Tag Archives: Motive

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Five reasons we love, and will miss, Motive

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All good things must come to an end, and Motive has been very, very good. Ever since the CTV cop drama burst onto the scene in February 2013, we’ve loved the writing, the characters and the stories. Now, sadly, it’s coming to an end, but rather than bemoan what could have been, let’s celebrate what Motive is: a great Canadian series that was given the chance to say goodbye rather than be cancelled without fanfare. Here are five things we’ll love—and miss—about Motive.

The storytelling
Begun by original executive producer Daniel Cerone and carried on by Dennis Heaton, what’s always set Motive apart from the rest of the drama pack has been unveiling the killer and victim within the first few minutes. The rest of each episode was spent showing their relationship as Det. Angie Flynn (Kristin Lehman), her partner Det. Oscar Vega (Louis Ferreira), Det. Brian Lucas (Brendan Penny) and Dr. Betty Rogers (Lauren Holly) pieced together why that person was guilty of the crime.

Motive_Angie_0235.tif

Kristin Lehman rocking her real hair … and the director’s chair
After three seasons wearing a wig, we’re loving it that Kristin Lehman has shed the fake stuff in favour of her real ‘do. We’re even more excited about her directing an instalment.

The guest stars
International talent in Jennifer Beals, Corbin Bernsen, Martin Donovan, Dylan Walsh, Alexis Bledel, Chris Klein, C. Thomas Howell, Ally Sheedy and Jason Dohring have dropped by, as have homegrown talent in Jessica Lowndes, Callum Keith Rennie, Luisa D’Olivera, Victor Garber and Niall Matter. We love seeing these folks interact with the regular characters, something that continues in Season 4 with Jon Heder (Napoleon Dynamite) in Tuesday’s return “The Vanishing Policeman” and the hunt for a cop killer; Will Sasso and Tommy Flanagan (Sons of Anarchy) appear in later storylines.

Vega and Angie’s relationship
It would have been easy for Heaton and his writing crew to make Angie and Vega an item. We’re very glad they didn’t, because it would have ruined the chemistry and connection these two have. Keeping them apart has meant plenty of quips and sarcasm, but also a deep respect that makes them stronger detectives. (And it left the door open for Vega and Betty to hook up.)

Motive airs Tuesdays at 10 p.m. ET/PT on CTV.

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Motive

Link: Women Behind Canadian TV: Kristin Lehman

From Bridget Liszewski of The TV Junkies:

Women Behind Canadian TV: Kristin Lehman
“I haven’t looked at the DGC (Director’s Guild of Canada) to see how many women attempt to register. I haven’t actually sat in that many women director’s environments to talk about the challenges that are faced. I certainly think that that arena that we’re talking about isn’t any different than arenas that most women face in the workplace. It’s always a bit of an uphill battle because systemically women are marginalized and can be not afforded the same opportunities as most men. I hope that changes and I’d like that to change.” Continue reading.

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Cardinal, Featured, Motive, Podcast

TV, eh? podcast episode 200 – The Bicentennial Ides of Mayday

To celebrate Episode 200 of the TV, Eh? podcast, you get a twofer: our newsy chat about the latest goings-on in the industry followed immediately by Anthony’s chat with Mayday narrator Stephen Bogaert!

Diane, Anthony and Greg highlight the next two weeks in Canadian TV programming, Motive‘s final season return date next month and how cameras have started to roll on CTV’s production of Cardinal, the six-part series based on Giles Blunt’s novels.

Want to contribute to the discussion? Post links and discussion topics on our Reddit page.

Listen or download below, or subscribe via iTunes or any other podcast catcher with the TV, eh? podcast feed.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

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Motive

Final season of CTV’s Motive begins March 22

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CTV announced today that multiple Canadian Screen Award nominee MOTIVE is set to face its last round of investigations, as the series returns for its fourth and final season Tuesdays at 10 p.m. ET/PT beginning March 22 on CTV and CTV GO, following a CraveTV First Look starting March 21. Wrapping production today in Vancouver, the final season brings the story of the series’ dynamic homicide team to a powerful conclusion as they continue to explore what drives the motive behind the murder in 13 unforgettable new episodes. MOTIVE was nominated last month for nine Canadian Screen Awards, including Best Dramatic Series.

In the final season, each member of the homicide team faces pivotal choices about their future, as they set on a course of deciding what they want their legacies to be. Canadian Screen Award nominee Kristin Lehman (THE KILLING) returns as Detective Angie Flynn, who leads the team through a season of big change and evolution: Detective Oscar Vega’s (Louis Ferreira, BREAKING BAD, SGU STARGATE UNIVERSE) new role as Staff Sergeant means adjustments for everyone; Angie and Detective Brian Lucas (Brendan Penny, THE ASSISTANTS) develop a deeper bond; Dr. Betty Rogers (Lauren Holly, NCIS), who is personally involved with Vega, must now mind the boundaries of her personal and professional relationship; and new detectives are introduced to the team.

Building on its roster of incredible guest stars throughout the series, Season 4 of MOTIVE continues to showcase a fantastic line up of seasoned actors with appearances from Jon Heder (Napoleon Dynamite); Will Sasso (SHAMELESS); and Tommy Flanagan (SONS OF ANARCHY), who guest stars in a recurring role as Interpol Agent Jack Stoker.

MOTIVE also stars Victor Zinck Jr. (THE 100) and Karen LeBlanc (CRACKED), who join this season as new detectives on the series’ homicide team.

In the Season 4 premiere, entitled “The Vanishing Policeman” (Tuesday, March 22 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on CTV and CTV GO), while Detective Angie Flynn (Kristin Lehman) and Staff Sergeant Vega (Louis Ferreira) adjust to his new role, the suicide of an officer with whom Angie and Detective Brian Lucas (Brendan Penny) worked on a crime scene turns the team’s investigation into a hunt for a cop killer.

MOTIVE is produced by Lark Productions and Foundation Features in association with Bell Media. Executive Producers are Dennis Heaton (CALL ME FITZ, Fido), who also serves as the Season 4 showrunner; series creator Daniel Cerone (DEXTER, THE BLACKLIST); Louise Clark (CORNER GAS, HIGH MOON); Rob Merilees (Stone of Destiny, Brain on Fire); Erin Haskett (THE REAL HOUSEWIVES OF VANCOUVER); Rob LaBelle (MENTAL); Lindsay Macadam (Brain on Fire); and Ben Brafman (PERSON OF INTEREST, DEFYING GRAVITY). The series is distributed internationally by NBCUniversal International.

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19-2, Amazing Race Canada, Awards, Big Brother Canada, Blackstone, Degrassi, Dragons' Den, Featured, Industry News, Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell, Masterchef Canada, Mohawk Girls, Motive, Mr. D, Orphan Black, Rookie Blue, Schitt's Creek, Spun Out, Still Standing, Strange Empire, Vikings, X Company, Young Drunk Punk

19-2 and Schitt’s Creek lead 2016 Canadian Screen Award TV nominations

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Bravo’s gritty cop drama 19-2 and CBC’s high-profile comedy Schitt’s Creek topline the nominations for the 2016 Canadian Screen Awards. Announced Tuesday morning in Toronto at TIFF Bell Lightbox by Lyriq Bent (The Book of Negroes) and Aislinn Paul (Degrassi), 19-2 captured 12 nominations, including Best Dramatic Series and Best Performance nods for supporting cast and leads Jared Keeso and Adrian Holmes; Keeso and Holmes recorded a video to mark the occasion (check it out below).

Meanwhile, Schitt’s Creek does battle in the comedic categories, with co-stars Eugene and Dan Levy facing off for Best Performance and the Tuesday night comedy fighting off fellow CBC series Mr. D, Mohawk Girls, Young Drunk Punk and Tiny Plastic Men for Best Comedy Series.

Space’s Orphan Black did well too, snagging 13 nominations including performance acknowledgements for Ari Millen and Tatiana Maslany, though it was shut out of the Dramatic Series list. Global’s final season of Rookie Blue was recognized by the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television, as Missy Peregrym and Ben Bass received nominations.

The nominees in the key television categories are listed below. Who do you think deserves to win? The two-hour Canadian Screen Awards gala airs Sunday, March 13, at 8 p.m. on CBC.

Best Performance by an Actor in a Continuing Leading Comedic Role

  • Gerry Dee, Mr. D
  • Eugene Levy, Schitt’s Creek
  • Daniel Levy, Schitt’s Creek
  • Dave Foley, Spun Out

Best Performance by an Actor in a Continuing Leading Dramatic Role

  • Adrian Holmes, 19-2
  • Jared Keeso, 19-2
  • Ari Millen, Orphan Black
  • Ben Bass, Rookie Blue
  • Aaron Poole, Strange Empire

Best Performance by an Actress in a Continuing Leading Comedic Role

  • Brittany LeBorgne, Mohawk Girls
  • Annie Murphy, Schitt’s Creek
  • Catherine O’Hara, Schitt’s Creek
  • Belinda Cornish, Tiny Plastic Men

Best Performance by an Actress in a Continuing Leading Dramatic Role

  • Kristin Lehman, Motive
  • Tatiana Maslany, Orphan Black
  • Megan Follows, Reign
  • Missy Peregrym, Rookie Blue
  • Jennie Raymond, Sex & Violence

Best Dramatic Series

  • 19-2
  • Blackstone
  • Motive
  • Saving Hope
  • X Company

Best Comedy Series

  • Mr. D
  • Mohawk Girls
  • Schitt’s Creek
  • Tiny Plastic Men
  • Young Drunk Punk

Best Reality/Competition Program or Series

  • The Amazing Race Canada
  • Big Brother Canada
  • Dragons’ Den
  • Game of Homes
  • MasterChef Canada

Best Animated Program or Series

  • Endangered Species
  • Numb Chucks
  • Rocket Monkeys
  • Slugterra

Best Children’s or Youth Fiction Program or Series

  • Annedroids
  • Degrassi
  • Full Out
  • Max & Shred

Best Factual Program or Series

  • Emergency
  • Ice Pilots NWT
  • Jade Fever
  • Million Dollar Critic
  • Still Standing

Best International Drama

  • Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell
  • Vikings

Best Lifestyle Program or Series

  • Buy It, Fix It, Sell It
  • Carnival Eats
  • Income Property
  • Masters of Flip
  • Survivorman Bigfoot

Best TV Movie or Limited Series

  • The Book of Negroes
  • First Response
  • Forget and Forgive
  • Kept Woman
  • Studio Black!

The rest of the television categories can be seen here.

As previously announced, comedian Norm Macdonald will host the 2016 event. Wendy Crewson—currently starring on CTV’s Saving Hope—will receive the Earle Grey Award for acting and Martin Short will be honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award.

The Canadian Screen Awards air Sunday, March 13, at 8 p.m. on CBC.

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