Tag Archives: The Best Years

In the news: The Best Years’ Canadian talent

Patrick Blennerhassett of the Victoria News profiles The Best Years actor Randal Edwards (the article doesn’t make it clear, but the show is Canadian):

  • New TV drama features local actor
    “Randal Edwards, a Pacific Christian High School grad, plays Noah Jensen, roomy of Samantha Best (Charity Shea) in The Best Years. The 13-part one-hour drama follows orphaned and full-ride scholar Best as she heads off to University in Boston, Massachusetts.”

    Best

Photo credit: Brooke Palmer, courtesy Global Television

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Upcoming series: The Best Years, Global, May 22

From Global:

All-New Original Series From Acclaimed Writer/Producer, Aaron Martin

Debuts May 22 – 10PM ET/PT (60 mins.)

The choices you make now could last a lifetime…The Best Years, this season’s all-new original drama captures the highs and lows of campus life through the eyes of six college freshmen. From Global Television and Aaron Martin (writer/executive producer, Degrassi: The Next Generation), this 13-part series makes its world television debut Tuesdays at 10pm ET/PT beginning May 22nd.
“We’re thrilled to bring this smart, sexy new series to Global,” said Christine Shipton, Vice President of Original Programming for CanWest MediaWorks Inc. “The Best Years delivers top-notch writing, compelling storylines and a talented young cast – a combination we know our audiences will love.”

Audiences nationwide can live The Best Years along with central character, Samantha Best (Charity Shea, “Alpha Dog”) as she begins her freshman year at prestigious Charles University in Boston, MA. Orphaned at a young age, Samantha is leaving her foster-home past behind – full scholarship in hand – to take on the future, and the hallowed halls of the Ivy League.

Along the way she meets her new, occasionally dysfunctional surrogate family, including socialite roommate Kathryn Klarner (Jennifer Miller, “Instant Star”); fellow scholarship recipient, star basketball player and potential crush, Devon Sylver (Brandon Jay McLaren, “She’s The Man”); Dawn Vargas (Athena Karkanis, “Kevin Hill”), a former child star who trades in Hollywood for university; Trent Hamilton (Niall Matter, “Heaven Or Something Like It”), part-time student and full-time bartender; and Noah Jensen (Randal Edwards,”Smallville”), Devon’s room-mate, a business major with a future planned in Hollywood.

“As a first time television series creator, it’s an adrenaline rush seeing the show come to fruition on the small screen. I am extremely grateful to Global Television for their continued support throughout the process,” said creator and executive producer Aaron Martin.

“Global is a great supporter of Canadian talent, and in Aaron, they have a creator who has delivered in spades – this is a series that promises to be a hit at home and around the world,” said executive producer Noreen Halpern.

The Best Years is also slated to premiere this summer on The N, a programming arm of MTV Networks in the US, and is distributed internationally by FremantleMedia Enterprises, the commercial arm of FremantleMedia, one of the largest international creators and producers of program brands in the world.

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CanWest announces original programming

From CanWest MediaWorks:

CanWest MediaWorks Announces “In Production” and “Spring 07” Premiere Slate For Original Programming

New and Returning Drama Series Including FALCON BEACH Season 2 Premiere, Fridays at 8 p.m. ET/PT beginning January 5, 2007 THE BEST YEARS From Writer/Creator Aaron Martin

CanWest MediaWorks today unveiled details on its premiere slate of original programming in production for 2007 – an exciting roster of new and returning series and documentaries across its conventional and specialty networks – delivering on its commitment to producing the most unique and innovative programming on the Canadian television landscape.

In all, CanWest’s wide-reaching original programming palette for 2007 includes seven scripted series now in production – including the sophomore return of steamy summertime drama, FALCON BEACH and the premiere of THE BEST YEARS; 78 hours of factual entertainment currently commissioned and in production; 35 featured documentaries now airing or in production, plus an additional 10 original series (124 hours) of original content across CanWest’s specialty networks.

“This new slate of programming provides Canadian TV viewers with the finest in content and choice, combining the momentum of our returning successes FALCON BEACH and THE JANE SHOW with strong, engaging new series and documentaries,” said Christine Shipton, Vice-President, Original Programming for CanWest MediaWorks. “We’re delighted to work with our producing partners to develop and deliver programming that’s sure to resonate with audiences.”

CanWest’s 2007 original programming rollout begins with the second season premiere of international hit FALCON BEACH (13 x 60 min), Friday, January 5, 2007 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Global Television. Other diverse series in production and set to premiere in Spring 2007 include:

  • Season Two of acclaimed, observational workplace comedy THE JANE SHOW (13 x 30)
  • THE BEST YEARS (13 x 60), a campus-life drama from writer/creator Aaron Martin (Degrassi: The Next Generation)
  • DA KINK IN MY HAIR (13 x 30), a heart-warming series based on the popular stage play
  • LOVE YOU TO DEATH (13 x 30), a black-comedy anthology starring cult filmmaker John Waters
  • PAINKILLER JANE (22 x 60), a sci-fi stunner starring Kristanna Loken (Terminator 3) and Rob Stewart
  • DURHAM COUNTY (6 x 60), an intense police drama starring Hugh Dillon and Justin Louis.

Also in production: second seasons of the Debbie Travis-led FROM THE GROUND UP, cuisine competition THE NEXT GREAT CHEF and the compelling cosmetic surgery exposé VANITY INSANITY. New documentary series include VERY BAD MEN, examining seedy, real-life criminals and PRETTY DANGEROUS, which profiles femme fatales who commit crimes for cash.

Exclusive new content for CanWest’s specialty networks includes commercial culture favourite AD PERSUASION, TV trivia gamer INSIDE THE BOX, and quirky news of-the-world showcase THAT NEWS SHOW.

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