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TV,eh? What's up in Canadian television
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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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Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

Canada’s Handyman Challenge now casting

From a media release:

CANADA’S HANDYMAN CHALLENGE IS BACK FOR A SECOND SEASON WITH AN ALL-STAR CAST AND $25,000 PRIZE

  • HGTV Canada’s Celebrity Carpenter Paul Lafrance Joins Bryan Baeumler and Scott McGillivray On The All-Star Judging Panel
  • National Casting Call Now Open

The nationwide search for the best all around handyman is back for a second season and casting has begun! Canada’s Handyman Challenge puts contestants through a series of rigorous challenges to test their skills, ultimately awarding one contestant the coveted title of Canada’s Best Handyman – and new this season, a $25,000 prize. Teaming up as judges are powerhouse construction experts and HGTV celebrities Paul Lafrance (Decked Out, Deck Wars), Bryan Baeumler (Leave It To Bryan, House of Bryan), and Scott McGillivray (Income Property), who will be touring the country looking for talented handyman hopefuls in live auditions this September. Applicants must apply online at www.hgtv.ca/castingcall prior to live auditions. The series is scheduled to premiere in Winter 2013 on HGTV Canada.

The three HGTV stars will be appearing in Halifax, Vancouver and Toronto to select the top four contestants from each city, who will then progress to Toronto to compete and test their handyman talents. Joining as guest judge will be Mike Holmes (Holmes Makes It Right, Holmes Inspection) to help choose the winner and award the $25,000 prize.

Following their online application, Canadians are encouraged to join the casting calls in the following cities:

Halifax – Wednesday September 5
Vancouver – Monday September 10
Toronto – Saturday September 15

To compete on Canada’s Handyman Challenge, applicants must pre-register online. The winner this season will not only be crowned Canada’s Best Handyman by the most respected men in the business, but will also be awarded a $25,000 prize.

For more information and details on how to register, visit www.hgtv.ca/castingcall.

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Cracked

CBC’s Cracked starts production

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From a media release:

WHITE PINE PICTURES ANNOUNCES START OF PRODUCTION ON NEW CBC TELEVISION DRAMA SERIES “CRACKED”

  • Starring David Sutcliffe, Stefanie von Pfetten, Luisa d’Oliveira, Dayo Ade, Karen LeBlanc

White Pine Pictures announced today that principal photography began July 16th, 2012 on the new drama series Cracked, for CBC Television. Shooting will take place in Toronto, Ontario, through November 30, 2012 with the hour-long series (13 episodes) premiering on CBC in January 2013.

Starring David Sutcliffe (Gilmore Girls, Private Practice) as Detective Aidan Black and Stefanie von Pfetten (NCIS, Battlestar Galactica) as Psychiatrist Dr. Daniella Ridley, the drama series partners an unstable police detective (Sutcliffe) with a psychiatrist (von Pfetten) to solve the city’s most baffling and psychologically complex crimes. The dynamic all-Canadian cast also features Luisa d’Oliveira (The Secret Circle, 50/50) as Detective Poppy Wisnefski, Dayo Ade (Lost, NCIS Los Angeles) as Psychiatric Nurse Leo Beckett, and Karen LeBlanc (Shattered, Nurse.Fighter.Boy) as Inspector Diane Caligra.

Cracked is White Pine’s second drama series for CBC. Their first, The Border, ran for three successful seasons and was sold to 21 countries. “We’re thrilled to be collaborating with the CBC again”, says executive producer Peter Raymont, president of White Pine Pictures. “Cracked is a gripping, compassionate portrayal of emotional problems that affect so many people and touch us all. It’s compelling television with heart.”

The original series is created by writer Tracey Forbes (Flashpoint, Buffy the Vampire Slayer) and Toronto Emergency Task Force officer Calum de Hartog and executive produced by Peter Raymont and Janice Dawe of White Pine Pictures. Forbes will act as showrunner along with Janet MacLean (The Border). Jamie Paul Rock and de Hartog will produce. Susan Morgan is the show’s creative producer and White Pine’s Caroline Murphy is associate producer. Director of Photography is Norayr Kasper (St. Urbain’s Horsemen). Nataline Rodrigues is the CBC Executive in Charge of Production overseeing this project.
Cracked is produced by White Pine Pictures in association with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and with the participation of the Canadian Television Fund and Cogeco. Distributed internationally by Beta Film GmbH and White Pine Releasing. Represented in the US by Carrie Stein.

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