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Featured, Saving Hope

Things get historical (and sometimes hysterical) on Saving Hope

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Erica Durance hinted at the changes in Alex’s life this season. And, now that she and Charlie are completely kaput—for the time being at least—she’s revved up and ready to roll. Literally. If you’ve seen our teaser photos of the latest Saving Hope, you know Alex and Manny hop on a motorcycle and ride.

And while “A Stranger Comes to Town” finds Alex on the road, Charlie is diving into work. Here’s what CTV’s official synopsis says about the episode:

Trying to move on from his breakup with Dr. Alex Reid (Erica Durance), Dr. Charlie Harris (Michael Shanks) is focused on work. Faced with a patient who was thrown off a horse while re-enacting the War of 1812, Charlie channels all his energy into saving the man’s arm. Meanwhile, Alex discovers Dr. Manny Palmer (Jarod Joseph, ONCE UPON A TIME) is going offsite to help a teenage runaway and makes the impulsive decision to join him. After bringing the girl back to the hospital and operating on her in secret, Alex faces an interrogation from Dr. Dawn Bell (Michelle Nolden). Tempers flare when an old nemesis of Dr. Dev Sekera’s (Dejan Loyola) from medical school arrives at Hope Zion. After Dev makes an uneasy truce with Dr. Billy Scott (Greg Calderone, HEROES REBORN), the pair struggles to revive a patient who has been frozen solid.

And, after watching a screener, here are a few non-spoilery tidbits.

Hey there, Pinky
We couldn’t help but giggle at Dawn’s nickname about Alex upon seeing her decked out in motorcycle gear. Sadly, some viewers will have to Google the reference to understand. We didn’t because, well, we’re old. Charlie, of course, has his concerns for Alex’s safety, especially after he was tasked with patching up a kid who crashed his bike and almost lost his leg. Still, the pair is downright chummy and we like that. They do share a baby, after all.

New boss on the block
There’s a new hospital CEO (played by Joe Dinicol) and, as Michelle Nolden told us, he gets right under Dawn’s skin. Can she keep things professional, or will she speak her mind? Complicating things is that aforementioned frosty fellow who enters the ER and an eager new resident.

A hysterical historical ghost
We won’t give this storyline away—it’s too much fun to ruin—but let’s just say some military reenactors go a little overboard in their immersion into a role. This gives Michael Shanks an opportunity to really show off his comedic skills. You’re going to love it. Huzzah!

Saving Hope airs Sundays at 10 p.m. ET/PT on CTV.

Images courtesy of Bell Media.

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Children's Programming

Unlimited Media’s Mainframe Studios and Corus begin production on Reboot: The Guardian Code

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From a media release:

WOW! Unlimited Media’s Mainframe Studios and Corus Entertainment are pleased to announce that production is underway in Victoria/Vancouver, B.C. on the live-action elements of ReBoot: The Guardian Code, a 20×22 minute live-action/CG-animated hybrid television series. This next phase of production reimagines the original 1994 animated classic, ReBoot, in a real life setting for modern, tech savvy audiences. Created by Michael Hefferon, the show follows four teenagers who discover that they’ve been selected to become the Next-Generation Guardians of cyberspace. ReBoot: The Guardian Code will premiere in Canada in 2018 on YTV.

After playing the multiplayer Cyber Guardians video game together, four teenagers are recruited by V.E.R.A (Hannah Vandenbygaart, Bruno & Boots: Go Jump in the Pool!), the Virtual Evolutionary Recombinant Avatar, to fulfill their mandate to mend and defend cyberspace. Austin (Ty Wood, The Haunting in Connecticut), Tamra (Sydney Scotia, Some Assembly Required), Parker (Ajay Parikh-Friese, Mr. Young), and Trey (Gabriel Darku, Shadowhunters: The Mortal Instruments) now must protect cyberspace from threats that pose true consequences to both the virtual and real world. It’s more than these kids expected when they started at Alan Turing High. Way more.

ReBoot: The Guardian Code intercuts live-action scenes with awe-inspiring CG animation produced with the Unreal game engine, showing how the real world and cyberspace are interconnected.

This innovative series will also deliver true 360-degree engagement experiences for audiences with interactive mobile games, a digital trading card game that syncs with the broadcast of the series, and a Virtual Reality experience that puts fans right in the middle of the cyberspace action. More details to be announced at a later date.

ReBoot: The Guardian Code is produced by Mainframe Studios in association with Corus Entertainment, with Executive Producer/Producer Michael Hefferon, Executive Producer/Showrunner Larry Raskin, and Matt Sheppo, the Production Executive for Corus.

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Wynonna Earp

Canadian supernatural sensation Wynonna Earp joins Space; Season 2 begins June 9

From a media release:

UPDATE: Space confirmed Season 2 of Wynonna Earp will begin Friday, June 9, at 10 p.m. ET.

Space announced today that it has become the Canadian production partner of Calgary producer SEVEN24 Films for their original Canadian series WYNONNA EARP, distributed by IDW Entertainment. Season 1 of the 13-episode, one-hour, supernatural western, which Variety named as one of the Top 20 series of 2016, airs exclusively in Canada on Space beginning with a two-episode premiere event on Saturday, April 15 at 10 p.m. ET/PT, following the Season 10 premiere of DOCTOR WHO. Season 2 of WYNONNA EARP, recently nominated for six Canadian Screen Awards, is currently in production in Calgary, and premieres exclusively on Space this summer.

Developed for television by showrunner Emily Andras (LOST GIRL) and based on the IDW Publishing comic book series of the same name by Beau Smith, WYNONNA EARP is a fast-paced, gun-slinging thriller that follows Wyatt Earp’s great-granddaughter as she battles demons and other supernatural beings. After years away, Wynonna Earp (Melanie Scrofano, DESIGNATED SURVIVOR) has traveled back to her home town of Purgatory to reluctantly take on the role destined for Wyatt Earp’s heir: end the family curse that has resurrected the villains her legendary ancestor dispatched – now known as Revenants. Using her unique abilities, a magical gun, and a dysfunctional posse of allies, Wynonna must try to stop the Revenants from taking over the town – and escaping into the world.

After a successful run on U.S. network Syfy last year, WYNONNA EARP earned critical acclaim including being named E! News TV Scoop Best New Show 2016, and Collider.com’s Best New Sci-fi series. In addition, the series was nominated for six Canadian Screen Awards, winning for Best Cross-Platform Project – Fiction, and has also been nominated for a GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Drama Series.

Starring Melanie Scrofano as the titular demon hunter, WYNONNA EARP also features Tim Rozon (BEING HUMAN) as Doc Holliday, Shamier Anderson (Race) as Agent Xavier Dolls, and Dominique Provost-Chalkley (Avengers: Age of Ultron) as Waverly Earp.

In the debut episode, “Purgatory” (Saturday, April. 15 at 10 p.m. ET), on the night of her 27th birthday, Wynonna Earp – descendent of the great gunslinger Wyatt Earp – reluctantly returns to her hometown to take on her family’s legendary curse.

WYNONNA EARP was developed for television by Emily Andras who also serves as executive producer, writer, and showrunner. Executive producers are Jordy Randall (HEARTLAND), Tom Cox (YOUNG DRUNK PUNK), David Ozer, Ted Adams, Rick Jacobs and Todd Berger. Brian Dennis (THE BEST LAID PLANS) is producer. The writing team spearheaded by Andras includes Alexandra Zarowny, Brendon Yorke, James Hurst, Shelley Scarrow, and Caitlin Fryers. Directors are Paolo Barzman, Peter Stebbings, Ron Murphy, and Brett Sullivan.

WYNONNA EARP is produced by SEVEN24 Films in association with Space and Bell Media and distributed by IDW Entertainment.

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Featured

2017-18 Canadian TV season renewal scorecard

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With the 2016-17 Canadian television season ending soon, the networks are putting the finishing touches on their primetime lineups for 2017-18. That means celebrations for fans of shows that have been renewed and sadness for programs that won’t return.

To help keep track of what’s been renewed or ending, we’ve put together a handy list for you of what will air between the summer of 2017 and the end of spring in 2018. Check back often to see the status of your favourites.

Renewed

  • Still Standing (CBC)
  • Letterkenny (CraveTV)
  • Paranormal Survivor (T+E)
  • Kim’s Convenience (CBC)
  • Highway Thru Hell (Discovery)
  • Dragons’ Den (CBC)
  • Frontier (Discovery)
  • Vikings (History)
  • Wynonna Earp (Space)
  • Degrassi: Next Class (Family Channel)
  • Private Eyes (Global)
  • Baroness Von Sketch Show (CBC)
  • Travelers (Showcase)
  • Heavy Rescue: 401 (Discovery)
  • Cardinal (Seasons 2 and 3, CTV)
  • Murdoch Mysteries (CBC)
  • Heartland (CBC)
  • Schitt’s Creek (CBC)
  • Workin’ Moms (CBC)
  • Mr. D (CBC)
  • One World Kitchen (Gusto)
  • 22 Minutes (CBC)
  • Rick Mercer Report (CBC)
  • Exhibitionists (CBC)
  • The Goods (CBC)
  • Hello Goodbye (CBC)
  • Interrupt This Program (CBC)
  • Marketplace (CBC)
  • The Fifth Estate (CBC)
  • Firsthand (CBC)
  • The Nature of Things (CBC)
  • The Other Side (APTN)
  • Wild Archaeology (APTN)
  • Mary Kills People (Global)
  • Home to Win (HGTV Canada)
  • Top Chef Canada (Food Network)
  • Bake with Anna Olson (Food Network)
  • Bryan Inc. (HGTV Canada)
  • Nirvanna The Band The Show (Viceland)
  • The Beaverton (Comedy Network)
  • Daily Planet (Discovery)
  • Mighty Planes (Discovery)
  • Mayday (Discovery)
  • Canada’s Worst Driver (Discovery)
  • Tougher than It Looks (Discovery)
  • Jade Fever (Discovery)
  • One World Kitchen (Gusto)
  • Innerspace (Space)
  • Etalk (CTV)
  • The Social (CTV)
  • The Marilyn Denis Show (CTV)
  • Your Morning (CTV)
  • Love It or List It (HGTV Canada)
  • Guilt Free Zone (APTN)
  • Big Brother Canada (Global)
  • MasterChef Canada (CTV)
  • Mighty Ships (Discovery)
  • Mighty Trains (Discovery)
  • Tribal Police Files (APTN)
  • Backstage (Family Channel)
  • Anne (CBC)
  • Killjoys (Space)
  • Ransom (Global)
  • Second Jen (Omni)
  • Blood & Water (Omni)

Awaiting confirmation

  • Mighty Cruise Ships (Discovery)
  • Carnival Eats (Food Network Canada)
  • Yukon Gold (History)
  • First Dates (Slice)
  • Hockey Wives (W Network)
  • Buying the View (W Network)
  • Save My Reno (HGTV Canada)
  • Backyard Builds (HGTV Canada)
  • Love It or List It Vancouver (HGTV Canada)
  • Max & Shred (YTV)
  • The Stanley Dynamic (YTV)
  • Drive Me Crazy (YTV)
  • Make It Pop (YTV)

Not returning

  • Saving Hope (CTV)
  • This Life (CBC)
  • 19-2 (Bravo)
  • Orphan Black (Space)
  • X Company (CBC)
  • Pure (CBC)
  • Mohawk Girls (APTN, returns Nov. 14)
  • Hard Rock Medical (TVO/APTN, final season will be broadcast beginning Jan. 2)
  • Sensitive Skin (HBO Canada)
  • What Would Sal Do? (CraveTV)
  • Chopped Canada (Food Network Canada)
  • Bellevue (CBC)
  • Shoot the Messenger (CBC)
  • Four in the Morning (CBC)
  • Michael: Every Day (CBC)
  • The Romeo Section (CBC)
  • Crash Gallery (CBC)
  • Aftermath (Space)
  • Real Housewives of Toronto (Slice)
  • Cold Water Cowboys (Discovery)
  • Timber Kings (HGTV Canada)
  • Leave It to Bryan (HGTV Canada)
  • Income Property (HGTV Canada)
  • You Gotta Eat Here! (Food Network Canada)
  • Four Senses (AMI-tv)
  • Blood and Water (Omni)
  • Dead Set on Life (Viceland)
  • Dark Matter (Space)
  • Between (City)

 

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Bellevue

Link: Bellevue: Adrienne Mitchell and Jane Maggs talk “The Problem with the Truth”

From Victoria Nelli of The TV Junkies:

Link: Bellevue: Adrienne Mitchell and Jane Maggs talk “The Problem with Truth”
“I think he’s speaking her worst fears in those moments because I think she always sort of thought at some point he’s going to get tired of this and he finally does. So that happens and it affects her greatly, and eventually through some other things that shake down in Episode 7, it sends her into a huge spiraling self-awareness that she has to face with him and it’s not just with him.” Continue reading.

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