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TV,eh? What's up in Canadian television
Private Eyes

Link: Private Eyes brings the fun back to the PI business

From Bridget Liszewski of the TV Junkies:

Private Eyes brings the fun back to the PI business
Canadian television fans get ready to meet your new favorite private investigator. Jason Priestley (Call Me Fitz) returns to television as Matt Shade, an ex-professional hockey player looking for his second chance in life. Private Eyes, premiering Thursday night at 9 p.m. on Global, will see Shade after hanging up his skates and joining forces with Angie Everett (Cindy Sampson), a private investigator who recently took over her father’s P.I. firm. Continue reading.

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Letterkenny

Letterkenny season two begins production

From a media release:

Darts Out, Tarps Off! Production Begins on Season 2 of CraveTV’s Smash Hit Series LETTERKENNY

  • Season 1 of LETTERKENNY currently streaming on CraveTVâ„¢ –

CraveTV announced today that production has begun on Season 2 of smash hit original series LETTERKENNY. CraveTV’s first ever original series, the six-part, half-hour small town comedy is produced by New Metric Media in partnership with DHX Media, and shoots on location in and around Sudbury, ON.

Created by Jared Keeso of Bravo’s hit Canadian Screen Award-winning original drama 19-2, Season 1 of LETTERKENNY had the biggest debut of any series on CraveTV since the premium TV streaming service launched in 2014, with more CraveTV users watching LETTERKENNY than any other series or title on CraveTV.

Season 2 of LETTERKENNY sees the return of The Hicks: Wayne (Keeso) and his best bud Daryl (Nathan Dales), “Squirrely” Dan (K Trevor Wilson), and Wayne’s sister Katy (Michelle Mylett), and their epic rivals The Skids starring Tyler Johnston as “lead skid” Stewart, and Alexander De Jordy as side-skid Devon. Also back for another season of chirping and checking, Dylan Playfair and Andrew Herr lace up as The Hockey Players, Reilly and Jonesy.

Modeans may be tinder but bartender Gail (Lisa Codrington) is still around to lust after Wayne and executive producer, director, and co-writer Jacob Tierney brings back creepy Preacher Glen. Season 2 also introduces new cast members including Melanie Scrofano (WYNONNA EARP) as the no-BS Mrs. McMurray, along with Alex Spencer (THE EXPANSE) and Stephen Huszar (SHADOWHUNTERS) as Senior Hockey Players Barts and Yorkie.

“Foulmouthed, madcap, but very familiar, LETTERKENNY is one of the most authentic comedies to come out of Canada in many years,” said Corrie Coe, Senior Vice-President, Independent Production, Bell Media. “We’re honoured that we can continue to expand upon this offbeat and hilarious world with Jared, Jacob, and our outstanding production partners, New Metric Media.”

“LETTERKENNY consists of Hicks, Skids, Hockey Players, and the best team in the league,” said creator and star Jared Keeso. “The cast, the crew, and our friends at Bell Media are First Team All-Stars. Look at the hustle. Love the hustle.”

“Went to the Jays game with the LETTERKENNY gang to celebrate a great Season 1 and toss a few down the hatch,” said Mark Montefiore, New Metric Media. “Then I got a venison hot dog but ain’t no goddam way that was venison. My point is: Season 2. Get after it!”

LETTERKENNY is based on the Internet sensation Letterkenny Problems, a series of shorts which have raked in more than 14 million views. Since the series announcement last November, views for all of the new digital content released on both the CraveTV and LETTERKENNY YouTube pages have totalled more than 5 million. Created by Jared Keeso, LETTERKENNY is executive produced, directed, and co-written by Jacob Tierney (The Trotsky). Still not sure what all the fuss is about? Season 1 is currently streaming on CraveTV.

LETTERKENNY is produced by New Metric Media (What Would Sal Do?), in partnership with DHX Media in association with Bell Media, with the participation of Canadian Media Fund, OMDC Tax Credits and the Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit and the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund. Jacob Tierney is executive producer, director, and co-writer. Patrick O’Sullivan and Mark Montefiore (Cas & Dylan) are executive producers for New Metric Media. Sarah Fowlie is Director, Independent Production, Comedy, Bell Media. Executives for Bell Media are Bill Lundy and Chris Kelley. Corrie Coe is Senior Vice-President, Independent Production, Bell Media. Tracey Pearce is Senior Vice-President, Specialty and Pay, Bell Media. Randy Lennox is President, Entertainment Production and Broadcasting, Bell Media.

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Workin' Moms

CBC’s Workin’ Moms announces casting

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From a media release:

Dani Kind, Juno Rinaldi and Jessalyn Wanlim join Catherine Reitman in the brash new comedy Workin’ Moms

  • Series Starts Production in August 2016

Wolf & Rabbit Entertainment ULC and CBC today announced that Dani Kind (The Good Witch), Juno Rinaldi (The Killing), and Jessalyn Wanlim (Orphan Black) have been cast in leading roles alongside Catherine Reitman in the upcoming original comedy series, Workin’ Moms. Commissioned by CBC, produced by Wolf & Rabbit Entertainment ULC, and created by Reitman, the edgy 13-episode half-hour series is set to start production in Toronto beginning August 2016.

“I can’t say enough about these three exceptionally talented women. They truly embody the spirit of the show, “ said Catherine Reitman, Creator, Executive Producer and Star, Workin’ Moms. “I was excited before, but now that we’ve cast these hilarious women to play Anne, Frankie and Jenny, I really can’t wait to get production started and bring these characters, that I have such affection for, to life.”

Can women have it all? For these Workin’ Moms, some days yes and some days… not so much. This original comedy series tests that modern ideal and dares to shatter the ‘cult of mom’. When long-time friends Kate (Reitman), a warm and grounded PR Exec, and Anne, a no-nonsense therapist (Kind), meet cute but timid Jenny (Wanlim) and lovable mess Frankie (Rinaldi) in a judgmental mommies’ group, the four quickly band together and form an unlikely friendship. The series follows the struggles of these four urban moms, providing a raw and honest look at how they juggle love, careers, and parenthood. Whether it’s dealing with terrible coworkers, insatiable babies, postpartum depression, or sexual awakenings – they make it to the end of each day with humour and sometimes even a drop of grace.

Kind’s previous credits include a starring role along with Brooke Shields and Beau Bridges in the upcoming Hallmark made-for-TV movie Dearly Depotted. Select television credits include The Divide, Saving Hope, and Remedy. She is represented by Patterson Talent Management.

Rinaldi has appeared in such TV productions as Degrassi: The Next Generation, The Killing, Arrow, Supernatural, Fringe, Robson Arms, These Arms of Mine and Psych, and in films such as Life, Jennifer’s Body, The Tooth Fairy and The Linda McCartney Story. She is currently set to release Elbow Grease, four webisodes she co-wrote and starred in. Rinaldi is represented by The Characters Talent Agency.

Wanlim has just finished a season-long arc on the hit drama Orphan Black opposite Tatiana Maslany. Her extensive résumé includes appearances in The Closer, Modern Family, Gossip Girl, Bad Teacher, CSI: NY, Bones, Scoundrels, Alex Cross and All My Children. Wanlim is represented by Pantheon, Link Entertainment and by Law Firm Meyer & Downs.

Workin’ Moms is produced by Wolf & Rabbit Entertainment ULC, with Reitman and Philip Sternberg serving as Executive Producers.

Broadcast and additional casting details will be announced in the coming weeks.

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Featured, Private Eyes

Jason Priestley has fun solving crimes in Global’s Private Eyes

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Republic of Doyle fans rejoice! You’re got a new wise-cracking, sports car driving primetime private investigator to cheer for with Private Eyes, debuting Thursday on Global. Loosely based on the book The Code by Gare Joyce, Jason Priestley is Matt Shade, an ex-professional hockey player who swaps the rink for investigating high-stakes crimes when he teams with P.I. Angie Everett (Cindy Sampson).

“We’ve only sent one person to the hospital during filming,” Sampson says with a laugh during a break in filming. She is, of course referring to Priestley’s tumble off a horse that briefly shut down production last November. The fact he can laugh about the incident shows how comfortable he is with his co-star, something that comes across in the first episode. Private Eyes‘ theme sets the tone for the series; Vancouver’s Dear Rouge have updated the classic Hall & Oates tune for the opening credits, providing a funky, fun feel.

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Tuesday’s debut episode of 10 introduces viewers to the main players, when Matt is stunned the minor hockey player he’s been scouting collapses on the ice. Suspicious a fellow player may have had a hand in the incident, Matt joins Angie and they delve into a handful of suspects. Both are headstrong and used to getting their own way, which results in a lot of sniping back and forth. There are, of course, the first hints at some sexual chemistry between the pair, adding another layer to their relationship. Rounding out the cast—and sanding Matt’s rough edges—are Matt’s legally blind daughter, Jules (Jordyn Negri) and father Don (Barry Flatman). Clé Bennett and Ennis Esmer play Det. Derek Nolan and Det. Kurtis Mazhari, who both have dim views of Matt.

“Matt’s plate is pretty full,” Priestley says. “He’s taken over primary custody of Jules, so he’s a guy who is struggling to figure out how his new situation is going to work out in his life. But he’s also trying to figure out this new situation in his life. He’s a guy who’s stuck between these two strong women and trying to figure out a balance.”

Will  there be romance between Angie and Shade? That’s not in the cards … yet.

“We’re not exploring that option at this point,” Sampson says. “There are so many other women and so many other men and the cases to be solved too.”

Private Eyes airs Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Global.

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