All posts by Greg David

Prior to becoming a television critic and owner of TV, Eh?, Greg David was a critic for TV Guide Canada, the country's most trusted source for TV news. He has interviewed television actors, actresses and behind-the-scenes folks from hundreds of television series from Canada, the U.S. and internationally. He is a podcaster, public speaker, weekly radio guest and educator, and past member of the Television Critics Association.
Industry News, Lady Dicks

CBC and NBCUniversal International Studios partner on Cameron Pictures’ Lady Dicks

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From a media release:

CBC and NBCUniversal International Studios, a division of NBCUniversal Content Studios, today announced new original drama series LADY DICKS (10×60, Cameron Pictures), starring Meredith MacNeill (Baroness von Sketch Show) and Adrienne C. Moore (Orange Is The New Black).

Co-created by Tassie Cameron (Mary Kills People, Ten Days in the Valley, Rookie Blue, The Robber Bride) and Sherry White (Little Dog, Frontier, Ten Days in the Valley, Rookie Blue), LADY DICKS is a fun and honest portrayal of two radically different female detectives in their early 40s. Critically-acclaimed director, Holly Dale (Batwoman, Mary Kills People) will direct the premiere episode. The series is currently in pre-production and will begin shooting in Ontario this spring.

The action-packed series follows Guns and Gangs detective, Samantha (MacNeill) and Narcotics detective, Kelly (Moore), who by day are true action heroes in their own particular way: skilled, tough, determined, and ruthless. But by night, they’re both grappling with loneliness, dysfunctional families, screwed-up love lives, and a sense that their professional ambitions may not be totally in line with their personal needs. Their friendship could help to balance each other out, if only they didn’t drive one another utterly insane.

A CBC Original Series, LADY DICKS is produced by Cameron Pictures in association with CBC and NBCUniversal International Studios. The series is created by Sherry White and Tassie Cameron, who also serve as Co-Showrunners. Sherry White, Tassie Cameron, Amy Cameron and Alex Patrick are Executive Producers.

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When Calls the Heart

When Calls the Heart returns to Super Channel for seventh season

From a media release:

Super Channel is pleased to announce that Hearties across the country can look forward to heading back to Hope Valley on Sunday, February 23 at 8 p.m. ET when season seven of When Calls the Heart returns to Super Channel Heart & Home, day and date with its premiere on the Hallmark Channel in the U.S.

In addition, Hearties can look forward to a double dose of heart and hope on Sunday evenings with a repeat broadcast of When Hope Calls season one episodes, immediately following When Calls the Heart each week at 9 p.m. ET.

Canadian fans of both series can catch up on all six seasons of When Calls the Heart and season one of When Hope Calls currently available on Super Channel On Demand.

In the season seven premiere, titled “A Moving Picture,” Lucas gives Elizabeth writing advice that causes her to search for new inspiration. Rosemary and Lee plan a vacation. Faith returns home with a dilemma that may force her to part ways from Carson and Gowen is interviewed for a business magazine.

The Super Channel original series is filmed on location in British Columbia and based on the bestselling book series by acclaimed Canadian author Janette Oke. The series stars Erin Krakow (Elizabeth Thatcher), Jack Wagner (Bill Avery), Pascale Hutton (Rosemary Coulter), Kavan Smith (Leland Coulter), Martin Cummins (Henry Gowen), Andrea Brooks (Faith Carter), Paul Greene (Carson Shepherd), Chris McNally (Lucas Bouchard), Kevin McGarry (Nathan Grant), Aren Buchholz (Jesse Flynn), Eva Bourne (Clara Stanton) and Kayla Wallace (Fiona Miller).

The enchanting series has captured the hearts of loyal viewers in both Canada and the US and boasts a passionate fan base known as the #Hearties, who have become a social media phenomenon, making When Calls the Heart one of Super Channel’s most social series.

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Featured, Unsettled

Jennifer Podemski’s new series, Unsettled, headed to APTN

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The last time I spoke to Jennifer Podemski, I reached out to her to discuss Season 2 of her series, Future History. This time around, Podemski contacted me about her newest project.

Unsettled, for APTN and TVO, follows an urban Indigenous family who loses their fortune and must move from Toronto to a Northern Ontario First Nation.

Created, written, directed and executive-produced by Podemski and Hard Rock Medical‘s Derek Diorio, the 10-episode first season of Unsettled stars Cheri Maracle, Brandon Oakes, Tamara Podemski, Wesley French, Pam Mathews, Lawrence Bayne, Mitchell Loon and Albert Owl. Recurring cast includes Michaella Shannon, Glen Gould, Joshua Odjick, Lisa Cromarty, Tasheena Sarazin, Miigwan Buswa, Sid Bobb, Stephanie Aubertin, Willow Podemski-Bedard and Michael Podemski-Bedard.

Shot almost entirely on Nipissing First Nation, Unsettled is the first dramatic series to be funded through the CMF Aboriginal Language Program. Podemski’s open casting call resulted in over 50 Indigenous community members landing roles as principal actors, actors and background performers; out of 55 roles, 50 are Indigenous characters played by Indigenous actors.

Images courtesy of Jennifer Podemski.

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Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

CTV confirms March 22 premiere for new unscripted wedding series, I Do, Redo starring Jessica Mulroney

From a media release:

As announced last night during its broadcast of ETALK LIVE AT THE OSCARS®, CTV confirmed today that all-new unscripted and inspiring wedding and lifestyle series I DO, REDO – starring and executive produced by internationally acclaimed wedding expert and stylist Jessica Mulroney – is set to premiere on Sunday, March 22 at 7 p.m. ET/PT. I DO, REDO is the latest lifestyle series to join CTV’s original programming slate.

The MADE®-in-Canada CTV original series offers couples whose weddings were devastatingly ruined by circumstances beyond their control another chance to say “I do.” At the helm is Mulroney who, together with design and floral expert Caspar Haydar, design and plan every redo wedding, while guiding each couple on a transformative journey beyond the extreme weather conditions, disapproving family members, and life-threatening illnesses that ruined their original nuptials. I DO, REDO follows Mulroney and Haydar’s thoughtful and creative work beginning from the first meeting with each couple through to delivering the day they always dreamed of having.

I DO, REDO tells the emotional and extraordinary stories of the following couples in wedding locations in Canada, the U.S., and the Caribbean (in no particular order):

  • Mark & Mia: After spending 27 years behind bars for a crime he did not commit, Mark gets the chance to properly marry the woman who stood by him the whole time.
  • Brandy & Miletus: Their wedding was washed away by a violent flash flood. Now it’s time to restore balance in their relationship, with some help from their community of friends.
  • Jayne & Audrey: When Jayne first married the love of her life, she was Jay. Now Jayne and Audrey are getting married as their true selves and still completely in love.
  • Kit & Jourdan: Jessica and Caspar plan an intimate wedding for a couple who after a life-threatening illness forced them apart on their wedding day, discovered what really matters.
  • Jacob & William: Jessica and Caspar bring together the formerly disapproving families of this head-over-heels couple for a family wedding they will cherish forever.
  • Jolicia & Adrian: When enlisting in the army became Adrian’s only option to care for his ailing wife, this couple had abandoned their dreams of a big family wedding until Jessica and Caspar came along.
  • Rob & Tamra: Tamra spent her wedding day in a hospital – giving birth. Now Jessica is giving her the fairy tale wedding she always dreamed of having.
  • Vanessa & Jordan: They tried two attempts to get married, both ending in disappointment. This time, Jessica makes sure this bride grieving the loss of her mother will finally walk down the aisle with a full heart.
  • Troy & Robin: A case of food poisoning wiped out this couple and their guests before they could tie the knot. Now Jessica and Caspar help them replace their regrets with romance.
  • Amanda & Jeff: Sometimes the only way to realize how much you love someone is to lose them. After separating, this couple has rediscovered their love and are ready to say “I do” again.

I DO, REDO is produced by Insight Productions in association with CTV and distributed internationally by Boat Rocker Studios. John Brunton is Executive Producer and Erin Brock serves as both Executive Producer and Showrunner. Jay Peterson, of Matador Content (a Boat Rocker company), also serves as Executive Producer.

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Children's Programming

CBC Gem original Detention Adventure Season 2 in production

From a media release:

Production is underway on the second season of CBC Gem original tween action-adventure series DETENTION ADVENTURE (10×11) from LoCo Motion Pictures and Broken Compass Films.  Filming in the Greater Toronto Area will continue until mid-February. Upon its initial launch in spring 2019, DETENTION ADVENTURE was CBC’s first-ever original kids scripted series for CBC Gem.  Season 2 is once again directed by showrunner Joe Kicak, and will be available to stream on-demand via CBC Gem later in 2020.

In Season 2, the DETENTION ADVENTURE crew – Raign (Simone Miller, Snapshots), Joy (Alina Prijono, Odd Squad), Hulk (Jack Fulton, Shadowhunters: The Mortal Instruments), and Brett (Tomaso Sanelli, Titans) – must join forces once again. This time, their adventure has them searching the historically rich town of Brantford for the lost fortune of its wealthiest former resident, Ignatius Cockshutt.

After a summer of defeat, being unable to make heads or tails of their new treasure map to Cockshutt’s fortune, the gang finds new hope when they meet Kelly (Lilly Bartlam, Paw Patrol), an enthusiastic fellow student with a passion for their town’s history. Unfortunately, their hijinks land them in a new form of detention: helping the head of Brantford’s Historical Society Miss Dumont (Sarah McVie, Workin’ Moms) plan the town’s annual historical re-enactment.

The group must follow clues that lead them through their town’s historic sites, learning more about the mystery of Ignatius Cockshutt and drawing nearer to their prize. However, a shadowy figure follows their every move, circumventing their plans and trying to beat them to their goal. Who is their mysterious adversary, and who will find the treasure first?

A CBC Gem original series, DETENTION ADVENTURE is produced by LoCo Motion Pictures and Broken Compass Films.  Created by Joe Kicak and Carmen Albano, executive producers are Lauren Corber, Joe Kicak and Carmen Albano, with producer Ryan West. The series is directed by Joe Kicak. For CBC, Sally Catto is General Manager, Programming; Gave Lindo is Executive Director, OTT Programming; Marie McCann is Senior Director, Children’s Content; and Zach Feldberg, Mélanie Lê Phan and Paige Murray are Executives in Charge of Production.

DETENTION ADVENTURE Season 2 is made with the generous support of the Shaw Rocket Fund, the Canada Media Fund, the Bell Fund, the Government of Ontario and the Government of Canada.

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