Featured, Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

Home reno superstars Drew and Jonathan Scott to lead two new series and a fresh season of Celebrity IOU on HGTV Canada

October 17, 2023 Greg David

From a media release:

HGTV (Warner Bros. Discovery), in partnership with Corus Entertainment, have greenlit Don’t Hate Your House with the Property Brothers (wt) with home renovation and real estate experts Drew and Jonathan Scott as they find a way to fix problematic homes for frustrated families who desperately want to love their house. The recent greenlight of Backed By The Bros (wt) will also air on HGTV Canada, which will see the Brothers offer their invaluable insight and resources to help inexperienced entrepreneurs find success with their high-stakes investment properties. The two new series and a fresh season of Celebrity IOU will be produced by Scott Brothers Entertainment with Drew and Jonathan serving as executive producers. Don’t Hate Your House with the Property Brothers is co-produced by Scott Brothers Entertainment and Corus Entertainment. All three series are slated to premiere in 2024 on HGTV Canada and STACKTV.

Multi-faceted entrepreneurs and New York Times best-selling authors Drew and Jonathan Scott are co-founders of lifestyle and entertainment company Scott Brothers Global, which includes Scott Brothers Entertainment as well as multi-category home furnishings brands Drew & Jonathan Home and Scott Living. Seasoned real estate experts and renovators, Drew and Jonathan have helped hundreds of families create happy and healthy homes.

Featured, Run the Burbs

Production underway on Season 3 of CBC original hit comedy Run the Burbs

October 16, 2023 Greg David

From a media release:

CBC and Pier 21 Films today announced that production is underway around Toronto, Hamilton and Barrie, ON on the third season of the popular original comedy series RUN THE BURBS (13×30). Created by Andrew Phung and Scott Townend, RUN THE BURBS stars an exciting ensemble of Canadian comedic talent lead by Andrew Phung as Andrew Pham, Rakhee Morzaria as Camille Pham – both of whom were recognized for their work on the show with Best Lead Performer, Comedy nominations at this year’s Canadian Screen Awards – and Zoriah Wong, and Roman Pesino as Khia and Leo Pham, respectively. Series regulars include Ali Hassan (CBC’s Laugh Out Loud), Julie Nolke (Explaining the Pandemic to my Past Self), Jonathan Langdon (Robyn Hood), Chris Locke (Workin’ Moms, Mr. D), Samantha Wan (Second Jen), and Gavin Crawford (Because News). The third season will premiere on CBC and CBC Gem in Winter 2024.

A playful comedy about life in the suburbs, oddball neighbours, and a loving family who always has each other’s backs, RUN THE BURBS season three will see the family expand their horizons and head on all-new adventures, bringing the signature Pham energy to everything they do. Often recognized for its nuanced and thoughtful representation of a bold Indian and Vietnamese family, the third season continues to highlight culturally specific stories, including what has become an annual series hallmark, a Vietnamese Lunar New Year – Tết – episode. Also for the third season in a row, the iconic rapper, DJ, and producer, Kardinal Offishall, returns to the ‘burbs to resume the guest-starring role that earned him a 2023 CSA nomination alongside the nods for Phung and Morzaria.

As previously announced, television veterans Jennica Harper and Nelu Handa have taken over showrunning duties this season. The duo previously collaborated on the series JANN, on which Harper served as showrunner. For Handa, season three is her third with the RUN THE BURBS writer’s room.

A CBC original series, RUN THE BURBS is produced by Pier 21 Films. Executive Producers are Laszlo Barna, Nicole Butler, Karen Tsang, and Vanessa Steinmetz (for Pier 21 Films), Andrew Phung, and Scott Townend. Jennica Harper and Nelu Handa serve as Executive Producers and Showrunners. Jay Vaidya is Co-Executive Producer and Sara Peters is Co-Producer. Jessica Daniel is Producer. Season Three directors include Aleysa Young, Pat Mills, Joyce Wong, Sherren Lee, and Zoe Hopkins.

Featured, Law & Order Toronto: Criminal Intent

Casting announced for Law & Order Toronto: Criminal Intent coming to Citytv Spring 2024

October 16, 2023 Greg David

From a media release:

Lark Productions and Cameron Pictures Inc., in association with Citytv, announce casting for the highly-anticipated crime drama Law & Order Toronto: Criminal Intent. The Canadian iteration of the longest-running scripted drama brand in TV history features an all-Canadian ensemble cast that includes Aden Young (Rectify, Black Robe) as Detective Sergeant Henry Graff, Kathleen Munroe (City on Fire, Patriot) as Detective Sergeant Frankie Bateman, Karen Robinson (Schitt’s Creek, Echoes) as Inspector Vivienne Holness, K.C. Collins (The Cleaning Lady, White Dog) as Deputy Crown Attorney Theo Forrester, Nicola Correia-Damude (Shadowhunters, Resident Alien) as Forensic Pathologist Dr. Lucy Da Silva, and Araya Mengesha (Nobody, Anne with an E) as tech expert Mark Yohannes.

A psychological thriller wrapped in a criminal investigation, the Canadian adaptation follows two elite detectives from the Specialized Criminal Investigations unit as they investigate high-profile crimes and homicides in metro Toronto. Production on the 10 one-hour original episodes is underway in Toronto and is slated to air on Citytv in Spring 2024.

Law & Order Toronto: Criminal Intent, based on the classic series created by Dick Wolf for Universal Television, follows the Criminal Intent format the international brand is known for, showcasing original Canadian stories written, produced by and starring Canadians.

Law & Order Toronto: Criminal Intent is produced by Lark Productions and Cameron Pictures Inc. in association with Citytv and distributed by Universal Television. Tassie Cameron (Pretty Hard Cases, Mary Kills People, Rookie Blue) is the series Showrunner. Tassie, Erin Haskett, Amy Cameron, David Valleau, Alex Patrick and Holly Dale serve as Executive Producers. Tex Antonucci and Jillian Locke are Co-Executive Producers, Wanda Chaffey is Producer and Caledonia Brown is Co-Producer.

Award-winning filmmaker Holly Dale (Transplant, Mary Kills People, Law & Order SVU) directs the premiere episode, episode 103, and the finale. Additional directors tapped for this season are Peter Stebbings (102), David Wellington (104), Sudz Sutherland (105), Rachel Leiterman (106), Winnifred Jong (107), Sharon Lewis (108), and David Straiton (109).

Law & Order Toronto: Criminal Intent is produced under the jurisdiction of ACTRA and the WGC in Canada.

Featured, Sight Unseen

Casting details announced for upcoming new CTV original drama series Sight Unseen

October 12, 2023 Greg David

From a media release:

CTV announced today the casting details for new CTV Original drama SIGHT UNSEEN. The 10-episode, one-hour, crime-drama series is created by sisters Karen Troubetzkoy (KILLJOYS, ORPHAN BLACK) and Nikolijne Troubetzkoy (SKYMED, TRANSPLANT), and stars newcomer Dolly Lewis and Agam Darshi (DMZ), alongside Jarod Joseph (THE 100) and Daniel Gillies (VIRGIN RIVER). Production on SIGHT UNSEEN is currently underway in Vancouver, with the series set to premiere in 2024 on CTV in Canada and on The CW in the U.S.

SIGHT UNSEEN follows Tess Avery (Lewis), a top homicide detective who is forced to quit the job she loves after nearly killing her partner and being diagnosed as clinically blind. Reluctant to accept help, Tess uses an assistance app and connects with Sunny Patel (Darshi), a professional seeing-eye guide and an agoraphobe living 3,000 miles away.

After losing her vision, Tess is haunted by the unsolved cases she left behind. Using a hidden camera and earpiece, Sunny remotely steers Tess through life’s obstacles – and crimes – as the two challenge preconceptions about ability, trust, and where to draw the line. Inspired by one of the co-creators’ experiences with sight loss, viewers join Tess and Sunny as they bring a fresh perspective to solving crime.

The series also stars Alice Christina-Corrigan (DOCTORS), and Tony Giroux (MOTHERLAND: FORT SALEM).

To provide an authentic representation of the sight-impaired community, the production teams for SIGHT UNSEEN committed to incorporate equity, diversity, and inclusion principles as a priority both in front of and behind the camera through the guidance of sight-impaired consultants.

In addition to directing several episodes, John Fawcett (ORPHAN BLACK) serves as an Executive Producer alongside co-showrunners Karen Troubetzkoy and Nikolijne Troubetzkoy, Blink49’s John Morayniss, Carolyn Newman, and Virginia Rankin, Front Street Pictures’ Charles Cooper and writer Derek Schreyer as well as Ryan Knighton serving as co-executive producer. For Bell Media, Rachel Goldstein-Couto is Head of Development, Original Programming; Kelsey-Ann Rattansey is Production Executive, Original Programming; Sarah Fowlie is Head of Production, Original Programming; Carlyn Klebuc is General Manager, Original Programming; Pat DiVittorio is Vice-President, CTV and Specialty Programming. Justin Stockman is Vice-President, Content Development & Programming, Bell Media. Karine Moses is Senior Vice-President, Content Development & News, Bell Media and Vice Chair, Québec, Bell.

Produced by Blink49 Studios and Front Street Pictures in association with Sisters Troubetzkoy Productions, SIGHT UNSEEN will be broadcast on both CTV and The CW. SIGHT UNSEEN is produced under the jurisdiction of ACTRA and the WGC in Canada.

Acting Good

CTV Comedy Channel heads back to Grouse Lake First Nation for Season 2 of CTV original series Acting Good, beginning October 16

October 11, 2023 Greg David

From a media release:

Celebrated original series and #1 overall CTV Comedy program among adults 25-54, ACTING GOOD is moving back in for a second season, Mondays at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT on CTV Comedy, CTV.ca, and the CTV app, beginning October 16. Filmed on location in Winnipeg and Brokenhead Ojibway Nation, ACTING GOOD picks up right where it left off with 10 half-hour episodes filled with absurd comedy, life lessons, and a still not-so-skilled volleyball team.

Season 2 sees Paul (Paul Rabliauskas) return home after yet another failed attempt at moving to the big city only to find that his girlfriend, Rose (Cheyenna Sapp), and his mother, Agnes (Tina Keeper, NORTH OF 60), have shut him out. Meanwhile, Jo (Roseanne Supernault, THE DRIVE) enters the race for Chief of Grouse Lake but is stymied by Cousin Leon (Michael Greyeyes, RUTHERFORD FALLS) along the way.

In the season premiere, titled “One Flew Out of the Kookum’s Nest” (Monday, Oct. 16 at 10:30 p.m. ET on CTV Comedy, CTV.ca, and the CTV app), the stage is set as Paul returns to Grouse Lake only to find his home, and mother, committed to someone else. Left to solve life’s challenges alone, Paul retreats to the only place he can force his way in to – the elders’ lodge – where growing up seems to be his only option. Meanwhile, Dean is reluctantly employed at the North Store, and Jo’s campaign for Chief is off to a rocky start.

ACTING GOOD is co-created by Rabliauskas, Amber-Sekowan Daniels, Eric Toth, and Pat Thornton. The series stars Paul Rabliauskas as Paul; Tina Keeper (NORTH OF 60) as Agnes; Roseanne Supernault (THE DRIVE) as Jo; Michael Greyeyes (RUTHERFORD FALLS) as Cousin Leon; Billy Merasty (ELIJAH) as Roger Laughingstick; Gabriel Daniels (THE ICE ROAD) as Dean; Avery Sutherland (STELLAR) as Chickadee; Aqqalu Meekis (I STILL LOVE YOU) as Stephen Harper; Cheyenna Sapp as Rose; Erik Athavale (BED REST) as Greg; Rosanna Deerchild as Chief Deedee; Michael Lawrenchuk (INDIAN HORSE) as Gramps; Zachary Fontaine (LITTLE BIRD) as L’il Tony; Jesse Nobess (ALTER BOYS) as Logan; and Jonathan Beardy as Blue.

ACTING GOOD is produced by CTV Comedy Channel, in association with Kistikan Pictures Inc., with the participation of Canada Media Fund, Bell Fund, APTN, The Indigenous Screen Office, and Manitoba Film & Music. Producers are Tina Keeper (Kistikan Pictures) and Jennifer Beasley (Kistikan Pictures) with Phyllis Laing (Kistikan Pictures) as Executive Producer and Jeff Peeler as Supervising Producer, Paul Rabliauskas, Jennifer Beasley and Amber-Sekowan Daniels as Executive Producers and Tim Fontaine and Eric Toth as Executive Producers, writers and Co-Showrunners.