channel’s Dark Matter. Continue reading.
From a media release:
Corus Entertainment’s YTV, Canada’s leading entertainment brand for kids, announced today that it has commissioned a new live action series called Drive Me Crazy (working title), produced by award-winning content creator marblemedia (Japanizi: Going, Going, Gong!, Splatalot) in association with Proper Television (Canada’s Worst Driver). The 20 x 30-minute series is currently casting for contestants and will launch in 2016.
In each episode, rookie tween/teen drivers are put through a fun-fueled driving course. In order to pass this driving test, contestants need a family member to teach them the ways of the road. Together, each team faces every driving challenge imaginable, all with the hopes that the driver will get the coveted keys to the family car. The series delivers an entertaining and unfiltered glimpse into what really goes on behind the wheel when a parent teaches their child how to drive.
Drive Me Crazy will be executive produced by marblemedia’s Matt Hornburg and Mark Bishop along with Guy O’Sullivan of Proper Television and Steve Sloan. marblemedia’s Vice President, Kids and Family Miklos Perlus, will serve as Co-Executive Producer and Kirsten Scollie will act as Line Producer.
The series is inspired by the UK format Driving Academy, which was originally produced by Lucky Day Productions (a Zodiak Media company) and aired on CBBC. marblemedia will lead the development of an interactive extension for the series and its distribution arm, Distribution360, will split territories with Zodiak Media. Additionally, the series has received funding from the Shaw Rocket Fund.
Drive Me Crazy is currently casting tween/ teens and their family members. The deadline for casting applications is August 1, 2015.
From network episode descriptions:
Amazing Race Canada, CTV – season premiere
Season 3 of the most-watched Canadian television show in history kicks off in one of the oldest and most beautiful cities in North America, Québec City. The 12 teams begin their epic journey in the historic and picturesque city of Old Québec in front of one of the most photographed hotels in the world, the Chateau Frontenac. After their first challenge, teams then travel to Canada’s largest city, Toronto, where they will complete their first roadblock of the season. Right out of the gate, teams will test both their mental and physical abilities, and come face-to-face with their fears.
Rookie Blue, Global – “Integrity Test”
With Oliver still the prime suspect in the bombing of 15’s evidence room, Andy, Dov, Gail, and Nick undertake a risky – and potentially career-ending – plan to prove that Commissioner Alonso Santana is corrupt. Meanwhile, Traci shadows Steve Peck, hoping to calm her fears about his involvement in the bombing.
19-2, CTV – “School”Â
In the stirring Season 2 premiere originally aired on Bravo, the entire squad is embroiled in an intensely tragic school shooting with consequences that profoundly impacts all of their lives.
