From a media release:

CANADA’S PRIMTETIME ANIMATED COMEDY “BY THE RAPIDS”DIVES INTO ITS FOURTH SEASON

• Premieres Saturday, Sept. 8 on APTN

The quirky, hilarious, and outlandish lives of the Littlehorn family are back for a fourth season of “By The Rapids”. APTN’s first primetime-animated comedy series, takes a satirical look at what happens to an urbanized family that relocates from Toronto to a rural Aboriginal Mohawk community. New and returning fans will love the improved animation effects of “By The Rapids” season four – the best yet – as it continues to highlight real life issues with the help of lighthearted pop-culture references and witty wisecracks.

 “By The Rapids” was a vision that became a reality for me and I’ve loved every moment of creating four compelling seasons,” says Joseph Lazare, the young series creator, writer and director. “The animation in season four is the best yet and with even more fun pop culture references, it is sure to entertain.”

In the season four, Cory is forced to attend school for the first time and quickly becomes the target of bullies. He ends up running an elaborate campaign to become student president to compete with a new nemesis. In a hilarious move, Uncle Regis acts as the head of his secret service. Highlights from “By The Rapids” season four include Hazel, the Littlehorn’s beloved grandmother, coming out of Bingo retirement to defeat the prosthetic limbed Bingo bully who is stealing everyone’s luck, Karen and Derek getting crowned ‘Hickee King and Queen’ – and almost ending up married because of it.

Check out the brand new website at www.bytherapids.ca for news, episode teasers, season summaries and a fun interactive “By The Rapids” map.

“BY THE RAPIDS” – SEASON IVPREMIERES SEPTEMBER 8, 2012 ON APTN

Broadcast Saturdays at:

• 7:30 p.m. ET on APTN East and HD;
• 7:30 p.m. MT on APTN West; and
• 7:30 p.m. CT on APTN North.

From a media release:

The Movie Network, Movie Central and Entertainment One Announce Start of Production on Rogue, Starring Thandie Newton and Marton Csokas

The Movie Network (Eastern Canada) and Movie Central in association with Entertainment One (eOne) announced that production commences today in Vancouver on 10 episodes of the suspense-drama Rogue, starring Thandie Newton (Mission Impossible 2, Crash) and Marton Csokas (The Debt, Alice In Wonderland). The series is an international co-production by Entertainment One and Greenroom Entertainment, produced in participation with The Movie Network, Movie Central and DIRECTV. Rogue will air on The Movie Network Movie Central in Canada.

Rogue revolves around Grace (Newton), a morally and emotionally-conflicted undercover detective who is tormented by the possibility that her own actions contributed to her son’s death. Grace’s search for the truth is further complicated by her forbidden relationship with Jimmy (Csokas), the crime boss who may have played a hand in the crime. A smart, complex, character-led thriller, the show explores loss, grief, identity, family bonds, second chances and redemption. Both Grace and Jimmy not only struggle with who they are, they also struggle with who they want to be. Both cross the line – morally, emotionally, sexually – with devastating consequences for their own lives and those around them.

A Canada-UK coproduction, Rogue is executive produced by renowned UK producer/director Nick Hamm for Greenroom Entertainment; John Morayniss and Michael Rosenberg for eOne; and Steven Marrs from Momentum Entertainment Group. Series creator Matthew Parkhill (The Caller) serves as writer and supervising producer.

In addition to Newton and Csokas, the cast includes Ian Hart (Luck), Claudia Ferri (The Killing), Joshua Sasse, Jonathan Holmes, Sarah Jeffrey, Ian Tracey (Intelligence, Hell on Wheels), Jarod Joseph (Fringe), Matthew Beard (And When Did You Last See Your Father), and Martin Donovan (Simple Men, Weeds). Brian Kirk (Luck, Game of Thrones, Boardwalk Empire) directs the first episode.

From a media release:

SPACE Orders New Original Canadian Drama BITTEN

SPACE announced today at the start of Fan Expo Canada™ that it has ordered the new original scripted drama series BITTEN from Vancouver’s No Equal Entertainment and Hoodwink Entertainment, and Toronto’s Entertainment One (eOne). Based on the best-selling Women of the Otherworld novels by Canadian author Kelley Armstrong, thirteen episodes of the one-hour drama have been ordered, with production set to begin in Toronto next spring. Armstrong, and Executive Producer, J.B. Sugar, will be onsite at Fan Expo Canada™ this weekend, appearing on a SPACE panel on Sunday, Aug. 26 at 11 a.m. ET (Room 715) to discuss her novels and the new SPACE series.

Set in Toronto and upper New York State, BITTEN follows the adventures of 28-year-old Elena Michaels, the world’s only female werewolf. An orphan, Elena thought she finally found her “happily ever after” with her new love Clayton, until her life changed forever. With one small bite, the normal life she craved was taken away and she was left to survive life with the Pack. Today’s announcement follows SPACE’s order of new 13-episode drama series ORPHAN BLACK in June. eOne will handle worldwide distribution for the series.

Seeking refuge in Toronto, Elena constructs the façade of a normal life, working as a photographer and dating a new man. But when bodies turn up in the backwoods of Stonehaven, the rural mansion that has served as a werewolf sanctuary for generations, and the Pack is threatened by an unknown predator, they turn to Elena for help. Caught between two worlds and two loves, Elena returns to Stonehaven out of duty, but once back in the fold she realizes that when push comes to shove, like any true alpha female, she’ll stop at nothing to defend her family – including putting her own life on the line.

An erotically charged thriller, BITTEN examines the age-old battle between man and beast as human and inhuman forces come to a head in one small town and within one woman’s body.

BITTEN is based on the critically acclaimed series of novels from Kelley Armstrong, a Globe and Mail and New York Times bestselling author. Originally from Sudbury, ON, Armstrong’s first book, Bitten, was released in 2001 by Random House Canada. She has since written 12 additional books in the Women of the Otherworld series, with the final book, Thirteen, released on July 24, 2012. Armstrong still lives in Southwestern, Ontario with her husband, kids, and far too many pets.

BITTEN is produced by No Equal Entertainment, Hoodwink Entertainment and eOne in association with Bell Media. Executive producers are J.B. Sugar (THE COLLECTOR, JPOD) for No Equal Entertainment, and John Barbisan and Patrick Banister (WHISTLER) for Hoodwink Entertainment. Daegan Fryklind is executive producer and writer. Rebecca DiPasquale is Production Executive, Drama. Trish Williams is Director of Drama, Independent Production, Bell Media. Corrie Coe is Senior Vice-President, Independent Production, Bell Media. Catherine McLeod is Vice-President, Specialty Channels, Bell Media. Rick Brace is President, Specialty Channels and CTV Production. Phil King is President, CTV Programming and Sports.

From Randall King of the Winnipeg Free Press:

• Actors need courage to recreate Jack Layton’s life
  In the scene, Layton, as played by the cosmetically altered actor Rick Roberts, expresses doubt that the country could get behind a “loudmouth show-off from Toronto.” Chow, played by actor/filmmaker/CBC Radio vet Sook-Yin Lee, presciently suggests Layton is precisely what the endangered NDP needs. Read more.

From a media release:

RICK ROBERTS PLAYING POLITICAL ICON IN TV MOVIE

• Cameras Rolling on Smilin’ Jack: The Jack Layton Story

Veteran Canadian TV actor Rick Roberts is embarking on the role of a lifetime, playing the part of the political leader who captured the hearts of Canadians in the last federal election.

Roberts is playing Jack Layton in Smilin’ Jack: The Jack Layton Story, a made-for-television movie that began shooting in Winnipeg on August 5th. It’s a role he has enjoyed researching, and also found challenging to prepare for.

“It’s been a pleasure looking into the life of such a multi-faceted man. I’ve had to learn to speak Cantonese and French, and play the guitar. Jack Layton was an incredible athlete, and I like to lie on the couch – so this in itself has been challenging. The most intriguing part has been trying to embody his passion for life, his generosity, and his resolve to follow his vision in spite of overwhelming odds.”

A favourite with audiences for over two decades, Rick Roberts is arguably one of Canada’s most versatile actors. He stars in Michael McGowan’s latest feature Still, and Laurent Cantet’s Foxfire. His performance as Jim Jones was unforgettable in Three Days to Jonestown. Recent work includes guest starring on Saving Hope (CTV/NBC), Copper (BBC America), and Cracked (CBC). He has appeared in The Republic of Doyle (CBC), The Murdoch Mysteries (CTV), Crash & Burn (Showcase), and many other series and movies. He headlined An American in Canada (CBC), LA Doctors (CBS), and Traders (CBC), for which he received a Gemini nomination in 1998.

Joining Roberts is Sook-Yin Lee as Olivia Chow. A successful broadcaster, musician, actress, and filmmaker, Lee is one of Canada’s best-known pop culture icons. Playing the role of Olivia Chow is one that Lee personally connects with.

“I am humbled and honoured to be playing Olivia Chow, in a project that is near and dear to me. Just over a year ago my little sister Deanna was diagnosed with cancer, and I saw firsthand the kind of strength and courage it takes to live with the disease. Jack and Olivia were an amazing team in life, love and politics. They cut through bureaucracy and remained accessible to people. It will be a challenge for me to embody Olivia in all her beautiful complexity. I hope to serve her well.”

Sook-Yin Lee starred in the adventurous sex comedy Shortbus, which premiered at the 2006 Cannes Film Festival, and earned her the 2007 Best Supporting Actress award from the International Cinephile Society. Lee wrote, directed and starred in The Brazilian, a chapter in the movie Toronto Stories. The 2009 film Year of the Carnivore is her feature film debut as writer-director. She also co-created its Genie-nominated score and concept album, Original Music From and Inspired by the Movie Year of the Carnivore, with Buck 65 and Adam Litovitz.

Also in the cast are Wendy Crewson (Air Force One) and Erin Karpluk (Being Erica).

ABOUT THE PRODUCTION

Produced by Pier 21 Films and Eagle Vision Inc. in association with CBC Television, Smilin’ Jack: The Jack Layton Story follows the 2011 election campaign that began with Layton on crutches and down in the polls, to leading his party to its largest mandate since the party was formed. The movie also traces the love story between Layton and his wife Olivia Chow, through their years in civic politics and finally onto the national stage.

Smilin’ Jack: The Jack Layton Story is a co-production between Pier 21 Films and Eagle Vision Inc. Entertainment One will distribute the film. The script was written by Andrew Wreggitt (Mayerthorpe, Wrath of Grapes: The Don Cherry Story II), and the movie is directed by Jeff Woolnough (Copper, Wrath of Grapes: The Don Cherry Story II). Executive Producers are Laszlo Barna (Pier 21), Lisa Meeches (Eagle Vision Inc.), and Kyle Irving (Eagle Vision Inc.). Co-producer is Melissa Williamson (Pier 21), with Lesley Oswald as Line Producer.

The movie is being produced in association with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, with the participation of the Canada Media Fund; Manitoba Film and Music; the assistance of the Government of Manitoba – Manitoba Film & Video Production Tax Credit; the Canadian Film and Video Production Tax Credit; and the Ontario Film and Television Tax Credits.