Not only has the CBC’s new legal drama gone through a name change, but the project’s showrunners—Noelle Carbone and Adriana Maggs—have departed the project.
“Noelle and Adriana, were both key to shaping the first season of Burden of Truth, but at this time they have left to pursue other projects,†confirmed a representative from eOne, one of the show’s production companies, on Friday afternoon. While it’s fairly common for a television project to swap out some key cast between being greenlit and production, it’s a little more rare for showrunners to leave. Production on the 10-episode project, starring Kristin Kreuk, is set to begin this summer in Manitoba with a winter 2018 debut. Carbone most recently served as writer and co-executive producer on CTV projects Saving Hope and Rookie Blue; Maggs was writer and consulting producer on Space’s Aftermath and Rookie Blue.
We’re awaiting news on who will assume showrunner duties on the series.
Formerly known as Burden of Proof, Burden of Truth stars Kreuk as lawyer Joanna Hanley, who returns to her hometown to take a case after being passed over as partner in the big-city firm she’s been working for. After clearing a drug company accused of causing a debilitating illness among high school girls, Joanna discovers the case has more to it than she first assumed.
Burden of Truth is produced by eOne, ICF Films and Eagle Vision. The series was created by Brad Simpson (Rookie Blue, King) and executive-produced by Ilana Frank (Saving Hope, Rookie Blue), Linda Pope (Saving Hope, Rookie Blue), Jocelyn Hamilton (Mary Kills People, Cardinal) and Kreuk (Smallville, Beauty and the Beast). Kyle Irving and Lisa Meeches (Taken, Ice Road Truckers) are co-executive producers.
“We’re not trying to say what’s right and what’s wrong. We’re just trying build a place where the debate can happen.” That, says Caroline Dhavernas, is at the heart of Mary Kills People, Global’s newest original drama.
Debuting Wednesday at 9 p.m. ET/PT on the network, Mary Kills People will certainly elicit discussion about the subject matter. Dhavernas is Dr. Mary Harris, an emergency room doctor and mother who—with the help of her friend Des Bennett (Richard Short, Covert Affairs)—assists those who want to die. Mary struggles to keep her two careers in order while keeping her night job a secret from her family as the authorities—led by Det. Frank Gaines (Lyriq Bent, Shoot the Messenger)—investigates her. Add to that Mary’s intense feelings for a terminal patient named Joel (Jay Ryan, Beauty and the Beast) and her plate is full. (Look for Bitten‘s Greg Bryk, Rookie Blue‘s Matt Gordon and Charlotte Sullivan, and InSecurity‘s Grace Lynn Kung in key roles.)
Created by Tara Armstrong and executive-produced by Tassie and Amy Cameron alongside Armstrong, Jocelyn Hamilton and director Holly Dale, the six-part event provides plenty of dark comedy to go along with the serious subject matter. (That’s 19-2‘s Adrian Holmes in the opening twisted, gruesomely giddy opening scene.)
We spoke to Dhavernas about her character, the subject matter and where the show goes in the next six episodes.
(l-r) Bent, Ryan, Dhavernas and Short
Can you give me some background on Mary?
Caroline Dhavernas: She’s an ER doctor and a mom. She has this side gig where she assists people in their wish to die. Of course, it’s completely illegal and she will get in trouble for it. It comes from a place of compassion, really, because she has been very close to people who have had to make that decision and she deeply understands where that desire comes from. She doesn’t judge it and she also knows it’s not about her.
It’s a very emotional debate and there is a lot of grey zone. It becomes a lot about not knowing what death is all about because no one has come back to say what it is. We’re very afraid to send people over the edge because it almost feels like pushing them into a place that’s too dangerous. But the place these people are in is so damaging to them that they would rather go to the unknown. I think she gets all that. Not everyone does, and that’s why she gets into real trouble. What’s fascinating about this show is that we’re not trying to say what’s right and what’s wrong. We’re just trying build a place where the debate can happen. It’s fascinating subject matter and a great part. There are a lot of levels to play.
Where do you stand on the debate of doctor-assisted suicide?
I’m on Mary’s side. [Laughs.] It’s good, as a society, to have both sides to the discussion and hear what everyone else has to say. The more you talk about it, the more you know where you stand. If anything, this solidified how I feel about it.
Describe Mary’s relationship with Des.
We don’t really explain where they’re coming from, but I’m pretty sure they went to school together and have been friends forever. Des is going through a hard time because he’s done things that are very wrong for a doctor to do and she is trying to include him in all this and make him feel like a doctor again. They’re in this together and they have a very strong bond.
How many people know what Mary is doing? I feel like she’s going to get caught soon.
It is very illegal, so she will get in trouble for it. She is trying to not let too many people know but these people have families and diaries that she can’t control. Mary has one partner at the hospital, a nurse named Annie, who sees who needs help and meets with people who are asking for that help.
Related: Our podcast chat with Mary Kills People creator Tara Armstrong, executive producer Tassie Cameron and co-producer Marsha Greene
What were your first thoughts when you read the script?
I like bold, daring subject matter and this is certainly that. I like the fact that we’re not judging anything. And, also, a strong female lead is so rare still. The director is female, the writers are female as well … that is so rare and it’s so great to be part of this team. When I met with everyone there was an immediate connection. I’d never worked with Holly Dale before, but when she showed me the mood boards and the water theme … visually it’s going to be stunning as well.
Mary Kills People airs Wednesdays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Global.
Motive is nearing the end of its run, and everyone involved is clearly looking to go out on top. After weeks of strong stories and high-profile guest strs, Tuesday’s newest, “In Plain Sight,” not only boasts Tommy Flanagan, but Continuum/Intelligence actor Ian Tracey, iZombie‘s Aly Michalka and Rookie Blue‘s Missy Peregrym.
Here’s the network synopsis:
When an abducted woman returns and is later found nail-gunned to death, Detective Angie Flynn and the team discover that truth is stranger than fiction. Angie embraces her new relationship with Agent Jack Stoker, while Staff Sergeant Oscar Vega’s increasing frustration with the bureaucracy in the department drives him to look for other options.
Here’s what else we can tell you about the episode, written by Damon Vignale.
Missy Peregrym as you’ve never seen her before Rookie Blue viewers are used to seeing her as cop Andy McNally, but Motive poses Peregrym as the killer in this episode. It’s a twisting, turning case that involves kidnapping, an estranged father, bundles of cash and a private investigator (Tracey), leading to one shocker of an ending.
Betty and Lucas team up for Angie teasing
“Sure hope Stoker is ‘fitting in,'” mocks Betty. “Like a glove,” adds Lucas. Love it.
Vega weighs his options
Fed up with being questioned constantly, Vega is considering another career. Based on his impression of Al Pacino, we think improv might be a good move too.
Women behind Canadian TV: Tassie Cameron
“We have a huge responsibility to help people along, to mentor them, to make sure young writers are getting their names on scripts, to make sure they are getting paid properly, to make sure they are getting the opportunities they need to rise up to become the next generation of television writers. It’s something I take very seriously. Partly just for job insurance. When they are all running shows and I’m 100 years old, maybe they will hire me.” Continue reading.Â
Women Behind Canadian TV: Lisa Rose Snow
“I have worked every “Joe Job†under the sun. I’ve been a nanny, I’ve worked at McDonald’s. It came a time where I was like ‘OK, how can I work in my field and still pay my rent and still make my own thing?’ So I’ve been very fortunate to have a job where I’m in my field, I’m paying my rent and I’m learning a ton under amazing people–lots of amazing women but lots of amazing men as well. I feel like if you surround yourself with really good, strong female leaders then the men they put in the room are good, strong men that are the kind of men you’d want in a room.” Continue reading.
