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TV,eh? What's up in Canadian television
Bomb Girls

Bomb Girls season 2 starts production

From a media release:

GLOBAL’S BOMB GIRLS BEGINS SEASON 2 PRINCIPAL PHOTOGRAPHY

  • THE WWII DRAMA STARS MEG TILLY AND JODI BALFOUR
  • MICHAEL SEATER JOINS THE CAST

Shaw Media announced the start of production on Season 2 of Bomb Girls, currently shooting 12 X 1-hour episodes in Toronto now until mid-December 2012. Last season, Bomb Girls made its indelible mark as the #1 new Canadian series, and the program will return to Global Television in the new year (date to be announced).

The critically acclaimed series stars Academy Award® nominee Meg Tilly (Agnes of God, The Big Chill) and Jodi Balfour (The Sinking of the Laconia). Gemini award-winner Michael Seater (Life with Derek) is joining the cast as Ivan, a gregarious factory worker and object of interest of the girls working the assembly line at Victory Munitions.

This season Bomb Girls takes us back to 1942 – the war is in full swing, and it seems the Axis forces are winning every battle. With the demand from the Allies increased due to bombed-out factories abroad, folks at Victory Munitions are busier than ever – both inside the plant and out of it.

For shift matron Lorna Corbet (Tilly), something has got to give. The demands of her job, family and her own burgeoning need to define herself stirs things up at home and at work. Meanwhile, Gladys Witham (Balfour) is tiring of living under the shadow of her powerful family. Working at Vic Mu has fed her desire for independence, but she learns that making her own decisions doesn’t guarantee she’ll get what she wants.

Marco Moretti, played by Antonio Cupo (L’Ombra del destino), faces the challenges of his Italian heritage at a time when Canada is at war with Italy. He wants to do his part for the war effort, but confronts hostility from the powers-that-be. Betty McRae, played by Ali Liebert (Hellcats), searches for home both literally and figuratively, grappling with her identity, working to feel safe in her world. And what of Kate Andrews? Played by Charlotte Hegele (Murdoch Mysteries), can she return to the world and its promise of freedom, or will the shackles of her past overwhelm her? Still learning to live a life where her beauty is no longer the most outstanding asset, Vera Burr, played by Anastasia Philips (Skins), braves a world-view where her smarts can be just as important as her looks.

Bomb Girls is produced by Muse Entertainment and Back Alley Film Productions Limited in association with Shaw Media. The executive producers are Michael Prupas (The Kennedys, Pillars of the Earth), Janis Lundman (Durham County), Adrienne Mitchell (Durham County) and Michael MacLennan (Flashpoint, Queer as Folk). Mitchell is director on the first two episodes and is co-showrunner of the series along with Michael MacLennan who is also head writer. The show is distributed worldwide by Muse Distribution International.

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Rookie Blue

New tonight: Rookie Blue


Rookie Blue, Global – “Out Of Time”
After 15 Division is forced to release a suspected predator, the grim discovery of the body of a missing girl reopens an unsolved case, bringing back Det. Luke Callaghan to oversee it. When they learn that Andy has been assaulted and Gail has been abducted, the officers of 15 Division work frantically to rescue one of their own. Meanwhile, when one rookie follows up on lead, they are put directly in the path of the demented killer, forcing them to make the ultimate sacrifice.

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Uncategorized

Smilin’Jack: The Jack Layton Story in production

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.

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Murdoch Mysteries

New tonight: Murdoch Mysteries

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Murdoch Mysteries, Citytv – “Staircase to Heaven”
After a high-stakes card game involving Dr. Grace (Georgina Reilly) ends with the death of a player, Murdoch is shocked to learn the true cost of their wagers – their lives. Meanwhile, Inspector Brackenreid (Thomas Craig) is saddled with the care of Ned Watts (Jamie Robinson, Celeste in the City), a criminal set to testify against a vengeful mastermind known as “The Razor.”

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