Tag Archives: Allan Hawco

Saint-Pierre

Links: Saint-Pierre, Season 1

From John Kirk of Original Cin:

Link: Saint-Pierre: Post-Doyle, the Next Best CBC Atlantic Crime Series Comes From (Not Far) Away

The island of Saint-Pierre takes centre stage as a character in its own right. The island isn’t really known to the majority of Canadians. Though it’s just off the coast and to the south of Newfoundland, it’s a part of the Canadian diaspora nonetheless. There are jokes aimed at our “funny, plastic money”, on Newfoundland culture and even the way French is pronounced. Continue reading.

From Alex Nino Gheciu of The Canadian Press:

Link: With maturity comes baggage in Allan Hawco’s new cop role in CBC’s ‘Saint-Pierre’

After CBC’s “Republic of Doyle” wrapped in 2014, Allan Hawco spent years searching for the next show to create.

The star and co-creator of the St. John’s, N.L.-set crime drama, which ran for six seasons, had several ideas but couldn’t land on a concept that resonated with him. Continue reading.

From Bill Brioux of Brioux.tv:

Link: Saint-Pierre’s Allan Hawco

No man is an island. Allan Hawco’s new series, however, is shot and set on an archipelago of eight islands represented by the French government off the coast of Newfoundland. Continue reading.

From Heather M. of The Televixen:

Link: Previewing Saint-Pierre: “Queen Bee”

The creative machine behind Republic of Doyle is back at it Monday night when Saint-Pierre, a new hourlong drama, lands on CBC and CBC Gem. Set on the titular French territory in the Atlantic Ocean and filmed in Doyle‘s picturesque Newfoundland stomping grounds as well as Labrador, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, and Ontario, the series follows a newly transplanted Royal Newfoundland Constabulary Inspector, Donny Fitzpatrick (Fitz), played by Allan Hawco. Continue reading.

From Jeevan Brar of The TV Watercooler:

Link: “There’s Something Inspirational About the Idea of People Who Really Are Trying to Do the Right Thing.” – Allan Hawco and Josephine Jobert Open Up About Their New Series Saint-Pierre

“When you audition for French projects, it’s pretty rare that you get to read the [whole] first episode. I just loved it.” Continue reading.

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Allan Hawco returns to CBC with rollicking, refreshing Saint-Pierre

For six seasons, Allan Hawco’s Republic of Doyle entertained viewers on CBC. The fast-paced detective drama was set in and around St. John’s and spotlit the unique island community through the eyes of Jake Doyle and his co-workers, friends, lovers and enemies.

Now Hawco is back and spotlighting another island community.

Debuting Monday at 9 p.m. on CBC and CBC Gem, Saint-Pierre—co-created by Hawco, Robina Lord-Stafford and Perry Chafe—boasts the humour, heart and unique environs that are Hawco’s bread and butter.

At the centre of the series is its two lead characters. Royal Newfoundland Constabulary Inspector Donny “Fitz” Fitzpatrick (Hawco) finds himself banished to Saint-Pierre et Miquelon—the French territory of 6,000 nestled in the Atlantic Ocean—after digging too deeply into illegal activity surrounding a local politician (played by Eric Johnson), who happens to be married to Fitz’s ex-wife (Vanessa Matsui).

Once on the island, Fitz is partnered with Deputy Chief Genevieve “Arch” Archambault (Joséphine Jobert). There are some fish-out-of-water moments for Fitz in the first episode—he not only suffers from sea sickness (bad news when you’re working on a small island) and a fear of heights—not to mention struggling with the language barrier (luckily, Fitz understands French better than he speaks it). Rounding out the main cast are Benz Antoine, Erika Prevost, Jean-Michel Le Gal and James Purefoy as the big bad in Season 1.

Much of Monday’s debut sets up the people and their world. And what a world it is! Quaint, brightly painted wood homes dot the coast of Saint-Pierre while older stone buildings stand sentry inland. French flags wave everywhere, and croissants and seafood are plentiful. Hawco revealed during a recent interview that he was on a location scout for fellow CBC/Hawco Productions project Son of a Critch when he visited the island, and knew it should be the setting for his next series. He had written two pilot projects and Saint-Pierre was the perfect fit for one.

“One [idea] was very close to what this show is, the very notion of these two partners who were thrust together by fate, and unwilling partners who didn’t know they needed each other until now,” he says.

Eagle-eyed fans of Death in Paradise will quickly identify Jobert, who portrayed Detective Sergeant Florence Cassell from 2015 to 2024 on the veteran British series. The chemistry Jobert has with Hawco is instantaneous and undeniable and is a huge part of why Saint-Pierre works so well.

“She’s my favourite type of person and actor,” Hawco says. “She’s prepared. She’s also totally flexible to go with anything in the moment. She’s practical about what the technical requirements of the job are while keeping a fluidity and an absolute freshness and spontaneity to her work. No ego, no status, no judgment. She’s generous with the crew. She understands people’s jobs, she respects them. She’s a true angel. She’s an absolute unicorn.”

Saint-Pierre airs Mondays at 9 p.m. on CBC and CBC Gem.

Images courtesy of CBC.

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Featured, Son of a Critch

Production begins on Season 4 of CBC’s Son of a Critch

From a media release:

CBC, Canada’s national public broadcaster, and global content leader Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF.A, LGF.B), today announced the start of principal photography on the fourth season of the hit original comedy series SON OF A CRITCH (13 x 30) in St. John’s, Newfoundland. The celebrated series was recently recognized with the Cogeco Fund Audience Choice Award at the 2024 Canadian Screen Awards. Based on comedian Mark Critch’s award-winning, best-selling memoir of the same name, SON OF A CRITCH is a heartfelt window into the life of now 14-year-old Mark – much older than his years – coming of age in St. John’s, Newfoundland. The new season will premiere winter 2025 on CBC Gem and CBC TV in Canada. Lionsgate handles worldwide distribution rights outside of Canada.

Since the series first premiered in January 2022, SON OF A CRITCH has continued to rank as the most-watched original Canadian comedy in the country and as one of the top 5 most-watched comedies overall in Canada.* It also continues to be one of the most-streamed comedies on CBC Gem.**

In Season 4, Mark begins high school on the cusp of a new decade and finds himself once again at the bottom rung. From his relentless pursuit of his creative dreams to his burgeoning romance with Fox, we’ll watch as Mark navigates a quickly growing world filled with new promise, potential and love. In this new era of video dance parties, political shifts, and digital transformation, Mark won’t be alone in his chase for something greater: his inner circle of family and close friends also finds itself caught up in the winds of change.

“We’re thrilled to roll into the 90s with Mark as he finds his way in high school and are looking forward to sharing this exciting new season with audiences,” say creators, showrunners and executive producers Mark Critch and Tim McAuliffe.

SON OF A CRITCH stars Mark Critch portraying his own father, Mike, while Benjamin Evan Ainsworth (The Haunting of Bly Manor, Pinocchio) plays young Mark. Malcolm McDowell (A Clockwork Orange, Entourage) is his grandfather, Pop; Claire Rankin (Stargate Atlantis) plays his mother Mary; Colton Gobbo (Ginny & Georgia) as his older brother Mike Jr; Mark Rivera is his best friend Ritche; and Sophia Powers (Fourth Down and Love) is Fox, now officially Mark’s girlfriend.

Returning cast members include Richard Clarkin as Dick, Nicole Underhay as Fox’s mom Suzanne, Rodrigo Fernandez-Stoll as Father Garcia, and Nora McLellan as Sister Rose.

SON OF A CRITCH was created by showrunners Mark Critch (This Hour Has 22 Minutes) and Tim McAuliffe (The Office, Last Man on Earth, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon and This Hour Has 22 Minutes) and is produced by Project 10 Productions and Hawco Productions in association with CBC and Lionsgate Television. Executive producers are Critch, McAuliffe, Emmy® and Golden Globe® winning producer Andrew Barnsley (Schitt’s Creek), and Allan Hawco (Republic of Doyle). Perry Chafe and Amanda Joy serve as co-executive producers and John Vatcher is producer. Series directors this season are John Vatcher (Caught), Deanne Foley (Son of a Critch), Joyce Wong (Sort Of), and Vanessa Matsui (Ghost BFF).

Image courtesy of Vaida Nairn.

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CBC and Allan Hawco’s new production company team up on new original series Saint-Pierre

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From a media release:

CBC and Allan Hawco’s new production company team up on new original series Saint-Pierre.

Hawco Productions and CBC today announced that production is underway on new original series SAINT-PIERRE (10 x 60’), a new episodic police procedural currently filming in Saint-Pierre et Miquelon, France and St. John’s Newfoundland. SAINT-PIERRE is the creation of Allan Hawco, Robina Lord-Stafford and Perry Chafe, with Hawco and Lord-Stafford as Showrunners. TJ Scott and John Vatcher will each direct two of the first four episodes, with Scott directing the pilot. The series will premiere on CBC and CBC Gem in Winter 2025 and is produced in association with global film and TV studio FIFTH SEASON, which is also handling global distribution on the show.

SAINT-PIERRE’s cast includes French star Josephine Jobert (Death in Paradise) as Arch, Canadian star, Allan Hawco (Republic of Doyle, Caught, Jack Ryan) as Fitz, and James Purefoy as Sean Gallagher (Rome, Sex Education, The Following) rounding out the stellar team.

After the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary Inspector, Donny Fitzpatrick (Fitz), digs too deeply into a local politician’s nefarious activity, he is exiled to work in Saint-Pierre et Miquelon – the French Territory nestled in the Atlantic Ocean. Fitz’s arrival disrupts the life of Deputy Chief Geneviève Archambault (Arch), a Parisian transplant who is in Saint-Pierre for her own intriguing reasons.

As if by fate, these two seasoned officers — with very different policing skills and approaches — are forced together to solve unique and exciting crimes. Although the islands seem like a quaint tourist destination, the idyllic façade conceals the worst kind of criminal activity, which tend to wash up on its beautiful shores. At first at odds and suspicious of each other, Arch and Fitz soon discover that they are better together.

“Saint-Pierre et Miquelon is a unique place – the islands’ isolated location between North America and Europe makes it an ideal location to go unnoticed by the law, which sets it up to be the perfect place for this story,” says Hawco, Lord-Stafford and Chafe. “We’re excited for audiences to discover these compelling characters in this rarely seen before landscape.”

“SAINT-PIERRE offers audiences a fresh and exciting new procedural led by the talented duo of Allan and Josephine, set in a beautiful location that so many Canadians are curious about,” said Sally Catto, General Manager, Entertainment, Factual & Sports, CBC. “We look forward to working with Allan, Robina and Hawco Productions to bring Fitz and Arch’s adventures to life onscreen.”

Ava Mustos, Associate Director, Acquisitions at FIFTH SEASON, said: “It’s fantastic to be partnering with Allan Hawco on SAINT-PIERRE, a detective drama with a brilliant blend of mystery and humour, set against the vibrant and unique back drop of France’s Saint-Pierre et Miquelon islands. We’re delighted to have Josephine Jobert – already known to audiences from Death in Paradise – as our co-lead alongside Hawco. The chemistry between them is undeniable and we look forward to introducing audiences around the world to this dynamic, crime-solving duo.”

A CBC original production, SAINT-PIERRE is produced by Hawco Productions in association with global film and TV studio FIFTH SEASON. The new series is executive produced by Janine Squires, Erin Sullivan, Robina Lord-Stafford, Perry Chafe, John Vatcher and Hawco.

Image courtesy of Derm Carberry.

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Sullivan's Crossing

New CTV original drama Sullivan’s Crossing premieres March 19

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From a media release:

The longest road travelled is from the head to the heart. CTV announced today that all-new original drama series SULLIVAN’S CROSSING joins the network’s midseason schedule Sundays at 7 p.m. ET/PT on CTV, CTV.ca, and the CTV app beginning March 19. From the team behind the hit series VIRGIN RIVER, and adapted by executive producer and showrunner Roma Roth from the New York Times bestselling novels by beloved author and Virgin River scribe Robyn Carr, SULLIVAN’S CROSSING stars Morgan Kohan (TRANSPLANT), alongside Chad Michael Murray (ONE TREE HILL), and Scott Patterson (GILMORE GIRLS).

Filmed in Nova Scotia, the 10-episode one-hour drama follows the journey of neurosurgeon Maggie Sullivan (Kohan), whose perfectly planned life is turned upside down after finding herself in unexpected legal troubles. Needing time to reflect, she temporarily leaves her life in Boston taking refuge in her childhood home of Sullivan’s Crossing, a campground in picturesque Nova Scotia that is run by her estranged father, Sully Sullivan (Patterson). There, Maggie must deal with her complicated present while she also navigates her painful past. Further complicating matters is the irritating mysterious newcomer, Cal Jones (Murray), whose presence in Sullivan’s Crossing ultimately will lead Maggie to question her carefully laid plans.

Rounding out the SULLIVAN’S CROSSING cast are actor, singer, and a Companion of the Order of Canada, Tom Jackson (CARDINAL) as Frank Cranebear; actor, singer, songwriter, Andrea Menard (THE VELVET DEVIL) as Edna Cranebear; Lindura (GHOSTS) as Sydney Shandon; Amalia Williamson (NORTHERN RESCUE) as Lola Gunderson; Reid Price (THE SINNER) as Rob Shandon; Allan Hawco (JACK RYAN) as Andrew Mathews; Lynda Boyd (VIRGIN RIVER) as Phoebe Lancaster; Peter Outerbridge (DESIGNATED SURVIVOR) as Walter Lancaster; and Lauren Hammersley (VIRGIN RIVER) as Connie Boyle.

On the series premiere, “Coming Home” (Sunday, March 19 at 7 p.m. ET/PT on CTV, CTV.ca, and the CTV app), when neurosurgeon Maggie Sullivan’s (Kohan) seemingly perfect life in Boston is turned upside down, she leaves the city and her boyfriend Andrew (Hawco) to return to her childhood home of Sullivan’s Crossing, a picturesque Nova Scotia campground owned by her estranged father, Sully Sullivan (Patterson), whom she hasn’t seen in years. While there, Maggie attempts to reunite with her father as well as her old friends as she butts heads with Cal Jones (Murray), the irritating, yet handsome mysterious stranger who has been helping her father around the campground. But coming home isn’t easy and it brings up memories and feelings Maggie is not ready to face.

Exclusive videos are available throughout the season on @CTV’s social channels and on CTV.ca and the CTV app, providing viewers with an extension of the series with bonus digital content.

Adapted by Showrunner Roma Roth from the New York Times bestselling novels by author Robyn Carr, SULLIVAN’S CROSSING is executive produced by Reel World Management in association with CTV and Fremantle and is an interprovincial co-production with Nova Scotia-based producer Mike Volpe and Ontario based producer Mark Gingras with the participation of Canadian Media Fund, Bell Fund, Cogeco Fund, Screen Nova Scotia, the Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit, and the Ontario Film and Television Tax Credit. SULLIVAN’S CROSSING is distributed internationally by Fremantle.

Showrunner, Roma Roth executive produces alongside Christopher. E. Perry with Mike Volpe and Mark Gingras producing.

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