Tag Archives: Private Eyes

Production begins on Global’s Private Eyes West Coast

May 29, 2025 Greg David Leave a comment

From a media release:

Cameras are set to roll on Private Eyes West Coast, as Global, Lionsgate Canada, and Piller/Segan confirm production kicks off on Thursday, June 5 on Vancouver Island. The new ten-episode spinoff series sees Canadian stars Jason Priestley and Cindy Sampson return as Matt Shade and Angie Everett – TV’s favourite private investigators – now navigating a fresh set of mysteries in their new West Coast home base of Victoria, B.C.

With the Pacific Ocean as their backdrop and a new cast of characters joining the action, Private Eyes West Coast promises a sun-soaked, suspense-filled season. Picking up after the events of the original hit series – which ran for five seasons on Global (2016-2021), won the CSA Golden Screen Award, and was licensed in over 180 territories worldwide – this spinoff brings back the quick-witted, sizzling chemistry, and high-stakes detective work that made Private Eyes a fan favourite across Canada and around the world.

Production is set to run through the summer, with the first look at Shade and Everett’s new coastal digs coming soon. Additional information including casting and storyline details will be announced at a later date.

The series comes from Lionsgate Canada and Shawn Piller & Lloyd Segan, the award-winning, writer-driven studio known for premium, character-centred series including Wild Cards (CBC, The CW), The Dead Zone, Haven, Wildfire, Greek, and the original Private Eyes. Corus Entertainment is the commissioning broadcaster with Rachel Nelson, VP, Original Programming and Head of Corus Studios, and Lynne Carter, Director, Original Programming, overseeing the production. Lionsgate Television handles international distribution.

“We’re thrilled to reunite Jason and Cindy for this next chapter of Private Eyes, and to be reteaming with our longtime partners at Corus and our good friend Jocelyn Hamilton, along with our extended Lionsgate family,” said Piller & Segan, Executive Producers. “Victoria gives us a new cinematic canvas and a chance to evolve the series in fresh and unexpected ways. This is a west coast reinvention– same sharp wit, same beloved lead characters, brand new mysteries,with stunning new views.”

“Private Eyes West Coast builds on the brilliance and charm that made the original series a hit, while introducing a bold new setting and cast of characters in this spinoff. We’re thrilled to partner with Piller/Segan, and Corus to bring a fresh, west coast energy to the franchise,” said Jocelyn Hamilton, President, Television, Lionsgate Canada. “Audiences are in for a smart, stylish ride that stays true to the heart of the original while blazing its own trail.”

“We’re thrilled to see cameras roll on Private Eyes West Coast in British Columbia” said Rachel Nelson, VP, Original Programming and Head of Corus Studios. “Together with our talented partners at Piller/Segan and Lionsgate Canada, this new spinoff series will offer some new surprises with the same Shade and Angie banter that our Global viewers love.”

Executive Producers are Sarah Dodd (Cardinal, Family Law), Jennifer Kassabian (Hudson & Rex, Degrassi: Next Class), Jocelyn Hamilton (Cardinal, Burden of Truth) and Jason Priestley, in addition to Piller & Segan. Kassabian and Dodd also serve as Showrunners. Piller will also direct the pilot episode, and season directors will include Jason Priestley, James Genn (Wild Cards, The Good Doctor), Shannon Kholi (Resident Alien, You) and Alysse Leite-Rogers (When Calls The Heart, Family Law).

Featured, Private Eyes, Private Eyes West Coast

Global greenlights Private Eyes West Coast

March 18, 2025 Greg David

From a media release:

Today, Global announced it has greenlit a new Canadian original scripted series Private Eyes West Coast, a spinoff of the iconic and hugely popular Global Original Private Eyes, which aired on the network for five seasons from 2016-2021. Starring Jason Priestley and Cindy Sampson, reprising their roles as Matt Shade and Angie Everett, the series comes from Lionsgate Canada and Piller/Segan.

Summer on the west coast has never been hotter as viewers will find Matt Shade (Jason Priestley) and Angie Everett (Cindy Sampson) leading surprisingly different lives in Victoria, B.C. With a group of new friends, and fresh faces to help them, TV’s favourite PIs adapt to a whole new world of cases in this vibrant west coast spinoff of Private Eyes.

“I am thrilled to be part of the Private Eyes West Coast spinoff, bringing Matt Shade back to the screen,” said Jason Priestley, series co-lead. “The Private Eyes series has been such a global success thanks to our incredible partners and talented teams at Corus, Lionsgate Canada and Piller/Segan, and I can’t wait for our audiences to see what surprises our new world has in store.”

“This marks the first time Corus has greenlit a spinoff of one of our homegrown scripted series,” said Rachel Nelson, VP, Original Programming and Head of Corus Studios. “Private Eyes resonated so deeply with viewers at home and abroad, and alongside our valued production partners, we’re so excited to see Shade and Angie now on the beautiful coast of British Columbia.”

“We’re delighted to reunite with Corus and Piller/Segan for Private Eyes West Coast and bring back the talented acting duo of Jason Priestley and Cindy Sampson,” said Jocelyn Hamilton, President, Television, Lionsgate Canada. “We can’t wait to reveal the surprises we have in store for audiences in this highly anticipated new series.”

Additional information including casting, start of production and storyline details for Private Eyes West Coast will be announced at a later date.

The series comes from Lionsgate Canada and Piller/Segan, with Lionsgate Television managing international distribution. Shawn Piller and Lloyd Segan are acclaimed producers of commercially exciting premium television programming spanning the past thirty years including, in addition to Private Eyes, Wild Cards (CBC, The CW), adaptations of Stephen King’s novels Haven (Syfy) and The Dead Zone (USA Network) and ABC Family’s Greek and Wildfire.

Bad Blood, Featured, Private Eyes, Wild Cards

Preview: CBC’s Wild Cards is a primetime delight

January 8, 2024 Greg David 2 Comments

Watching the first episode of Wild Cards, I was immediately reminded of Private Eyes. Criminally cancelled too soon, the Jason Priestley/Cindy Sampson series had the same spunk and heart Wild Cards has. Turns out that makes sense, as many of the behind-the-scenes folks involved worked on Private Eyes too.

Debuting Wednesday at 8 p.m. on CBC and CBC Gem, Wild Cards is charming, light and full of fun. Created by Michael Konyves (Bad Blood) Wild Cards features demoted big-city detective Cole Ellis (Giacomo Gianniotti, Murdoch Mysteries), who is paired with clever con woman Max Mitchell (Vanessa Morgan, Degrassi, Saving Hope), to solve crimes.

With a whos-who of producers in Private Eyes‘ James Genn, Shawn Piller, Lloyd Segan and writers Alexandra Zarowny, James Thorpe—and Wynonna Earp‘s Noelle Carbone and Coroner‘s Morwyn Brebner—there is plenty to like writing-wise. And the casting and lead cast chemistry is spot-on.

When we first meet Max, she’s plotting to rob a rich woman of her fortune. Caught by the police, Max is hauled into the police station for questioning by Cole, who was called in from harbour duty—the bulk of his days are filled giving tickets to wayward boaters—when the third in a string of high-profile thefts take place. With all hands on deck to solve the crimes, Cole is relegated to handling Max. Overhearing the police chief (Terry Chen) describe the circumstances of the latest heist, Max divulges to Cole what she thinks the thief will do next. She’s right, and the City Commissioner teams the two up. Solve the case, and Cole is back on the beat he wants and Max gets probation. Win-win, right?

While Cole is by the book, Max’s unique set of skills is key to capturing the baddie. I wasn’t even halfway through Wednesday’s pilot, “The Infinity Thief,” and was already enjoying the back-and-forth repartee between Gianniotti and Morgan. Morgan’s Max is sassy and smart, going over the top with clothing, accents and charm to gather intel while Cole tries to keep up.

I won’t ruin the ending of the episode, but the storyline does involve twins, priceless art and one of many appearances by the aforementioned Jason Priestley, who checks in as Max’s dad, George. This new series is wild, and I’m loving it.

Wild Cards airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. on CBC and CBC Gem.

Images courtesy of CBC.

Industry News, The Spencer Sisters

Lea Thompson and Stacey Farber cast as dynamic mother and daughter duo in CTV original series, The Spencer Sisters

July 24, 2022 Greg David

From a media release:

CTV and Entertainment One (eOne), together with Buffalo Gal Pictures, today announced that award-winning television and film actress, director, and producer Lea Thompson (Back To The Future, CAROLINE IN THE CITY) and acclaimed Canadian actress Stacey Farber (VIRGIN RIVER, SCHITT’S CREEK) will headline the upcoming CTV Original procedural series, THE SPENCER SISTERS.

Created by Alan McCullough (PRIVATE EYES, ROOKIE BLUE) and executive produced and co-showrun by McCullough and Jenn Engels (SORT OF), the lighthearted 10-episode, one-hour series centres on a hot-headed former police officer Darby Spencer (Farber) and her estranged, internationally renowned, mystery novelist mother, Victoria Spencer (Thompson). Despite opposite personalities, differing sensibilities, and a complicated history, they embark on the unlikeliest of ventures: becoming partners in a private detective agency. THE SPENCER SISTERS is set to begin production next month in Winnipeg, with broadcast slated for 2023. Additional details are to be announced at a later date.

As one of the titular characters, Victoria Spencer (Thompson) is an intelligent, charismatic, and renowned best-selling author of mystery novels, who is suffering from crippling writer’s block. When her estranged daughter Darby returns home, Victoria seizes the opportunity to reconnect with her. After the two work to solve a crime together, Victoria is inspired by the experience – and the possibility of a mended relationship with her daughter – to sit behind the keyboard once more.

Darby Spencer (Farber) is a smart, opinionated, and passionate woman who follows in her late father’s footsteps and becomes a police officer – much to Victoria’s stark disapproval. Carrying an innate intellect and the natural intuition of an experienced detective, Darby’s career aspirations come to a halt when she impetuously quits her job as a police constable after an unjust reprimand. About to turn 30 and in a dead-end relationship with a cheating boyfriend, she returns home, where to her surprise, she finds she may have more in common with her mother than she thought.

Talent biographies for the leading actresses are as follows:

Lea Thompson
Lea Thompson is actress, singer, and director, continuously honing her craft for over 40 years. She is best known for starring in the iconic Back To The Future films. Thompson has also starred in All The Right Moves with Tom Cruise, George Lucas’s Howard The Duck, John Hughes Some Kind Of Wonderful, and Red Dawn. Thompson won the People’s Choice award for the title role in the NBC sitcom CAROLINE IN THE CITY. Her acting credits are many, including Sally Bowles in Cabaret on Broadway, THE JANE DOE MYSTERIES, 102 episodes of the Peabody award-winning series SWITCHED AT BIRTH, and many telefilms and Sundance indies. Some of her directing credits include THE GOLDBERGS, Chuck Lorre’s CBS comedy MOM and YOUNG SHELDON, RESIDENT ALIEN, Greg Berlanti’s, STARGIRL, and STAR TREK: PICARD. Lea is perhaps most proud of her feature directorial debut The Year Of Spectacular Men, which her daughter Madelyn Deutch wrote, scored, and starred in, along with Lea and her other talented daughter Zoey Deutch. She has been married to their father, director Howard Deutch for 33 years. She is represented by Gilbertson Entertainment, Innovative Artists and Yorn, Levine, Barnes, Krintzman, Rubenstein, Kohner, Endlich & Gellman.

Stacey Farber
Stacey Farber is known for her compelling performances in numerous hit TV series— both dramatic and comedic. She recurs as grief-stricken Tara in the Netflix chart-topper VIRGIN RIVER and played villainous Leslie Larr in The CW’s breakout SUPERMAN & LOIS. She can also be seen in the award-winning comedies SCHITT’S CREEK (CBC/Pop TV), GRACE AND FRANKIE (Netflix), and 18 TO LIFE (CBC) as well as UnREAL (Lifetime), THE BRAVE (NBC), DIGGSTOWN (BET+), CHICAGO JUSTICE (NBC), SAVING HOPE (CTV/Ion TV), and ROOKIE BLUE (GLOBAL/ABC). For seven years, Stacey portrayed the fan-favourite character Ellie Nash in DEGRASSI: THE NEXT GENERATION (CTV). She is represented by The Characters Talent Agency, Manager Christina Gualazzi and A3 Artists Agency.

A CTV Original series, THE SPENCER SISTERS is produced by eOne together with Buffalo Gal Pictures with the participation of the Canada Media Fund and the Bell Fund, and is distributed internationally by eOne. The series is executive produced by McCullough and Jenn Engels, who are both co-showrunners. Jocelyn Hamilton serves as Executive Producer for eOne. Phyllis Laing and Jennifer Beasley are executive producers for Buffalo Gal Pictures.

Featured, Private Eyes

Preview: Private Eyes solves its final cases

July 5, 2021 Greg David 2 Comments

I’m going to miss Private Eyes.

The light-hearted whodunnit, starring Jason Priestley and Cindy Sampson, has been a joy to watch over the past four seasons. It’s the perfect summer staple, combining the drama of weekly cases, sly wit, a will-they-or-won’t-they tease, and charming performances by Priestley, Sampson, Samantha Wan, Barry Flatman, Jordyn Negri, Nicole DeBoer and Mimi Kuzyk.

Returning Wednesday for Season 5 at 9:30 p.m. ET/PT before moving to its regular timeslot of 9 p.m. ET/PT beginning Thursday, July 15 on Global, the kick-off instalment, “In the Arms of Morpheus” catches up a few days after the cliffhanger, which found Angie Everett (Sampson) shot and Matt Shade (Priestley) at her side.

Spoiler alert: Angie survived. That’s a good thing because it allowed episode writer/executive producer Alexandra Zarowny the opportunity to pen several laugh-out-loud moments between Angie and scene-stealer Nora (Kuzyk).

Wednesday’s crime involves Angie, during her recuperation in the hospital, overhearing someone being threatened. Is there really cause for alarm, or is it just the morphine talking? Shade is doubtful of what his business partner heard, as is Detective Danica Powers (Ruth Goodwin). But Angie sticks to her guns and does a little detective work of her own, which uncovers something sinister going on at the hospital.

I won’t ruin the surprise, but I will say it’s good to see Angie, Shade and the rest all back on my TV. It may only be eight more episodes, but I’m looking forward to the ride.

Private Eyes premieres Wednesday, July 7, at 9:30 p.m. ET/PT before moving to its regular time slot at 9 p.m. ET/PT beginning Thursday, July 15, on Global.

Image courtesy of Corus Entertainment.