Tag Archives: CBC

Featured, Small Achievable Goals

CBC and Sphere Media start production on menopause comedy Small Achievable Goals from Meredith MacNeill and Jennifer Whalen

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From a media release:

CBC and Sphere Media today announced that production is underway on new original comedy series SMALL ACHIEVABLE GOALS (8×30), co-created by and starring Meredith MacNeill and Jennifer Whalen. The series, which is currently filming in Toronto and Hamilton, will premiere in winter 2025 on CBC and CBC Gem. 

SMALL ACHIEVABLE GOALS follows odd couple Julie (Whalen) and Kris (MacNeill), as they are thrust together to produce a podcast while grappling with “the change” – aka menopause. The duo embark on a journey of transformation, helping each other through workplace challenges and office politics, dating and relationship drama, and some serious health concerns. Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, they will be reborn as sexy, silver-haired, wizard women! Or at least wiser, less sweaty versions of themselves. 

“We want to make a joyful comedy about menopause because in this time of life we could all use a laugh,” said Whalen. “For those of us going through it, we see you. For everyone else, enjoy the ride!”

“Making something hot and bloody with Sphere and the CBC — everyone’s revved up to take it all the way home,” said MacNeill. “Normally one would say that we stand behind the message, but the message is so strong, we believe it stands behind us.”

“This series is at times hilarious, surprising, and revealing as it looks at a very normal part of aging that affects half the population but is still spoken about in hushed tones,” said Trish Williams, Executive Director, Scripted Content, CBC. “This workplace sitcom is bound to become a conversation starter as audiences relate – and react – to the experiences of Kris and Julie as they discover what it means to experience menopause.”

“We’re so thrilled to be working with the talented Jennifer and Meredith, and with CBC on this fresh, funny look at menopause and midlife,” said Elise Cousineau, Executive Producer at Sphere Media. “It’s hilarious, highly relatable, and we’re excited to be a part of bringing it to the screen.”

A CBC Original Series, SMALL ACHIEVABLE GOALS is produced by Sphere Media. The series is created by Meredith MacNeill and Jennifer Whalen (Baroness von Sketch Show), who also serve as Executive Producers alongside Stacy Traub, and Sphere Media’s Jennifer Kawaja, Bruno Dubé and Elise Cousineau. 

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Allegiance, Featured

Production underway in British Columbia on Season 2 of CBC’s Allegiance

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From a media release:

Lark Productions and CBC today announced that Season 2 of police drama ALLEGIANCE (10×60) is currently shooting across BC’s Lower Mainland through December 5, 2024. 

Premiering in winter 2024, ALLEGIANCE was CBC’s most-watched new series of the 2023-24 season.* The high-octane police drama uniquely set in Surrey, BC, is a CBC Original series from Lark Productions in association with Universal International Studios, starring Supinder Wraich (Sort Of) as Sabrina Sohal and Enrico Colantoni (English Teacher) as Vince Brambilla. Season 2 welcomes Samer Salem (The Expanse, The Boys) to the ensemble cast as a series regular, portraying Detective Corporal Zak Kalaini. Plus, showrunners Mark Ellis and Stephanie Morgenstern (Flashpoint, X Company) are back at the helm of ALLEGIANCE, a series created by Anar Ali (Transplant).

The series focuses on identity and belonging, policing and politics, and finding truth within the heart of a flawed justice system. Season 2 will be rooted in a powerful set of engaging and topical storylines including online gambling, tech janitors and international schools. Lead character Sabrina Sohal (Wraich) joins the Serious Crimes Unit of the CFPC and has six months to prove she’s got what it takes to be a detective. She’s paired with a newly transferred partner who has a decade more of experience compared to her and a very different approach to the job. While navigating a complex love life and an equally complicated family life, Sabrina is determined to take down the man responsible for framing her father.

“Audiences embraced Allegiance, and we are excited for viewers to see the next instalment on CBC this winter. Our creative team continues to raise the bar this season and we are grateful for the opportunity to continue to explore the lives of our characters and tell these important stories,” said Erin Haskett, President, Lark Productions. 

Returning series regulars include Stephen Lobo, Adolyn H. Dar, David Cubitt, Crystal Balint, Toby Levins, Melanie Papalia, and Andres Joseph.

A CBC Original series, ALLEGIANCE is produced by Lark Productions in association with Universal International Studios, a division of Universal Studio Group, with NBCUniversal Global TV Distribution handling global sales. Stephanie Morgenstern, Mark Ellis and Anar Ali serve as Executive Producers alongside Lark Productions’ Erin Haskett, Nicole Mandes, David Valleau, Tex Antonucci and Season 2 director, Nimisha Mukerji.

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Featured, Plan B

Production now underway on the third season of CBC anthology series Plan B

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From a media release:

CBC and KOTV today announced that production is now underway in Montreal on a third season of the time-bending anthology drama series PLAN B (6×60). An adaptation of the popular French-language drama series of the same name (now in its fourth season for Radio-Canada), the new season will focus on a new story, starring Carolina Bartczak (Painkiller, X-Men: Apocalypse), Arnold Pinnock (The Porter, Combat Hospital) and Ennis Esmer (Children Ruin Everything, Blindspot). Additional casting includes Arianna Shannon making her screen debut, as well as Jaeden Noel (Orphan Black: Echoes, Invasion), Carolyn Taylor (Baroness von Sketch Show, I Have Nothing) and Grace Lynn Kung (Sort Of, Fallout).

In Season 3 of PLAN B, Abigail Walker (Bartczak), the host of Canada’s top morning TV show, grapples with the devastating loss of her teenage daughter, Lucy (Shannon), to suicide. Tormented by grief and regret, Abigail uses the Plan B Agency to embark on a series of time-traveling journeys, desperate to alter the past and prevent Lucy’s tragic fate. As she attempts to protect Lucy from the toxic relationships that contributed to her downward spiral, Abigail’s actions create ripples that affect not only Lucy’s life but also the lives of those around her. Abigail’s pursuit of a better outcome for Lucy leads her to confront painful truths about her own past, her relationships, and the choices she’s made both for her daughter and for herself. She must navigate the complexities of time travel, grappling with the ethical implications of altering the lives of others. But as Abigail travels deeper into the past, she discovers that the true meaning of love and sacrifice may lie in accepting the unchangeable.

Season 1 of PLAN B, starring Patrick J. Adams and Karine Vanasse, and Season 2, starring Vinessa Antoine, offer gripping, reality-altering drama with unique storylines, showcasing characters navigating life’s what-ifs and second chances. Audiences can watch both seasons on the free CBC Gem streaming service.

A CBC original series, PLAN B is produced by Quebec-based production company KOTV. Jean-François Asselin, who co-created the original French-language series, co-directs with Marianne Farley, and also co-writes with Celeste Parr, for this English adaptation. Asselin & Parr also serve as Showrunners and Executive Producers, alongside Louis Morissette. For KOTV, Louis-Philippe Drolet, Mélanie Viau and Jacques Drolet are Executive Producers and Marie-Claude Beaulieu is Producer.

For CBC, Sally Catto is General Manager, Entertainment, Factual & Sports; Trish Williams is Executive Director, Scripted Content; Sarah Adams is Director of Current Production, Drama; and Nicola Makoway is Executive in Charge of Production.

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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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Canada's Ultimate Challenge, Featured

Team Wildcard wins Canada’s Ultimate Challenge; casting open for Season 3

From a media release:

 After six weeks of intense competition filled with twists and turns, Team Wildcard shocked the country, upsetting Team Red in the final obstacle course to win season two of CANADA’s ULTIMATE CHALLENGE last night on CBC. Standing on the shores of Vancouver Island, host Brandon Gonez declared Brandon Rodwell (Woodstock, ON), Shasily Matowe (Edmonton, AB) and Whitney Beers (Saint John, NB) season two champions and winners of a VIP trip to cheer on Team Canada at the Olympic Games Paris 2024. Season two of CANADA’S ULTIMATE CHALLENGE, including the finale episodes, are available to stream now on CBC Gem.

As the two-part finale began, teams Blue, Red and Orange travelled to Revelstoke, BC, in anticipation of the biggest elimination showdown of the season. There, they were faced with a terrifying gondola challenge atop the largest vertical drop in North America where Team Red secured their spot in the finale. Then, in the most surprising twist of the season it was revealed that eliminated Players Brandon Rodwell, Shasily Matowe and Whitney Beers were returning as the newly formed Team Wildcard and, after facing off in a kayak challenge, Team Orange was sent packing. Player tensions and rivalries came full circle as the remaining teams headed to Vancouver Island for the final three obstacles. Known for its gnarly trails and legendary precipitation, Mount Washington set the backdrop for a mountain bike relay that ultimately led to the elimination of the Team Blue, and pitted season favourites Team Red and underdogs Team Wildcard against each other in the final challenge of the season, “Canada’s Ultimate Log Jam.” In an intense obstacle course, Team Wildcard pulled off the ultimate upset and defeated Team Red for the win. They’ll be joining Season One winners Vinny Rojas (Dorval, QC), Alana Warnick (Winnipeg, MB), Bradley Farquhar (Halifax, NS), and Devon MD Jones (Toronto, ON) at the Olympic Games Paris 2024 this summer. 

The season finale comes fresh off the heels of the announcement that the series has been renewed for a third season. Casting for season three of CANADA’S ULTIMATE CHALLENGE is open now. Season one of CANADA’S ULTIMATE CHALLENGE was nominated for four Canadian Screen Awards including Best Reality/Competition Series.

Hosted by Brandon Gonez, CANADA’S ULTIMATE CHALLENGE is an original reality competition format that transforms Canada into an epic obstacle course. Each episode takes place at an awe-inspiring location showcasing the beauty and grandeur of Canada. Players compete in a series of challenges that test every aspect of their physical and mental strength, pushing them to their limits. Season two featured 20 fierce competitors divided into teams of five who battled it out in  St. John’s, NL, Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine, QC, Ottawa, ON, Hamilton, ON, Canmore, AB, Revelstoke, BC and Vancouver Island. 

Commissioned by CBC, season two of CANADA’S ULTIMATE CHALLENGE is executive produced by Erin Brock, John Brunton, Mark Lysakowski, and Jeff Thrasher for Insight Productions (A Boat Rocker Company) and Phil Gurin for The Gurin Company. 

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