Crave and NRK announced today additional Canadian cast members for the highly anticipated new drama series SO LONG, MARIANNE, co-produced by Montréal’s Connect3 (part of the Cineflix Media group of companies), about the legendary love story of Canadian singer and poet Leonard Cohen, and Marianne Ihlen.
Joining the lead cast of Alex Wolff (Leonard), Thea Sofie Loch Næss (Marianne), Anna Torv (Charmian Clift), Noah Taylor (George Johnston), and Peter Stormare (Irving Layton); is Macha Grenon, alongside special appearances from Éric Bruneau, Kim Lévesque Lizotte, and singer-songwriter Patrick Watson.
Macha Grenon plays Leonard’s mother, Masha Cohen; while Éric Bruneau takes on the role of Cohen’s long-time friend Robert Hershorn; and Kim Lévesque Lizotte plays Monique Mercure, who runs into Marianne at a party in Montréal. Patrick Watson has a cameo as a singer who performs for Cohen on a rooftop.
Robin L’Houmeau, Raphael Grosz-Harvey, Miranda Calderon, Tatiana Latreille, Ryan Bommarito, Emily Lê, Frank Fontaine, Megan Jonker, Sonia Berube, Rob Stewart, Chip Chuipka, Howard Bilerman, and Avi Bendahan round out the Canadian cast.
Set in some of the most beautiful international locations during the 1960s, SO LONG, MARIANNE is an intimate tale of two lonely people falling in love, during a period of their life when they are trying to figure out who they are and their place in the world, while one is becoming one of the most famous singers of all time.
Just as it served as a backdrop for Cohen’s life, Montréal will also feature heavily in SO LONG, MARIANNE. Crave audiences will recognize a number of landmarks, such as McGill University where Cohen studied, distinctive restaurants Toqué! and Greenspot, and the Des Seigneurs Bridge.
SO LONG, MARIANNE is developed by Ingeborg Klyve (Exit), Øystein Karlsen (Exit, Dag, Lilyhammer, Whitstable Pearl) and Tony Wood (Irvine Welsh’s Crime, Marcella, Whitstable Pearl) and written for the screen by Øystein Karlsen and Jo Nesbø (Harry Hole, Kingdom, Headhunters). The series is directed by Øystein Karlsen and Bronwen Hughes (Shantaram, Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul). SO LONG, MARIANNE is co-produced by Redpoint Productions, Tanweer Productions, and Connect3. The Executive Producers are Ales Ree for NRK, Richard Tulk-Hart and Tony Wood, Vegard Stenberg Eriksen and Ingeborg Klyve for Redpoint Productions, Dionyssis Samiotis and Nancy Kokolaki for Tanweer Productions, and André Barro and Pablo Salzman for Connect3.
Connect3 is part of the Cineflix Media group of companies, the leading international media company which is also headquartered in Montréal with operations in Toronto, New York, London, and Dublin. Cineflix Rights is distributing the series globally.
CBC today announced streaming and broadcast premiere dates for its fall 2023 slate of new and returning programming on CBC Gem and CBC TV, including more than 20 original series and specials 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).
New Canadian Original Series
TELLING OUR STORY New Documentary Series (4×60) – All episodes available Sunday, September 17 on CBC Gem This TIFF 2023 Primetime selection shares the perspectives of the 11 First Peoples in Quebec.
BONES OF CROWS New Limited Drama Series (5×60) – Premieres Wednesday, September 20 (9 p.m.) Limited series BONES OF CROWS brings to life a moving multi-generational epic of Indigenous resilience, survival and the pursuit of justice.
BLACK LIFE: UNTOLD STORIES New Documentary Series (8×60) – First four episodes available Wednesday, October 18 on CBC Gem, with remaining four available on Wednesday, October 25 (CBC TV debut on Wednesday, October 25 at 9 p.m.) Highly anticipated documentary series and TIFF 2023 Primetime selection BLACK LIFE: UNTOLD STORIES reframes the rich and complex histories of Black experiences in Canada.
BLACKBERRY New Limited Drama Series (3×60) – All episodes available Thursday, November 9 on CBC Gem (CBC TV debut on Thursday, November 9 at 9 p.m.) The extended series version of BLACKBERRY, featuring never-before-seen footage, charts the rise and fall of the world’s first smartphone.
SWAN SONG New Documentary Series (4×60) – All episodes available Wednesday, November 22 on CBC Gem (CBC TV debut on Wednesday, November 22 at 8 p.m.) SWAN SONG offers a backstage look at first-time director Karen Kain’s monumental new production of Swan Lake for the National Ballet of Canada on the eve of her retirement from the company.
Bones of Crows; images courtesy of Farah Nosh
Returning Series
CORONATION STREET – ongoing (weekdays at 7 p.m.; Fridays at 7:30 p.m.)
THE PASSIONATE EYE (10×60)– Premieres Wednesday, September 13 (8 p.m.) THE PASSIONATE EYE returns with a new season of thought-provoking original documentaries, beginning with Lin Alluna’s TWICE COLONIZED, following the personal journey of renowned Inuit lawyer Aaju Peter.
FAMILY FEUD CANADA Season 5 (102×30, Monday – Thursday) – Premieres Monday, September 18 (7:30 p.m.) The new season kicks off with a Teachers’ Week that sees teams of high school teachers competing for funds to support their schools’ programs. The season continues with host Gerry Dee welcoming families from across Canada, with all-new episodes Monday to Thursday.
THIS HOUR HAS 22 MINUTES Season 31 (24×30) – Premieres Tuesday, September 19 (8 p.m.)
THE NEW WAVE OF STANDUP (9×30) – All episodes of Season 4 (13×10) available Monday, August 28 on CBC Gem (Seasons 2 and 3 (9×30) premiere Tuesday, September 19 at 9:30 p.m. on CBC TV)
DRAGONS’ DEN Season 18 (16×60) – Premieres Thursday, September 21 (8 p.m.)
STILL STANDING Season 9 (10×30) – Premieres Tuesday, September 26 (8:30 p.m.) Host Jonny Harris embarks on more adventures in small towns across the country, from Dawson City, Yukon to Gander, Newfoundland and everywhere in between.
HEARTLAND Season 17 (10×60) – Premieres Sunday, October 1 (7 p.m.)
THE GREAT CANADIAN BAKING SHOW Season 7 (9×60) – Premieres Sunday, October 1 (8 p.m.)
SKYMED Season 2 (9×60) – Premieres Sunday, October 1 (9 p.m.)
MURDOCH MYSTERIES Season 17 (24×60) – Premieres Monday, October 2 (8 p.m.)
SORT OF Season 3 (8×30) – Two episodes available weekly on CBC Gem beginning Friday, November 17
Murdoch Mysteries
CBC Gem Originals
ZARQA Season 2 (6×11) – All episodes available to stream on Friday, October 6 Zarqa Nawaz returns for more comic hijinx.
HOW TO FAIL AS A POPSTAR (8×15) – All episodes available to stream on Friday, October 13 The adaptation of Vivek Shraya’s hit play and book.
THE BANNOCKING (6×10) – All episodes available to stream on Friday, October 20 A new Indigenous horror series, available in time for Halloween.
FARM CRIME Season 3 (6×20) – All episodes available to stream on Friday, November 3 Exploring the largely unseen dark side of Canada’s agriculture industry.
I HATE PEOPLE, PEOPLE HATE ME (6×15) – All episodes available to stream in late fall (date to be confirmed) This offbeat comedy and 2023 Tribeca Festival selection created by Bobbi Summers explores queer identity in a time when queerness has not only been mainstreamed, but commodified.
CBC News
BIG: CBC News Original Documentary series (4×60) – Premieres Friday, September 22 at 9 p.m. on CBC TV (Available to stream now on CBC Gem)
CBC NEWS EXPLORE’s PLANET WONDER (9×30) – Premieres Friday, October 6 at 8:30 p.m. on CBC TV (Available to stream now on CBC Gem)
MARKETPLACE Season 51 (17×30) – Premieres Friday, October 13 (8 p.m.)
THE FIFTH ESTATE Season 49 (15×60) – Premieres Friday, October 20 (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)
ABOUT THAT WITH ANDREW CHANG (Weekday mornings on CBC News Explore)
CANADA TONIGHT (Weeknights on CBC News Network)
POWER & POLITICS (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) CBC SPORTS brings audiences all the action from the world of high-performance sport with competitions including Artistic Gymnastics World Championships (Antwerp, Belgium, Oct. 1 – 8); Beach Volleyball World Championships (Tlaxcala, Mexico, Oct. 6 – 15); and World Trampoline Championships (Nov. 9 – 19, Birmingham, UK), as international athletes prepare for the Paris 2024 Olympic (July 26 – Aug. 11, 2024) and Paralympic (Aug. 28 – Sept. 8, 2024) Games. Showcasing Canada’s top university and college athletes, the USports Championships (Nov. 1 – 25), including the Vanier Cup (Nov. 25 in Kingston, Ont.), return and the winter season kicks off with Grand Prix of Figure Skating (multiple weekends and locations from Oct. 20 to Dec. 10), Four Continents Short Track Championships (Laval, Que., Nov. 3 – 5) and FIS Women’s Alpine World Cup (Tremblant, Que., Dec. 2 – 3).
Canadian Awards
CBC will feature the following award celebrations this fall, honouring diverse Canadian creators, artists and storytellers:
THE LEGACY AWARDS, The Black Academy’s award show celebrating Black Canadian achievement, will air live on CBC TV and CBC Gem on Sunday, September 24
SCOTIABANK GILLER PRIZE will air live on CBC TV, CBC Gem, CBC Radio and CBC.ca/books on Monday, November 13
CBC Kids
SPELLBOUND New Series (26×30) – All episodes available to stream Friday, September 1 on CBC Gem A Canadian premiere and CBC Gem exclusive from the creators of Find Me in Paris, tween drama SPELLBOUND follows the adventures of a teen dance student, CeCe Parker-Jones (played by Canadian Hailey Romain), at the Paris Opera Ballet School who discovers that she is a witch.
AUNTY B’S HOUSE New Series (20×7) – All episodes available to stream Monday, September 4 on CBC Gem (CBC TV debut on Monday, September 11 with new episodes airing Monday – Saturday) A groundbreaking live action CBC Kids original sitcom for kids about a foster home full of heart, humour, music and unconditional love.
HELLO KITTY: SUPER STYLE! New Series (52×11) – Premieres Monday, September 4 on CBC Gem and CBC TV, with a new episode airing daily, Monday – Saturday The iconic Hello Kitty helps her friends find happiness while putting on the most appropriate (and cutest) outfits to face each situation in this animated series for kids.
Crave’s Original docu-comedy series, I HAVE NOTHING, drops Saturday, Sept. 23 at 9 p.m. ET with all six episodes, immediately following a special screening event at the Just for Laughs Festival in Toronto featuring star Carolyn Taylor and special guests. Created by Taylor, and produced by Catalyst and Blue Ant Studios, in association with Bell Media, the series follows Carolyn (BARONESS VON SKETCH) on a comical quest to choreograph the perfect, full-length pairs figure skating routine to Whitney Houston’s 1992 iconic hit song, “I Have Nothing.” The series will be available to Crave audiences in English and French.
Motivated by a teenaged obsession for the 1988 Calgary Olympics that also sparked Carolyn’s queer awakening, I HAVE NOTHING begins as a lighthearted nostalgic comedy and quickly morphs into a high-stakes, real-life mission for Carolyn, with a few wild detours along the way. Joining Carolyn on her mission are legends from the world of figure skating including Sandra Bezic, David Pelletier, Ekaterina Gordeeva, Brian Orser, Kurt Browning, Paul Martini, Barbara Underhill, Katarina Witt, Tara Lipinski, Kristi Yamaguchi, Adam Rippon, Elladj Baldé, and Elizabeth Manley, as well as award-winning comedian, actor, and writer, Mae Martin. Guest stars include Jully Black, Sabrina Jalees, and Elvira Kurt.
The season culminates in a performance of Carolyn’s one-of-a-kind routine, performed in front of a live audience of figure-skating royalty, die-hard skating fans, and Carolyn’s teen idols.
Episodic synopses are outlined below:
Episode 1 – Package For The Bird After years of dreaming, Carolyn finally begins her quest to choreograph a pairs figure skating routine to Whitney Houston’s 1992 iconic hit song, “I Have Nothing”. First step: find her skaters.
Episode 2 – Do You Know About The Cold War Carolyn gets a reality check from some Olympic medalists, but finds her groove with a social media superstar.
Episode 3 – Love is Pain Carolyn tries to learn everything she can before her first rehearsal, with the help of some 1988 Olympic skating royalty.
Episode 4 – No Longer A Joke It’s the first rehearsal, and Carolyn is struggling to convince her Olympic skaters that any of this is a good idea.
Episode 5 – Today Is Wednesday With two days left to choreograph, Carolyn throws the skaters an Olympic curveball. Then, suffers separation anxiety when they leave.
Episode 6 – Buffoon Makes Good Dream and reality collide as Carolyn and her skaters prepare for the final skate. As the night draws closer and the audience loads in, Carolyn tries to stay calm.
I HAVE NOTHING is produced by Catalyst and Blue Ant Studios, in association with Crave. The series is created, directed, and executive produced by Carolyn Taylor, and directed and executive produced by Zack Russell. For Catalyst, Vibika Bianchi and Julie Bristow are executive producers. For Blue Ant Studios, Laura Michalchyshyn, Aileen Gardner, and Sam Sniderman are executive producers.
CTV confirmed today that the newest addition to its hit daytime lineup, THE GOOD STUFF WITH MARY BERG, is set to air weekdays at 10 a.m. ET/11 a.m. PT on CTV, CTV.ca, and the CTV app, beginning Sept. 5. Taped in front of a live studio audience, the one-hour, daily Canadian talk and lifestyle series is hosted by multiple Canadian Screen Award-winning host and author, Mary Berg, and promises to be a daily dose of fun, food, and conversation.
It is a double premiere delight for Berg, with the return of her hit original culinary series MARY MAKES IT EASY, airing Tuesdays at 8 p.m. beginning Sept. 5 on CTV Life Channel, CTV.ca, and the CTV app. Filmed in her home kitchen in Toronto, the third season brings even more accessible and delectable recipes to redefine home cooking.
Full of uplifting stories, culinary delights, and engaging conversations, THE GOOD STUFF WITH MARY BERG features the latest trends in lifestyle, home hacks, and audience games – all from top experts. Berg brings the “good stuff” to CTV each day – from sharing her Recipe of The Day, to guest chefs, exciting on-location adventures, celebrating the best in youth with her Good Kids series, and more. In addition, Berg welcomes country superstar Tim McGraw, Hollywood luminary Jessica Alba, Canadian Jeopardy champion Mattea Roach, singer-songwriter Shawn Desman, and beloved children’s entertainers Sharon, Bram, and Randi to kick-off the first month.
Launched earlier this summer, MARY’S RESERVATION FOR TWO, a podcast from Bell Media Studios taped on location at some of Toronto’s top food destinations. Featuring long form interviews with guests who inspire Berg in and out of the kitchen, MARY’S RESERVATION FOR TWO is now available on iHeartRadio and everywhere podcasts are found. In addition, Berg’s third cookbook, In Mary’s Kitchen: Stress-Free Recipes for Every Home Cook hits the shelves Oct.10, and is available for pre-order now.
THE GOOD STUFF WITH MARY BERG tapes from a brand new set at Bell Media’s iconic 299 Queen St. West location in Toronto. Tickets for the studio audience are available at thegoodstuff.ca.
THE GOOD STUFF WITH MARY BERG is produced by Bell Media Studios. Michelle Crespi and John Simpson are Executive Producers; Dave Daigle is Vice-President, Local TV, Radio, and Bell Media Studios. Pat DiVittorio is Vice-President, CTV and Specialty Programming. Justin Stockman is Vice-President, Content Development & Programming, Bell Media. Karine Moses is Senior Vice-President, Content Development & News, Bell Media and Vice Chair, Québec, Bell.
MARY MAKES IT EASY is produced by Boat Rocker’s Proper Television, in association with Bell Media. Cathie James, Lesia Capone, and Allison Grace are Executive Producers, Mary Berg is Co-Executive Producer, and David Donohue is Series Producer.
Today, AMI unveiled its AMI-tv schedule for the 2023-24 fall broadcast season, with a lineup of exciting new and returning AMI originals available in described video for the blind, partially sighted and disability community in Canada.
In addition to new seasons of AMI-tv’s live daily shows, NOW with Dave Brown and Kelly and Ramya, AMI invites viewers to join host Bobbi Janzen for a new crop of accessible exercises in Healthy at Home, engage in technology conversations through Access Tech Live, and learn about those who demonstrate a desire to help drive positive social change through sport in Level Playing Field.
“AMI-tv’s robust fall schedule has something for everyone,” says John Melville, Vice President of Content Development and Operations, AMI. “From health and technology to sport and entrepreneurs and our daily live shows, we’re spotlighting and furthering the conversation on disability.”
Highlights of AMI-tv’s fall schedule include:
NOW with Dave Brown – weekdays at 9 a.m. Eastern Join veteran broadcaster Dave Brown, weekdays at 9 a.m. Eastern, as he discusses the latest news, entertainment, sports and current events through a disability lens.
Kelly and Ramya – weekdays at 2 p.m. Eastern Airing weekdays at 2 p.m. Eastern, Kelly and Ramya gives a dynamic and compelling voice to the disability experience in Canada. Stay tuned for more information later this fall regarding a special primetime broadcast of Kelly and Ramya’s annual holiday party.
Healthy at Home – Season 2 returns Wednesday, September 6, at 7 p.m. Eastern Fitness instructor Bobbi Janzen guides viewers through an hour-long home workout that tones and strengthens for everyday living. Bobbi gives step-by-step detailed instruction that focuses on the muscle groups overused when using a white cane or guide dog, fitness advice for wheelchair users, and overall tips for better health.
Access Tech Live – Season 1 debuts Thursday, September 14, at Noon Eastern As previously announced, Access Tech Live is a live weekly broadcast, hosted by Marc Aflalo and Steven Scott, that promises an interactive experience for viewers and the ability to cover technology news as it unfolds.
Level Playing Field – Season 4 returns Tuesday, October 3, at 9:30 p.m. Eastern Hosted by Paralympian Greg Westlake (Para Sport Update, above), Level Playing Field introduces viewers to the athletes, community groups, healthcare professionals and grassroots innovators who demonstrate a desire to help drive positive social change through sport. Among the athletes featured in Season 4 are Para athletics sprinter Marissa Papaconstantinou, Para climber Chaz Misuraca and Toronto Raptors’ star Pascal Siakam’s generous donations to the Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital.
Disrupt – Season 2 returns Monday, October 23, at 9 p.m. Eastern Hosted by the charismatic Taylor Olson, Disrupt showcases music, short films, poetry, animation, spoken word, comedy, dance, puppetry and other mediums, with a disability-first punk rock attitude. Disrupt also features members of the disability community working in such key production roles as production manager, writer, assistant editor, assistant director, composer, assistant production designer and camera and sound assistants.
Mind Your Own Business – Season 3 returns, Wednesday, November 15, at 9 p.m. Eastern Hosted by Kevin Shaw and with the help of mentors, entrepreneurs in the disability community aim to take their businesses to the next level. Businesses featured in Season 3 include Liberty Co consultants, Glass Brothers Construction Inc., Friendly Roads Mobility Service and Country Fields Beekeeping Supplies.
All dates subject to change. Additional fall programming will be announced in the coming weeks. Stream past episodes of AMI original programming on demand post-broadcast on AMI.ca or via the AMI-tv App.
About AMI-tv AMI-tv is the world’s first television network to broadcast all programs with open format described video for individuals who are blind or partially sighted and is broadcast daily into more than eight million Canadian homes as part of the basic digital cable package with most service providers. AMI-tv is committed to broadcasting a variety of content with a focus on accessibility and inclusion.
About Accessible Media Inc. AMI is a not-for-profit media company that entertains, informs and empowers Canadians who are blind or partially sighted. Operating three broadcast services, AMI-tv and AMI-audio in English and AMI-télé in French, AMI’s vision is to establish and support a voice for Canadians with disabilities, representing their interests, concerns and values through accessible media, reflection and portrayal. To learn more visit AMI.ca and AMItele.ca.
