From Lesley Goldberg of The Hollywood Reporter:
‘Vikings’ Bulks Up With Three New Regulars for Season 4
Following its deadly third season, History’s Vikings is adding three new series regulars to its cast.
Finnish actors Peter Franzen (The Gunman) and Jasper Paakkonen (Frozen Land, Secret Lives) as well as Dianne Doan(Once Upon a Time) have joined the drama series created by Michael Hirst, The Hollywood Reporter has learned. Continue reading.
From LaToya Ferguson of The A.V. Club:
With sophisticated ignorance and unexpected heart, Schitt’s Creek finds riches
Based on the title, it’s easy to assume that Schitt’s Creek is a low-brow toilet-humor factory, completely unbefitting of Eugene Levy and Catherine O’Hara’s combined talents. But instead of relying on oh-so-easy juvenile gags (some still come into play, especially in the pilot), Schitt’s Creek is a show of witty zingers, which grow progressively more melodramatic with every passing episode.
Surprisingly, the MVPs of the series aren’t Eugene Levy (who is more of a straight man) and O’Hara. Their characters both have their moments—especially O’Hara’s—but it’s Murphy and the younger Levy who are the true stars of the show. Even though all of the Roses are detached from the real world, it is the kids whose sheltered upbringing prevents them from fully understand their new surrounding and drives most of the show’s humor. Continue reading.
From Jennie Punter of Variety:
Castalia and Canada’s APTN Partner On New TV Channel For Native Americans
Atlanta-based Castalia Communications has partnered with Canada’s APTN (Aboriginal Peoples Television Network) to develop a cable channel aimed at Native Americans and other viewers with an interest in the culture.
“APTN has done an excellent job of entertaining and informing Aboriginal audiences throughout Canada,†said Castalia founder and prexy Luis Torres-Bohl, who confirmed his international media business development company is now in conversation with all major U.S. cable, satellite, and telcos. “We are excited by the opportunity to now bring this relevant, high-quality TV option to a clearly underserved segment of the U.S. population.†Continue reading.
From a media release:
As the timer runs out on the final three episodes of Season 2, CTV announced today an early Season 3 order for its hit culinary competition series MASTERCHEF CANADA for the for the 2015/2016 broadcast season. Casting for home cooks is open now at CTV.ca/MasterChefCanada, and production is set to begin this fall in Toronto on a new 15-episode season from Proper Television. Esteemed Canadian judges Michael Bonacini (O&B restaurant empire), Alvin Leung (Bo Innovation in Hong Kong), and Claudio Aprile (Origin Restaurants) are set to return for Season 3 to again mentor and challenge everyday Canadians to help elevate their cooking and presentation to a professional level, as they cook to win a $100,000 cash prize and the title of MASTERCHEF CANADA.
Season 2 of MASTERCHEF CANADA remains the #1 Canadian series among the key A18-49 and A25-54 demos for the broadcast year to date, and has a season average of 1.6 million viewers. The culinary competition is a Top 20 show with total viewers and a Top 15 show in all key demos this spring.
MASTERCHEF CANADA is looking for passionate and talented home cooks who want to pursue their culinary dream. Details on how to apply for MASTERCHEF CANADA Season 3 are available at CTV.ca/MasterChefCanada, and Canadian home cooks have until 11:59 p.m. ET on July 19, 2015 to show their interest. Interviews are slated to take place in June and July, and applicants are encouraged to apply early to meet producers when they are in their region. Casting will come to an end with an Open Casting Call in Toronto on July 18 and 19, with additional details to be announced this summer.
The MASTERCHEF format is represented internationally by Endemol Shine Group, and is based on a format originally created by Franc Roddam.
MASTERCHEF CANADA is produced by Proper Television in association with CTV. President of Proper Television, Guy O’Sullivan is executive producer, along with Proper’s Vice-President and Creative Director, Cathie James. For Bell Media, Tina Apostolopoulos is Production Executive, Factual and Reality, Independent Production. Robin Johnston is Director, Factual and Reality, Independent Production. Corrie Coe is Senior Vice-President, Independent Production. Mike Cosentino is Senior Vice-President, Programming, CTV Networks and CraveTV. Phil King is President – CTV, Sports, and Entertainment Programming.
From a media release:
Corus Entertainment is pleased to announce that W Network‘s newest hit original series, Hockey Wives has been green lit for a second season. The docu-series from Bristow Global Media Inc. will continue to explore the wives and girlfriends of some of professional hockey’s top players over the course of a season. Hockey Wives is part of the slate of original series including Property Brothers, the Love It or List It franchise, and Say Yes to the Dress Canada that has made W Network the top-rated network amongst women’s networks in Canada.
Following the success of the first season the series will continue to have unmatched access to the off-the-ice lives of the women who are the captains of their families, careers and relationships.
The success of the first season of Hockey Wives has extended beyond the linear airings. Fans have engaged online with the no-holds-barred post-show Google Hangout, featuring the wives live talking with guest hosts including TV host Jessi Cruickshank, the edge’s Josie Dye, sports reporter Monika Platek and more. The series has become a fan favourite with social media audiences; with #HOCKEYWIVES a repeat trending topic across Canada; user generated shareable content including Buzzfeed articles, YouTube reviews and memes. The finale of season one airs Wednesday, May 6 at 10 p.m. ET/PT.
Produced by Bristow Global Media Inc. in association with W Network, Hockey Wives airs on W Network. Executive Producers are Julie Bristow President & CEO Bristow Global Media and Claire Adams, Head of Content, Bristow Global Media and Megan Sanchez-Warner. John MacDonald is the Vice President of Television and Head of Women’s and Family Television for Corus Entertainment.
