Everything about Saint-Pierre, eh?

Allegiance, Featured, Heartland, Murdoch Mysteries, Saint-Pierre, Wild Cards

CBC renews Allegiance, Wild Cards, Murdoch Mysteries, Heartland and Saint-Pierre

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From a media release:

CBC today announced the renewal of popular original homegrown dramas including CBC’s most-watched new series SAINT-PIERRE for a second season, as well as Canadian Screen Award-nominated series ALLEGIANCE for a third season and enduring hits HEARTLAND and MURDOCH MYSTERIES for their 19th seasons. CBC original blue sky procedural WILD CARDS has also been renewed for seasons three and four. In the past year, all five dramas were among the Top 20 Canadian programs on television, and within the Top 10 series on CBC Gem. Additional CBC renewals across all genres and content areas will be announced later this spring.

“With the renewal of these five hit dramas offering compelling characters, unique stories and a strong sense of place from different regions across Canada, CBC will continue to showcase homegrown storytelling that audiences can’t find anywhere else,” said Sally Catto, General Manager, Entertainment, Factual & Sports, CBC.

Police procedural SAINT-PIERRE (12×60 in Season 2) was CBC’s #1 most-watched new series of the year and one of the top Canadian drama series nationwide. From creators Allan Hawco, Robina Lord-Stafford and Perry Chafe, the series stars Hawco and Josephine Jobert as two seasoned officers – with very different policing skills and approaches – working together to solve unique and exciting crimes in the French territory of Saint-Pierre et Miquelon. The series is produced by Hawco Productions in association with FIFTH SEASON, which handles global distribution.

Set and filmed in Vancouver, WILD CARDS (10×60 for both Seasons 3 and 4) is a blue sky procedural with a comedic twist that follows the unlikely duo of a by-the-book, sardonic cop Cole Ellis (Giacomo Gianniotti) and a spirited, clever con woman Max Mitchell (Vanessa Morgan) who are partnered together to solve crimes. From Blink49 Studios, Front Street Pictures and Piller/Segan in association with The CW, the series is created by Michael Konyves with international distribution handled by FIFTH SEASON. Konyves recently won the 2025 WGC Screenwriting Award in the Drama Series category for his writing on WILD CARDS.

Created by Anar Ali (Transplant), ALLEGIANCE (10×60 in Season 3) is a character-driven police procedural set in Surrey, BC, about identity and belonging, policing and politics, and finding new paths to truth and justice for all. The series is nominated for eight Canadian Screen Awards including Best Drama Series and Best Lead Performer for Supinder Wraich and Best Supporting Performer for Enrico Colantoni, and is produced by Lark Productions in association with Universal International Studios, a division of Universal Studio Group.

Set against the glorious backdrop of the foothills of Alberta, HEARTLAND (10×60 in Season 19) is a multi-generational family drama that is much loved by fans of all ages in Canada and around the world. Based on the bestselling series of books by Lauren Brooke, the series follows Amy Fleming (Amber Marshall) and her family as they deal with the challenges of running the Heartland Ranch that has been with them for generations. Star Michelle Morgan is nominated for a Canadian Screen Award in the category of Best Lead Performer. The long-running series is produced by Dynamo Films and SEVEN24 Films.

Available in more than 120 countries and territories around the world, MURDOCH MYSTERIES (21×60 in Season 19) is set in Toronto in the early 1900s during the age of invention, where Detective William Murdoch (Yannick Bisson) enlists innovative forensic techniques to solve some of the city’s most perplexing murders. The much-loved series has received 10 Canadian Screen Award nominations including a Best Lead Performer nomination for Hélène Joy and Best Supporting Performer nods for Jonny Harris, Daniel Maslany and Clare McConnell, and is produced by Shaftesbury in association with ITV Studios and UKTV and distributed by Shaftesbury Sales Company and ITV Studios.

HEARTLAND, MURDOCH MYSTERIES and WILD CARDS are also nominated for the 2025 Cogeco Fund Audience Choice Award, which will be announced as part of THE 2025 CANADIAN SCREEN AWARDS. Hosted by Canadian actress and creator Lisa Gilroy, the awards show will stream live in its entirety on Sunday, June 1 beginning at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT on CBC Gem. THE 2025 CANADIAN SCREEN AWARDS is Canada’s biggest night in entertainment, with legendary icons and rising stars coming together to honour the very best in homegrown film and television.

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Featured, Saint-Pierre

CBC renews original series Saint-Pierre for Season 2

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From a media release:

CBC announced today that its original police procedural SAINT-PIERRE will be renewed for a second season with filming in Newfoundland and Saint-Pierre et Miquelon beginning this spring. The series is produced by Hawco Productions for CBC and CBC GEM in association with FIFTH SEASON, which handles global distribution.

Throughout its first season, SAINT-PIERRE was CBC’s #1 most-watched new series of the year and one of the top Canadian drama series nationwide.* The first season is currently available to stream for free on CBC Gem.

SAINT-PIERRE is the creation of Allan Hawco, Robina Lord-Stafford and Perry Chafe, with Hawco and Lord-Stafford as Showrunners. French star Josephine Jobert (Death in Paradise) and Canadian star Allan Hawco (Republic of Doyle, Caught, Jack Ryan) lead the cast playing Arch and Fitz, with James Purefoy (Rome, Sex Education, The Following), Benz Antoine (Four Brothers, Get Rich or Die Tryin’), Erika Prevost (The Boys, Dare Me) and Jean-Michel Le Gal (Paris Paris, Accused) rounding out the stellar team.

After the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary Inspector, Donny “Fitz” Fitzpatrick, digs too deeply into a local politician’s nefarious activity, he is exiled to work in Saint-Pierre et Miquelon – the French Territory nestled in the Atlantic Ocean. Fitz’s arrival disrupts the life of Deputy Chief Geneviève “Arch” Archambault, a Parisian transplant who is in Saint-Pierre for her own intriguing reasons.

As if by fate, these two seasoned officers — with very different policing skills and approaches — are forced together to solve unique and exciting crimes. Although the islands seem like a quaint tourist destination, the idyllic façade conceals the worst kind of criminal activity, which tend to wash up on its beautiful shores. At first at odds and suspicious of each other, Arch and Fitz soon discover that they are better together.

“We are thrilled to continue this journey and explore even more of the world of SAINT-PIERRE and these two characters, Arch and Fitz, that we’ve grown to love so much,” says series creators Allan Hawco and Robina Lord-Stafford. “We are bursting with ideas for new storylines and can’t wait for audiences to see what’s next.”

Ava Knight, Director, Acquisitions at FIFTH SEASON, said: “We’re delighted audiences and buyers can soon return to Saint-Pierre’s shores for more fun and mystery with our brilliant leads, played by Allan Hawco and Josephine Jobert. Following season one’s formidable success, we look forward to now bringing both instalments to new homes globally.”

SAINT-PIERRE is executive produced by Janine Squires, Erin Sullivan, Robina Lord-Stafford, Perry Chafe, John Vatcher and Hawco.

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Saint-Pierre

Links: Saint-Pierre, Season 1

From John Kirk of Original Cin:

Link: Saint-Pierre: Post-Doyle, the Next Best CBC Atlantic Crime Series Comes From (Not Far) Away

The island of Saint-Pierre takes centre stage as a character in its own right. The island isn’t really known to the majority of Canadians. Though it’s just off the coast and to the south of Newfoundland, it’s a part of the Canadian diaspora nonetheless. There are jokes aimed at our “funny, plastic money”, on Newfoundland culture and even the way French is pronounced. Continue reading.

From Alex Nino Gheciu of The Canadian Press:

Link: With maturity comes baggage in Allan Hawco’s new cop role in CBC’s ‘Saint-Pierre’

After CBC’s “Republic of Doyle” wrapped in 2014, Allan Hawco spent years searching for the next show to create.

The star and co-creator of the St. John’s, N.L.-set crime drama, which ran for six seasons, had several ideas but couldn’t land on a concept that resonated with him. Continue reading.

From Bill Brioux of Brioux.tv:

Link: Saint-Pierre’s Allan Hawco

No man is an island. Allan Hawco’s new series, however, is shot and set on an archipelago of eight islands represented by the French government off the coast of Newfoundland. Continue reading.

From Heather M. of The Televixen:

Link: Previewing Saint-Pierre: “Queen Bee”

The creative machine behind Republic of Doyle is back at it Monday night when Saint-Pierre, a new hourlong drama, lands on CBC and CBC Gem. Set on the titular French territory in the Atlantic Ocean and filmed in Doyle‘s picturesque Newfoundland stomping grounds as well as Labrador, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, and Ontario, the series follows a newly transplanted Royal Newfoundland Constabulary Inspector, Donny Fitzpatrick (Fitz), played by Allan Hawco. Continue reading.

From Jeevan Brar of The TV Watercooler:

Link: “There’s Something Inspirational About the Idea of People Who Really Are Trying to Do the Right Thing.” – Allan Hawco and Josephine Jobert Open Up About Their New Series Saint-Pierre

“When you audition for French projects, it’s pretty rare that you get to read the [whole] first episode. I just loved it.” Continue reading.

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Featured, Saint-Pierre

Allan Hawco returns to CBC with rollicking, refreshing Saint-Pierre

For six seasons, Allan Hawco’s Republic of Doyle entertained viewers on CBC. The fast-paced detective drama was set in and around St. John’s and spotlit the unique island community through the eyes of Jake Doyle and his co-workers, friends, lovers and enemies.

Now Hawco is back and spotlighting another island community.

Debuting Monday at 9 p.m. on CBC and CBC Gem, Saint-Pierre—co-created by Hawco, Robina Lord-Stafford and Perry Chafe—boasts the humour, heart and unique environs that are Hawco’s bread and butter.

At the centre of the series is its two lead characters. Royal Newfoundland Constabulary Inspector Donny “Fitz” Fitzpatrick (Hawco) finds himself banished to Saint-Pierre et Miquelon—the French territory of 6,000 nestled in the Atlantic Ocean—after digging too deeply into illegal activity surrounding a local politician (played by Eric Johnson), who happens to be married to Fitz’s ex-wife (Vanessa Matsui).

Once on the island, Fitz is partnered with Deputy Chief Genevieve “Arch” Archambault (Joséphine Jobert). There are some fish-out-of-water moments for Fitz in the first episode—he not only suffers from sea sickness (bad news when you’re working on a small island) and a fear of heights—not to mention struggling with the language barrier (luckily, Fitz understands French better than he speaks it). Rounding out the main cast are Benz Antoine, Erika Prevost, Jean-Michel Le Gal and James Purefoy as the big bad in Season 1.

Much of Monday’s debut sets up the people and their world. And what a world it is! Quaint, brightly painted wood homes dot the coast of Saint-Pierre while older stone buildings stand sentry inland. French flags wave everywhere, and croissants and seafood are plentiful. Hawco revealed during a recent interview that he was on a location scout for fellow CBC/Hawco Productions project Son of a Critch when he visited the island, and knew it should be the setting for his next series. He had written two pilot projects and Saint-Pierre was the perfect fit for one.

“One [idea] was very close to what this show is, the very notion of these two partners who were thrust together by fate, and unwilling partners who didn’t know they needed each other until now,” he says.

Eagle-eyed fans of Death in Paradise will quickly identify Jobert, who portrayed Detective Sergeant Florence Cassell from 2015 to 2024 on the veteran British series. The chemistry Jobert has with Hawco is instantaneous and undeniable and is a huge part of why Saint-Pierre works so well.

“She’s my favourite type of person and actor,” Hawco says. “She’s prepared. She’s also totally flexible to go with anything in the moment. She’s practical about what the technical requirements of the job are while keeping a fluidity and an absolute freshness and spontaneity to her work. No ego, no status, no judgment. She’s generous with the crew. She understands people’s jobs, she respects them. She’s a true angel. She’s an absolute unicorn.”

Saint-Pierre airs Mondays at 9 p.m. on CBC and CBC Gem.

Images courtesy of CBC.

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Allegiance, Featured, Murdoch Mysteries, Saint-Pierre, Wild Cards

CBC announces Winter 2025 streaming and broadcast premiere dates

From a media release:

CBC today announced streaming and broadcast premiere dates for its winter 2025 slate of new and returning programming on CBC Gem and CBC TV, including more than 30 original series from Canadian creators, producers, and storytellers reflecting people, places and perspectives from across the country. The first episode of all series will be available to stream on CBC Gem starting at 9 a.m. ET on their premiere dates noted below, with a new episode available weekly at the same time unless otherwise specified. CBC TV local broadcast times are noted in parentheses (for Newfoundland and Labrador, please add half an hour to all times). CBC’s special holiday programming will be announced separately in December.

New Canadian Original Series

SAINT-PIERRE New Drama Series (10×60) – Premieres Monday January 6 (9 p.m.)

Fitz (Allan Hawco, Republic of Doyle, Jack Ryan) and Arch (Joséphine Jobert, Death in Paradise) – two seasoned officers with very different policing skills and approaches – are forced to work together to solve unique crimes in Saint-Pierre et Miquelon, the French territory just off the coast of Newfoundland.

NORTH OF NORTH New Comedy Series (8×30) – Premieres Tuesday, January 7 (9 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., before continuing at 9 p.m. as of January 14)

Filmed in Iqaluit, Nunavut, Inuk actor Anna Lambe (True Detective, Trickster, The Grizzlies) stars as Siaja, a young Inuk woman who dreams of reinventing herself in her tiny Arctic community of Ice Cove, a town where everybody knows your business. After a spontaneous — and extremely public — exit from her marriage, Siaja finds herself navigating the unpredictable, and often hilarious, highs and lows that come with relationships, motherhood, a new job, and finding your way.

SMALL ACHIEVABLE GOALS New Comedy Series (8×30) – Premieres Tuesday, February 25 (9 p.m.)

Baroness von Sketch Show’s Jennifer Whalen and Meredith MacNeill star as two wildly different women in the throes of menopause, thrust together to produce a podcast. The pair embark on an unpredictable journey of transformation, helping each other through workplace challenges and office politics, dating disasters and relationship drama, and some serious health concerns. This comedy follows them on a hormonal adventure where their friendship is the key to finding solace, strength, and a new way forward.

Allegiance

Returning Series

CORONATION STREET ongoing (weekdays at 7 p.m.; Fridays at 7:30 p.m.)

FAMILY FEUD CANADA Season 6 (64×30) – Premieres Monday, December 30, airs Mondays – Thursdays (7:30 p.m.)

DRAGONS’ DEN Season 19 (12×60) – Continues Thursday, January 2 (8 p.m.)

THE NATURE OF THINGS Season 64 (11×60) – Premieres Thursday, January 2 (9 p.m.) The new season tears down stereotypes of TEENAGERS (Jan. 2) across the species, breaks into a SWEAT! (Jan. 9) exploring the complex cooling system of humans, and investigates the FOODSPIRACY (Jan. 16) behind ultra processed foods.

SKYMED Season 3 (9×60) – Premieres Sunday, January 5 (9 p.m.)

MURDOCH MYSTERIES Season 18 (22×60) – Continues Monday, January 6 (8 p.m.)

THIS HOUR HAS 22 MINUTES Season 32 (24×30) – Continues Tuesday, January 7 (8 p.m.)

SON OF A CRITCH Season 4 (13×30) – Premieres Tuesday, January 7 (8:30 p.m.)

WILD CARDS Season 2 (13×60) – Premieres Wednesday, January 8 (8 p.m.)

HALIFAX COMEDY FEST Seasons 27 and 28 (6×30) – Premieres Tuesday, January 14 (9:30 p.m.)

ALLEGIANCE Season 2 (10×60) – Premieres Wednesday, January 15 (9 p.m.)

STUFF THE BRITISH STOLE Season 2 (8×30) – Premieres Friday, January 24 (8:30 p.m.)

CANADA’S ULTIMATE CHALLENGE Season 3 (7×60) – Premieres Thursday, February 27 (8 p.m.)

WINNIPEG COMEDY FESTIVAL Season 22 and 23 (5×60) – Premieres Sunday, March 9 (9 p.m.)

YOU’RE MY HERO Season 2 (6×15) – All episodes available to stream on CBC Gem beginning Friday, March 14

BOLLYWED Season 3 (8×30) – Premieres Thursday, March 20 (9 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.)

GHOSTING WITH LUKE HUTCHIE AND MATTHEW FINLAN Season 2 (8×30) – All episodes available to stream on CBC Gem beginning Friday, March 21

Ghosting with Luke Hutchie and Matthew Finlan

CBC News

ABOUT THAT WITH ANDREW CHANG (15×30) – Continues Friday, January 10 at 8:30 p.m. on CBC TV (Weekday mornings on the CBC News streaming channel and available now on CBC Gem)

MARKETPLACE Season 52 (14×30) – Continues Friday, January 24 (8 p.m.)

THE FIFTH ESTATE Season 50 (14×60) – Continues Friday, January 24 (9 p.m.)

THE NATIONAL – ongoing (live at 10 p.m. weekdays and Sundays on CBC TV and CBC Gem)

CBC’s flagship national newscast with Chief Correspondent Adrienne Arsenault (Monday – Thursday) and Ian Hanomansing (Friday and Sunday)

CBC MORNING LIVE WITH HEATHER HISCOX (Weekday mornings on CBC TV and CBC News Network)

CANADA TONIGHT WITH TRAVIS DHANRAJ (Weeknights on CBC News Network)

POWER & POLITICS WITH DAVID COCHRANE (Weeknights on CBC News Network)

ROSEMARY BARTON LIVE (Sundays on CBC TV and CBC News Network)

CBC Sports

CBC SPORTS PRESENTS – ongoing (live on Saturday and Sunday afternoons on CBC TV and CBC Gem)

With the Olympic Winter Games Milano-Cortina 2026 on the horizon, CBC SPORTS brings audiences all the action from the world of high-performance sport with key competitions including: FIS Alpine Skiing Men’s Downhill (Jan. 25 in iconic Kitzbuhel, Austria); FIS Alpine World Ski Championships (Feb. 4 – 16, Saalbach, Austria); FIL Luge World Championship (Feb. 8, Whistler, Canada); IBSF Bobsleigh & Skeleton World Championships (Mar. 6 – 16, Lake Placid, USA); ISU World Short Track Speed Skating Championships (Mar. 14 – 16, Beijing, China); ISU World Speed Skating Single Distances Championships (Mar. 13 – 16, Hamar, Norway); FIS Snowboard & Freestyle Skiing World Championships (Mar. 17 – 30, Engadin, Switzerland); and ISU World Figure Skating Championships (Mar 26 – 30, Boston, USA). Canada will also host international competitors at the following World Cup events: ISU World Cup Speed Skating (Jan. 24 – 26, Calgary); FIS World Cup Freestyle Skiing (Jan. 25 – 26, Lac-Beauport, Que.); FIS World Cup Freestyle Skiing Moguls (Jan. 31 – Feb. 1, Val Saint-Côme, Que.); FIS Snowboarding World Cup (Feb. 15 – 16, Val Saint-Côme, Que.); FIS World Cup Freestyle Skiing Slopestyle (Feb. 20 – 22, Stoneham, Que.); FIS Snowboarding World Cup (Feb 21 – 22, Calgary); and FIS World Cup Freestyle Ski Cross (Mar. 12 – 15, Craigleith, Ont.). Visit cbcsports.ca for the full schedule.

CBC Kids

THE BRAVEST KNIGHT Season 2 (13×11) – Premieres Friday, December 13 on CBC Gem and Sunday, January 12 on CBC TV

Sir Cedric – a former pumpkin farmer turned knight, now grown up and married to the prince of his dreams – shares the story of his transformative journey with his 10-year-old adopted daughter, Nia. Through his stories, Nia, who is herself training to become a knight, learns important chivalric values such as honour, justice and compassion. Alan Cumming and Jane Lynch joining returning voice actors TR Knight, Christine Baranski, Wilson Cruz, Steven Weber and Bobby Moynihan.

LANA LONGBEARD New Animated Series (52×11) – Premieres Friday, December 20 on CBC Gem, with weekly episodes continuing to roll out on CBC Gem as of Friday, January 3

Twelve-year-old Lana Longbeard yearns to join her father Captain Andar on his heroic adventures at sea and leave her home island behind. When Andar decides he’s ready to hang up the hammer and retire Lana takes matters into her own hands, hijacking her father’s ship. After catching up with her Andar is inspired to continue to quest, now together with Lana on a father-daughter voyage of adventure. Set sail with LANA LONGBEARD as she sails across the ten realms with the ragtag crew of the Mighty Windbreaker ship in pursuit of glorious quests, fabulous treasure and delicious pancakes!

GANGNAM PROJECT Season 2 (10×30) – All episodes available to stream on CBC Gem beginning Monday, March 3

Season 2 follows the young K-pop performers as they transition from One Mile Entertainment trainees through the excitement and make-or-break journey of becoming professional K-pop idols. But while the highs are high, the lows can be even lower – it’s not easy suddenly being in the spotlight. With pressure from OME, expectations from the fans, and dealing with creative differences as a group, friendship and commitment are tested like never before.

Images courtesy of CBC.

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