Tag Archives: Kurt Smeaton

CBC and BBC Northern Ireland greenlight new romantic comedy series Committed, starring Dustin Milligan and Diona Doherty

From a media release:

CBC and BBC Northern Ireland today announced the greenlight of new original comedy series Committed (10×30), starring Dustin Milligan (Schitt’s Creek, Hot Frosty) and Diona Doherty (Derry Girls, Blue Lights). The series follows Canadian Peter Hooley (Milligan), a recently divorced accountant, who falls head over heels for Northern Ireland woman Julie Johnston (Doherty) after a whirlwind weekend in Toronto, and crosses the Atlantic to declare his love—only to discover he’s landed in an old-fashioned and eccentric rural Northern Ireland village that’s nothing like he imagined. Produced by Cameron Pictures and Fabel Productions, filming is currently underway in County Down, Northern Ireland, with additional scenes shooting in Hamilton, Ontario. The series is slated to premiere on CBC and the free CBC Gem streaming service in winter 2027 and is expected to air on BBC Northern Ireland around the same time. 

Joining Milligan and Doherty are Ian McElhinney (Derry Girls, Game of Thrones), Dan Gordon (Blue Lights, Bloodlands), Muki Zubis (This is Going to Hurt), Seamus O’Hara (House of Guinness, Say Nothing), Patrick Buchanan (Blue Lights, Warrior), Chris McCurry (Belfast, Obituary), Athena Karkanis (Manifest, The Handmaid’s Tale) and Georgie Murphy (Stumble, GEN V).

“Committed offers a classic fish-out-of-water comedy intertwined with a unique love story that follows the all too human aftermath of a grand romantic gesture, rather than the build-up to it,” said Sally Catto, General Manager, Programming, CBC.  “We know the show will connect with audiences in Canada and around the world thanks to its heart and authenticity, and are excited to be partnering with BBC Northern Ireland alongside the outstanding teams at Cameron Pictures and Fabel Productions.”

“Audiences are going to fall in love with this bold new comedy series. We’ve a brilliant cast that viewers will be familiar with on both sides of the Atlantic – we’re delighted to welcome Dustin to these shores starring alongside our own Diona Doherty,” said Jason Butler, BBC Northern Ireland Commissioning Editor. “And it’s fantastic for BBC Northern Ireland to link up with CBC on this innovative project helping to further develop and support the creative industry here and to bring a flavour of our Northern Ireland humour to comedy fans further afield.”

“Committed brings together so many of the elements we value in great television: sharp writing, memorable characters and a story that bridges cultures in a genuinely entertaining way,” said Amy Cameron, Co-Founder/Executive Producer, Cameron Pictures Inc. “Reuniting with CBC on a series of this scope and collaborating closely with Fabel Productions to bring this cross-Atlantic story to life, has been an energizing creative experience. This is a series rooted in place and perspective, yet universally relatable, and we’re excited for audiences to fall in love with these characters as much as we have.”

“To make a comedy from this part of this Island with all its quirks, huge hearts and ugly-beautiful glory is a career highlight. We’re so excited to share our abrasive but loveable, odd folk and their daft wee community with the world,” said Keith Martin, Executive Producer, Fabel Productions. “Wait until you see our amazingly talented Canadian and beloved homegrown cast. A dream! Thank you to all of our partners for making the leap in the name of love to a place not often seen or celebrated. High hopes, comedy with consequences and lots of animals to follow.”

“Committed exemplifies the kind of distinctive, character-driven storytelling that travels, resonating across borders and cultures,” said Prentiss Fraser, President of FOX Entertainment Global. “We’re proud to partner with CBC and BBC Northern Ireland, alongside the prolific team at Cameron Pictures, whose work consistently delivers both creatively and commercially. With its unique voice and a standout cast led by Dustin Milligan, Committed is well positioned to connect with audiences around the world.”

Committed is a romantic comedy about what happens in a relationship after the grand gesture, when real life barges in. At its core, the series explores what it means to step outside your comfort zone—and how people who are very different from you can make life far more interesting than you planned. 

A CBC original series, Committed is produced in association with BBC Northern Ireland by Cameron Pictures Inc. and Fabel Productions Ltd. under the UK/Canada Co-Production Treaty, and global distribution is handled by FOX. The series was co-created by Keith Martin, Gerry Dee and Tim Loane, who is showrunner, and developed under the Northern Ireland Screen/Canada Media Fund Co-Development Initiative for Audiovisual Projects.

Executive producers are Amy Cameron, Tassie Cameron and Alex Patrick for Cameron Pictures; Keith Martin for Fabel Productions; Tim Loane and Gerry Dee; Jessie Gabe; and Molly McGlynn, who also directs the pilot and four episodes. Peter Huang directs five episodes. Co-executive producers are Dustin Milligan, Karen Tsang, Caledonia Brown and Shebli Zarghami. Chris Martin is producer. Writers include Tim Loane, Jessie Gabe and Shebli Zarghami, with supervising producer Kurt Smeaton and consulting producer Linsey Stewart.

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Chaos is the new normal: Season 4 of CTV original comedy Children Ruin Everything premieres October 17

From a media release:

Parenting: it just gets weirder (and funnier) as kids grow up! CTV announced today that its original comedy CHILDREN RUIN EVERYTHING returns for its fourth season, airing Thursdays at 8:30 p.m. ET/PT on CTV, CTV.ca, and the CTV app, beginning Oct. 17. A comedic love letter to childrearing, CHILDREN RUIN EVERYTHING stars Meaghan Rath (BEING HUMAN) and Aaron Abrams (BLINDSPOT) and is created and executive produced by Emmy® Award-winner Kurt Smeaton (SCHITT’S CREEK). Set and filmed in Toronto and Hamilton, Ont., Season 4 consists of 16 half-hour episodes, with the first eight episodes airing this fall.

In Season 4 of CHILDREN RUIN EVERYTHING, Astrid (Rath) faces the pressure of being the sole breadwinner while James (Abrams) struggles with being a stay-at-home dad. Parenting is more challenging and funnier than ever as the kids grow up and their exposure to the world expands. With more influences and experiences outside of Astrid and James’ watchful eyes, parenting becomes more complicated, involving more guesswork and investigations. This season also finds Felix (Logan Nicholson) asserting more independence and attitude, Viv (Mikayla SwamiNathan) dealing with friend drama at school, and Morris, well, being a toddler. While these new complications may pull Astrid and James in different directions, they always end up on the same page – even if that page is dog-eared and stained with jam.

Also returning for Season 4 are: two-time Canadian Screen Award-winner Ennis Esmer (BLINDSPOT, SCHITT’S CREEK) as James’ best friend Ennis; Nazneen Contractor (RANSOM, HEROES REBORN) as Astrid’s sister Dawn; Dmitry Chepovetsky (KILLJOYS, DEPARTURE) as Bo, Dawn’s eccentric husband; Darius Rota as Dawn and Bo’s 13-year-old son Corey; Veena Sood (CORNER GAS ANIMATED, THE INDIAN DETECTIVE) as Astrid and Dawn’s over-sharing mother Nisha; and Lisa Codrington (LETTERKENNY, THE LAKE) as James’ ambitious former boss Marla. Bruce McCulloch (THE KIDS IN THE HALL) and Anna Hopkins (THE EXPANSE, SHADOWHUNTERS) reprise their roles as Councillor Leonard Flynn and Rachel a.k.a. “Disaster Mom”, respectively. Plus, Scott Thompson (KIDS IN THE HALL), Carolyn Taylor (BARONESS VON SKETCH SHOW), Colin Mochrie (MURDOCH MYSTERIES), and David Cronenberg (STAR TREK: DISCOVERY) are confirmed as new guest stars this season.

On the Season 4 premiere of CHILDREN RUIN EVERYTHING, titled “Respect” (Thursday, Oct. 17 at 8:30 p.m. ET/PT on CTV, CTV.ca, and the CTV app), Astrid and James realize they are at the dawning of a new era when Felix starts showing signs of pre-teen rebellion. As they struggle to manage his shifting moods, they learn this next phase of parenting might be the hardest one yet. Meanwhile, James tries to ease tensions after he rejects Bo’s job offer.

Earlier this year, CHILDREN RUIN EVERYTHING earned three Canadian Screen Awards, including a first-ever win for Meaghan Rath for Best Lead Performer, Comedy, a second consecutive win for Ennis Esmer for Best Supporting Performer, Comedy, and a win for Best Writing, Comedy for series creator Kurt Smeaton. Season 3 of CHILDREN RUIN EVERYTHING ranks as last fall’s most-watched Canadian comedy.

New episodes of CHILDREN RUIN EVERYTHING also stream Fridays on Crave, beginning Oct. 18. Past seasons of CHILDREN RUIN EVERYTHING are also currently available for streaming on CTV.ca and the CTV app with no subscription or sign-in required, and Crave. In the U.S., CHILDREN RUIN EVERYTHING airs on The CW. The first three seasons are also available on Netflix in Canada, the U.K., and German-speaking territories, including Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, and Luxembourg.

CHILDREN RUIN EVERYTHING is from award-winning comedy entertainment studio New Metric Media, and is created and executive produced by Emmy®, Golden Globe®, and Canadian Screen Award-winner Kurt Smeaton (SCHITT’S CREEK, KIM’S CONVENIENCE), and executive produced by Chuck Tatham (MODERN FAMILY, ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT), multiple Canadian Screen Award-winner Mark Montefiore (LETTERKENNY, SHORESY, BRIA MACK GETS A LIFE, WHAT WOULD SAL DO?), Anita Kapila (STRAYS, SON OF A CRITCH), and Meaghan Rath. Kathleen Phillips (WORKIN’ MOMS, CRAWFORD) serves as executive producer, Andrew De Angelis (THE LAKE, KILLJOYS) as co-executive producer, with Alyson Richards (The Retreat) serving as producer and New Metric’s Max Wolfond (BRIA MACK GETS A LIFE) acting as supervising producer.

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CTV announces third season of original comedy Children Ruin Everything

From a media release:

CTV announced today that Canadian Screen Award-nominated comedy CHILDREN RUIN EVERYTHING is set to return for a third season. Production on 10, half-hour episodes of the CTV Original series from New Metric Media is underway in Toronto and Hamilton, Ont. Meaghan Rath and Aaron Abrams return, alongside Logan Nicholson, Mikayla SwamiNathan, Ennis Esmer, Nazneen Contractor, Dmitry Chepovetsky, Veena Sood, Lisa Codrington, and Darius Rota. CHILDREN RUIN EVERYTHING is created by Emmy® and Golden Globe® Award-winner Kurt Smeaton (SCHITT’S CREEK, KIM’s CONVENIENCE).

CHILDREN RUIN EVERYTHING follows parents Astrid (Rath) and James (Abrams), as they raise their three young children and struggle to hold on to their pre-kid life, while discovering all of the little ways that raising kids has reshaped their world. Season 2 of the CTV Original series is the Top Canadian Comedy broadcast year-to-date among key demos A25-54 and A18-49.

The first two seasons of CHILDREN RUIN EVERYTHING are currently available for streaming on CTV.ca and the CTV app, as well as Crave, and are available on The Roku Channel in the U.S. Season two of the series was split into two seasons in the U.S., with season three launching on The Roku Channel on Friday, May 12.

CHILDREN RUIN EVERYTHING is from award-winning comedy entertainment studio New Metric Media and is created and executive produced by Smeaton and executive produced by one of television’s premier comedy writers Chuck Tatham (MODERN FAMILY, ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT), multiple Canadian Screen Award-winner Mark Montefiore (LETTERKENNY, SHORESY, BRIA MACK GETS A LIFE, WHAT WOULD SAL DO?), and Meaghan Rath, with Alyson Richards (The Retreat) serving as Producer.

Bell Media Distribution is the international rights holder for CHILDREN RUIN EVERYTHING, and New Metric Media is the series’ exclusive International Sales Agent. The series is produced by New Metric Media in association with CTV, with the participation of the Canada Media Fund and Bell Fund.

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Season 2 of CTV original comedy Children Ruin Everything Premieres Sept. 19

From a media release:

Following a successful first season, CTV Original comedy CHILDREN RUIN EVERYTHING returns for its second season, Mondays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on CTV, CTV.ca, and the CTV app, beginning Sept. 19. Created and executive produced by Emmy® and Golden Globe® Award-winner Kurt Smeaton (SCHITT’S CREEK), and set and filmed in Toronto and Hamilton, Ont., CHILDREN RUIN EVERYTHING stars Meaghan Rath (BEING HUMAN) and Aaron Abrams (BLINDSPOT) as parents Astrid and James, who are still trying to do it all as they discover all of the little ways that raising kids has reshaped their world.

In Season 2, a new baby enters Astrid and James’ already hectic lives, leaving the family feeling even more strapped for time, sleep, and space. It feels like at every turn, from the new baby needing their own bedroom, to an aging home that needs fixing up, the Berney family may have outgrown city living. In a moment of exhaustion, James considers the once unthinkable: it might be time to move away from the city to find a home with a little more space. But for Astrid, the idea of moving away from her family, and the job she only just returned to, does not land well.

Returning cast starring alongside Rath and Abrams are Logan Nicholson (BLUES CLUES AND YOU) and Mikayla SwamiNathan as Felix and Viv, James and Astrid’s adorable eight-year-old son, and five-year-old daughter who continue to suck the life out of their parents, one tantrum at a time; Ennis Esmer (BLINDSPOT, SCHITT’S CREEK) as James’ best friend and colleague Ennis, who is always happy to remind James that having kids was a huge mistake; Nazneen Contractor (RANSOM, HEROES REBORN) as Astrid’s close-to-perfect sister Dawn; Dmitry Chepovetsky (KILLJOYS, DEPARTURE) as Bo, Dawn’s eccentric husband; Darius Rota as Dawn and Bo’s brazen 10-year-old son Corey; Veena Sood (CORNER GAS ANIMATED, THE INDIAN DETECTIVE) as Astrid and Dawn’s over-sharing mother Nisha, who has been enlisted to help with childcare as Astrid returns to work; and Lisa Codrington (LETTERKENNY, THE LAKE) as James’ ambitious boss who is plotting to take over the corporate office of the mid-sized grocery chain where they work.

Confirmed to guest star on the series’ second season are Kim Coates (BAD BLOOD, SONS OF ANARCHY) and Aaron Ashmore (GINNY & GEORGIA, KILLJOYS); with Anna Hopkins (THE EXPANSE, SHADOWHUNTERS) reprising her role as “Disaster Mom”.

On the Season 2 premiere of CHILDREN RUIN EVERYTHING, titled “Sleep” (Monday, Sept. 19 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on CTV, CTV.ca, and the CTV app), after a bout of sleepless nights with their new baby, Astrid and James are at their wits’ end. With a transfer to a different department at work looming, Astrid is feeling the pressure to stay sharp, and keep up with her younger colleagues. To get more sleep, Astrid and James have to brave sleep training or the even more daunting challenge – finding the space to give the baby his own room in a house full of family and stuff, with not a square inch to spare. The episode is written by Kurt Smeaton and directed by Melanie Orr.

Season 1 of the CTV Original series was the biggest debut for a Canadian comedy among the A25-54 demo since 2019 (CTV’s JANN). The series also ranks as CTV’s #1 new comedy of the 2021-22 broadcast season. Season 1 is currently available for streaming with no subscription or sign-in required on CTV.ca and the CTV app, and is also available on Crave. Season 1 of CHILDREN RUIN EVERYTHING also airs on The Roku Channel in the U.S.

CHILDREN RUIN EVERYTHING is from award-winning New Metric Media and is created and executive produced by Kurt Smeaton (SCHITT’S CREEK, KIM’S CONVENIENCE), and executive produced by one of television’s premier comedy writers Chuck Tatham (MODERN FAMILY, ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT), multiple Canadian Screen Award-winner Mark Montefiore (LETTERKENNY, WHAT WOULD SAL DO?), and Meaghan Rath, with Alyson Richards (The Retreat) serving as producer. Melanie Orr (THE PARKER ANDERSONS, THE HARDY BOYS), Peter Huang (WORKIN’ MOMS), and Peter Wellington (KIM’S CONVENIENCE, SAVING HOPE) direct this season.

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CTV announces second season order of new original comedy Children Ruin Everything

From a media release:

CTV announced today live from Prime Time in Ottawa that it has ordered a second season of its new, original comedy CHILDREN RUIN EVERYTHING for the 2022/23 broadcast season. Production is set to begin this Spring in Toronto and Hamilton, Ont., with an increased episode order for Season 2 consisting of 16 half-hour episodes – double from its eight-episode first season. From award-winning New Metric Media, CHILDREN RUIN EVERYTHING is created by Emmy® and Golden Globe® Award-winner Kurt Smeaton (SCHITT’S CREEK, KIM’s CONVENIENCE).

CHILDREN RUIN EVERYTHING Season 1 joins the Roku Originals programming slate on the Roku Channel in the U.S. this year.

CHILDREN RUIN EVERYTHING follows parents, Astrid (Meaghan Rath, BEING HUMAN) and James (Aaron Abrams, BLINDSPOT), as they raise their two young children in the city and struggle to hold on to their pre-kid life – one conceded battle at a time. Season 1 of the CTV Original comedy, currently airing Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on CTV, CTV.ca, and the CTV app, ranks as the biggest debut for a Canadian comedy among A25-54, since 2019 (CTV’s JANN). The series also currently ranks as CTV’s #1 new comedy of the 2021-22 broadcast season.

In addition to Rath and Abrams, the series also stars Ennis Esmer (BLINDSPOT, SCHITT’S CREEK); Nazneen Contractor (RANSOM, HEROES REBORN); Logan Nicholson (BLUES CLUES AND YOU) and Mikayla SwamiNathan; Dmitry Chepovetsky (KILLJOYS, DEPARTURE); Veena Sood (CORNER GAS ANIMATED, THE INDIAN DETECTIVE); Lisa Codrington (LETTERKENNY, ANNE WITH AN E); and Darius Rota.

CHILDREN RUIN EVERYTHING is from award-winning New Metric Media and is created and executive produced by Golden Globe® and Emmy® Award-winner Kurt Smeaton (SCHITT’S CREEK), and executive produced by one of television’s premier comedy writers Chuck Tatham (MODERN FAMILY, ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT), multiple Canadian Screen Award-winner Mark Montefiore (LETTERKENNY, WHAT WOULD SAL DO?), and Meaghan Rath, with Beth Iley (KILLJOYS) serving as producer.

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