All posts by Greg David

Prior to becoming a television critic and owner of TV, Eh?, Greg David was a critic for TV Guide Canada, the country's most trusted source for TV news. He has interviewed television actors, actresses and behind-the-scenes folks from hundreds of television series from Canada, the U.S. and internationally. He is a podcaster, public speaker, weekly radio guest and educator, and past member of the Television Critics Association.
Children's Programming

Family Channel’s The Next Step begins principal photography on Season 4

From a media release:

Temple Street Productions and DHX Television’s Family Channel are pleased to announce production has commenced on the fourth season of the multi-award winning hit tween series, The Next Step. Created by Frank van Keeken (Lost & Found Music Studios, Wingin’ It) the reality-style drama follows the lives of an elite group of dancers as they continue to compete at the highest levels of competition.

In season four, after competing at Internationals in Miami, A-Troupe has made a name for themselves in the dance world putting The Next Step Dance Studio on the map. But their return to Regionals could mean the departure of beloved favourites which would force the team to start from scratch. An influx of brand-new dancers would mean new dynamics and challenges for the studio, and the team must fight harder than ever to make it back on top. Some will succeed, some will stumble, and they will struggle with the question: Is what is best for the team, best for me?

Season four of The Next Step welcomes a new group of talented young dancers including Guiseppe Bausilio as Alfie; Alexandra Chaves as Piper; Erika Prevost as Sloane; Akiel Julien as LaTroy; Isaiah Peck as Henry; Shelby Bain as Amy; and Allie Goodbun as Cassie. Returning fan-favourites include Victoria Baldesarra as Michelle; Brittany Raymond as Riley; Logan Fabbro as Amanda; Myles Erlick as Noah; Trevor Tordjman as James; Lamar Johnson as West; Isaac Lupien as Eldon; Jordan Clark as Giselle; Briar Nolet as Richelle and Skylar Alexis Healey as Skylar. The new season will also feature guest appearances from the musicians of Lost & Found Music Studios.

The Next Step is produced by Temple Street Productions in association with Family Channel and is executive produced by Frank van Keeken (Lost & Found Music Studios, Wingin’ It, Kids in the Hall), Ivan Schneeberg and David Fortier (Orphan Black, Being Erica, Wingin’ It) and Laura Harbin (Lost & Found Music Studios, Wingin’ It). BBC Worldwide handles the international rights to the series.

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Murdoch Mysteries, Still Standing

Link: Jonny Harris juggles acting and standup in CBC shows

From Denis Grignon of the Toronto Star:

Jonny Harris juggles acting and standup in CBC shows
Possibly inspired by well-mannered theatre audiences, Harris went the polite route for his standup self and parlays that almost quiet persona in Still Standing. The show features him in a lot of heartfelt, one-on-one chats with the towns’ locals. It’s Harris’s ability to listen intently rather than jump in and make jokes that shines as brightly as his standup in the show. Continue reading.

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Orphan Black

Production begins on Season 4 of Orphan Black

From a media release:

− Emmy®-nominated writer Semi Chellas consults on Season 4 –

− New directors include Peter Stebbings and David Wellington –

– Joel Thomas Hynes joins cast as Jordan Gavaris, Kristian Bruun, Maria Doyle Kennedy, Kevin Hanchard, Ari Millen, Josh Vokey, and Skyler Wexler return –

Space, Temple Street Productions, and BBC America announced today that production has begun on Season 4 of the critically acclaimed original Canadian series, ORPHAN BLACK. Season 4 sees the return of the phenomenal Tatiana Maslany to her Golden Globe® and Emmy®-nominated role as multiple characters on the CSA and Peabody Award-winning series ORPHAN BLACK. The third season of this mind-bending thriller plunged into the clone sisterhood, as they came together to combat the new line of male “Castor” clones and their journey towards the truth of who, and what they are. In Season 4, Sarah returns home from Iceland to track down an elusive new ally tied to Beth’s past. Sarah follows Beth’s footsteps into a dangerous relationship with a potent new enemy, and uncovers a horrifying new facet of the conspiracy. The 10-episode fourth season shoots in Toronto on location and in studio until March 2016, and is set to premiere in Spring 2016.

This season on ORPHAN BLACK, the near constant terror pushes everyone to their limit, particularly Sarah’s daughter, Kira. Under pressure, Sarah’s old habits begin to resurface. The clones are pulled in disparate directions and Sarah finds herself estranged from the loving relationships that changed her for the better.

Returning to ORPHAN BLACK this season are fan-favourites Jordan Gavaris as Sarah’s battle worn foster brother Felix; Kristian Bruun as Alison’s incredibly devoted husband Donnie; Maria Doyle Kennedy as Sarah and Felix’s fiercely loyal and stouthearted foster mother Mrs. S; Kevin Hanchard as Art, a detective torn between being a good cop and his loyalty to the clones; Ari Millen as a new type of clone; Josh Vokey as Scott, science geek and confidante to Cosima; and Skyler Wexler as Sarah’s daughter Kira. Also returning this season is James Frain as Ferdinand, an intimidating and scheming executive; Alison Steadman as Kendall Malone, “the original” for both Leda and Castor clones; and Rosemary Dunsmore as Susan Duncan, Rachel’s adoptive mother and one of the leading scientists of Project Leda. Joining the ORPHAN BLACK cast this season is Joel Thomas Hynes(REPUBLIC OF DOYLE) in the role of “Dizzy”, an edgy, self-reliant hacker who doesn’t conform to group mentality.

Spearheaded by co-creator Graeme Manson, the writing team includes Russ Cochrane,  (ROOKIE BLUE); Alex Levine (FLASHPOINT); Aubrey Nealon (SAVING HOPE); Kate Melville (DEGRASSI); Chris Roberts and Niko Troubetzkoy (THE LISTENER). Returning to direct is co-creator John Fawcett, along with David Frazee (FLASHPOINT); Aaron Morton(SPARTACUS: WAR OF THE DAMNED); Ken Girotti (VIKINGS, RESCUE ME); and Grant Harvey (BITTEN). New to the series to direct is Peter Stebbings (KILLJOYS) and David Wellington (SAVING HOPE, QUEER AS FOLK). At the start of the season, Emmy®-nominated Canadian writer Semi Chellas (MAD MEN) consulted.

 

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