Tag Archives: Blink49 Studios

Featured, Industry News, Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

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

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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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The Trades

Production underway on the all-new Crave original comedy, The Trades

From a media release:

Crave, in association with Rollercoaster Entertainment and Blink49 Studios, announced today that production is underway in Nova Scotia on the Crave Original comedy series, THE TRADES. From the producers of TRAILER PARK BOYS, THE TRADES is an eight-part, 30-minute, comedy set in a working-class community, where the stress and high risks of working in a refinery are balanced by the comedic, high-wire antics of the plant workers. The series will be available in English and French.

“From the moment I first read the pilot two years ago, I was immediately drawn to Ryan J. Lindsay’s vision for the series,” said Robb Wells, star and producer, THE TRADES. “I love all of the colourful characters, the backdrop, and especially, the different types of humour associated with each trade. It’s amazing to see the team come together, including an unbelievably talented cast and crew. It’s going to be so much fun, and I am very excited.”

THE TRADES centres around Todd Stool (Robb Wells, TRAILER PARK BOYS), a pipefitter who is proud of his working-class background, and collection of big boy toys. His sister, and roommate, Audrey (Anastasia Phillips, MOONSHINE), decides to follow in her big brother’s footsteps and pursue a career in the trades as a carpenter, just like their father Rod (Patrick McKenna, THE RED GREEN SHOW). While Todd loves his life, he dreams of climbing the corporate ladder and becoming site manager at Conch Industries – which isn’t so far-fetched, given the current site manager Bennett’s, (Tom Green, THE TOM GREEN SHOW) lifestyle. But Todd’s future, that of the plant—and the town, are thrown into question when Chelsea (Jennifer Spence, YOU ME HER), an ambitious young executive sent from head office, announces she is the new site manager, and vows to make some changes.

Rounding out Todd’s rag-tag crew are: Jimi (Enrico Colantoni, VERONICA MARS); Dewey (Jason Daley, TRAILER PARK BOYS); Homer (Jesse Camacho, LOCKE & KEY); Backwoods (Daniel Petronijevic, LETTERKENNY); Taser (Brandon Oakes, DIGGSTOWN); Medhi, the Chief Engineer (Raoul Bhaneja, BLINDSPOT); and Steph the Safety Chick (Susan Kent, THIS HOUR HAS 22 MINUTES). Together, they balance the high risks of working in an oil refinery with bawdy nicknames, elaborate pranks, and jokes to amuse and enrage one another – but must work together if they want to save their livelihood and protect their community.

THE TRADES is co-produced by Trailer Park Boys Inc. and Kontent House Inc. in association with Bell Media’s Crave, with the participation of the Nova Scotia Film & Television Production Incentive Fund, and the assistance of the Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit and Ontario Creates. The series is distributed by Rollercoaster Entertainment and Blink49 is the exclusive U.S. sales agent. Ryan J. Lindsay is creator, writer, and executive producer; Shelley Eriksen is writer and 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 Ben Rappaport.

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Industry News

Blink49 Studios launches Canadian unscripted division

From a media release:

Blink49 Studios is expanding its content business by adding an unscripted arm to develop a slate of non-fiction entertainment targeting the Canadian and international marketplace. The new division will be led by Toby Dormer, Executive Vice President, Unscripted Television with Allison Brough named as Vice President, Unscripted Television, effective immediately.

Based in Vancouver, Dormer will report to John Morayniss, CEO of Blink49 Studios and will be responsible for all aspects of Blink49’s unscripted business, including overseeing development, production and related strategic initiatives.  Reporting to Dormer and based in Toronto, Brough will take the lead on the creation of Blink49’s unscripted portfolio.

Most recently, Dormer was Executive Vice President, Unscripted, Canada at Entertainment One (eOne) where he oversaw the company’s extensive slate which included, Project Bakeover (Food Network), Arctic Vets (CBC/NatGeo), Hunt for the Chicago Strangler (Discovery+), and Border Security (Netflix/Global). In 2003, Dormer founded Remedy Productions and within four years it grew to become the largest producer of entertainment programming in the UK by volume. In 2011, Remedy was acquired by the Argonon Media Group and Dormer led the company’s expansion into North America where he Executive Produced titles such as Cabin Truckers (Cottage Life/A&E), My Floating Home (HGTV/Channel 4) and two seasons of First Dates (Global).

Before joining Blink49 Studios, Allison Brough was Vice President of Development, Unscripted Television & Head of Podcast Network for eOne. She created, championed and maintained a ‘podcast to broadcast’ model in addition to managing a robust slate of unscripted television including the forthcoming, four-part series, Thunder Bay (CTV/Crave). Prior to that, she was Director of Development at Lone Eagle Entertainment where she helped spearhead numerous, green-lit projects like Meme gURL (Slice Network), Raising the Bar (CMT Canada), Starving Artist (Food Network) and Dead Funny (CBC). Brough also served as Development Executive at Tricon Films and Television where she worked on popular series such as Après Ski (Bravo), Restaurant Takeover (Food Network), Pop-Up Gourmet (OWN) and The Expendables (HGTV).

Blink49 Studios is a content venture with Endeavor Content as its anchor investor and lead strategic partner. Focusing heavily on a creative-first approach, Blink49 Studios is dedicated to partnering with best-in-class writers, creators and producers, as well as aggressively pursuing IP in Canada and throughout the world. The indie studio is committed to applying significant resources to support new and diverse Canadian voices. 

   

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