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Featured, Murdoch Mysteries

Preview: Murdoch Mysteries introduces its newest cast member

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It was just two weeks ago on Murdoch Mysteries that Rebecca James announced she was leaving Toronto for her own private practice in Chatham, Ont. And, after an excellent episode featuring a return appearance of Alexander Graham Bell and the introduction of Helen Keller and hotel detective Ralph Fellows, we’ve got a new face in the morgue. As previously announced on the Murdoch Mysteries Facebook page, Shanice Banton has joined the cast in a recurring role, capably filling the void left by Ms. James.

Here’s the official CBC episode synopsis for Monday’s new episode, “The Canadian Patient,” written by Simon McNabb and directed by Laurie Lynd:

Murdoch investigates a surgeon whose cutting-edge organ transplants wreak medical havoc and run afoul of Mary Baker Eddy and The Christian Science movement.

And here’s some non-spoilery info from us after watching a screener.

Meet Violet Hart
Shanice Banton portrays Violet Hart, who is introduced immediately after the opening credits, manning a booth at the Toronto Medical Exposition. Her easy smile and good humour make an immediate impression on George. Speaking of George, he has a hilarious speech in the morgue that fans will love.

Jayne Eastwood guest stars
The veteran actress plays Mary Baker Eddy, the founder of the Christian Science movement, who believes sickness can be cured by prayer.

George’s gift shines
We love it when George just misses coming up with the trademarked name for a real product. He’s up to his old tricks again on Monday when he just misses naming an invention Violet is promoting.

Julia and William’s Season 11 journey?
Showrunner Peter Mitchell teased a new domestic drama will consume Julia and William’s lives this season. We’re pretty sure we know what it is after watching Monday’s instalment thanks to a woman named Marilyn Clark.

Margaret returns!
Seriously, it has been too long since Mrs. Brackenreid was back in our lives. We’re still chuckling over her interactions with H.P. Lovecraft. When we catch up with her in this episode, she’s pretty upset with her husband, and for good reason.

Murdoch‘s crew comes through
I’ve always been impressed with the work the Murdoch Mysteries does to make everything as historically accurate as possible. Everyone involved in the operating theatre scene is to be congratulated for their work on set decoration, wardrobe, special effects, lighting and camera angles. It’s stunning.

Murdoch Mysteries airs Mondays at 8 p.m. on CBC.

 

 

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Awards, Industry News

Mackenzie Gray and Veena Sood Receive Top Honours at the 6th Annual UBCP/ACTRA Awards Gala

From a media release:

The 6th annual UBCP/ACTRA awards gala will honour two of Canada’s top talent with distinguished lifetime achievement awards. Mackenzie Gray will be presented with the John Juliani Award of Excellence, and Veena Sood will receive the Lorena Gale Woman of Distinction Award.

The John Juliani Award of Excellence is presented each year to a performer for achievement as a performing artist and distinguished contribution to the film and television industry. The Lorena Gale Woman of Distinction Award is presented to a UBCP/ACTRA member whose work as a performer and/or beyond, embodies the type of accomplishments that advance the status of women in our society and encourage the continued growth and diversification of opportunities for women.

John Juliani Award of Excellence
Mackenzie Gray was born and raised in Toronto. A professional actor for over 40 years, he has appeared in over 170 films and television shows. Mackenzie has acted on stage in Canada, Britain and in the United States in hundreds of contemporary plays, musicals and cabarets and has extensive Shakespeare experience. He wrote for Sesame Street for 4 years and was He is currently a series regular on the Marvel/FX Series LEGION, playing “THE EYE” and is a recurring cast member on the TV Series RIVERDALE, and DC’s LEGENDS OF TOMORROW.

Mackenzie is a 16-time Leo Award “Best Actor” nominee, recently winning three Leos for his work on the TV series DIRK GENTLY’S HOLISTIC DETECTIVE AGENCY, SPOOKSVILLE and BITTEN and has won or been nominated for many awards in his various disciplines.

Mackenzie has given his time to various charities over the years including “The Juvenile Diabetes Foundation”, “The Children’s Wish Foundation” and “The Actors Fund of Canada”. He was on the Board of Directors of The Academy of Canadian Cinema for several terms and is currently an adjunct professor at UBC and teaches on camera acting workshops at UBCP/ACTRA, the DGC, the Manitoba Film Training Centre, and across the country on a Freelance basis.

Lorena Gale Woman of Distinction Award
Veena Sood is an award-winning actress, & 30-year veteran of the industry. She’s known for her versatility as a performer in film, television, theatre, improv comedy, cartoon voices, teaching, and em-ceeing. Veena has been a series regular on 5 different TV series, co-hosted TV specials, her own CBC TV talk show, em-ceed gala awards events, & co-produced & performed radio podcasts.

She is a co-founder of Calgary’s Loose Moose Theatre Company (creators of Theatresports), as well as a co-founder & developer of the Vancouver Theatersports League.

A true veteran of stage, film and TV, Veena is a three-time Jessie Richardson nominee & winner, as well as a Leo Award winner for her work. Veena is currently is in development with new TV, theatre & film projects.

The UBCP/ACTRA Awards will be held on Saturday, November 18th at the Vancouver Playhouse with over 600 industry professionals including UBCP/ACTRA members, press and politicians in attendance.

The Union of British Columbia Performers (UBCP/ACTRA) is an autonomous branch of ACTRA (Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists), the national organization of professional performers working in the English-language recorded media in Canada. ACTRA represents the interests of 22,000 members across Canada – the foundation of Canada’s highly acclaimed professional performing community.

 

 

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Industry News, Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

W5 welcomes Avery Haines to Canada’s most-watched and longest-running documentary program

From a media release:

Wendy Freeman, President, CTV News announced today that veteran broadcast journalist Avery Haines joins CTV’s W5, Canada’s pre-eminent investigative series, as an investigative reporter. With nearly 20 years of experience in television and radio as a reporter, anchor, and host, Haines will leverage her vast journalistic experience to investigate and uncover significant emerging stories for W5.

With a lifelong passion for storytelling, Haines has investigated first-hand many significant issues unfolding around the world, most recently reporting on the battle against ISIS from a mosque-turned-hospital in Mosul, Iraq. She’s documented the stories of refugees fleeing the U.S. to seek asylum in Canada, and lived in the jungle of Costa Rica with her family for nearly two years.

Her work on the Discovery series HEALTH ON THE LINE and MEDICAL HOTSEAT earned her multiple nominations and two Gemini Awards (now Canadian Screen Awards) for Best Television Talk Series. She has also been honoured with RTNDA awards for Best Canadian Radio Newscaster and Best Spot Reporter.

 

 

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Featured, The Nature of Things

CBC’s inspiring Sickboy celebrates laughing in the face of deadly disease

“If all of us are affected by illness in some way, then why can’t we just talk about it?” That’s the question put forth by Jeremie Saunders, who aims to get people doing just that in “Sickboy.”

Airing as part of CBC Docs POV—the rebranding of Firsthand—Dream Street Pictures’ “Sickboy” follows 29-year-old Jeremie (he’s in the centre of the picture above) as he lives life on borrowed time. Diagnosed with cystic fibrosis as a baby and told he wouldn’t live past 25, Jeremie literally laughs in the face of disease and seeks to discuss it with friends, family and the world via the Sickboy podcast that aims to alter the way people view serious illnesses like cancer, depression, PTSD and epilepsy.

Written and directed by Andrew MacCormack, “Sickboy” begins on Jeremie’s 29th birthday, as he reflects on the fact that—according to what doctors told his parents when he was a baby—he should already be dead. But, rather than let the fact cystic fibrosis—mucous buildup in the lungs causing scarring in the organs that will eventually kill him—the Halifax native prefers to celebrate every day he has with optimism, discussion and, most importantly to him, laughter. See, Jeremie believes laughing at cystic fibrosis keeps it at bay and takes away its power over him.

Then it’s off to meet Jeremie’s two friends, Brian Stever and Taylor MacGillivray, in the studio recording Sickboy podcast, where the trio invite others on to talk about being diagnosed and living with disease or sickness. But, as Taylor points out, the point of the podcast isn’t to speak to the illness one has, but the individual experience with the illness. For podcast guest Carole, that means describing waking up from an epilleptic seizure half out of an elevator with the door bumping up against her. For Jeremie, that means fully embracing YOLO—you only live once—to the max.

It’s not all fun and laughs, however. MacCormack captures serious, sobering moments too: Jeremie opens what looks like bags of groceries to reveal the dozens of bottles of medication he takes to keep cystic fibrosis at bay, the hacking coughing sequences are heartwrenching, and the first frank talk about CF with his wife, Bryde. Some of the most touching sequences are between Brian and his mother, who open up about her cancer diagnosis, and how the deaths of two friends of the podcast shatter the trio.

“Sickboy” is educational, entertaining and, most importantly, inspiring to watch; I’ve already subscribed to the podcast and look forward to the conversations Jeremie, Brian, Taylor and their guests have.

“Sickboy” airs as part of CBC Docs POV this Sunday at 9 p.m. on CBC. Listen to the Sickboy podcast.

 

 

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Featured, Murdoch Mysteries

Comments and queries for the week of October 13

I am a fan [of Murdoch Mysteries] from the first day and have watched every episode. I was very saddened by Mouna Traoré’s departure but am so glad that the writer’s left the door open. I also absolutely love the direction that the writing is going in with regard to the two detectives. It’s good for Murdoch to keep learning (to have a growth mindset shall we say). I do hope the show maintains these characters that we have now grown to love. You know this could become a Canadian Coronation Street. —Monica

I have to admit, her character was dull. However, she brought something that was needed on the show. It is so lily white. The problem with her character was a lack of imagination on the part of the writers. They didn’t know what to do with her character. —BB

I love Murdoch and all the people on the show. A couple will be missed but thank God George is still there. Colin will be a nice turn of events he is so good and has been in everything he does. Carry on with the good work everyone; love you all. —Hilda

 

Got a question or comment about Canadian TV? Email Greg.David@tv-eh.com or via Twitter @tv_eh.

 

 

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