Tag Archives: Corus

Global greenlights high stakes drama Ransom for a second season

From a media release:

Global announced today that original suspense drama Ransom has been green lit for Season 2. From global studio Entertainment One (eOne), Korda Studios, Big Light Productions and producers Sienna Films, Ransom will shoot in Hungary in the coming months and premiere next year on Global in Canada and CBS in the U.S. Additional details to be revealed at a later date.

With a 13-episode order, Season 2 welcomes back Luke Roberts (Black Sails, Wolf Hall, Game of Thrones) as expert hostage negotiator Eric Beaumont in the new season. Beaumont’s team includes Maxine Carlson (Tony Award-nominated Sarah Greene, Penny Dreadful, Burnt) a young newcomer eager to prove herself; Oliver Yates (Brandon Jay McLaren, Graceland, The Killing), a psychological profiler; and ex-cop Zara Hallam (Nazneen Contractor, Heroes Reborn, Covert Affairs).

Season 2 of the series continues to follow crisis and hostage negotiator Eric Beaumont and his team as they save lives when no one else can. Eric understands criminals better than they do, and uses his insight into human behaviour to resolve the most difficult kidnap and ransom cases. Despite the stakes, Eric refuses to resort to violence, even when confronted by some of the most dangerous criminals in the world.

Ransom is inspired by the professional experiences of distinguished crisis negotiator Laurent Combalbert, who, along with his partner, Marwan Mery, are among the top negotiators in the world. They travel the globe to help multinational corporations and governmental agencies with complex negotiations and conflict resolution.

Ransom was created by David Vainola (Diamonds, Combat Hospital) and Frank Spotnitz (The X-Files, The Man in the High Castle). Ransom is a Canada-Hungary treaty co-production and will be produced by eOne with executive producers Jennifer Kawaja and Julia Sereny via their Sienna Films banner and Spotnitz, via his Big Light Productions banner.  Wildcats Productions’ Valerie Pechels and Odile McDonald will executive produce with Daniel Kresmery and György Rajnai of Korda Studios will co-producing. Ransom is developed in association with Corus Entertainment Inc., with the participation from the Canada Media Fund, and will be produced with the financial assistance of the Ontario Film and Television Tax Credit and the Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit.

 

 

Facebooktwitterredditlinkedinmail

Global Greenlights Original Series Private Eyes for a Third Season

From a media release:

Corus Entertainment continues its commitment to Canadian content and the local production community as it greenlights a third season of Global’s hit original series Private Eyes. From leading independent studio Entertainment One (eOne), the fan-favourite investigative drama receives a 12-episode order, with production set to begin in Toronto in spring 2018. Private Eyes also joins previously announced greenlit original drama Mary Kills People, currently in production on Season 2 in Toronto.

Set in Toronto, the series has sold to more than 110 territories globally including the US, UK, France, Italy, Australia, New Zealand, Portugal, Spain, Czech Republic, and Brazil. Development on Season 3 of the internationally successful original series is underway, with a diverse team of writers crafting a new batch of cases for Canada’s favourite detective duo Matt Shade (Jason Priestley) and Angie Everett (Cindy Sampson) to crack.

Private Eyes is produced by eOne in association with Corus Entertainment, with the participation of the Canada Media Fund, the Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit, the Ontario Film and Television Tax Credit. The series is executive produced by Jocelyn Hamilton and Tecca Crosby for eOne, Shawn Piller and Lloyd Segan for Piller/Segan, Jason Priestley, Alan McCullough, James Thorpe, Alex Zarowny and Tassie Cameron. McCullough and Piller are also showrunners. eOne controls international rights for the series.

 

 

Facebooktwitterredditlinkedinmail

Ross Hull hopes Student Bodies Fan Expo reunion is first step to something big

Back in February, Ross Hull hit up social media in hopes of connecting with fans who remembered Student Bodies, the Global and YTV series he co-starred on two decades ago. He and fellow Bodies‘ compatriot Miklos Perlus were gauging interest in a Student Bodies reunion … and maybe something more. Now, months later, the plan is coming together: the cast is reuniting at in Toronto at Fan Expo this weekend to celebrate Student Bodies‘ 20th anniversary.

“It’s mind-boggling to me,” Hull says of the two decades that have passed since Student Bodies debuted. “It does feel like a long time because many of us have gone in different directions and lived our lives. But, at the same time, I have vivid memories of that experience and it’s made for lifelong friendships as well.” Hull, who is the weekend meteorologist for Global Toronto, keeps in touch with many of the cast, including Perlus, who spearheaded the reunion idea. Hull says Perlus—now a writer and producer on TVO’s Hi Opie! and Opie’s Home—called on his industry contacts to put together a video (set to Green Day’s “(Good Riddance) Time of Your Life”) with Hull narrating. Word spread and now the Fan Expo reunion is happening. And, ideally, another Bodies project.

Created by Alan Silberberg, Judy Spencer and Michael Klinghoffer, Student Bodies aired on Global and YTV in Canada as it showcased the lives of students at the fictional Thomas A. Edison High School. It ran for three seasons and—aside from Hull—starred Nicole Lyn, Katie McIninch, Perlus, Jessica Goldapple, Mark Taylor, Jamie Elman, Victoria Sanchez, Dino Valiotis, Erin Simms, Jennifer Finnigan and Katheryn Winnick.

The cast will reunite on stage on Saturday, Sept. 2, at 5 p.m. ET in Room 701A at Fan Expo for a Q&A, photo-op and autograph session. Confirmed cast members for the event include Hull (Chris), Elman (Cody), Lyn (Emily), Taylor (Romeo), Perlus (Viktor), McIninch (Mags), Goldapple (Flash) and Victoria Sanchez (Grace).

Student Bodies has become a cultural touchstone for fans around the world and in Canada, but Hull says the program’s beginnings were anything but glamorous. The series was filmed in a decommissioned school that had been converted into studios. There was no studio audience, so the cast had to rely on the reaction of the crew to get a feel on whether jokes were landing and storylines were connecting. The trouble with that was the language barrier as most of the crew were French-speaking. So the cast tried to crack each other up.

“If one of the cast members was laughing, that was an indication it was working,” he says. “We were connecting with each other, but we had no idea it would be aired at least three times a day on Canadian TV. We all worked as a team and we were all friends off-camera and I think that really helped with the chemistry.”

The cast of Student Bodies is celebrating its past at Fan Expo, but Hull is hopeful of a future project. There have been some preliminary talks about what that might be—Hull says bringing the characters together 20 years later or a Degrassi-type reboot are two options—but wants fans to weigh in on what they want to see.

“We’re asking everyone at Fan Expo to get out there on social media and #StudentBodies20 and contact broadcasters,” Hull says. “I work for Global—so that would be a good one—and make your interest known.”

The Student Bodies reunion takes place Saturday, Sept. 2, at 5 p.m. ET in Room 701A at Fan Expo.

Would you like to see a new Student Bodies project? If so, what? Are you attending the Fan Expo session? Let me know in the comments below.

 

 

Facebooktwitterredditlinkedinmail

Corus Entertainment bolsters its 2017/18 programming slate with new and returning Canadian original productions

From a media release:

Corus Entertainment announced today its vast and versatile slate of new and returning Canadian content, showcasing exceptional storytelling, an amazing roster of homegrown talent, and original, high-quality productions. New season orders of outstanding established hits underscore Corus’ commitment to investing in Canadian content across its portfolio of brands, championing original series, and fostering Canadian talent, both in front of and behind the camera.

Additionally, with strategically curated programs featuring globally appealing themes and formats, Corus Entertainment’s Corus Studios and Nelvana have grown their slates of premium original content which are now available in more than 160 countries and territories around the world, supporting Corus’ goal of becoming Canada’s leading media and content company.

Global welcomes a new season of one of the most buzzed-about series on both sides of the border, its critically-acclaimed drama Mary Kills People – officially greenlit for six episodes with production beginning this summer in and around Toronto. Produced by Entertainment One (eOne) and Cameron Pictures, and starring Caroline Dhavernas as Dr. Mary Harris, an overworked single mother and ER doctor, the series follows Mary’s exploits as she balances the needs of her family and her day job with helping terminal patients end their lives on their terms – all while eluding the police, who are determined to bring her down. In summer 2018, Canada’s favourite detective duo Matt Shade (Jason Priestley) and Angie Everett(Cindy Sampson) return to the schedule with nine new episodes of Private Eyes. The dynamic duo have found their rhythm on and off the case, and the entire Everett Investigations team tackle new challenges while also facing old ones that have come back to test them. Then, original series Home to Win moves to Global, bringing the hit multiplatform series to a bigger platform and extending its reach to even more Canadians across the country. Produced by Architect Films, the roof-raising series returns for an epic, star-studded third season, featuring the best-known builders, designers, and real estate experts who transform an average house into a dream property for one lucky Canadian.

Showcase‘s original time-travelling series and #1 new fall Specialty series* Travelers returns for a second season this fall. Produced by Peacock Alley Entertainment, the sci-fi drama features an all-Canadian cast led by Eric McCormack and created by Brad Wright. Plus, new this season, Canadian gem Enrico Colantoni joins as Vincent, a mysterious individual who may or may not be a friend of the travelers. Currently shooting in Vancouver, Season 2 picks up on the group’s haunting realization that their missions may have altered the future in ways they did not predict.

The #1 Specialty Entertainment program** and Canadian Screen Award-winner Vikings returns for Season 5 later this year on HISTORY. Produced by Take 5 Productions, this riveting season features Golden Globe® winner Jonathan Rhys Meyers as a warrior bishop. Also debuting this fall are HISTORY’s two new original series: Screen Siren Pictures’ docu-series Bud Dynasty, which follows the lucrative pot industry in British Columbia, providing an all-access look into the legalized marijuana business, its big players, and the obstacles they face; and from Saloon Media, investigative series Hunting Nazi Treasure follows a team of experts around the world in search of objects and artwork worth billions stolen by the Nazis.

On W Network this fall, a handsome gent puts it all on the line for love in the hit franchise produced by Good Human Productions, The Bachelor Canada. W Network is also the home of enchanting scripted series including: Good Witch, featuring Noah Cappe (host of The Bachelor Canada) and returning with Season 4 this spring; family drama series Chesapeake Shores, filmed in British Columbia and starring Canadian Megan Ory; and new comedic series Date My Dad, shot in B.C. and starring Canadian Zenia Marshall.

Following the successful All-Stars edition, Canada’s most notable culinary competition Top Chef Canada returns in spring 2018 for a sixth season to Food Network Canada. Produced by Insight Productions, a new batch of the country’s most talented chefs compete in cutthroat culinary challenges and receive bold critiques from the esteemed judging panel. This fall, the network also serves up sweet new original dishes sure to satisfy audiences: from Alibi Entertainment, The Baker Sisters takes viewers on a guilt-free road trip to sample mouth-watering sweets from some of the best bakeries in North America; and from eOne, the one-hour special Bake It Possible! crowns the champion of Pillsbury and Betty Crocker’s epic baking contest. CSA-nominated celebrity chef Anna Olson showcases her baking mastery in new seasons of Bake with Anna Olson this fall and Inspired by Anna Olson in 2018, both produced by Peace Point Entertainment.

HGTV Canada welcomes two brand new Canadian original series and one Canadian co-production to its schedule this fall and spring, respectively: from Alibi Entertainment, Sarah Off the Grid follows notable interior designer Sarah Richardson as she builds a dream home for her family on a remote property; produced by Great Pacific Media, Worst to First features cutting-edge contractors Mickey Fabbiano and Sebastian Sevallo who transform drab dwellings in coveted neighbourhoods into magnificent sought-after homes; and in partnership with Scripps Networks Interactive, Buyers Bootcamp features Scott McGillivray as he offers real-life opportunities for aspiring real estate investors to partner with him. Fan-favourites Drew and Jonathan Scott of the Cineflix-produced series Property Brothers debut new episodes from Season 6 this fall, followed in early 2018 by a new season of CSA-nominated Masters of Flip from Rhino Content featuring dynamic super couple Dave and Kortney Wilson, and a brand new season of Bryan Inc. from Si Entertainment starring renovation expert Bryan Baeumler.

Since 2016, Corus Studios has been producing and distributing original lifestyle content globally. With multiple content deals completed worldwide this spring, breakout hit Masters of Flip is now available in 147 territories, Buying the View(HGTV Canada) in 65 territories, Home to Win in 44 territories, and Cheer Squad(ABC Spark) in eight territories. The Baker Sisters, $ave My Reno and Backyard Builds (both HGTV Canada) were also recently introduced to the international market at MIPTV 2017.

With offices in Toronto and Paris, Nelvana Enterprises, the global licensing and merchandising arm of Nelvana (Canada’s premier animation company and world-class producer and distributor of children’s content), continues to expand and strengthen its portfolio on an international scale, securing numerous global licensing deals including Nickelodeon (U.S.) for Mysticons, Disney Channel (U.S.) for Hotel Transylvania: The Series, Discovery Kids (Latin America) and Disney Channel (U.S.) deals for The ZhuZhus, and broadcast deals in France, Germany, Finland, and Australia for Ranger Rob.

The momentum across Corus’ Kids Networks is fuelled by the longstanding success, accomplished artists, and creative vision of Nelvana. With nearly 300talented artists and animators working in its Toronto studio, Nelvana has 14 series in full production and more than 20 shows in development for 2017/18. Nelvana’s stellar original animated content joining Corus’ leading kids’ networks this year include the genre-defining action series Mysticons. Slated for YTV this fall, the contemporary series follows four girls who transform into legendary warriors and undertake a quest to find a magic tome. Produced in association with Sony Pictures Animation, and based on the blockbuster film franchise, Hotel Transylvania: The Series focuses on the teenage years of Dracula’s daughter, Mavis, and her three closest friends who put her brilliant ideas of how to run the Hotel into motion, and is set to premiere on TELETOON this fall. Produced by Nelvana in association with Kids Can Press, the charming short film The Most Magnificent Thing joins preschool network Treehouse this fall. Based on Canadian author Ashley Spires’sbestselling picture book of the same name, the short film animates the tale of an unnamed girl, her furry best friend and their quest to make the most magnificent thing – even though creating it might not be that easy. Nelvana’s preschool adventure series Ranger Rob has been greenlit for a second season, and new episodes of the dynamic duo Max & Ruby return this fall on Treehouse.

The action continues as YTV also introduces new Canadian original series to its lineup, ReBoot: The Guardian Code. Reimagining the 1994 animated cult classic show ReBoot, the live-action/CG-animated hybrid series is set to debut in spring 2018. Produced by WOW! Unlimited Media’s Mainframe Studios, the series follows four teenagers selected to become the Next-Generation Guardians of cyberspace.

Facebooktwitterredditlinkedinmail