Tag Archives: Blink49 Studios

Featured, Haven, Industry News, Wild Cards

Blink49 Studios and Piller/Segan ink multi-year joint venture to develop and produce premium content across all genres

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From a media release:

Piller/Segan and Blink49 Studios, have entered into a multi-year joint venture agreement that will see both companies contribute financial and creative resources for the development and production of a slate of premium scripted and unscripted content.

The partnership builds on a long-standing creative relationship between Blink49 Studios CEO John Morayniss and Piller/Segan partners Lloyd Segan and Shawn Piller, who previously collaborated on hit series Private Eyes and fan-favorite Haven during Morayniss’ tenure at eOne. The companies are currently producing Season 3 of Wild Cards (CBC/The CW), which has also been ordered for Season 4.

Designed as a hub for bold new projects, the joint venture will take an open-door approach to building long-term IP and franchises across genres, encouraging crossover opportunities for concepts that can thrive in multiple formats. Building on the strength of its existing creative team, Piller/Segan will expand its development capacity with the addition of a seasoned executive dedicated to sourcing and shepherding projects under the joint venture, working closely with Blink49 Studios leadership.

“This joint venture is a natural evolution of the trust and creative synergy we’ve built over many years,” said Morayniss. “With our combined financial commitment and infrastructure, Blink49 Studios and Piller/Segan are well-positioned to deliver globally resonant storytelling and provide creators with the resources they need to succeed.”

“We’re thrilled to formalize this next chapter with John and the incredible team at Blink49 Studios,” added Segan. “This venture gives us the reach and flexibility to champion a wide range of projects — from supporting established voices to cultivating fresh talent. Together, we’re building a dynamic environment where creators can take risks and bring ambitious ideas to life.”

The venture reflects both companies’ shared mission to empower creators, invest in innovative storytelling, and deliver high-quality programming to a global marketplace.

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Featured, Trailer Park Boys

Trailer Park Boys wraps production of much anticipated Season 13

From a media release:

The rumours are true! Trailer Park Boys Inc., in association with Blink49 Studios, announced today the completion of principal photography of Season 13 of the iconic Canadian series TRAILER PARK BOYS. Following the launch of TPB+ earlier this month, producers confirm that its popular comedy series will return for a 10-episode season, in time for the April 2026, 25th anniversary of Trailer Park Boys.

The Boys are thrilled to be back in series mode. “Feels like it’s been awhile,” said Bubbles when production began at the end of June with Ricky asking: “Is this a f*cking dream?” Holding up a full glass, Julian announced, “We need to celebrate this sh*t!”

Returning cast members also include Patrick Roach, Cory Bowles, Jacob Rolfe, Jeanna Harrison, Sarah Dunsworth-Nickerson, Tyrone Parsons, Sam Tarasco, Bernie Robichaud, George Green, Brian Heighton, Garnet Estabrooks, Michael Oliver, Terence Lucas, Michael Kennedy and David Rossetti reprising their roles. New cast joining this season are Deborah Grover, Jordan Prentice, Hal Bissonnette, Noah Al Maktoomi, Uppekha Jain and Courtney Gilmour.

Filmed in Nova Scotia, TRAILER PARK BOYS is produced by Trailer Park Boys Inc. in association with Blink49 Studios. Ron Murphy directed all 10 episodes. Gary Howsam and Jonathan A. Walker are executive producers; John Paul Tremblay, Mike Smith, and Robb Wells are writers and producers. Aaron Horton is producer.

The series is distributed by Rollercoaster Entertainment. The series is produced with the assistance of the Canada Media Fund, the Nova Scotia Film & Television Production Incentive Fund, the Nova Scotia Content Creator Fund, and the Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit.

All 12 seasons of the classic TRAILER PARK BOYS are currently available on Crave in Canada and on Netflix worldwide.

Image by Michael Tompkins, courtesy of Trailer Park Boys Inc.

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Featured, Industry News, Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

All-new original series Queen of the Castle begins its reign on CTV Life Channel, March 26

From a media release:

New CTV Life Channel Original series QUEEN OF THE CASTLE becomes the crown jewel of Wednesday nights beginning March 26, as the chaotically-heartwarming docuseries airs at 8 p.m. ET on CTV Life, CTV.ca, and the CTV app, and streaming next day on Crave. The hour-long, eight-episode series follows Canadian socialite Dr. Ann Kaplan Mulholland and her entrepreneur husband Dr. Stephen Mulholland as they turn their lives upside down after the last of their six children leaves home. The two empty-nesters move to England and take on the ambitious task of turning their newly acquired medieval castle in the heart of Kent, U.K. into a luxurious world-class destination.

Set in the quiet English town of Hythe, the arrival of Ann, a force of nature with grand plans and the business savvy to pull it off, takes the local community by storm. With her husband Stephen – a world-renowned plastic surgeon– at her side, the pair are ready to give Lympne Castle the makeover of its century-long lifetime. With a dedicated team of castle staff and tradesmen supporting the renovation, they contend with construction chaos, quirky events, discerning guests, and so much more. Along the way, Ann forges unexpected friendships – from elderly neighbours to the town Vicar – and what she initially saw as a business opportunity quickly evolves into something much more personal.

In the premiere episode, “Taking the Throne” (airing Wednesday, March 26 at 8 p.m. ET on CTV Life, CTV.ca, and the CTV app, and streaming next day on Crave), Ann and Stephen become the new owners of Lympne Castle. With the deed in hand, the pair take on their first ambitious project by tackling a renovation in the castle’s new restaurant.

QUEEN OF THE CASTLE is produced by Blink49 Studios and Nest Productions. Executive producers include Blink49’s Toby Dormer, Allison Brough and Vera Lubimova along with Ann Kaplan Mulholland, Stephen Mulholland, Jeff Copeland and Bell Media’s Justin Stockman, as well as co-executive producers Marisa Erftemeijer-Strowger and Floury Crum from Nest Productions.

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Featured, The Trades

From the producers of Trailer Park Boys, the well-oiled and witty new Crave original comedy The Trades premieres March 22

From a media release:

As revealed last night during TSN and CTV’s broadcast of SUPER BOWL LVIII, Crave’s new original comedy series, THE TRADES, debuts Friday, March 22. From Trailer Park Boys Inc. and Kontent House Productions Inc., the eight-part comedy series is a love letter to skilled-trade workers, written with grit, humour, and heart.

Set in a blue-collar community where the high stress of working in a refinery is balanced by the comedic high-wire antics of its plant workers, THE TRADES centres around Todd (Robb Wells), a pipefitter, and his sister and roommate, Audrey (Anastasia Phillips, MOONSHINE), who follows in her big brother’s footsteps pursuing a career in the trades as a carpenter, just like their father Rod (Patrick McKenna, THE RED GREEN SHOW). The first two episodes of THE TRADES drop on Friday, March 22, followed by two new episodes on subsequent Fridays for the duration of the run.

While Todd loves his life, he dreams of climbing the corporate ladder and becoming site manager at Conch Industries, which isn’t too far-fetched, given the current manager Bennett’s (Tom Green, THE TOM GREEN SHOW) chaotic lifestyle. But Todd’s future, and that of the plant and the entire town, is thrown into question when Chelsea (Jennifer Spence, YOU ME HER), an ambitious young executive from head office announces she’s the new site manager, and vows to make some changes.

In the season premiere, Todd works overtime to get a new robotic welding arm up and running, to improve the refinery’s productivity. Audrey debates joining the “family business” and an incident at work opens a job in management, reigniting Todd’s leadership aspirations.

In the second episode, Todd’s crew gives him a makeover to help him dress for the job he wants. His odds at a promotion look promising, until head office sends hot-shot executive Chelsea, to the refinery. Meanwhile, Audrey potentially blows her chances at joining the trades when she tries to save her big bro from humiliation.

THE TRADES is a Trailer Park Boys Inc. and Kontent House Productions Inc. co-production, in association with Bell Media’s Crave. The series is distributed by Rollercoaster Entertainment with Blink49 representing U.S. licensing. Ryan J. Lindsay is creator, writer/executive producer; Shelley Eriksen is writer/executive producer; Warren Sonoda is director; Gary Howsam is executive producer; and Jonathan A. Walker and Robb Wells are producers. John Morayniss and Virginia Rankin are executive producers for Blink49 Studios. Co-executive producers are Andrew McMichael, Angelo Paletta, Ross Mrazek, and Benjamin Rappaport. Series casting is by Marjorie Lecker; cinematographer is Jeff Wheaton; production designer is Michael Pierson; costume designer is Sarah Dunsworth-Nickerson; composer is Jonathan Goldsmith; editors are Sarah Byrne and Jeremy Harty.

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Featured, Sight Unseen

CTV original drama Sight Unseen begins with a special series premiere event, January 21

CTV announced today that new CTV Original crime drama SIGHT UNSEEN is set to debut as part of a series premiere event immediately following the NFL Divisional Playoffs, Sunday, Jan. 21 at 10 p.m. ET/PT. An encore presentation of the series premiere airs Monday, Jan. 22 at 10 p.m. ET/PT, as the series moves to its regular timeslot of Mondays at 10 p.m. ET/PT beginning Jan. 22 on CTV, CTV.ca, and the CTV app. Filmed in Vancouver, the first season of SIGHT UNSEEN consists of 10 one-hour episodes.

Created by sisters Karen Troubetzkoy (KILLJOYS, ORPHAN BLACK) and Nikolijne Troubetzkoy (SKYMED, TRANSPLANT), SIGHT UNSEEN stars newcomer Dolly Lewis as homicide detective Tess Avery alongside Agam Darshi (DMZ) as seeing eye-guide Sunny Patel. The series also stars Jarod Joseph (THE 100) as Tess’ oldest friend, Matt Alleyne, and Daniel Gillies (VIRGIN RIVER) in the role of Tess’ long-time detective partner, Jake Campbell.

In the series premiere (airing Sunday, Jan. 21 at 10 p.m. ET/PT, and again Monday, Jan. 22 at 10 p.m. ET/PT), top homicide detective Tess Avery (Lewis) quits the job she loves after being diagnosed as clinically blind following an accident in the field that nearly left her partner, Jake Campbell (Gillies), dead. Haunted by the case she left behind, and unwilling to accept her diagnosis, Tess forms an unorthodox partnership with remote seeing eye guide, Sunny Patel (Darshi), to solve the brutal abduction of a young mother Tess is certain is still alive.

SIGHT UNSEEN follows Tess (Lewis) as she balances her recent diagnosis while navigating her investigations through the eyes of Sunny (Darshi), a stranger located 3,000 miles away. Guiding Tess with the support of a micro camera and earpiece, Sunny, an agoraphobic and true crime fanatic who leaves her apartment only through the eyes of her clients, is quickly absorbed by the nature of her newfound partner. However, she is also hiding a violent secret of her own that she hopes to one day solve. Throughout the series, the duo challenge preconceptions about ability, trust, and where to draw the line.

To provide an authentic representation of the sight-impaired community, the production team for SIGHT UNSEEN committed to incorporate equity, diversity, and inclusion principles as a priority both in front of and behind the camera through sight-divergent lead, Dolly Lewis, and the guidance of consultants from the conception to post-production of SIGHT UNSEEN. Further inspired by co-creator Karen Troubetzkoy’s own experiences with ongoing experiences of sight loss, the series brings a fresh take on crime dramas.

SIGHT UNSEEN is produced by Blink49 Studios, a FIFTH SEASON backed company, and Front Street Pictures in association with Sisters Troubetzkoy Productions, CTV, The CW, and the participation of the Canada Media Fund and the Bell Fund.

In addition to directing several episodes, John Fawcett (ORPHAN BLACK) serves as an Executive Producer alongside co-showrunners Karen Troubetzkoy and Nikolijne Troubetzkoy, Blink49’s John Morayniss, Carolyn Newman, and Virginia Rankin, Front Street Pictures’ Charles Cooper and writer Derek Schreyer, as well as Ryan Knighton serving as co-executive producer.

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