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TV,eh? What's up in Canadian television
Killjoys

Production Underway on Season 3 of Space’s Most-Watched Original Series, KILLJOYS

From a media release:

– Joining the cast for Season 3 are Canadian actors Kelly McCormack, Karen LeBlanc, Ted Atherton, and Prince Amponsah –
– Guest stars include Mac Fyfe, Atticus Mitchell, and Saamer Usmani –
– Filming on location in Toronto, the returning ensemble cast includes Hannah John-Kamen, Aaron Ashmore, Luke Macfarlane, Thom Allison, Sean Baek, and Patrick Garrow –

Space, Syfy, and Temple Street announced today that production is underway on Season 3 of their epic sci-fi adventure series KILLJOYS. Created by showrunner Michelle Lovretta (LOST GIRL), the 10-episode, one-hour Space original series sees the return of the heroic trio: Hannah John-Kamen as fierce rebel leader Dutch, Aaron Ashmore as the determined and tech-savvy John Jaqobis, and Luke MacFarlane as the steadfast and tactical D’avin Jaqobis. Set to return to Space this year in Canada and Syfy in the U.S., KILLJOYSis currently filming in Toronto.

Listed as one of “Variety’s 25 Best Returning Shows of 2016”, KILLJOYS is a hit with critics and viewers alike. Currently the most-watched original series on Space, Season 2 of KILLJOYS reached nearly 1.1 million viewers each week in its initial run.

Also returning to KILLJOYS this season are fan-favourites Thom Allison (KIM’S CONVENIENCE) as loveable bartender and former warlord Pree; Sean Baek (THE ART OF MORE) as level six Fancy; and Patrick Garrow (PURE) as senior RAC officer Turin. Joining the cast this season are Kelly McCormack (DEFIANCE) as Zeph, a new thorn in the team’s side; Karen LeBlanc (MOTIVE) as Banyon, a new high-ranking RAC official; Ted Atherton (THE EXPANSE) as Gander, lieutenant to Aneela; and Prince Amponsah (The Entertainer) as Havigan, a tough and respected owner of a hackmod bar. Guest stars this season include Saamer Usmani (REIGN) as Flik, Mac Fyfe (SAVING HOPE) as Lachlan, and Atticus Mitchell (YOUNG DRUNK PUNK) as Pippin. Additional KILLJOYS casting will be announced in the coming weeks.

In Season 3 of KILLJOYS, war looms over the J Star System. After sustaining serious personal loss, Dutch, Johnny, and D’avin prepare themselves for what lies ahead. While the trio struggles to assemble an army, a dangerous force – Aneela – heads towards them. The unhinged daughter of Dutch’s late mentor Khlyen, Aneela is hell-bent on revenge for the death of her father. The team’s toughest challenge yet, and perhaps Dutch’s only hope of stopping Aneela, includes convincing a motley gang of bounty hunters to go from believing “The Warrant is All” to “The War is All.”

Season 1 of KILLJOYS is streaming now exclusively on CraveTV™.

KILLJOYS was created by Michelle Lovretta (Lost Girl, The Secret Circle) who also serves as executive producer and showrunner. Executive producers are David Fortier, Ivan Schneeberg, and Karen Troubetzkoy. Co-Executive producers are Stefan Pleszczynski, Trish Williams, and Adam Barken. Spearheaded by Lovretta, the writing team includes Adam Barken, Julie Puckrin, Andrew DeAngelis, Niko Troubetzkoy, Julian Doucet, Ashley Park, Derek Robertson, and Vivian Lin. Lena Cordina is Producer, Andrea Boyd is Supervising Producer, and Beth Iley is Associate Producer. Directors are Paolo Barzman, Andy Mikita, Ruba Nadda, Stefan Pleszczynski, April Mullen, Samir Rehem, and Peter Stebbings. Universal Cable Productions distributes the series worldwide with the exclusion of Canada.

KILLJOYS is produced by Temple Street Productions in association with Space and Syfy. Production Executives for Bell Media are Rebecca DiPasquale and Kathleen Meek. Tom Hastings is Director, Independent Production, Bell Media. Corrie Coe is Senior Vice-President, Independent Production, Bell Media. Mike Cosentino is Senior Vice-President, CTV and Specialty. Randy Lennox is President, Broadcasting and Content, Bell Media.

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Masterchef Canada

MASTERCHEF CANADA Season 4 Finalists Revealed in Advance of March 2 Premiere on CTV

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From a media release:

CTV’s MASTERCHEF CANADA is changing the recipe for the home cook selection process as the series cooks up its fourth season, airing Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET/PT beginning March 2 on CTV and the CTV GO app, with encores Sundays at 7 p.m. ET beginning March 19 on Gusto. As revealed in a new promo that premiered in last night’s SUPER BOWL LI broadcast on CTV, in a series first, 24 finalists from across Canada are surprised with their first challenge at their homes and offices in their hometowns. Presented with a box of uncooked rice, each aspiring chef has only 20 minutes to decide what they will make, as well as gather all their ingredients, before they travel to the MASTERCHEF CANADA kitchen in Toronto.

Turning up the heat for the Top 24 this season are returning judges Michael Bonacini, Alvin Leung, and Claudio Aprile. Instead of preparing and presenting their signature dish one-by-one, home cook auditions begin on the finalists’ home turf. With only 12 coveted white aprons up for grabs, the home cooks have to prove they have the culinary skills to cut it in the MASTERCHEF CANADA kitchen, as they compete for $100,000 and a life-changing title.

The Top 24 cooking for the MASTERCHEF CANADA title are:

  • Aaron Polsky, a director of operations, from Montréal, Qué.
  • Ali Jadavji, a designer, from Calgary, Alta.
  • Alice Luo, a PhD student, from Toronto, Ont.
  • Alisha Sood, a make-up artist, from Mississauga, Ont.
  • Barrie McConachie, an employee relations consultant, from Vancouver, B.C.
  • Chris Rivest, a YouTuber and nutrition specialist from Calgary, Alta.
  • Connor Robinson, a musician, from North York, Ont.
  • Grace Liang, a mining engineer intern, from Sudbury, Ont.
  • Jason Mayo, a high school teacher, from Jarvis, Ont.
  • Jay Choo, a medical technician, from Toronto, Ont.
  • Jillian Nowak, a food blogger, from Calgary, Alta.
  • Jordan Levin, a server, from Winnipeg, Man.
  • Justine Joyal, a business student, from Montréal, Qué.
  • Kimberly Cairns, a paramedic, from Saskatoon,
  • Kimberly Duffus, a sales rep, from Malton, Ont.
  • Mai Nguyen, a health and safety advisor, from Edmonton, Alta.
  • Matt VanderHelm, a category manager, from Toronto, Ont.
  • May Nazair, a youth centre manager, from Campbellton, N.B.
  • Miranda Wasstrom, a corporate safety administrator, from Edmonton, Alta.
  • Nii Addico, a contractor, from Kitchener, Ont.
  • Raffaele Spataro, a comedian, from Toronto, Ont.
  • Sheila Lumsden, a homemaker, from Iqaluit, Nunavut
  • Thea VanHerwaarden, a broker, from Vancouver, B.C.
  • Trevor Connie, a plumber/gas fitter, from Edmonton, Alta.

Throughout the season fans are invited to visit CTV.ca/MasterChefCanada for exclusive content, including background on this season’s finalists and the MASTERCHEF CANADA judges, as well as interviews, recipes, and more. CTV.ca will also offer viewers behind-the-scenes glimpses of this season’s challenges, culinary creations, triumphs, and upsets.

Seasons 2 and 3 of MASTERCHEF CANADA are currently streaming on CraveTVâ„¢, and in encore broadcasts on Gusto.

Over 12 episodes of MASTERCHEF CANADA, the home cooks will have their culinary prowess tested through a series of mystery boxes, pressure tests, and team and elimination challenges, with judges Michael Bonacini, Alvin Leung, and Claudio Aprile providing direction and feedback throughout the process. At the end of each episode, at least one home cook will be eliminated from the competition until only two remain to battle it out in the finale for a chance to take home $100,000 and the sought after title of MASTERCHEF CANADA.

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Heartland, Wynonna Earp

Link: Women Behind Canadian TV: Andrea Higgins

From Bridget Liszewski of The TV Junkies:

Link: Women Behind Canadian TV: Andrea Higgins
“When I started out in the music industry, especially at the labels, it felt like a boys club, but I never let it shake me. I really don’t think about it too much. I just want to work with great people and do a great job. I do love seeing more female composers on the rise and wish there were more females in “stereotypical” male roles such as mixer, sound engineer, etc. That said, the majority of the productions we work on are led by amazing badass women and it’s very inspiring.” Continue reading.

Related: Check out our interview with Andrea Higgins last spring where she talks about working on Wynonna Earp and Heartland!

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Featured, Pure

Pure: Plots, plans and power plays

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With just two episodes left, Season 1 of Pure is headed for a dramatic conclusion. Gerry Epp (the always great Patrick Garrow) has vowed to “hurt” Noah now that he’s out of jail, Eli Voss continues to evade Noah and Bronco’s plan and Tina (Jessica Clement) has discovered what’s really going on with her mother and father.

CBC has said the following about Monday’s new episode, “Communion”:

Noah’s attempt to trap Voss backfires when the Mob leader uses the ruse to turn the tables on his nemesis DEA Special Agent Phoebe O’Reilly (Rosie Perez).
Here’s what we can tell you after watching a screener.
Kudos to the supporting players
Dylan Taylor, Gord Rand, Aaron Hale, Clement and Dylan Everett don’t get top billing, but without them Pure would be one-dimensional. Joey Epp (Taylor) questioning his decisions, Abel Funk (Rand) trying to shake his demons and prove his worth, Ben Novak (Hale) attempting a relationship with Tina, Tina swapping between worlds and Isaac Funk (Everett) proclaiming his strong faith have been fantastic stories to experience.
Gerry wants back in the game
Infuriated at being benched, Gerry is out and plots his revenge on Noah. Our only question is: will Joey let it happen? Joey seems to be wavering on whether or not he wants to be part of the criminal enterprise anymore. Will he betray Gerry and support Noah?
Road trip for Noah, Abel and Bronco
The brothers fly down to Mexico to show Eli how to get cocaine out of milk while Bronco plots to wire them for sound in order to get evidence on Voss. With all of the bad luck Noah has been having, he desperately needs a win. Will it happen in a warmer climate?
Phoebe O’Reilly joins the party
After weeks of phone conversations, O’Reilly (Rosie Perez) is featured heavily on Monday night, organizing the jaunt to Mexico. Perez is perfect as the soft-spoken DEA agent intent on taking Eli down.
Noah and Eli face off
During our set visit to Pure, Ryan Robbins told us he was in awe of working with Peter Outerbridge, particularly during one scene. Now we’re in awe too.
Pure airs Mondays at 9 p.m. on CBC.

Images courtesy of CBC.

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Featured, Murdoch Mysteries

Murdoch Mysteries: There goes the “Neighbourhood”

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It’s been a long time since we visited the Murdoch property, that idyllic plot of land next to the river where William is planning to build the house of his dreams. The land figures prominently in Monday’s new episode of Murdoch Mysteries … and for all of the wrong reasons.

Here’s what the CBC has released as the official episode synopsis for “Mr. Murdoch’s Neighbourhood,” written by Carol Hay:

When Murdoch and Ogden use their riverside property as a burial ground to study human decomposition, they dig up more than they imagined.

And here’s what we can tell you after watching an advance screener:

There is a time jump
Murdoch Mysteries doesn’t use time jumps all that much, but it’s important to the main storyline and advances other plotlines too, namely Dr. Ogden’s role at the Toronto College for Women.

Julia Ogden and Rebecca James in the field…
… And in a field alongside Anne Baxter and Katherine Roy; the quartet are there for some key forensic studies alongside Crabtree, Jackson and Higgins.

How’s Murdoch’s house coming along?
It doesn’t take long for viewers to find that out … and that William’s best-laid plans will never cover all circumstances when it comes to home building.

A third Murdoch?!
The series, of course, follows the adventures of Det. William Murdoch. Then there is Lachlan Murdoch, who portrays Constable Henry Higgins. A third Murdoch drops by on Monday night: veteran actor Laurie Murdoch—Lachlan’s dad—who has appeared on Da Vinci’s Inquest, Dan for Mayor and Cold Squad to name but a few. Here he’s Alvin Nash. Keep an eye on Alvin.

Romance for Jackson?
It’s early days, but Jackson certainly seems to have a spark of connection with someone he works with on a case.

Murdoch‘s homage to a classic movie
Crabtree spouts a line from a beloved, critically-acclaimed film during one scene. We won’t spoil it for you, but it made us laugh out loud.

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

Images courtesy of CBC.

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