TV, eh? | What's up in Canadian television
TV,eh? What's up in Canadian television
Featured, Finding Her Edge

Jeff Norton on Netflix’s Finding Her Edge, and showrunning

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By Scott Campbell

Netflix subscribers were quick to respond to a little soapy teen drama called Finding Her Edge, set in a world of competitive figure skating and featuring love triangles.

Based on Jennifer Iacopelli’s 2022 novel, interest in the show boosted book sales by the January 22 release on the streamer. The series, produced by Canadian company WildBrain, features Canadians in the cast and was filmed in Ontario.

Netflix renewed the show for a second season, 12 days after the premiere.

Showrunner Jeff Norton was thrilled with the news.  

“To be embraced around the world,” he said during the Zoom interview from Burlington, Ont. “Particularly in places where I wasn’t sure it would be. It was the No. 1 show, almost out of the gate in places like Brazil, Central Europe, and some places in the Nordics. It’s amazing.”

The eight-episode season highlights three sisters in a struggling figure skating family. Adriana Russo (Madelyn Keys) trains for Worlds with new partner Brayden Elliot (Cale Ambrozic) but still has feelings for her former partner Freddie O’Connell (Olly Atkins).

“I actually read [the book] as a manuscript,” said Norton. “And there are two things I loved about it. The first is I loved this set of characters. I really thought these were a special group of people, and I loved that these were characters that we met at a time in their lives where things were not going particularly well.

“And to me, that was a really interesting way into a family drama and to a romance, and Finding Her Edge is both of those two things.”

Norton remembers drawing a diagram of two intersecting triangles with Adriana in the middle. The triangle of her sisters, the familial one, and that love triangle which is Adriana, Freddie and Brayden.

The second thing Norton found appealing about the novel? “Jennifer had built Finding Her Edge in the modern world of elite figure skating on this incredibly strong foundation of a Jane Austen novel.”

Norton is involved in an upcoming Netflix series titled Crew Girl. He also plugged Netflix’s Geek Girl, which he worked on, too. But Finding Her Edge is his first show as a showrunner.

Jeff Norton

“Somebody gave me a piece of advice before I started showrunning,” he recalls. “Which is that my most critical job is to be the keeper of the tone of the show, and I take that very seriously. And, for me, the role of the showrunner is that there are thousands of decisions to make, all of which roll up into a vision for what is the show you want the audience to experience.”

Norton gave one example of looking for a particular tone of timeless romance. Early in the season, Adriana runs after Brayden when he’s on a train.

“I wanted to have something that felt like it was from another era,” he said. “So I challenged our production design team and our locations team
to find something that felt that way… and we ended up filming in a train museum, the Simcoe County Railway, and that’s an old 1926 rail car that’s sitting outside in the freezing cold, that we filmed in.”

Filming for the season took 80 days at various locations. The Russo house is on Shanty Bay in Barrie, Ont., the main street in the fictional town of Wentworth, where the skaters live, is downtown Orillia. A Wasaga Beach arena was used for qualifiers, the CAA Centre in Brampton stood in for a Paris arena for Worlds, and some scenes were actually shot in Paris, France.

It’s no coincidence either, that the Winter Olympics were happening around the same time as the show’s release.

“It was very deliberate,” said Norton, when the show was pitched in the autumn of 2024. “We will have a drama on the platform at the same time as people are excited about the sports at the Winter Olympics, particularly ice dance and figure skating.”

Norton gives much credit to the cast and crew, and since there is only one book, he is already sketching ideas for the second season.

“I’ve been working very diligently on a plan for Season 2 and an outline for all of the characters, which really follows the trajectory that we started in Season 1. Now, I don’t want to spoil anything…”

Season 1 of Finding Her Edge is available on Netflix.

Featured image courtesy of Netflix.

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Awards, Featured

CBC, Bell Media, and Corus come together to broadcast The 2026 Canadian Screen Awards on May 31

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From a media release:

The Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television (the Canadian Academy) announced today a landmark partnership that will bring three of Canada’s top broadcasters together to simulcast The 2026 Canadian Screen Awards, a first-of-its-kind award show that will extend this annual celebration of Canadian film and television to more Canadians than ever. Happening on May 31 at the CBC Broadcast Centre in Toronto, The 2026 Canadian Screen Awards will broadcast and stream at 8:00 PM ET on CBC, CBC Gem, Crave, CTV, Global, and STACKTV.

Taking the stage as host is Canadian actor and comedian Andrew Phung, an eight-time Canadian Screen Award winner for his iconic roles in both Kim’s Convenience and Run the Burbs. 

“At this pivotal and transformational moment for our industry, it is invigorating to see three powerhouse Canadian broadcasters unite to present The 2026 Canadian Screen Awards,” said Tammy Frick, CEO, Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television. “This unprecedented collaboration underscores the strength of our creative community, and the importance of celebrating Canadian stories on a national stage. We are also thrilled to welcome this year’s host, Andrew Phung, whose genuine rapport, infectious energy, and deep connection with audiences across the country make him a standout choice to lead our celebration of Canadian excellence.”

“As the lead broadcaster of the Canadian Screen Awards and the national public broadcaster, we are always looking for new ways to celebrate and elevate our incredible talent in Canada,” said Sally Catto, General Manager, Entertainment, Factual and Sports, CBC. “We are thrilled to join forces with Bell Media and Corus to champion Canadian storytelling, and bring the awards to more audiences across Canada than ever before.”

“Through this collaboration with the Academy and our Canadian broadcast and streaming partners, Bell Media is proud to help amplify the Canadian Screen Awards.  We look forward to joining Canadians in celebrating homegrown storytelling and honouring the exceptional talent that defines excellence in Canadian film and television,” said Justin Stockman, VP, Content Development & Programming, Bell Media.

“Corus is proud to join our fellow broadcasters in delivering this important celebration of Canadian excellence to audiences across the country,” said Jennifer Abrams, SVP of Content and Marketing, Corus Entertainment. “Canadian storytelling has always been a cornerstone of our programming, and we’re deeply committed to investing in culturally relevant original content that is intentionally shaped by what audiences are passionate about. We’re delighted to celebrate and amplify that storytelling when The 2026 Canadian Screen Awards airs on Global and STACKTV.”

Hosted by actor and comedian Andrew Phung, The 2026 Canadian Screen Awards is Canada’s biggest night in entertainment, honouring homegrown film and television excellence alongside living legends and rising stars. Taking place in Toronto and simulcast on CBC, CBC Gem, Crave, CTV, Global, and STACKTV for the first time ever, The 2026 Canadian Screen Awards will feature meaningful tributes to entertainment icons and never-before-seen TV moments, inviting viewers into a distinctly Canadian celebration of the stories that unite us all.

“I am so over-the-moon excited to be hosting the 2026 Canadian Screen Awards – I’ve wanted this gig for years!” said Andrew Phung. “Canadian Screen Week is such a highlight for our industry, and I’m so excited to spotlight the people and Canadian stories that make our industry so special. Personally, the Canadian Academy has meant so much to me. I won my first Canadian Screen Award in 2017 and it elevated my career in ways I couldn’t have imagined.”

Comedian, actor, and host Andrew Phung’s infectious and relatable personality has made him one of Canada’s top and most recognized comedic performers. He is best known for his award-winning performance on the hit CBC original and Netflix show, Kim’s Convenience, where he won five Canadian Screen Awards in the category of Best Supporting Actor, Comedy. Andrew is also the co-creator, executive producer, and star of the CBC original and Hulu series Run the Burbs, for which he won the 2025 Canadian Screen Award for Best Lead Performer, Comedy. His other recent television credits include LOL: Last One Laughing Canada on Amazon Prime Video Canada, and he’s the host of the new cooking competition series Big Burger Battle on Corus’ Flavour Network.

The 2026 Canadian Screen Awards will be presented as part of Canadian Screen Week 2026, which takes place from Wednesday, May 27 to Sunday, May 31 in Toronto. The full schedule of events can be found on CanadianScreenWeek.ca. 

The nominees for the 2026 Canadian Screen Awards will be announced on Wednesday, March 25, 2026 at 7:00 AM ET on Academy.ca/nominees. Additionally, the Canadian Academy has several exciting announcements that will be shared in the lead-up to Canadian Screen Week 2026, including this year’s class of Special Award recipients. For more information, please visit Academy.ca.

Image courtesy of George Pimentel.

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Featured, Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary, The Nature of Things

CBC’s “Cluck! Chickens Exposed” cracks open the mysterious world of those feathered friends

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I live in a community, just north of Ottawa in Quebec, where chickens are allowed. If I want to, I can build/construct a chicken coop—to community regulations, of course—purchase a handful of chickens and reap the benefits. I’ve jokingly thought about doing it, but I know that it would be a lot of work—I’m a lazy sort—though this new documentary has piqued my interest again.

Airing Thursday at 9 p.m. as part of The Nature of Things, “Cluck! Chickens Exposed” heads to the barnyard to uncover some facts and fictions about the feathered beasts.

Living where I do, I’ve visited quite a few farms and, therefore, learned about the variance in breeds and personalities. I knew chickens were descendants of dinosaurs (does that mean when we say, “It tastes like chicken,” we really should be saying, “It tastes like dinosaur?”), but had no clue about their intelligence, sensory powers and social pecking order (pun intended).

There are more chickens on the planet than people, says host Sarika Cullis-Suzuki off the top of “Cluck!” A visit to the Hillpoint Estate Farm flock in B.C., with 50 egg-laying hens and a handful of roosters, reveals some interesting facts about chickens. The pecking order is indeed a hierarchy, defined by males and females, that shifts based on age, health, strength, comb size, and companions. At Hillpoint Estate, top dog, er, chicken is Maximus, a rooster whose size and spurs keep everyone in line. Will Maximus’ reign be usurped by Hercules? You’ll have to tune in to find out.

The episode, produced by Invert Films, illustrates how chickens spot and defend themselves against predators both on the ground and in the air, how each eye has a specialized use, and if these flock animals have the ability to recognize themselves as individuals.

You’ll never look at chickens the same. Through either eye.

“Cluck! Chickens Exposed” airs as part of The Nature of Things on Thursday at 9 p.m. on CBC.

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Featured, Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

Canada’s National Bobsleigh team looks to rebuild in three-part Redemption Run

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With the Winter Games in Italy just weeks away, Bobsleigh Canada Skeleton is sliding onto CBC Gem and CBC with the exciting, engaging three-part documentary series Redemption Run.

The first episode brings viewers to Whistler, B.C., 16 months before the Games, as members of Canada’s National Bobsleigh program walk along the ice track, observing angles and the ice surface itself. Then, we’re given the facts: Canada dominated bobsleigh for years, capturing medals on both the men’s and women’s sides.

Then, it all fell apart.

In 2022, 60 athletes signed a letter alleging a culture of fear and safety concerns, superstar Kallie Humphries left Team Canada to join the U.S. team, and Christine de Bruin was suspended for three years for an anti-doping violation. Add to that the dismantling of the track in Calgary, poor podium results, and things didn’t look good for the team.

But this series is called Redemption Run for a reason, providing interviews with pilots, team members and coaches, as well as stunning visuals both inside and outside the sleigh, to tell how the team is bouncing back to be contenders, and perhaps medal winners, in Italy.

It’s not an easy task, and the producers do an excellent job telling the team’s story through intimate, honest and raw interviews, sport explainers and truly emotional moments. You can’t help but pull for Canada on their road to redemption.

Redemption Run premieres January 23 on CBC Gem and airs February 1 at 7 p.m., with back-to-back episodes on CBC. 

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Featured, Shoresy

Tasya Teles on five seasons of Crave’s Shoresy, and Shorsey Classic hockey

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By Scott Campbell

During the first season of Shoresy, how would anyone predict the Sudbury Blueberry Bulldogs would have skated off the screen and into real-life playing National Hockey League Alumni teams?

Tasya Teles admits it was a surprise.

“The evolution of the show has brought a lot of gifts and a lot of excitement,” she said during a Zoom interview. “For instance, we just played recently in Los Angeles against the L.A. Kings alum.

“That was a huge surprise to even imagine that we would end up there has been incredible. [The team] is going to be in Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver. I’m really excited for those, but that is something that happened, that you would never know where the journey was going to go in Season 1.”

The Shoresy Classic features a series of hockey games, with a portion of proceeds donated to local charities. Shoresy streams on Crave and Hulu in the States, which also saw other games in Detroit, New York and Boston.

Now, five seasons into Shoresy, Teles has been around since the first, she portrays Nat, the owner and general manager of the Sudbury Blueberry Bulldogs in the fictional Northern Ontario Senior Hockey Organization (The NOSHO).

Shoresy is played by Jared Kesso, also the show’s creator.  Which, technically, for those unfamiliar, is a spin-off, since Shoresy first appeared on Keeso’s other series, Letterkenny, as that show completed its run in 2023.

“I mean, there’s a lot of rough language that exists on the show,” said Teles. “You know, edgy stuff, but then there’s also these really beautiful, kind of heartwarming speeches that Shoresy gives or Nat gives and these endearing moments.

“You have that duality, and I think actually the [Shoresy Classic] hockey games themselves are great for families. I mean, the kids might have to be a certain age so they can handle the language, but that’s up to the parents’ discretion.”

Jared Keeso and Tasya Teles.

Shoresy films on location in Sudbury, Ontario, and a season takes about six weeks to complete. Teles feels like Sudbury has become a second home in a way, as the community has embraced the show.

The cast does arrive a bit beforehand of production, though, for any preparation needed, like fittings.

Teles’ road to Sudbury began with an ask from her agent: record an audition and see what happens.

“Jared’s really specific about the people that he placed on the show, which has been amazing. Like he’s so good at understanding how he wants to put together a team, so to speak.”

The rapid-fire dialogue featured in Shoresy or even Letterkenny is not typically a style heard in other TV shows.

“At the beginning of the show, I wasn’t sure how to necessarily prepare in the best way,” Teles says. “But it’s something that over the course of the seasons, we’ve all just developed that muscle. We all know how to riff off of each other because it’s really like passing a puck.

“That’s how I describe it. It’s going here, it’s going there, it’s going back to you, you’re setting somebody up. It almost mirrors or mimics hockey in that way. And it’s just something that you learn how to do. How often these days do you see someone who creates their own style of comedy, their own unique form of comedy? I think it’s just brilliant writing.”

This fifth Shoresy finale drops on Crave on January 22 (a sixth season was just announced by Crave). Teles teased at the time of this interview that viewers have yet to see the face-off between the Euros and the Canadian and American teams. Shoresy is coaching for the first time, too, to find out if he is successful.

“When you start any TV show, you never really know what’s going to happen,” said Teles. “What the journey is going to be, or how many seasons you’re going to go into. Being a part of this team, and this show and being able to grow my character throughout the seasons has been so rewarding.”

Stream Shoresy anytime on Crave.

Images courtesy of Bell Media.

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