From Bill Brioux:
TIFF salute to 19-2 reveals S3 will begin with a bang
Season 2’s opener, screened last year at the Canadian International Television Festival, began with a harrowing episode covering a mass shooting at a high school. Season 3 also starts with a jolt. I don’t want to spoil it here, but I was astounded when Smith told me they were able to shoot it in just one day. Continue reading.
Just a reminder that our charity auction benefiting Kids Help Phone is running until Aug. 28. There are tons of great items up for bid, including swag from Todd and the Book of Pure Evil, Ice Pilots NWT, Bitten, Rookie Blue, Flashpoint, X Company, Mr. D, Orphan Black and Murdoch Mysteries. Also, chat with Mr. D/Trailer Park Boys star Jonathan Torrens, get notes on your TV script, have drinks with Canadian TV writers and score set visits to Murdoch Mysteries and Bitten.
Production begins on Season 3 of 19-2
Love this show! 19-2 continues to be Canadian TV’s finest police drama. With full credit to writers and the talented cast, it consistently tells stories that are riveting but also lets us actually feel the emotions of first responders. I can’t wait for Season 3!! —Sandra
oOOOO! Cannot wait! Most excellent news! My fave series these days! (Just don’t tell the guys at Orphan Black I said that!) —Stephen
So glad to hear we can look forward to another season of 19-2. I have enjoyed watching the first two. —Joyce
Amazing Race Canada makes Pit Stop with After the Race
Great! I had a feeling this might happen, just wasn’t totally sure since we have an extra team this year so they have less of a timeframe to wrap the show up before fall TV season starts. This should give the early eliminated a chance to share their feelings on everything, as the one after the finale will focus on the last three teams the most. It’s always been a flaw in Survivor’s reunion show to me, and the U.S. Race has nothing at all so this is an improvement. —Dan
Got a comment or question about Canadian TV? Greg@tv-eh.com or @tv_eh.
From a media release:
Bravo announced today that production has begun on Season 3 of its hit original drama 19-2. Set to return to Bravo in 2016, the 10-episode, hour-long drama co-produced by Montréal’s Sphere Media Plus and Echo Media, films on location in Montréal throughout the rest of summer and fall. Season 3 sees the return of beat partners Ben Chartier (Jared Keeso), and Nick Barron (Adrian Holmes), as they navigate the blurred-lines between Montréal politics and organized crime, while the squad searches for redemption and begins to heal from Season 2’s traumatic events including a horrific school shooting, and the shocking revelation that their beloved sergeant was a pedophile.
Season 3 also introduces new cast members including Juliette Gosselin (LES JEUNES LOUPS) as manipulative teen foster child Martine who claims to have information on Kaz’s death; Krista Bridges (DURHAM COUNTY) as Inspector Elise Roberge stationed at 19 to wrap up the investigation of Sergeant Houle; and Joe Pingue (THE EXPANSE) as Charlie Figo, an old-school mobster who goads Nick into uncharted territory. Writers Bruce Smith(DURHAM COUNTY), Jesse McKeown (ROGUE), and Nikolijne Troubetzkoy (CALL ME FITZ) return, as Lynne Kamm (8 Count) and Alison Lea Bingeman (REMEDY) join the writer’s room. Louis Choquette (Rumours, Mirador, Le Gentleman) returns to direct, with Sturla Gunnarsson (MOTIVE), and Stefan Pleszczynski (THE FLASH) also confirmed to direct this season.
Season 3 of 19-2 picks up where Season 2 left off, with a fragmented squad reeling from the revelation that their sergeant, once the glue that held them together, was a pedophile and a mole for organized crime. Although there is a strong bond within 19, each character is caught up in their own drama. Nick’s quest to find his cousin’s killer gives him a dangerously deep look into the organized crime world, rubbing elbows with Montréal’s shadiest characters. While dealing with his alcoholic father, Ben tries to keep Nick on the straight and narrow while building his reputation as both a trustworthy cop and partner to Amelie. With their personal drama as a distraction, Ben and Nick don’t realize the dangers building around them, and the consequences they are about to cause.
19-2 is co-produced by Sphère Média Plus and Echo Media in association with Bell Media, and also stars CSA nominee Laurence Lebeouf (DURHAM COUNTY) as Nick’s former lover, Audrey; CSA nominee Dan Petronijevic (SAVING HOPE) as angry beat-cop J.M.; CSA nominee Benz Antoine (THE LISTENER) as struggling alcoholic, officer Tyler; Mylène Dinh-Robic (THE LISTENER) as Tyler’s brazen, no-nonsense partner Béatrice; Bruce Ramsay (CONTINUUM) as manipulative District Commander Marcel Gendron; andAlexander De Jordy (LETTERKENNY) as rookie cop Richard Dulac. CSA nominee Maxim Roy (HEARTLAND) returns to guest star as Nick’s ex-wife Isabelle.
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.
Starting tonight, CTV will be airing original series from parent company Bell Media’s specialty network, exposing them to potentially bigger audiences during the summer lull in new programming.
Saturday evenings, Orphan Black season three and Bitten season two air back to back. The second season of 19-2 will air on Wednesdays. Previous seasons are available on CraveTV.
From a media release:
Starring two-time CSA Best Actress winner Tatiana Maslany, Season 3 of ORPHAN BLACK (9 p.m. ET/PT) plunges the clone sisterhood into unexpected territory with the realization that they’re not alone, while Season 2 of thriller BITTEN (10 p.m. ET/PT), finds The Pack on a quest to capture an enemy only to uncover a more sinister force threatens the existence of the werewolf species.
Bravo’s acclaimed original series 19-2, which was recognized with 10 CSA nominations this year and a win for Best Performance by an Actor in a Continuing Leading Dramatic Role, returns to CTV for its second season Wednesdays at 10 p.m. ET/PT, beginning July 8. Centred on embattled beat partners Nick Barron (Adrian Holmes) and Ben Chartier (CSA winner Jared Keeso), the second season of 19-2 picks up where the first season left off, with Ben working to uncover the identity of a mole at Station 19.The emotionally-charged episode that begins the season focuses on a school shooting and has been hailed by critics as “… a riveting hour of television…” “…a powerful, compelling, exhausting hour – one that definitely should not be missed.” and “…60 of the most breathtaking minutes on television…”.
In the Season 3 premiere of ORPHAN BLACK, entitled “The Weight of This Combination” (Saturday, July 4 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on CTV), Sarah (Tatiana Maslany) fights to locate a disappeared Helena (Maslany) and must repel a lethal investigator from the mysterious shadow corporation Topside, who threatens the Leda sisters’ lives. Meanwhile, Cosima (Maslany) appears to be rebounding from her illness, while Alison (Maslany) and Donnie (Kristian Bruun) face newfound financial woes. When the menace of Castor rears its head once more, Sarah and her entire family must come together to survive.
In the Season 2 premiere of BITTEN, entitled “Bad Blood” (Saturday, July 4 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on CTV), Elena (Laura Vandervoort) and The Pack are on the hunt for Malcolm (James McGowan). Meanwhile, back at Stonehaven, Jeremy (Greg Bryk) receives an ultimatum from the Council of International Alphas that challenges his leadership over North America.
In the emotionally-charged Season 2 premiere of 19-2, entitled “School” (Wednesday, July 8 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on CTV), the entire squad is embroiled in an intensely tragic school shooting with consequences that profoundly impacts all of their lives. Featuring a haunting uninterrupted, 13-minute, single-camera tracking shot, the tragic events that unfold during the season premiere set the stage for 19-2’s overarching themes of introspection, trust, and loyalty during Season 2.
