Tag Archives: Heartland

Link: Robert Cormier dies: ‘Heartland’ and ‘Slasher: Solstice’ actor was 33

From Patrick Hipes of Deadline:

Link: Robert Cormier dies: ‘Heartland’ and ‘Slasher: Solstice’ actor was 33
Robert Cormier, a TV and film actor whose credits include playing Finn Cotter on the long-running Canadian series Heartland as well as the Netflix horror series Slasher: Solstice died September 23. He was 33. Continue reading.

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CBC unveils 2022-23 programming slate

From a media release:

CBC today announced its 2022-23 programming slate for CBC TV and CBC Gem, featuring over 40 new and returning original series and specials from Canadian creators, producers and storytellers across all genres.

[EDITOR’S NOTE: Coroner and Tallboyz have not been renewed.]

ENTERTAINMENT, FACTUAL AND SPORTS

ORIGINAL COMEDY SLATE

CBC and CBC Gem will continue to offer the best original comedy in Canada, including the second seasons of authentic comedies SORT OF, STRAYS, RUN THE BURBS, and SON OF A CRITCH – alongside returning favourite WORKIN’ MOMS and the 30th anniversary of THIS HOUR HAS 22 MINUTES. New shows include COMEDY NIGHT WITH RICK MERCER and CBC Gem original FAKES, offering an unconventional rollercoaster ride of teen drama.

New Original Comedy Series

COMEDY NIGHT WITH RICK MERCER (Premieres Fall 2022; 8×60; Just For Laughs TV and Counterfeit Pictures) is a Canadian comedy event to remember, composed of eight unforgettable one-hour specials presented by legendary comedy icon and TV personality, Rick Mercer. Featuring an incredible lineup of the country’s new and notable comedians, including stand-up performances from Mercer himself, the series will also feature never-before-seen conversations between Mercer and some of today’s most impressive Canadian comedy talent, including Sophie Buddle, D.J. Demers, Dakota Ray Hebert and Dave Merheje, among others.

FAKES (Premieres Fall 2022 on CBC Gem; 10×30; Reality Distortion Field), created by David Turko and a co-production with Netflix, follows two best friends who accidentally build one of the largest fake ID empires in North America. Before they even graduate high school, Zoe and Rebecca move into a sick penthouse, earn more cash than they know what to do with, and then get raided by the feds. This is the story of their ultimate betrayal, told from each of their unreliable POVs as they compete for the last word. Starring Emilija Baranac (To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before), Jennifer Tong (Grand Army), and Richard Harmon (The 100).

Returning Original Comedies & Festivals

SORT OF (Season 2 premieres Fall 2022; 8×30; Sphere Media’s Sienna Films)

STRAYS (Season 2 premieres Fall 2022; 10×30; Thunderbird Entertainment)

THIS HOUR HAS 22 MINUTES (Season 30 premieres Fall 2022; 24×30; IoM Media) celebrating its 30th anniversary season.

THE NEW WAVE OF STANDUP (Season 2 premieres Winter 2023; 4×30; Just For Laughs TV)

RUN THE BURBS (Season 2 premieres Winter 2023; 13×30; Pier 21 Films)

SON OF A CRITCH (Season 2 premieres Winter 2023; 13×30; Project 10 Productions)

WORKIN’ MOMS (Season 7 premieres Winter 2023; 13×30; Wolf + Rabbit Entertainment)

ORIGINAL DRAMA SLATE

This summer brings the adventure of new medical drama SKYMED, while the fall sees the return of audience favourites HEARTLAND and MURDOCH MYSTERIES, and east coast tales MOONSHINE and DIGGSTOWN, as well as a treacherous journey to the Arctic in THE NORTH WATER. New family drama ESSEX COUNTY joins the winter lineup alongside a new English-language adaptation of Radio-Canada series PLAN B; and critically acclaimed female-driven procedural PRETTY HARD CASES returns for a third season.

New Original Drama Series

SKYMED (Premieres in Canada beginning Sunday, July 10 at 9 p.m. [9:30 NT] on CBC and CBC Gem; 9×60; Piazza Entertainment) Life, death, and drama at 20,000 feet, SKYMED is a drama wrapped in high-stakes medical adventure. The series weaves compelling stories around a diverse ensemble of young First Responders in the remote North, where help – and survival – are literally thousands of miles away. Over the course of the season, the trials, triumphs, hookups and heartbreaks of a perilous job in an unforgiving setting will challenge each of them to face their fears and grow up. Created by Julie Puckrin (X Company, Transplant, Nurses, Killjoys, Mad Men), the one-hour drama features an ensemble cast of young Canadian talent including Natasha Calis (Nurses), Morgan Holmstrom (Siberia), Ace (Aason) Nadjiwon (Batwoman), Praneet Akilla (Nancy Drew), Mercedes Morris (Between), Thomas Elms (The Order), Kheon Clarke (Riverdale), and Rebecca Kwan (Taken).

THE NORTH WATER (Premieres Fall 2022; 6×60; Rhombus Media and See-Saw Films) In 1859, Patrick Sumner (BAFTA winner Jack O’Connell, Seberg, Godless) joins The Volunteer as a ship’s surgeon, hoping to lose himself in the tough physicality of an Arctic whaling trip. But the ferocity of the elements is matched by the violence of his crew mates, with harpooner Drax (Golden Globe™ winner Colin Farrell, In Bruges, The Batman) a distinctly brutal force of nature. As the true purpose of the expedition becomes clear, confrontation between the two men erupts, taking them on a journey far from solid ground and way beyond the safe moorings of civilization.

ESSEX COUNTY (Premieres Winter 2023; 5×60; First Generation Films) is a five-part limited series based on the brilliant graphic novel trilogy by Jeff Lemire (Sweet Tooth, Moon Knight). A redemptive tale of family, ESSEX COUNTY tells the story of four disparate characters linked together through bloodlines. From old Uncle Lou, to young Lester, to Anne the country nurse and Ken, the stoic farmer, the four lead characters ebb and flow into each other’s lives, slowly weaving connections between them that ultimately save and redeem them.

PLAN B (Premieres Winter 2023; 6×60; KOTV) Adapted from the Radio-Canada French-language drama created by Jean-François Asselin and Jacques Drolet and set in Montreal, this high-concept, gripping and intimate psychological drama from Asselin, Drolet and Lynne Kamm follows a man on a desperate and relentless quest to save his relationship – and by extension, his whole world. Who has not at one time wanted to go back and change the course of events? And what if you were given a second chance, a Plan B? The day when Philip (Patrick J. Adams, Suits) discovers the possibility of going back in time, he does not hesitate. Since Evelyn (Karine Vanasse, Cardinal), the love of his life and companion for the past six years, has left him, his life has lost its meaning. With the tremendous power he wields thanks to Plan B, he attempts to save his relationship, his law firm and his dysfunctional family. But Philip soon realizes that even the smallest choice has repercussions – as uncontrollable as they are unexpected – on his life and the lives of others. And even though he can stop tragic events before they happen, Philip cannot erase the memories and the emotions associated with them. Nothing will ever be without consequence again.

BONES OF CROWS (Premieres 2023-24; 5×60; Marie Clements Media, Screen Siren Pictures and Grana Productions) is a five-part hour-long drama told through the eyes of Cree Matriarch, Aline Spears (played throughout her life by Summer Testawich; Grace Dove, Monkey Beach; and Carla Rae, Rutherford Falls), as she survives Canada’s residential school system to continue her family’s generational fight in the face of systemic starvation, racism, and sexual abuse. The series is an expanded story from the feature film version; a truly epic tale that spans over a hundred years and multiple generations of the Spears family, the series connects and deepens the events of the past with a cumulative force that propels us into the future with power. Commissioned by CBC/Radio-Canada in association with APTN and created by Marie Clements (Red Snow), BONES OF CROWS the series will debut on CBC and Radio-Canada in 2023-24. BONES OF CROWS the feature film, which focuses specifically on Aline Spears as she confronts her traumatic past, will be released theatrically in 2022-23.

Returning Original Dramas

DIGGSTOWN (Season 4 premieres Fall 2022; 6×60; Circle Blue Entertainment, Freddie Films Inc. and Waterstar Entertainment Inc.)

HEARTLAND (Season 16 premieres Fall 2022; 15×60; Dynamo Films and SEVEN24 Films)

MOONSHINE (Season 2 premieres Fall 2022; 8×60, Six Eleven Media and eOne)

MURDOCH MYSTERIES (Season 16 premieres Fall 2022; 24×60; Shaftesbury)

PRETTY HARD CASES (Season 3 premieres Winter 2023; 10×60; Cameron Pictures)

FACTUAL ENTERTAINMENT

CBC’s factual entertainment slate features even more people and places across the country this year including Canadians and communities in pursuit of their personal best, with RACE AGAINST THE TIDE with host Maestro Fresh Wes making waves this summer, favourites DRAGONS’ DEN, FAMILY FEUD CANADA and THE GREAT CANADIAN BAKING SHOW returning this fall, and BEST IN MINIATURE and STILL STANDING with Jonny Harris warming up the winter schedule. Joining the lineup is BOLLYWED featuring the Singh family of Toronto’s Little India, thrilling competition series CANADA’S ULTIMATE CHALLENGE; and podcast adaptation STUFF THE BRITISH STOLE. The fall also brings the inaugural edition of THE LEGACY AWARDS from The Black Academy, as well as a variety show like no other – CBC Gem original LIDO TV hosted by Colombian-Canadian musician and artist Lido Pimienta.

New Original Factual Series & Specials

THE LEGACY AWARDS (September 25, 2022 at 8 p.m. (9 AT/9:30 NT) on CBC and CBC Gem; Insight Productions (a Boat Rocker Company) and Bay Mills Studios)

The inaugural edition of The Black Academy’s award show, The Legacy Awards, is the first major Canadian award show to celebrate and showcase Black talent and will be broadcast from Live Nation Canada’s newest entertainment venue HISTORY, in Toronto’s east end. The live 90-minute telecast will feature performances, award presentations, and tributes honouring both established and emerging Black Canadian talent. The Black Academy is co-founded by Scarborough natives Shamier Anderson (John Wick: Chapter 4) and Stephan James (If Beale Street Could Talk).

LIDO TV (Premieres Fall 2022 on CBC Gem; 6×20; Lido Pimienta TV/Visitor Media) is a variety show with a mission: to help people cope with life in a world that sometimes feels like it’s falling apart, filled with hilarious sketches, inspiring interviews, immersive documentaries, surreal animations, and puppets. At the centre of it all is host Lido Pimienta, the award-winning Colombian-Canadian musician, artist and mother whose hilarious, curious, and tender personality drives the action. The series tackles themes ranging from feminism and privilege to colonialism and success, and features appearances by Nelly Furtado; musicians Shad and Kittie; writer Sarah Hagi; NorBlack NorWhite co-founder Mriga Kapadiya; and artists jes sachse and Jessica Karuhanga.

BOLLYWED (Premieres Winter 2023; 10×30; HeartHat Entertainment) is a heartwarming factual series centred around the Singh family, who have been operating the iconic bridal shop, Chandan Fashion, in Toronto’s Little India for the last 37 years. The series shines a fascinating light on the booming and glamorous world of Bollywood culture and fashion, and offers an authentic glimpse into an intergenerationally run business lead by patriarch Cookie Singh, his wife Sarah, and their two children Chandan and Chandni. There’s plenty of old-school-meets-new-school drama and laughs as two generations take on the ever-changing and extravagant world of Indian weddings.

CANADA’S ULTIMATE CHALLENGE (Premieres Winter 2023; 8×60; Insight Productions (a Boat Rocker Company) and The Gurin Company) is a competition reality format that turns the entire country into a giant obstacle course. Six extraordinary coaches will guide and mentor teams of everyday Canadians at site-specific physical and mental challenges in a unique competition structure. The coaches include: sprinting legend and two-time Olympic champion, Donovan Bailey; Mohawk Olympian in water polo and advocate for Indigenous sport, Waneek Horn-Miller; six-time Olympic medallist in cycling and speed skating, Clara Hughes; three-time Olympic speed skater Gilmore Junio; former captain of Canada’s Olympic bronze medal-winning rugby sevens team, Jen Kish; and NFL Super Bowl Champion and competitive cyclist, Luke Willson.

Each episode will take place at an iconic Canadian location where the teams will compete in spectacular Solo, Tandem or Team challenges that test them physically and mentally. Throughout the eight-episode series, the superstar Canadian coaches will make strategic decisions and motivate their players to victory. In the end, only one team will win CANADA’S ULTIMATE CHALLENGE.

STUFF THE BRITISH STOLE (Premieres Winter 2023; 6×30; Wooden Horse, WildBear Entertainment and Cream Productions) is a new six-part series for the ABC and CBC based on award-winning journalist Marc Fennell’s acclaimed, chart-topping ABC Podcast, also launched by CBC Podcasts in fall 2021. Throughout its reign, the British Empire stole a lot of stuff. Today those objects are housed in genteel institutions across the U.K. and the world. They usually come with polite plaques. This is a series about the not-so-polite history behind those objects.

Returning Factual Formats & Series:

RACE AGAINST THE TIDE (Season 2 premieres Sunday, July 10 at 8:30 p.m. (9 NT) on CBC and CBC Gem; 10×30; marblemedia) with new host Maestro Fresh Wes

DRAGONS’ DEN (Season 17 premieres Fall 2022; 10×60) featuring returning Dragon Robert Herjavec after a decade away from The Den.

FAMILY FEUD CANADA (Season 4 premieres Fall 2022; 104×30; Zone 3/Fremantle)

THE GREAT CANADIAN BAKING SHOW (Season 6 premieres Fall 2022; 9×60; Proper Television/Love Productions)

BEST IN MINIATURE (Season 2 premieres Winter 2023; 8×60; marblemedia)

STILL STANDING (Season 8 premieres Winter 2023; 10×30; Frantic Films)

DOCUMENTARIES

CBC commissions an average of 80 documentaries each year for CBC, CBC Gem and documentary Channel, with CBC Gem now offering a library of over 800 documentaries, available to stream for free anytime. THE PASSIONATE EYE returns this fall with a new slate of original documentaries that drop audiences into a broad range of cultural conversations, from our fascination with word puzzles, to what it means to be Indigenous, and to a new generation of stock market disruptors.

THE PASSIONATE EYE’s two-hour season premiere will feature Hot Docs 2022 Opening Night selection, INTO THE WEEDS, telling the powerful story of Dewayne “Lee” Johnson, a former Bay Area groundskeeper who takes on a multinational agrochemical corporation after a terminal cancer diagnosis. Directed by celebrated filmmaker Jennifer Baichwal (Anthropocene: The Human Epoch, Long Time Running), the film follows Johnson through his battle, setting his personal journey against a global environmental crisis.

New original doc series this upcoming year include:

SUMMIT ‘72 (Premieres Fall 2022; 4×60; Mercury Films and Impossible Objects) This timely documentary series will tell the definitive story of the legendary 1972 Canada-USSR Summit Series of Hockey upon its 50th anniversary, and through a modern lens explore its legacy and lasting influence on Canadian national identity, framing it against the political and cultural climate of the times in both countries, and around the world. With never-before-seen 16mm archival footage restored in stunning 4k, and exclusive interviews with key players, SUMMIT ‘72 will bring an unforgettable moment in Canadian history to life on screen as never seen before. Audiences will relive—or experience for the first time—the adrenaline-fuelled, edge-of-your-seat drama of one of the most monumental cultural proxy battles of the Cold War, and trace its many reverberations in the zeitgeist right up to the present day.

STAY TOONED (Premieres Winter 2023 on CBC Gem; 6×22; Fathom Film Group) Eric Bauza – the Canadian who voices legendary characters from Bugs Bunny to Luke Skywalker – takes us on a deep dive through our favourite cartoons to see how they shaped us into who we are today. In each episode, he meets with friends and experts to explore villains, race, sexuality, and so much more. Featuring Ben Schwartz, Lake Bell, Ken Jeong, Bobby Moynihan, Tara Strong, Lamorne Morris, Cree Summer, and James Adomian, among others.

Returning Documentary Formats & Series:

THE PASSIONATE EYE (Premieres Fall 2022; 9×60 (+1×120 premiere))

THE NATURE OF THINGS (Season 62 premieres Winter 2023; 13×60)

CBC KIDS

Building on CBC’s ongoing commitment to inspire, entertain and inform young audiences, CBC Kids will continue to share new programming for kids and tweens across all platforms this upcoming year, including over 500 hours of ad-free programming on CBC Gem. New titles for preschoolers include JEREMY AND JAZZY (Fall 2022; 27×2 and 1×11; Vérité Films Inc.), an animated musical adventure series about song and story creation, starring award-winning musicians Jeremy Fisher (as Jeremy) and Aiza Ntibarikure (as Jazzy), plus celebrity musical guests. MITTENS AND PANTS (Fall 2022; 39×7, Windy Isle Productions and Thunderbird Entertainment) is cuteness overload for preschoolers, featuring the town of Kibble Corners with real puppies, kittens, chicks, piglets and more, voiced by kids.

CBC SPORTS

Coming off of an unprecedented year featuring two Olympic and Paralympic Games, Tokyo 2020 and Beijing 2022, CBC SPORTS will continue to keep Canadians connected to the world of high-performance sport through coverage on CBC TV and CBC Gem, as well as live streams of key competitions on cbcsports.ca and the CBC Sports app. Upcoming featured events include: 2022 World Athletics Championships (USA, July 15 – 24); Commonwealth Games (England, July 28 – Aug. 8); FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship (Location TBC, Aug. 26 – Sept. 11); Rugby Sevens World Cup (South Africa, Sept. 9-11); FIG Rhythmic World Championship (Bulgaria, Sept. 14 – 18); and FIVB Women’s Volleyball World Championship (Poland and The Netherlands, Sept. 23 – Oct. 15). As Canada’s Olympic and Paralympic Network for the next decade, CBC will continue to offer high-quality storytelling that allows audiences to follow the journey of the athletes between Games, all the way to the podium.

CBC NEWS & CURRENT AFFAIRS

From breaking stories to in-depth coverage, CBC News delivers trusted 24-hour news and information on CBC News Network, CBCNews.ca and the CBC News App. CBC News continues to bring audiences the latest news from across Canada and around the world, in addition to an award-winning slate of current affairs, investigative and primetime and weekend news programs, including the 50th anniversary of MARKETPLACE, celebrating five decades as Canada’s investigative consumer watchdog.

THE FIFTH ESTATE (Season 48 premieres Fall 2022; 16×60)

MARKETPLACE (Season 50 premieres Fall 2022; 23×30) celebrating its 50th anniversary season

THE NATIONAL (Weeknights and Sundays on CBC TV and CBC News Network)

POWER & POLITICS WITH VASSY KAPELOS (Weeknights on CBC News Network)

CBC RUNDOWN (Weeknights on CBC News Network)

CANADA TONIGHT WITH GINELLA MASSA (Weeknights on CBC News Network)

ROSEMARY BARTON LIVE (Sundays on CBC TV and CBC News Network)

FALL 2022 SCHEDULE – CBC TV and CBC GEM

For Newfoundland and Labrador, please add a half hour for all times

MONDAYS

7 PM – CORONATION STREET (weekdays at 7 p.m.; Fridays at 7:30 p.m.)

7:30 PM – FAMILY FEUD CANADA Season 4

8 PM – MURDOCH MYSTERIES Season 16

9 PM – THE NORTH WATER New Series / RIDLEY ROAD New Series

10 PM – THE NATIONAL

TUESDAYS

7 PM – CORONATION STREET

7:30 PM – FAMILY FEUD CANADA

8 PM – THIS HOUR HAS 22 MINUTES Season 30

8:30 PM – STRAYS Season 2

9 PM – COMEDY NIGHT WITH RICK MERCER New Series / SORT OF Season 2

9:30 PM – SORT OF Season 2

10 PM – THE NATIONAL

WEDNESDAYS

7 PM – CORONATION STREET

7:30 PM – FAMILY FEUD CANADA

8 PM – SUMMIT ‘72 New Series / DIGGSTOWN Season 4

9 PM – WAR OF THE WORLDS Season 3

10 PM – THE NATIONAL

THURSDAYS

7 PM – CORONATION STREET

7:30 PM – FAMILY FEUD CANADA

8 PM – DRAGONS’ DEN Season 17

9 PM – THE FIFTH ESTATE Season 48

10 PM – THE NATIONAL

FRIDAYS

7:30 PM – CORONATION STREET (weekdays at 7 p.m.; Fridays at 7:30 p.m.)

8 PM – MARKETPLACE Season 50

8:30 PM – TRAVEL MAN

9 PM – THE PASSIONATE EYE

10 PM – THE NATIONAL

SATURDAYS

Afternoon – CBC SPORTS

SUNDAYS

Afternoon – CBC SPORTS

7 PM – HEARTLAND Season 16

8 PM – THE GREAT CANADIAN BAKING SHOW Season 6

9 PM – MOONSHINE Season 2

10 PM – THE NATIONAL

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Heartland Season 15 begins production in Alberta

From a media release:

CBC’s original family drama HEARTLAND began filming Season 15 in Alberta yesterday. Produced by Dynamo Films and SEVEN24 Films, Season 15 will premiere on Sunday, October 17 at 7PM (7:30PM NL) on CBC and CBC Gem. HEARTLAND is the longest-running one-hour drama in Canadian television history, and the first episode of Season 15 will celebrate the 225th episode of the series.

Following the dramatic and emotional fourteenth season, the Bartlett-Fleming family learned a hard lesson: life is short and you have to live each day to the fullest. In Season 15 of HEARTLAND, they will put what they learned into practice. Last season, Amy said goodbye to the past. This season, she embraces the future – raising her daughter, working with the horses who continue to heal her, branching out into a new phase of her life and profession. She is moving forward and feels determined to leave a legacy. In fact, Jack, Lisa, Lou and Tim have all decided that now is not the time to pull back, but to ramp up, to create new dreams and fulfill old ones. And, as they always do, the family will pull together to help each other…and will ultimately end up stronger than ever.

HEARTLAND is a multi-generational family drama that is much loved by fans of all ages, not only in Canada, but all around the world. CBC’s HEARTLAND shares homegrown Canadian content portraying everyday family life on an Alberta ranch. HEARTLAND can be viewed on Netflix globally, as well as UPtv Faith & Family and Hulu in the United States. HEARTLAND has made its way into the hearts of families in more than 119 countries.

Filming locations for Season 15 include Calgary, High River, Millarville, and Longview in Alberta, Canada.

HEARTLAND is based on the bestselling series of books by Lauren Brooke. The executive producers are Michael Weinberg, Tom Cox, Jordy Randall, and Heather Conkie who also serves as the showrunner. The series is produced by Dean Bennett. The series writers are Heather Conkie, Mark Haroun, Ken Craw, and Alexandra Clarke. For CBC, Sally Catto is General Manager, Entertainment, Factual & Sports ; Trish Williams is Executive Director, Scripted Content; Sarah Adams is Director, Current Production, Drama; and Mehernaz Lentin is Executive in Charge of Production. A CBC original series, HEARTLAND is produced by Dynamo Films and SEVEN24 Films with the financial participation of the Canada Media Fund, the Government of Alberta, the Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit, and the Ontario Film and Television Tax Credit.

eOne is the international distributor of the series.

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CBC sets fall schedule and unveils 2021-22 programming slate, including over 35 original series from Canadian creators

From a media release:

CBC, Canada’s public broadcaster, today announced its fall television and streaming schedule and 2021-22 programming slate for CBC TV and CBC Gem, featuring over 35 new and returning original series from Canadian creators, producers and storytellers across all genres.

ORIGINAL COMEDY SLATE

CBC is building on its award-winning comedy slate known for distinct, authentic points of view and heartfelt, inclusive values celebrating family and friendship, with four new original series joining returning favourites.

New Original Series
● SORT OF (Premieres Tues. Oct. 5 on CBC Gem and Tues. Nov. 9 on CBC TV; 8×30, Sphere Media’s Sienna Films) from creators Bilal Baig (Acha Bacha) and Fab Filippo (Save Me), is a big-hearted dramatic comedy about Sabi Mehboob (Baig), a fluid millennial who straddles various identities from sexy bartender at an LGBTQ bookstore/bar, to the youngest child in a large Pakistani family, to the de facto parent of a downtown hipster family. Sabi feels like they’re in transition in every aspect of their life, from gender to love to sexuality to family to career. When Sabi’s best friend 7ven (Amanda Cordner) presents them with an opportunity to live and find themself in the “queerest place in the galaxy,” Sabi instead makes the decision to stay and care for the kids they nanny after their mom has a serious bike accident. Do they regret it? Sort of. A coming-of-age story, Sort Of is a show about how each and every one of us is in transition.


● STRAYS (Premieres Tues. Sept. 14 on CBC TV and CBC Gem; 10×30, Thunderbird Entertainment) follows Shannon Ross (Nicole Power) from Kim’s Convenience as the new executive director of the Hamilton East Animal Shelter, where she is boss to an eclectic staff. Now in her 30s, Shannon is ready for a change and new challenges. She’s putting Toronto in the rearview to focus on her new job, new relationships, reuniting with family and learning more about herself. Shannon’s trademark positivity is put to the test as she manages an oddball team, including her apathetic cousin Nikki (Nikki Duval), her over-eager animal care manager Kristian (Frank Cox O’Connell), her overly sheltered office manager Joy (Tina Jung) and the building’s maintenance guy Paul (Tony Nappo), whose straight-faced prison humour keeps everyone on their toes.


● RUN THE BURBS (Winter 2022; 13×30, Pier 21 Films) is created by comedian, writer and actor Andrew Phung (Kim’s Convenience) and his best friend and collaborator, filmmaker Scott Townend (The Secret Marathon). The series follows a young, bold Canadian family taking a different approach to living life to the fullest in the suburbs, featuring Phung as a stay-at-home dad with an entrepreneur wife and two kids.


● SON OF A CRITCH (Winter 2022; 13×30, Project 10 Productions) is based on the award-winning, best-selling memoir from Mark Critch (This Hour Has 22 Minutes), created by Critch and Tim McAuliffe (The Office (U.S.), Last Man on Earth) and produced by Andrew Barnsley (Schitt’s Creek). This new original comedy is the hilarious and very real story of 11-year-old Mark coming of age in St. John’s, Newfoundland in the 80s. It’s a heartfelt window into the life of a child – much older inside than his 11 years – using comedy and self-deprecation to win friends and connect with the small collection of people in his limited world.

Returning Original Comedies & Festivals
● THIS HOUR HAS 22 MINUTES (Season 29 Premieres Tues. Sept. 14; 24×30; IoM Media)
● TALLBOYZ (Season 3 Premieres Winter 2022; 8×30, Accent Entertainment)
● WORKIN’ MOMS (Season 6 Premieres Winter 2022; 13×30; Wolf + Rabbit Entertainment)
● HA!IFAX COMEDY FEST (Season 25; 6×30; Pilot Light Productions)
● NEW WAVE OF STANDUP (Season 2, 4×30, Just For Laughs TV)
● WINNIPEG COMEDY FESTIVAL (Season 19, 5×60, Frantic Films)

ORIGINAL DRAMA SLATE

New east coast family dramedy MOONSHINE (formerly Feudal) premieres Sept. 14 as part of CBC’s Tuesday night comedy lineup, with 1920s drama THE PORTER set to premiere this winter.
Audience favourites renewed for fall include HEARTLAND (Oct. 17) and MURDOCH MYSTERIES (Sept. 13) returning for their 15th seasons, and Halifax legal aid series DIGGSTOWN (Oct. 6). CORONER and PRETTY HARD CASES both return this winter, offering unique, female-driven perspectives on the crime procedural.

New Original Dramas
● MOONSHINE (Premieres Tues. Sept. 14; 8×60; Six Eleven Media and eOne) from creator, showrunner and executive producer Sheri Elwood (Call Me Fitz), is a raucous, one-hour dramedy that tells the story of the Finley-Cullens, a dysfunctional clan of adult half-siblings battling for control of the ancestral business, The Moonshine, a ramshackle summer resort on the South Shore of Nova Scotia, two stars on a good day — and that day was in 1979. It’s an epic tale of lust, legacy and lobster, set against the backdrop of financial hardship, insane tourists, small-town intrigue and a long-buried secret that threatens to annihilate the Finley-Cullens once and for all. Featuring an ensemble cast including Jennifer Finnigan (Salvation), Anastasia Phillips (Reign), Emma Hunter (Mr. D), Tom Stevens (Wayward Pines), Alexander Nunez (Avocado Toast), Corrine Koslo (Anne with an E), Peter MacNeill (This Life), Erin Darke (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel), Farid Yazdani (Suits), Allegra Fulton (The Shape of Water) and Jonathan Silverman (Weekend at Bernie’s).


● THE PORTER (A CBC and BET+ original series; Winter 2022; 8×60; Inferno Pictures and Sphere Media’s Sienna Films) is set in the 1920s and inspired by real events. Co-starring Aml Ameen (I May Destroy You, Yardie), Ronnie Rowe Jr. (Star Trek: Discovery, Pretty Hard Cases) and Mouna Traoré (Self Made, The Umbrella Academy), the series follows the true story of railway workers from both Canada and the United States joining together in the fight to give birth to the world’s first Black union. In the midst of the struggle there are loves lives and friendships that suffer and thrive. Set primarily in Montreal, Chicago and Detroit as the world rebuilds after the First World War, The Porter focuses on the Black community in St. Antoine, Montreal – known, at the time, as the “Harlem of the North.” They’re young, gifted, and Black, from Canada, the Caribbean and the U.S., and they find themselves thrown together in an era that boasts anything is possible. If change isn’t coming for them, they will come for it. Originated and created by Arnold Pinnock (Altered Carbon, Travelers) and Bruce Ramsay (19-2, Cardinal), and led by showrunners and executive producers Annmarie Morais (Killjoys, Ransom, American Soul) and Marsha Greene (Private Eyes, Ten Days In The Valley, Mary Kills People), and directors and executive producers Charles Officer (Akilla’s Escape, Ransom, Coroner) and R.T. Thorne (Blindspot, Utopia Falls).


● THE RED (New greenlight, one-hour drama; Eagle Vision and Halfire Entertainment) is a fictional investigative series created and written by Canadian Métis director, writer and producer Marie Clements and inspired by real crimes. The Red follows Payton Thiso (Sarah Podemski) and Gia Jonsson (Sarah Gadon), two women from completely different backgrounds, who find themselves thrown together inside the newly formed Indigenous Task Force, looking for answers while unearthing the systemic racism within the criminal and social justice systems. Can these broken systems be fixed? Or do we need to build new systems from scratch?

Returning Original Dramas
● MURDOCH MYSTERIES (Season 15 premieres Mon. Sept. 13; 24×60; Shaftesbury)
● DIGGSTOWN (Season 3 premieres Wed. Oct. 6; 8×60; Circle Blue Entertainment, Freddie Films Inc. and Waterstar Entertainment Inc.) – Antoinette Robertson (Dear White People), Crystle Lightning (Trickster) and Nicole Muñoz (Van Helsing) join the cast
● HEARTLAND (Season 15 premieres Sun. Oct. 17; 10×60; Dynamo Films and SEVEN24 Films)
● CORONER (Season 4 premieres Winter 2022; 12×60; Muse Entertainment, Back Alley Films, Cineflix Studios)
● PRETTY HARD CASES (Season 2 premieres Winter 2022; 12×60; Cameron Pictures)

FACTUAL ENTERTAINMENT

New Bay of Fundy sand sculpture series RACE AGAINST THE TIDE (Sept. 9) hosted by Shaun Majumder joins CBC’s factual entertainment slate featuring people and places across Canada and offering a strong sense of community, including returning hits FAMILY FEUD CANADA (Sept. 27) with Gerry Dee, DRAGONS’ DEN (Oct. 14) featuring new Dragon Wes Hall and THE GREAT CANADIAN BAKING SHOW (Oct. 17), with ARCTIC VETS and STILL STANDING with Jonny Harris returning this winter.

● RACE AGAINST THE TIDE (Premieres Thurs. Sept. 9 with back-to-back episodes; 10×30; marblemedia) is an original competition series hosted by comedian Shaun Majumder, featuring 10 teams of two world-class, highly skilled sand sculptors competing to create extraordinary works of art made entirely out of sand while avoiding elimination. Not only are these best-in-show duos competing against each other, they are competing against Mother Nature’s unstoppable ticking clock and the world’s highest tide at New Brunswick’s iconic and beautiful Bay of Fundy. The stakes have never been higher in the world of sand sculpting as the competitors’ creations – no matter how impressive – are all destined to be washed away the same day by the tide. In the end, only one team whose skill, creativity and tenacity leaves a lasting impression will be crowned the Race Against the Tide “Champions.”

Returning Factual Formats & Series:
● FAMILY FEUD CANADA (Season 3 premieres Mon. Sept. 27; 102×30; Zone 3/Fremantle)
● DRAGONS’ DEN (Season 16 premieres Thurs. Oct. 14; 10×60) featuring new Dragon Wes Hall
● THE GREAT CANADIAN BAKING SHOW (Season 5 premieres Sun. Oct. 17; 9×60; Proper Television/Love Productions)
● ARCTIC VETS (Season 2 premieres Winter 2022; 10×30; eOne)
● STILL STANDING (Season 7 premieres Winter 2022; 10×30; Frantic Films)

DOCUMENTARIES

CBC commissions an average of 80 documentaries each year for CBC, CBC Gem and documentary Channel and also acquires additional documentaries, and CBC Gem offers a library of over 800 documentaries, available to stream for free anytime. This upcoming year, CBC will both commission and acquire one-hour documentaries under the acclaimed banner of THE PASSIONATE EYE, which now moves to the CBC TV schedule this fall. CBC Docs POV documentaries will now be greenlit and broadcast under THE PASSIONATE EYE brand.

● THE PASSIONATE EYE (Premieres Fri. Sept. 17)
● THE NATURE OF THINGS (Season 61 premieres Fri. Oct. 22)
● HOT DOCS ON CBC (Returns Winter 2022)

New original docs this upcoming year include:
● HAROLD BALLARD: POWER PLAYER (Lone Eagle Entertainment, directed by Jason Priestley): Money, headlines and enemies; Harold Ballard made them all. For two decades, Ballard’s exploits put him on the front page of every Canadian newspaper. He led the Toronto Maple Leafs according to his own whims, drawing the ire of sports fans and non-sports fans alike, until his death in 1990. Ballard didn’t seem to care whether the team won or lost as long as the cash register was ringing. During his wild tenure he was convicted of fraud and continued to manage the team while he served his sentence at Millhaven prison in Ontario.


● SPIRIT TO SOAR (Antica Productions, directed by Tanya Talaga and Michelle Derosier)
Between 2000 and 2011, seven First Nations high school students in Thunder Bay died. Five were found in rivers surrounding Lake Superior. All were forced to leave their homes in order to attend school. Anishinaabe/Polish Canadian journalist Tanya Talaga brought international attention to this tragedy through her award-winning non-fiction book Seven Fallen Feathers: Racism, Death, and Hard Truths in a Northern City. She cannot separate their story from her own, acknowledging, “I cannot pretend to know what it is like for the parents of the seven to lose a child, but I know something about what it’s like to be a bit fractured.” In June 2016, a jury concluded its inquest into the deaths and put forward 145 recommendations. In the years following, Talaga returns to Thunder Bay and her ancestral roots to talk with the family members, Indigenous community leaders and youth whose resilience in the face of unjust colonial systems provide a path forward.


● SUPERFAN (Good Karma Studios, directed by Amar Wala) is the powerful story of how Sikh immigrant Nav Bhatia’s single-minded devotion for his favourite team the Toronto Raptors took him on an incredible personal journey from persecution to inclusion and helped integrate, assimilate and unite Canadians of all races, religions and colours to form the world’s most diverse fan base. Featuring exclusive interviews with Russell Peters, NBA superstar Cory Joseph, Toronto Raptors Head Coach Nick Nurse, former Raptors legend and Hall of Famer Isiah Thomas, and many more.

CBC SPORTS

As Canada’s Olympic and Paralympic Network, CBC will provide the compelling coverage and award-winning storytelling that audiences have come to expect, leading up to, during and after the OLYMPIC GAMES TOKYO 2020 (July 23 – Aug 8), TOKYO 2020 PARALYMPIC GAMES (Aug 24 – Sept 5), OLYMPIC WINTER GAMES BEIJING 2022 (Feb 4 – 20, 2022) and PARALYMPIC WINTER GAMES (Mar 4 – 13, 2022). In addition to the Olympic Games coverage, CBC SPORTS will continue to keep Canadians connected to the world of high-performance sport through weekly staple ROAD TO THE OLYMPIC GAMES, available on CBC TV and CBC Gem, as well as live streams of key competitions on cbcsports.ca and the CBC Sports app.

CBC KIDS

Building on CBC’s ongoing commitment to inspire, entertain and inform young audiences, CBC Kids will launch new programming for kids and tweens across all platforms this upcoming year, including a new season of award-winning tween series DETENTION ADVENTURE (Season 3; Fall 2021; LoCo Motion Pictures Inc./Broken Compass Films) and new original series UKULELE U (Winter 2022; 52×7; Wow Unlimited Media), developed with legendary Canadian music producer Bob Ezrin and inspired by the music of legendary jazz guitarist Les Paul. The series stars musician Melanie Doane along with a group of ukulele-playing kids who will perform “kidified” popular songs with celebrity guest stars. For the preschool audience, CBC Kids will launch GARY’S MAGIC FORT (Fall 2021; 13×11), a live-action puppet show starring Gary The Unicorn, helping kids navigate the world of emotions. CBC Kids will also offer the world premiere of animated series BIG BLUE (Fall 2021; 52×11; Guru Studio), created by Ghanaian Canadian animator Gyimah Gariba. The imaginative series for kids 5-9 follows sibling underwater adventurers Lettie and Lemo who lead a quirky submarine crew to unravel the mysterious secrets of an underwater universe.

CBC NEWS & CURRENT AFFAIRS

CBC News’ trusted, award-winning slate of current affairs, investigative and primetime and weekend news programs continues, including:

● THE FIFTH ESTATE (Season 47 premieres Thurs. Oct. 14; 14×60)
● MARKETPLACE (Season 49 premieres Fri. Oct. 1; 19×30)
● CANADA TONIGHT WITH GINELLA MASSA (Weeknights on CBC News Network)
● THE NATIONAL (Weeknights and Sundays on CBC TV and CBC News Network)
● POWER & POLITICS WITH VASSY KAPELOS (Weeknights on CBC News Network)
● ROSEMARY BARTON LIVE (Sundays on CBC TV and CBC News Network)

CBC GEM ORIGINAL SERIES

In addition to offering more than 6500 hours of original Canadian series, feature films and documentaries as well as a curated selection of best-in-class content from around the world,
CBC Gem will continue to offer an extensive, distinct slate of original short-form series this upcoming year that reflect younger audiences and a diversity of new creative voices, including the following:

● FRICK, I LOVE NATURE (YA Comedy; 8×15; Winter 2022; Zipline Productions) is a comedy/nature show hosted by Edmonton-based Filipino Canadian comedian Gordie Lucius. The show uses interviews with experts, beautiful scenery and stellar nature facts to educate, entertain and most importantly, get people STOKED ON NATURE.


● HELLO (AGAIN) (YA Drama; Winter 2022; 100 Dragons Media Inc.) is created by Nathalie Younglai (Coroner) and Simu Liu (Kim’s Convenience) and follows the complicated romance between chef Jayden and ER resident Avery. On a fateful day, Jayden and Avery bump into each other at a park and immediately fall hopelessly in love. Sparks fly… until they stop. Six months after their unceremonious breakup, a chance encounter will send Jayden back in time to the day that he and Avery met. Will Jayden learn to fix the mistakes of his past and win Avery back…or is history doomed to repeat itself?


● JENSPLAINING (Season 2; 10×10; Unscripted; 2021-22; Peacock Alley Entertainment) is Dr. Jennifer Gunter’s jam packed, bite-sized take down of the exploitative health and beauty myths that are constantly spewed at women (and men), from a culture that is obsessed with celebrity over science.


● NEXT STOP (Season 2; YA Comedy; 6×10, Fall 2021; Scarborough Pictures) is an anthology comedy series chronicling the lives of Black Torontonians struggling to stay sane and afloat in the sprawling city. Energetically paced and richly visual, the show charts a course through chaotic, surreal, and hilarious vignettes of Toronto ‘yutes’ confronting the challenges of life in a competitive, expensive, and rapidly changing city. Created by Jabbari Weekes, Tichaona Tapambwa and Phil Witmer and executive produced by Amar Wala.


● REVENGE OF THE BLACK BEST FRIEND (YA Comedy; 10-min episodes; Winter 2022; iThentic) is an episodic series created, co-written, and co-produced by Amanda Parris that follows Dr. Toni Shakur, a self-help guru whose singular mission is to cancel the entertainment industry’s reliance on token Black characters….before she gets canceled herself.


● TOPLINE (YA Drama; 10-min episodes; Winter 2022; Shaftesbury) is created by Romeo Candido and follows 16-year-old Tala, a reclusive singer/songwriter with an online alter ego: 18-year-old ‘Celestine.’ When she is discovered after one of her songs (as Celestine) goes viral, Tala is invited to join a world-renowned music production team that creates hits for superstars and is faced with presenting as either Celestine, the person she wishes she could be, or as herself. In the process, she just might learn how to find her own voice as well.


● TRUE DATING STORIES (Season 3; YA Comedy; 8×12; Winter 2022; LaRue Entertainment) Who doesn’t love a great dating story? Whether it’s true romance or a night gone horribly wrong, this series offers the greatest real dating stories ever told, reenacted by performers with all the drama, romance and comedy they deserve. These sexy, jaw-dropping comedic re-enactments will make you laugh, cry, and quite possibly swear off dating altogether.


● virgins! (YA Comedy; 10×10; Winter 2022; Miskeen Media Inc.) is created and written by Aden Abebe. Too modest for the big city (Toronto) and too provocative for the African homes they come from, virgins! is a comedic drama that follows four 20-something year-old women awkwardly navigating adulthood, love, and relationships as virgins, while dodging the all-seeing aunties along the way.


● WHO DO YOU THINK I AM? (YA Unscripted; 10×5; Fall 2021/Winter 2022; Canadian Content Studios) features Madison Tevlin, who has spent her whole life being judged at first glance. Maddie has Down syndrome but it has absolutely nothing to do with who she is. Maddie finds connection with other misinterpreted and misperceived people, as she chats one-on-one with extraordinary people misrepresented by their exterior. With every person on the planet, there is so much more to discover and Maddie gets to the heart of who they really are.

FALL 2021 SCHEDULE – CBC TV and CBC GEM

For Newfoundland and Labrador, please add a half hour for all times

MONDAYS
7 PM – CORONATION STREET (weekdays at 7 p.m.; Fridays at 7:30 p.m.)
7:30 PM – FAMILY FEUD CANADA Season 3 premieres September 27
8 PM – MURDOCH MYSTERIES Season 15 premieres September 13
9 PM – VICTORIA Season 2 premieres September 13
10 PM – THE NATIONAL

TUESDAYS
7 PM – CORONATION STREET
7:30 PM – FAMILY FEUD CANADA
8 PM – THIS HOUR HAS 22 MINUTES Season 29 premieres September 14
8:30 PM – STRAYS Premieres September 14
9 PM – MOONSHINE Premieres September 14 / SORT OF * launches with back-to-back episodes November 9, following its premiere on CBC Gem on October 5
9:30 PM – SORT OF
10 PM – THE NATIONAL

WEDNESDAYS
7 PM – CORONATION STREET
7:30 PM – FAMILY FEUD CANADA
8 PM – WAR OF THE WORLDS Season 2 premieres October 6
9 PM – DIGGSTOWN Season 3 premieres October 6
10 PM – THE NATIONAL

THURSDAYS
7 PM – CORONATION STREET
7:30 PM – FAMILY FEUD CANADA
8 PM – RACE AGAINST THE TIDE Premieres September 9 with back-to-back episodes / DRAGONS’ DEN Season 16 premieres October 14
8:30 PM – RACE AGAINST THE TIDE
9 PM – THE FIFTH ESTATE Season 47 premieres October 14
10 PM – THE NATIONAL

FRIDAYS
7:30 PM – CORONATION STREET (weekdays at 7 p.m.; Fridays at 7:30 p.m.)
8 PM – MARKETPLACE Season 49 premieres October 1
8:30 PM – TRAVEL MAN: 48 HOURS IN… Best of all seasons launches September 17
9 PM – THE PASSIONATE EYE CBC TV premiere September 17 / THE NATURE OF THINGS Season 61 premieres October 22
10 PM – THE NATIONAL

SATURDAYS
Afternoon – ROAD TO THE OLYMPIC GAMES

SUNDAYS
Afternoon – ROAD TO THE OLYMPIC GAMES
7 PM – HEARTLAND Season 15 premieres October 17
8 PM – THE GREAT CANADIAN BAKING SHOW Season 5 premieres October 17
9 PM – A SUITABLE BOY Premieres October 17
10 PM – THE NATIONAL

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