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Global’s Mary Kills People checks in one final time

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Back in 2017, Caroline Dhavernas was proud that the debate over doctor-assisted suicide would be the focal point of Mary Kills People. The Canadian government, at that time, has just deemed it legal with Bill C-14, thrusting Mary Kills People into the spotlight.

Now, with the final season of Global’s drama premiering this Sunday at 8 p.m. ET/PT on the network, Dhavernas is just as proud as she was when we first spoke about Tara Armstrong’s creation.

“Tara wrote this when she was in her late 20s, early 30s and I think it was a brave choice to tackle death and make it interesting and funny and sexy and thrilling and serious and dramatic and all that,” Dhavernas said, in the midst of a media day for the series. “When you go to a network with a subject that’s assisted dying, chances are they’re going to say to you, ‘It was nice to meet you, but no thanks.’ But she made it happen.”

In Sunday’s return, it’s been five months since the Season 2 finale. Mary (Dhavernas), Des (Richard Short) and Nicole (Charlotte Sullivan) are running a hospice, the perfect opportunity to help terminally-ill patients exit the world and not worry about the authorities catching them. Of course, before the hour is complete, things seem to be careening out of control. But rather than spoil it for you, just make sure you tune in. 

And, to prep you for Sunday, read our interview with Dhavernas.

Obviously, people are sad that the third season is going to be the last one, but I’m happy, and I think a lot of fans are, that we’re going to get closure. Have you all felt the same way?
Caroline Dhavernas: I was just dealing with the same thing while we were making Season 3. We knew it was going to be the end. So closure is indeed happening and, also, we get to tell the end of the story, which you don’t always get to do. We knew exactly what was happening and we got to say goodbye properly and end the show on our terms, so it’s quite empowering.

I’ve seen the first episode and we’re thrown quite the twist. I guess it should have been a little bit expected because this is Mary Kills People, but it’s a great way to jump back into Season 3.
CD: Yeah, I didn’t see it coming when I read it the first time. I was surprised by what happened and I thought the same thing, ‘I should have known because this is what I do on this show.’ For some reason, because it was about faith and because of her new life I thought, ‘What’s happening? Is she grappling with religion, but no.’

It looks as though this final season is going to be full of twists and turns.
CD: Every episode of this show is quite dense with action and emotion and Season 3 is going to be the same. And it’s a little more character driven, though, this season. Season 2 was really crazy, like the criminal world with Olivia and I think that will have been the season where we dive into the illegal aspect of what she’s doing the most. It’s an exciting season because also it takes place in winter for the first time, so the visuals are quite different and also water has always been an underlying theme on the show and now water has frozen over and it just brings another mood to the series.

I love the atmospheric stuff when you’re working with the seasons because it really adds character to the show and is actually like a member of the cast in telling the story.
CD: I think it forced us to rethink certain aspects of the show. And this happened because I was pregnant last summer and we couldn’t shoot so we were forced to reinvent a little bit, so it’s interesting.

Were you happy with the way that the show ended? Do you think that fans are going to be happy with the series finale?
CD: I think so because we care for these characters and we want them to know that they’ll be OK when we leave them forever. And I think you’ll certainly get a sense of that happening towards the end. It’s been very dense and very stressful at times, what they’re going through. And I’m not going to tell you how it ends, but certain characters will finally be able to calm down a little bit.

What are you most proud of being involved in this show? For me, it’s just the fact that assisted death has been brought to the forefront and is part of the discussion. What about for you?
CD: Yeah, I think it’s a very brave subject matter to tackle, especially from such a young woman’s point of view. Tara wrote this when she was in her late 20s, early 30s and I think it was a brave choice to tackle death and make it interesting and funny and sexy and thrilling and serious and dramatic and all that. Because when you go to a network with a subject that’s assisted dying, chances are they’re going to say to you, ‘It was nice to meet you, but no thanks.’ But she made it happen. It was a bit of a coincidence that the law was changing in Canada in the summer that we decided to shoot. It was kind of in the air for some reason and she made it work and the tone is quite unique, and that’s one of the other things that I’m quite proud of, being part of that uniqueness.

Last question. Did you take any mementoes from your time at Mary Kills People?
CD: Yes, actually I kept some of Mary’s clothes and … a medallion from the goddess of death, an Egyptian goddess, I think. I’m very happy to have been able to keep that.

Mary Kills People airs Sundays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Global.

Images courtesy of Corus.

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Mary Kills People, Private Eyes

First wave of Global’s summer premiere dates announced; includes Mary Kills People and Private Eyes

From a media release:

Global announced today the first wave of premiere dates for its 2019 summer schedule. Featuring a fresh lineup combining standout original series, a newly acquired Royal special, two new dramas, and returning fan favourites, Global’s schedule is packed with thrilling mystery, provocative storytelling, and comedic relief.

 Headlining the new summer lineup are two of Global’s highly anticipated returning original series. Following two successful seasons which received great critic acclaim across North America, the third and final chapter of 2019 Canadian Screen Award-winning drama Mary Kills People kicks off the summer schedule beginning Sunday, May 12 at 8 p.m. ET/PT. From Entertainment One (eOne) and Cameron Pictures, Season 3 picks up five months after last season’s shocking finale that left the fate of Detective Ben Wesley (Jay Ryan) up in the air. Dr. Mary Harris (Caroline Dhavernas), along with her partner Desmond “Des” Bennett (Richard Short), return to face the complications of running their newly established “death retreat”. In anticipation of the final chapter, viewers can watch the first and second season of Mary Kills People on GlobalTV.com or Global GO (available for Apple TV, Google Chromecast, and Amazon Fire TV).

Then, Shade and Angie are back on the case as last summer’s #1 Canadian scripted series Private Eyes, which grew its audience year-over-year (19% for A25-54 and 25% for 2+) returns with 12 new episodes beginning Wednesday, May 29 at 9 p.m. ET/PT. Following the shocking arrest of wisecracking PI Angie Everett (Cindy Sampson), Season 3 begins with her behind bars where she meets an intimidating inmate played by guest star, Canadian icon Jann Arden. The new season also welcomes notable guest stars including Big Brother Canada host Arisa Cox, award-winning actor Gordon Pinsent, and William Shatner, who reprises his role as rival PI Norm Glinski. Returning for Season 3 are familiar faces including Samantha Wanas Zoe, Ennis Esmer as Detective Mazhari, Jordyn Negri as Jules, Barry Flatman as Don, and joining the cast Ruth Goodwin as Officer Danica Powers.

This summer Global also brings its Royal fans Meghan and Harry Plus One, a one-hour special airing Friday, May 17 at 8 p.m. ET/PT. Hosted by CBS This Morning Co-Host Gayle King, Meghan and Harry Plus One looks at the changes in the life of American-born Meghan Markle since marrying Prince Harry, and the arrival of the couple’s royal heir who will be the first British-American child to be in line for the throne. Plus, the special will go behind the headlines and the rumors, and includes interviews with royal insiders and Meghan’s friends to learn how the couple has adapted to their new lives together and how they have navigated the positive and negative aspects that come with being royal.    

Also new to Global’s schedule is action-adventure series Blood & Treasure, premiering with a special two-hour episode Tuesday, May 21 at 9 p.m. ET/PT. Moving to its regular time slot at 10 p.m. ET/PT beginning Tuesday, May 28, the serialized, globe-trotting drama stars Matt Barr (Sleepy Hollow) and Sofia Pernas (The Brave) as a brilliant antiquities expert and a cunning art thief, respectively, who team up to catch a ruthless terrorist who funds his attacks through stolen treasure. Mystery and suspense continue this summer on Global with new series The Inbetween airing Wednesdays at 10 p.m. ET/PT beginning May 29. The character-driven drama follows Cassie Bedford (Harriet Dyer, Love Child), who was born with a rare ability to see and communicate with the dead and now helps detectives solve murder cases.

Rounding out the schedule are Global’s returning hits including the seventh and final season of the modern day Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson drama, Elementary, which begins its farewell season Thursday, May 23 at 10 p.m. ET/PT. Meanwhile Season 2 of Instinct starring Alan Cumming and Bojana Novakovic returns Sunday, June 16 at 9 p.m. ET/PT, and then summer’s favourite gameshow The Wall hits new heights with Season 3 in a special two hour premiere Thursday, June 20 at 8 p.m. ET/PT.  

Series Production Credits:

Mary Kills People is produced by eOne and Cameron Pictures Inc., in association with Corus Entertainment, and with the financial participation of the Canada Media Fund, the Ontario Film and Television Tax Credit, and the Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit. The series is executive produced by Tassie Cameron (Ten Days in The Valley, Rookie Blue), Amy Cameron (The Book of Negroes), Marsha Greene (Ten Days in the Valley, Private Eyes), Jocelyn Hamilton (Private Eyes), Tecca Crosby (Private Eyes), and Caroline Dhavernas (Hannibal).

 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 and IPF’s Cogeco TV Production Program. Season 3 is executive produced by Jocelyn Hamilton and Tecca Crosby for eOne, Shawn Piller and Lloyd Segan for Piller/Segan, Jason Priestley, James Thorpe, Alan Mccullough, James Thorpe, Alexandra Zarowny, Derek Schreyer and Tassie Cameron. 

 Meghan and Harry Plus One is produced by the team at 48 HOURS and is executive produced by Judy Tygard and Patti Aronofsky. Blood & Treasure is produced by CBS Television Studios in association with Propagate Content. Matthew Federman, Stephen Scaia, Taylor Elmore, Ben Silverman, Marc Webb, Mark Vlasic, Howard T. Owens and Michael Dinner serve as executive producers. Elementary is executive produced by Rob Doherty, Carl Beverly, Sarah Timberman, Jason Tracey, Robert Hewitt Wolfe and Robert Goodman for CBS Television Studios. Instinct is produced by CBS Television Studios, Michael Rauch, Marc Webb, Alex Kurtzman and Heather Kadin (Secret Hideout), James Patterson, Bill Robinson, Leopoldo Gout and Alan Cumming serve as executive producers. Meghan and Harry Plus One, Blood & Treasure, Elementary, and Instinct are all distributed internationally by CBS Studios International.

The Inbetween is produced by Universal Television, NBCU International Television Studio and Heyday Television. Moira Kirland, David Heyman, Nancy Cotton, Matthew Gross executive produce. Charlotte Sieling executive produced and directed the pilot. While “The Wall” is a collaboration between Glassman Media and SpringHill.

The Wall was developed by Glassman Media in conjunction with CORE Media and produced in association with Universal Television Alternative Studio. LeBron James, Chris Hardwick, Maverick Carter and Andrew Glassman executive produce.

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Mary Kills People

Global announces start of production on the third and final chapter of Mary Kills People

From a media release:

The conflicting choice between life and death is at the forefront one last time as Global announced today the start of production on the third and final chapter of the critically acclaimed drama Mary Kills People. From Canadian broadcaster and production partner Corus Entertainment, with Entertainment One (eOne) and Cameron Pictures Inc., the provocative event series (6×60) created by Tara Armstrong will film in and around Toronto this winter, with the premiere set for spring 2019 on Global.

Following last season’s shocking finale, that left the fate of Detective Ben Wesley (Jay Ryan) up in the air, Dr. Mary Harris (Caroline Dhavernas), along with her partner Dr. Desmond “Des” Bennett (Richard Short), return to face the complications of running their newly established “death retreat”. New casting this season features Canadian actresses Elizabeth Saunders (Alias Grace, It) as a nurse who complicates Mary’s life, and Rachael Ancheril (Rookie Blue, Wynonna Earp) as a patient at the hospice with the desire to live a little before she dies. Leading the way behind the scenes is the multi-talented powerhouse team including co-showrunners and executive producers Tassie Cameron and Marsha Greene, executive producer Amy Cameron, and directors Norma Bailey, James Genn, and Paul Fox. The series was created by Tara Armstrong.

In the third and final chapter of Mary Kills People, Dr. Mary Harris must come face-to-face with her own personal choices, ethics, and demons in a way she never has before. The death retreat is up and running, but its cover as a legitimate hospice is crumbling away and with it the idyllic vision Mary and Des had for continuing their work in quiet secrecy. With Mary’s family and the work she loves in jeopardy once more, she realizes she is finally going to have to put life, with all of its complexities and imperfections, first.

In anticipation of the final chapter, viewers can watch the first and second season of Mary Kills People on GlobalTV.com or Global GO (available for Apple TV, Google Chromecast, and Amazon Fire TV).

Mary Kills People is produced by eOne and Cameron Pictures Inc., in association with Corus Entertainment, and with the financial participation of the Canada Media Fund, the Ontario Film and Television Tax Credit, and the Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit. The series is executive produced by Tassie Cameron (Ten Days in The Valley, Rookie Blue), Amy Cameron (The Book of Negroes), Marsha Greene (Ten Days in the Valley, Private Eyes), Jocelyn Hamilton (Private Eyes), Tecca Crosby (Private Eyes), and Caroline Dhavernas (Hannibal). The series was created by Tara Armstrong (Private Eyes). It will be directed by Norma Bailey, James Genn, and Paul Fox. Writers include Tassie Cameron, Marsha Greene, Jane Maggs, Matt Huether, Karen Moore, and Chris Roberts. For Corus, Susan Alexander is Production Executive; Rachel Nelson is Director, Original Content, Drama, Kids and Factual; Lisa Godfrey is Vice President of Original Content, Corus Entertainment.

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Uncategorized

Corus Entertainment reveals its outstanding roster of new and returning Canadian original programming

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From a media release:

Corus Entertainment announced today its powerhouse programming lineup of bold, new and returning Canadian original hits for its 2018/2019 schedule. Commissioning more than 37 series this year, Corus is dedicated to developing extraordinary content across its suite of premium networks, emphasizing outstanding, Canadian original productions and building an unrivalled roster of Canadian talent.

Globally, Corus Studios continues to broaden its footprint with sales of original series in more than 150 territories to date. This year, Corus Studios introduces a diverse range of programming including docu-series, fashion, home renovation, and competition series that make up six new Canadian productions and three returning series. In the kids space, Nelvana, Canada’s world-leading producer and distributor of children’s content and premier animation company, ushers in four new original series and one returning show, which are set to premiere on Corus’ kids networks in 2018/2019 and are available for international sale.

Below is a breakdown of Corus’s new and returning original series:

GLOBAL
Global renews seasons of the Canadian Screen Award-winning series Mary Kills People, juggernaut reality series Big Brother Canada, and more for the 2018-2019 season. Additional announcements regarding Global’s new originals slate will be revealed at a later date.

Mary Kills People – Season 3 (6×60) – NEW SEASON
Returning for its third and final chapter airing in spring 2019, Mary Kills People follows Dr. Mary Harris (Caroline Dhavernas) and her exploits as she balances her family and her day job while also helping terminal patients end their lives on their own terms (produced by Entertainment One (eOne) and Cameron Pictures Inc.).

Big Brother Canada – Season 7 (30×60) – NEW SEASON
On the heels of a successful Season 6 which grew its audiences year-over-year***, the smash hit reality series hosted by Arisa Cox is back for another season in 2019. As a Top 10 performer across key demos***, Season 7 will feature a group of hand-picked strangers, sequestered from the outside world, living in a house with cameras and microphones that capture their every move (produced by Insight Productions).

Entertainment Tonight Canada – Season 14 (260×30) – NEW SEASON
Returning for another star-studded season is the nation’s entertainment powerhouse, ET Canada delivering in-depth and breaking celebrity, film, television, and music news both on-air and online. Airing weeknights at 7:30 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT, ET Canada is hosted by Cheryl Hickey along with Sr. Reporter Roz Weston, and Reporters Sangita Patel and Carlos Bustamante. (Produced by Corus Entertainment for Global Television in association with Paramount Domestic Television).

Previously announced series include:

Private Eyes – Season 3 (12×60) – NEW SEASON
In Season 3 of Private Eyes, Shade (Jason Priestley) and Everett (Cindy Sampson) become more intertwined into the antic adventures of their world, taking on Toronto’s most difficult and unusual cases. Multi-platinum, award-winning singer-songwriter Jann Arden guest stars, making a special cameo appearance in the first episode (produced by eOne).

Border Security: America’s Front Line – Season 2 (10×30 – winter 2019, 10×30 – winter 2020) – NEW SEASON
Securing the longest border in the world is the work of the men and women of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Season 2 of Border Security: America’s Front Line follows CBP officers as they search for illegal travelers, weapons, and contraband (produced by eOne in association with Netflix).

LIFESTYLE

Food Network Canada takes culinary competitions to the next level as it serves up the first-ever Iron Chef Canada, along with the blazing grilling competition series Fire Masters. Comedian John Catucci returns to the network as host of the all-new food adventure series Ultimate Food Bucket List (wt).

 Iron Chef Canada – Season 1 (10×60 – fall 2018, 10×60 – fall 2019) – NEW SERIES
This fall, Food Network Canada brings the world’s biggest, boldest food competition series north of the border for its own homegrown edition of Iron Chef Canada. In this Canadian version, renowned chefs from across the country face off against celebrated Canadian Iron Chefs in epic culinary battles. Each chef has 60 minutes to prepare five dishes using a featured “secret ingredient”. Their dishes are judged on taste, presentation and originality by a panel of culinary experts and industry professionals. The chef with the highest score wins that battle and supreme bragging rights. Cast will be announced at a later date (produced by Proper Television).

Fire Masters – Season 1 (10×60 – spring 2019, 10×60 – spring 2020) (Corus Studios) – NEW SERIES
Debuting in spring, new food competition series Fire Masters puts teams of open-flame fanatics in a battle for fire supremacy and a cash prize. In every episode, three teams of chefs face off in three culinary challenges, pushing their talents to the limit to cook up mouth-watering flame-kissed dishes. One team is eliminated in each of the first two rounds and the last team standing faces an epic throw-down with a Fire Master’sjudge. The final team has a chance to walk away with $10,000 and the coveted Fire Master title (produced by Architect Films).

Ultimate Food Bucket List (wt) – Season 1 (14×30) (Corus Studios) – NEW SERIES
In Ultimate Food Bucket List, host John Catucci (You Gotta Eat Here!) takes viewers on one-of-a-kind food adventures across North America, as he checks off the most drool-worthy dishes and must-see culinary stops along the way. The new series premieres spring 2019 (produced by Lone Eagle Entertainment).

Top Chef Canada – Season 7 (8×60) – NEW SEASON
Canada’s most esteemed culinary competition and Canadian Screen Award-nominated series, Top Chef Canada returns for its seventh season off the heels of earning the title of Food Network Canada’s #1 show this spring ** (produced by Insight Productions).

Previously announced series include:

Carnival Eats – Season 5 (13×30) – NEW SEASON
Host Noah Cappe is back on the hunt for the most mouth-watering and outrageous foods famously found at fairs and amusement parks in Carnival Eats, giving audiences an inside look at the wacky characters who create them and the culinary thrill-seekers who devour and delight in them (produced by Alibi Entertainment).

HGTV Canada builds on the best in home renovation and design programming this fall with returning fan-favourites and heavy-hitting personalities including Sarah Off The Grid and Holmes and Holmes. This winter, Bryan and Sarah Baeumler take audiences to Bahamas as the family sets out to turn a rundown resort into a new business in new original series Island of Bryan.

Sarah Off The Grid – Season 2 (6×60) – NEW SEASON
In the first season of Sarah Off The Grid, Sarah Richardson and her husband Alex took on their biggest project yet – a 5,000 square-foot off-the-grid house – and became HGTV Canada’s #1 program this fall*. Now they’re taking on a brand new challenge in Season 2 as Sarah plans to convert a 19th century historic home in the charming small town of Creemore into a seasonal off-the-grid rental property (produced by Alibi Entertainment).

Holmes + Holmes – Season 2 (12×60) – NEW SEASON
Kicking off fall is dynamic father-and-son duo Mike Holmes and Mike Holmes Jr., who are on a mission to renovate homes and ‘make it right’. In the second season of Holmes + Holmes, the pair go into business together, testing their relationship as they buy, renovate, and re-sell three houses for profit (produced by The Holmes Group).

Previously announced series include:

Island of Bryan – Season 1 (13×60) (Corus Studios) – NEW SERIES
Coming off of a successful second season of Bryan Inc. – the #1 specialty entertainment program on HGTV Canada this winter** – fan-favourite contractor Bryan Baeumler, his wife and designer, Sarah Baeumler and their family return with a new adventure in Island of Bryan as they head to the Bahamas to overhaul a rundown beachfront resort and turn it into a booming business (produced by Si Entertainment).

Backyard Builds – Season 2 (14×30) (Corus Studios) – NEW SEASON
Backyard Builds showcases the endless opportunities outdoor areas can provide. Contractor Brian McCourt and designer Sarah Keenleyside work with homeowners to extend their living spaces and maximize their backyard’s potential by creating one-of-a-kind structures and clever designs (produced by Frantic Films).

Love It or List It Vancouver – Season 5 (26×60) – NEW SEASON
Love It or List It Vancouver is the home renovation series with the eternal question: “should I stay or should I go?” Each episode features a family in B.C. who is struggling with a home that no longer suits their needs. Interior designer Jillian Harris is pitted against west coast realtor Todd Talbot as they each present their plans to solve the homeowner’s dilemma (produced by Big Coat Media).

Property Brothers – Season 6E (7×60) and Season 7 (18×60) – NEW SEASONS
Drew and Jonathan support couples across the Greater Toronto Area, Calgary and Las Vegas to find, buy, and transform extreme fixer-uppers into incredible dream homes. First, real estate specialist Drew tracks down hidden gems with untapped potential, and then it’s up to identical twin brother and contractor Jonathan to expertly overhaul these ramshackle properties (produced by Cineflix).

Property Brothers: Buying and Selling – Season 6 (8×60) – NEW SEASON
In Property Brothers: Buying and Selling, Jonathan and Drew Scott help homeowners take their next step up the real estate ladder. Jonathan renovates the family’s home for a successful sale, while Drew hunts down the best options for their next property and oversees the selling and buying (produced by Cineflix).

$ave My Reno – Season 2 (14×30) (Corus Studios) – NEW SEASON
Cash-conscious homeowners catch a break when Sebastian Clovis, the savvy contractor, and Sabrina Smelko, the resourceful designer, toss out overpriced reno quotes and make dreams come true through smart spends, upcycling, DIY and a little bit of elbow grease from the homeowners themselves (produced by Great Pacific Media).

Worst to First – Season 2 (10×60) (Corus Studios) – NEW SEASON
Worst to First sees best friends, professional contractors and family members Sebastian and Mickey take on the challenge of transforming the most undesirable house on the block into a stunning forever home (produced by Great Pacific Media).

HISTORY® introduces four new Canadian original productions including the recently announced series below and welcomes the return of an epic new season of historical drama and Top 5 entertainment specialty program*, Vikings, later this fall.

Rust Valley Restorers – Season 1 (8×60) (Corus Studios) – NEW SERIES
Debuting this fall, Rust Valley Restorers follows a unique Rocky Mountain garage with a team of charismatic car-lovers as they transform abandoned heaps of rust into collectible classics to sell, trade or ride (produced by Mayhem Entertainment).

Big Rig Warriors – Season 1 (10×30) (Corus Studios) – NEW SERIES
A new docu-series coming this winter, Big Rig Warriors, follows five dynamic truckers and the families and friends who support them during the exciting racing season on their quest to cross the finish line and be crowned the “fastest”. They all share a common obsession: They race big trucks and they race them fast (produced by Attraction Images).

History Erased (formerly World Without) – Season 1 (8×60) (Corus Studios) – NEW SERIES
Coming this winter, History Erased examines the world without a specific country in order to highlight its contributions to global culture and human history (produced by Cream Productions).

100 Days to Victory– (2×60) – NEW SPECIAL
As part of HISTORY’s Days of Remembrance programming in November, the two-part special 100 Days to Victory, tells the gripping story of the Allies’ collaborative efforts to end the First World War and Canada’s crucial role within those victories (produced by Bristow Global Media and Electric Pictures).

Vikings– Season 5B (10×60) – NEW SEASON
Multiple Canadian Screen Award-winning series Vikings returns with the highly-anticipated second part of Season 5 coming later this year (Canada/Ireland co-production by Take 5 Productions and TM Productions Limited).

Slice™ continues to deliver jaw-dropping moments, big personalities and high-stakes situations, upping the ante with previously announced original fashion competition series STITCHED this fall.


STITCHED – Season 1 (12×60) (Corus Studios) – NEW SERIES
STITCHED is the fierce new original fashion competition series where designers go thread-to-thread in epic high-stakes-meets-high-style challenges under tight deadlines for a $10,000 cash prize. Set to debut this September, the series features host and fashion model Kim Cloutier alongside and resident judges, style expert Joe Zee and ELLE Canada’s Editor-in-Chief Vanessa Craft (produced by FORTÉ Entertainment).
                                                                         

KIDS
Family-friendly powerhouse network YTV welcomes two new original series and one returning this fall.

Star Falls – Season 1 (20×30) – NEW SERIES
Premiering in September, Star Falls is a single camera family comedy set in an idyllic small town. The show revolves around a mom and daughter who are best friends, but whose lives are upended when a big Hollywood movie shoots in their quaint town and the daughter schemes to create a romance between her mom and the film’s superstar male lead. Only the daughter’s plan works a little too well and suddenly she’s forced to share a house with not only the actor, but his three celebrity children as well! (produced by Breakthrough Entertainment in association with Nickelodeon).

Go Away Unicorn – Season 1 (52×11) – NEW SERIES
Slated this fall, Go Away Unicorn follows the adventures of a little girl named Alice as she tries to avoid an unwanted unicorn that simply won’t go away (produced by Nelvana for Sonar Entertainment in association with Disney).

This fall, TELETOON brings best-in-class animation with the premiere of four new original animated series.

Cupcake & Dino: General Services – Season 1 (52×11) – NEW SERIES
Debuting this September, Cupcake and Dino are two bros trying to make a name for themselves in the super competitive general services business in the big city (produced by eOne in association with Netflix).

Total DramaRama – Season 1 (52×11) – NEW SERIES
This October, Total DramaRama is the outrageous, unexpected and totally random prequel to Total Drama Island that everyone’s been waiting for. You thought the teens were manipulative? Meet the toddlers (produced by Fresh TV in association with Cartoon Network).

Chop Chop Ninja – Season 1 (20×30) – NEW SERIES
In October, Iro, an exuberant young ninja, along with his three friends – fellow classmates at the Ninja Academy – protect his island home from a steady onslaught of treacherous and not so treacherous villains, in hopes of proving that he deserves the legendary title of Chop Chop Ninja (produced by Sardine Productions).

Spaceman & Robotron – Season 1 (2×11) – NEW SERIES
Coming this November to TELETOON and TÉLÉTOON, Spaceman and Robotron is a crazy adventure in space and time that follows the flight of a bickering duo paired against their will: Spaceman, a human kidnapped by aliens, and Robotron, his “smart” bionic spacesuit (produced by Luckas Cardona).

Previously announced series include:

Bravest Warriors – Season 1 (26×30) (Nelvana) – NEW SERIES
Scheduled for September, Bravest Warriors is set in the year 3085 and follows four teenage heroes-for-hire as they warp through the universe to save adorable aliens and their worlds using the power of their emotions (produced by Nelvana and Frederator).

Preschool network Treehouse, is delighted to debut three brand new original series plus a new season of the lovable bunny siblings, Max & Ruby.

Snow Snaps – Season 1 (26×11 & 52×5) – NEW SERIES
Premiering in September, Snow Snaps takes four very different little kids, opens the gate to the great outdoors, covers everything with snow, and let’s ‘em go! (produced by Carpe Diem).

Miss Persona – Season 1 (52×3) (Nelvana) – NEW SERIES
This October, Miss Persona is a wonderful live-action pre-school show about an industrious little lady with a big imagination who encounters tricky problems that she solves through imaginative dress-up role playing (produced by Nelvana).

Corn & Peg – Season 1 (40×11) (Nelvana) – NEW SERIES
Slated for later this year, the hilarious adventures of Corn & Peg follows inseparable best friends, a young Unicorn and Pegasus sharing an unbridled excitement and enthusiasm to help make their community of Galloping Grove a better place (produced by Nelvana in association with Nickelodeon).

Max & Ruby – Season 7 (52×11) (Nelvana) – NEW SEASON
This fall, with an ever growing family in an ever changing world, Max and Ruby celebrates the biggest and littlest challenges in a preschooler’s life! (produced by Nelvana).

Previously announced series include:

Esme & Roy – Season 1 (52×11) (Nelvana) – NEW SERIES
Esme & Roy are best friends – and the best monster-sitters! This pre-school series brings little viewers along on relatable monster adventures and is packed with playful learning, humour, heart, and musical monster-y fun (produced by Nelvana in association with Sesame Workshop).

 

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Industry News

The WGC announces new president, council

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From a media release:

The Writers Guild of Canada is pleased to announce that showrunner Dennis Heaton is the WGC’s new president, elected by WGC council to serve the 2,200 members of the Guild from May 1, 2018 to April 30, 2020. Dennis is an award-winning screenwriter based in Vancouver; currently showrunner of the upcoming Netflix show, The Order.

“We’re very excited to work with Dennis,” says WGC Executive Director Maureen Parker. “His showrunning experience will hold us in good stead as we go into Independent Production Agreement bargaining within the next year.”

Dennis has been a member of the WGC since 2001 and has served on the Guild’s council since 2012. He was showrunner of the internationally renowned police procedural Motive (CTV/ABC seasons one and two), and has written for The Listener and Blood Ties, among other shows.

“It’s great to be the new WGC president,” says Heaton. “I’m looking forward to building on the Guild’s past successes, as well as facing the challenges ahead.”

In addition to electing a new president, the Guild also has a new council, responsible for setting policies and overseeing Guild activities. The 2018-20 WGC council is made up of experienced screenwriter members from across the country: Vice President Andrew Wreggitt (Mayerthorpe), Treasurer Mark Ellis (X Company), Marsha Greene (Mary Kills People), Alex Levine (Orphan Black), Anne-Marie Perrotta (Max & Ruby), and Michael Amo (Pure).

The WGC’s new council, along with Executive Director Maureen Parker, is ready to move ahead in a time of industry flux, and to continue the Guild’s ongoing work on behalf of Canadian screenwriters.

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