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.
Frankie Drake

Links: Frankie Drake Mysteries

From Melissa Hank of Canada.com:

Link: Frankie Drake Mysteries celebrates strong women
“We sort of dive right into a case and into Frankie and Trudy’s friendship. We’re not going to get a whole lot of backstory into how they became partners and how their friendship evolved — I think that’s going to slowly trickle in as the season progresses. But you will get a sense of their sisterhood.” Continue reading.

From Kelly Townsend of The TV Junkies:

Link: Frankie Drake Mysteries: 7 Reasons to watch the female-led series
“It has elements of everything. The period aspect, the action-adventure aspect, the drama aspect, and the somewhat procedural aspect in that every episode the audience will know that there’s some conflict that needs to be resolved. It melds the best of all of these little worlds.” Continue reading. 

From Tony Wong of the Toronto Star:

Link: The name’s Frankie, Frankie Drake, not Murdoch
“I don’t think it’s a show that necessarily shouts “Hey, I’m a woman!” But history is something that is very present. But it doesn’t overtake the storylines; it’s not necessarily a main focus, but it is important. Frankie solves the cases that people don’t want to touch or the police don’t want to know about. But she’s doing it during a certain period in time where women are not equals.” Continue reading.

From Anne Brodie of What She Said:

Link: There’s a New Trendsetter in Town: Interview with Lauren Lee Smith
“The creators of the show about this iconic, incredibly strong-willed rebellious character who in 1921 in unheard of. Yet it makes sense. It was such an interesting time for women. It was a time of liberation and females were standing up for themselves for the first time.” Continue reading. 

From Bill Brioux of Brioux.tv:

Link: Review: Frankie Drake Mysteries
Frankie Drake Mysteries is not deadly serious like PBS’s Sherlock. It works best when it is played broad in every sense of the word. There’s plenty of bounce in Episode One, with a jaunty jazz score accelerating the action. Continue reading.

From John Doyle of The Globe and Mail:

Link: CBC’s Frankie Drake Mysteries is fabulously fun Canadian content
Attention Murdoch Mysteries fans, there’s a new detective on CBC and this one is better dressed and more adept with the cutting wit. Oh, it’s all still set in the Toronto of the past so there’s that comfort factor if you like the cozy period-piece shows. But this new detective is all wisecracks and fab outfits. No Murdoch melancholy here. Continue reading.

 

 

 

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Featured, Heartland

Preview: Strained relationships on Heartland

It’s been two weeks since we’ve had a new episode of Heartland. Fourteen days to think about Georgie’s horse jumping success, Jack and Lisa’s argument and Lou and Mitch’s kiss. This season is shaping up to be an entertaining ride, isn’t it?

Here’s what CBC has to say about this Sunday’s instalment, “Strange Bedfellows,” written by Pamela Pinch and directed by Pierre Tremblay.

Amy has to get creative when asked to work with Lisa’s racehorse, but conflict arises when information about the horse’s breeding comes to light. Meanwhile, when her business expands Lou must make a decision about her relationship, and Georgie tries to figure out where she stands with Wyatt when he makes an unlikely new friend. Then, when lingering tension between Jack and Lisa comes to a head, their stubborn personalities could test their marriage.

And, as always, we’ve got a few more tidbits after watching a screener of the episode!

Amy is burning both ends
With Ty away saving the wolves, Amy is left juggling Lisa’s racehorse needs with baby Lyndy. Thankfully, she’s got plenty of babysitters to help lessen the load, like Grandpa Jack. But we’re hoping Ty returns soon; he’s missing some key moments in his daughter’s life. It is, however, great to see Amy back on a horse.

Lou makes up for lost time
Now that Lou is back for awhile, she and Mitch are making the most of it, if you know what I mean. Trouble is, Katie is missing out of primo time with her mother, but will a summer in New York City with a nanny solve that?

Lisa is in bad shape
It’s been a tough few weeks for Lisa, financially. Sadly, things don’t seem to be improving for her on Sunday either and that puts a major strain on her relationship with Jack.

Heartland airs Sundays at 7 p.m. on CBC.

Images courtesy of CBC.

 

 

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Featured, Murdoch Mysteries

Preview: Murder at a private school haunts Murdoch Mysteries

After a week off for Halloween, some gremlins got into Murdoch Mysteries‘ scheduling at CBC. “The Accident,” originally scheduled to be broadcast this Monday, has been bumped to Nov. 13. Instead, we’ll see “21 Murdoch Street,” on Monday. We’re not sure why the swap occurred, but it puts off the crying showrunner Peter Mitchell has been teasing for another seven days.

As for “21 Murdoch Street,” here’s what the CBC has revealed about the episode written by Natalia Guled and directed by Harvey Crossland:

Crabtree and Constable John Brackenreid go undercover at a prestigious boys’ school to break up a gambling ring and uncover murder.

And here are some non-spoilery additions from us after watching a screener.

John Brackenreid steps up
Inspector Brackenreid may not like it, but the murder case Station No. 4 is investigating means John (Charles Vandervaart) trades his work uniform for a school one. The send-up of 21 Jump Street involves George too, as he takes advantage of the situation to make an impression on some young minds via a certain published novel.

Julia continues her journey
We’re loving Julia’s storyline this season. Her attempting to further the science behind infertility is inspiring and emotional; look for a sweet and all-too-brief moment between Julia and William.

Watts returns
Speaking of too brief, we get a spare few minutes with Det. Watts. Of course, he makes the most of his screen time.

Murdoch Mysteries airs Mondays at 8 p.m. on CBC.

 

 

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Featured, Heartland

Comments and queries for the week of November 3

Love the show, just wonder if Georgie and Val’s storyline with the competitive show jumping horse is aiming above the mark for the Olympics? Wouldn’t Spruce Meadows be a much more reasonable goal for horse lovers and someone of Georgie’s talents? —Louise

[Netflix investing in Canadian productions] is definitely exciting, and fingers crossed these opportunities will be as accessible to independent producers as it suggests. And it’s awesome they’re doing development as well. I see they plan pitch days; any idea how will these be announced, and to (or via) whom? Can we finally connect with these decision makers at events like the Banff World Media Festival? So many Canadian creative producers and writers still wanna know how to get into the room with the decision-makers at Netflix! —Tihemme

Very exciting times! Does this mean that producers will need to go through a local production company, or agent, to be able to even pitch? I am a Canadian producer and the TV show I currently produce is airing on an American network. Would love to know how to take the show to the Netflix level after this season. —Monica

Keep checking back with us; we’ll let you know when more details are available!

Got a question or comment about Canadian TV? Email greg.david@tv-eh.com or via Twitter @tv_eh.

 

 

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The Indian Detective

CTV’s The Indian Detective, Starring Russell Peters, Premieres Nov. 23; plus first-look photos

From a media release:

Following on the heels of the recent success of CTV’s THE DISAPPEARANCE, CTV’s latest original event series, THE INDIAN DETECTIVE, debuts Thursday, Nov. 23 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on CTV and CTV GO, as announced by Russell Peters today. Securing a coveted Thursday night timeslot immediately following the two biggest shows on television, THE BIG BANG THEORY (8 p.m.) and YOUNG SHELDON (8:30 p.m.), the four-part, one-hour, comedy-drama stars the global comedy sensation in his first starring scripted role for television, and was filmed on location in Cape Town, Toronto and Mumbai last spring. Click here for a sneak peek.

THE INDIAN DETECTIVE, a classic fish out-of-water story with equal doses of comedy and high-stakes drama, follows Toronto cop Doug D’Mello (Peters) as he becomes embroiled in a murder case while visiting his father in Mumbai. The investigation leads Doug to uncover a dangerous conspiracy while dealing with his own ambivalence towards a country where, despite his heritage, he is an outsider.

THE INDIAN DETECTIVE also stars Canadian icon William Shatner as a billionaire property developer from Toronto who may have ties to the criminal underworld; Bollywood Movie Award-winning veteran actor Anupam Kher (The Big Sick, Silver Linings Playbook, Bend It Like Beckham) as Stanley D’Mello, Doug’s father and a retired airline pilot who moved back to India after the death of his wife; Christina Cole, (Casino Royale, SUITS) as Constable Robyn Gerner, Doug’s tough, beautiful, all-Canadian partner; Mishqah Parthiephal (SNAKE PARK) as Priya Sehgal, an earnest and dedicated lawyer, born into an upper-middle class family in Mumbai; and Hamza Haq (mother!, QUANTICO, Bon Cop, Bad Cop 2), as Mumbai drug lord Gopal Chandekar, and who recently appeared on The Hollywood Reporter’s “Canada’s Rising Stars: 15 Breakouts Making an Impact in Hollywood” list.

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In the premiere episode of THE INDIAN DETECTIVE (Nov. 23 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on CTV and CTV GO), when a suspected heroin shipment Doug (Russell Peters) and Robyn (Christina Cole) were secretly investigating turns out to be children’s bikes, Doug’s dream of becoming a detective fades into oblivion. Coerced into going to Mumbai to visit his father Stanley (Anupam Kher), Doug meets Priya Sehgal (Mishqah Parthiephal), a beautiful, passionate legal-aid lawyer. Together, they fight to uncover the truth behind a false murder confession, and while finding his stride in Mumbai, Doug realizes his failed case back home might have roots in his homeland.

THE INDIAN DETECTIVE is executive produced by Golden Globe®-winning and Emmy®-nominated Frank Spotnitz (THE MAN IN THE HIGH CASTLE, THE X-FILES) of Big Light Productions and Lance Samuels and Daniel Iron (MADIBA, THE BOOK OF NEGROES) of Blue Ice Pictures.

THE INDIAN DETECTIVE is a co-production between Big Light Productions, Blue Ice Pictures, the IDC, Wonder Films, and Bell Media. The series was created, executive produced, and written for Russell Peters by Spotnitz and Smita Bhide (HUNTED, TRANSPORTER: THE SERIES). The series is directed by BAFTA award-winner Sandy Johnson (BENIDORM, JONATHAN CREEK) and produced by Trevor Hopkins (FORTITUDE, CUFFS). It is executive produced by Blue Ice Pictures’ Daniel Iron and Lance Samuels (MADIBA, THE BOOK OF NEGROES), Wonder Films’ Mark Burton (Water, Tallulah), Russell Peters (HIP-HOP EVOLUTION), CPI Pictures’ Clayton Peters (Breakaway, RUSSELL PETERS VERSUS THE WORLD), and Paul Canterna. Co-executive producer is Sharon Remmer (THE MAN IN THE HIGH CASTLE, MEDICI: MASTERS OF FLORENCE).

THE INDIAN DETECTIVE is an official co-production among Detective Doug Productions Inc., Instinctive Film GmbH, and Brightway Investment (Pty) Ltd.

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