#FIRSTLOOK: “HEARTLAND”, “ALLEGIANCE”, “SAINT-PIERRE”, “WILD CARDS”, “MURDOCH MYSTERIES” ALL RENEWED (MAY 2025)

CBC today announced the renewal of popular original homegrown dramas including CBC’s most-watched new series SAINT-PIERRE for a second season, as well as Canadian Screen Award-nominated series ALLEGIANCE for a third season and enduring hits HEARTLAND and MURDOCH MYSTERIES for their 19th seasons. CBC original blue sky procedural WILD CARDS has also been renewed for seasons three and four. In the past year, all five dramas were among the Top 20 Canadian programs on television, and within the Top 10 series on CBC Gem. Additional CBC renewals across all genres and content areas will be announced later this spring.

“With the renewal of these five hit dramas offering compelling characters, unique stories and a strong sense of place from different regions across Canada, CBC will continue to showcase homegrown storytelling that audiences can’t find anywhere else,” said Sally Catto, General Manager, Entertainment, Factual & Sports, CBC.

Police procedural SAINT-PIERRE (12×60 in Season 2) was CBC’s #1 most-watched new series of the year and one of the top Canadian drama series nationwide. From creators Allan Hawco, Robina Lord-Stafford and Perry Chafe, the series stars Hawco and Josephine Jobert as two seasoned officers – with very different policing skills and approaches – working together to solve unique and exciting crimes in the French territory of Saint-Pierre et Miquelon. The series is produced by Hawco Productions in association with FIFTH SEASON, which handles global distribution. Production to begin this spring in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Saint-Pierre et Miquelon, France.

Set and filmed in Vancouver, WILD CARDS (10×60 for both Seasons 3 and 4) is a blue sky procedural with a comedic twist that follows the unlikely duo of a by-the-book, sardonic cop Cole Ellis (Giacomo Gianniotti) and a spirited, clever con woman Max Mitchell (Vanessa Morgan) who are partnered together to solve crimes. From Blink49 Studios, Front Street Pictures and Piller/Segan in association with The CW, the series is created by Michael Konyves with international distribution handled by FIFTH SEASON. Konyves recently won the 2025 WGC Screenwriting Award in the Drama Series category for his writing on WILD CARDS.

Created by Anar Ali (Transplant), ALLEGIANCE (10×60 in Season 3) is a character-driven police procedural set in Surrey, BC, about identity and belonging, policing and politics, and finding new paths to truth and justice for all. The series is nominated for eight Canadian Screen Awards including Best Drama Series and Best Lead Performer for Supinder Wraich and Best Supporting Performer for Enrico Colantoni, and is produced by Lark Productions in association with Universal International Studios, a division of Universal Studio Group.

Set against the glorious backdrop of the foothills of Alberta, HEARTLAND (10×60 in Season 19) is a multi-generational family drama that is much loved by fans of all ages in Canada and around the world. Based on the bestselling series of books by Lauren Brooke, the series follows Amy Fleming (Amber Marshall) and her family as they deal with the challenges of running the Heartland Ranch that has been with them for generations. Star Michelle Morgan is nominated for a Canadian Screen Award in the category of Best Lead Performer. The long-running series is produced by Dynamo Films and SEVEN24 Films.

Available in more than 120 countries and territories around the world, MURDOCH MYSTERIES (21×60 in Season 19) is set in Toronto in the early 1900s during the age of invention, where Detective William Murdoch (Yannick Bisson) enlists innovative forensic techniques to solve some of the city’s most perplexing murders. The much-loved series has received 10 Canadian Screen Award nominations including a Best Lead Performer nomination for Hélène Joy and Best Supporting Performer nods for Jonny Harris, Daniel Maslany and Clare McConnell, and is produced by Shaftesbury in association with ITV Studios and UKTV and distributed by Shaftesbury Sales Company and ITV Studios.

HEARTLAND, MURDOCH MYSTERIES and WILD CARDS are also nominated for the 2025 Cogeco Fund Audience Choice Award, which will be announced as part of THE 2025 CANADIAN SCREEN AWARDS. Hosted by Canadian actress and creator Lisa Gilroy, the awards show will stream live in its entirety on Sunday, June 1 beginning at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT on CBC Gem. THE 2025 CANADIAN SCREEN AWARDS is Canada’s biggest night in entertainment, with legendary icons and rising stars coming together to honour the very best in homegrown film and television.

Source:

TV: Numeris TV Meter, 9/30/2024 – 4/6/2025, Total TV English, Ind.2+, M-Su 2a-2a, Total Canada, AMA, generated by Instar.

CBC Gem: Adobe Analytics, CBC Production, OTT Segment, On-Demand Programs, Content Starts, Content Time Spent, 10/6/24 – 4/19/25.

#CDNSCREENAWARDS: “MAUDIE”, “ALIAS GRACE” + “KIM’S CONVENIENCE” TOP WINNERS AT THE 2018 CANADIAN SCREEN AWARDS

By Amanda Gilmore and Mr. Will Wong

Now in its sixth year, the Canadian Screen Awards Broadcast Gala caps-off a week of celebrations in Toronto honouring the Country’s very best in Film, Television and Digital Media.  Held at the Sony Centre for the Performing Arts, the Awards are an answer to Canada’s humility and need for a real star system.  The Gala was hosted by Jonny Harris and Emmy Hunter.

Winning top honours this year was the Aisling Walsh Film MAUDIE based on the life of Canadian folk artist Maudie Lewis starring Ethan Hawke and Sally Hawkins. The Drama won a total seven Canadian Screen Awards tonight including Best Picture, Best Director, Supporting Actor (Hawke), Best Actress (Hawkins) and more. Walsh in what was a common theme of female empowerment and inclusion in light of the #AfterMeToo movement in Canada, tells the audience, “Every woman in this room who has dreamed of directing, writing or acting in a Film, go ahead and do it!”.

CBC‘s ALIAS GRACE scored two Canadian Screen Awards including Best Limited Series or Program and Best Actress in a Drama or Limited Series (Sarah Gadon).  Based on Canadian literary icon Margaret Atwood‘s Book of the same name, tonight we saw the Author herself honoured with the Academy Board of Directors’ Tribute Award.  Atwood says “I am very lucky to work with the brightest talent including Sarah Polley. I am supporting #AfterMeToo (and what their actual mission is) and the Canadian Women’s Foundation.”.

Tying in the Television categories tonight were fellow CBC Series KIM’S CONVENIENCE and ANNE with two wins each.  The former is a Sitcom centering on a Korean-Canadian family in Toronto and their convenience shop and it won Best Comedy Series and repeated for Best Actor in a Comedy Series (Paul Sun-Hyung Lee). The latter is based on the internationally-adored Children’s Book Series Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery and it scored for Best Drama Series and Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Program or Series (R.H. Thompson).

Hochelaga, Land of Souls would take home four Canadian Screen Awards for Visual Effects, Art Direction, Cinematography and Overall Sound.

Angelina Jolie-produced Animated Feature The Breadwinner nabbed Adapted Screenplay, Music, Original Score, Sound Editing and Original Song.

Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked the World would win for Feature Length Documentary and Editing in Feature Length Documentary.

The Gala was a star-studded affair graced by the likes of Presenters: Kawa Ada, Shamier Anderson, Jann Arden, Adrienne Arsenault, Andrea Bang, Amanda Brugel, Billy Campbell, Nicholas Campbell, Saara Chaudry, Kim Coates, Wendy Crewson, Gerry Dee, Caroline Dhavernas, Sadaf Foroughi, Sarain Fox, Sarah Gadon, Marc-André Grondin, Allan Hawco, Paul Sun-Hyung Lee, Daniel Levy, Eugene Levy, Tatiana Maslany, Lisa Meeches, Amybeth McNulty, Natasha Negovanlis, Catherine O’Hara, Charles Officer, Amanda Parris, Jasmeet “JusReign” Raina, Catherine Reitman, Maxim Roy and Aurora Browne, Meredith MacNeill, Carolyn Taylor and Jennifer Whalen.

In addition to honouring the most notable Canadian productions of the past year, the Gala paid tribute to longstanding excellence.  Media personality Peter Mansbridge, known as the face of CBC‘s The National, received a Lifetime Achievement Award from Adrienne Arsenault. Rick Mercer received an Icon Award from adored Singer/Songwriter Jann Arden for his work on now-concluded The Mercer Report. Actor/Director Clark Johnson was awarded the Earle Grey Award, presented by his sisters Molly and Taborah.

In addition to critical merit, popularity too was awarded at the Broadcast Gala.  The Golden Screen Award for TV Drama went to CBC‘s Murdoch Mysteries, while the Golden Screen Award for TV Reality Show was handed to CTV‘s The Amazing Race Canada. The Cineplex Golden Screen Award for Feature Film was given to De père en flic 2.

The Cogeco Fund Audience Choice Award, decided upon by fans online went to star of Webseries Carmilla, Elise Bauman, whom last year saw her Co-Star Natasha Negovanlis win the same award.

Earlier in the week, awards were handed for Excellence in Non-Fiction Storytelling, Excellence in Creative Fiction Storytelling and Excellence in Digital and Storytelling. Also, fans got to meet up-close some of their favourite stars of the Canadian productions at Family Fan Day, including the likes of Jerry O’Connell, Allan Hawco, Amybeth McNulty, Daniel Maslany, Elise Bauman, Natasha Negovanlis, Viviane Hicks, the Cast of Kim’s Convenience and many more.

 

See more Photos of the night. Hover cursor left and right to navigate slideshows.

More highlights from tonight’s #CDNScreenAwards Red Carpet with the help of our @gilmoreamanda. Swipe left for more. In order: 1. Saara Chaudry 2. Wendy Crewson 3. Caroline Dhavernas 4. Jahmil French 5. Natasha Negovanlis 6. Kim Coates 7. Allan Hawco 8. Oluniké Adliyi x Amanda Brugel 9. #Shadowhunters: Katherine McNamara, Alberto Rosende, Jade Hassouné, Dominic Sherwood #CanadianScreenAwards #CDNscreen18

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 🏮 (@mrwillwong) on Mar 11, 2018 at 5:59pm PDT

 

Highlights from tonight’s #CDNScreenAwards Red Carpet with the help of our @gilmoreamanda. Swipe left for more. In order: 1. Sarah Gadon x Margaret Atwood x Noreen Halpern 2. Jann Arden 3. Molly Johnson 4. Slade Peltier 5. Moira Walley-Beckett x Amybeth McNulty x Miranda de Pencier 6. Catherine O’Hara x Annie Murphy x Emily Hampshire 7. Dan x Eugene Levy 8. Paul Sun-Hyung Lee x Jean Yoon 9. Simu Liu x Andrea Bang x Nicole Power x Andrew Phung #CanadianScreenAwards #CDNScreen18 @thecdnacademy

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 🏮 (@mrwillwong) on Mar 11, 2018 at 5:41pm PDT

 

For a complete list of winners, click here.

 

Saara Chaudry (The Breadwinner), Billy Campbell (Cardinal), Allan Hawco (Caught), #AFTERMETOO, Caroline Dhavernas (Mary Kills People) Natasha Negovanlis (Carmilla), Elise Bauman (Carmilla) and more in the Highlight Reel below:

 

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong/Amanda Gilmore)

#CSAs: SELFIE TIPS | MEET SOME OF YOUR FAVOURITE CANADIAN STARS ON FAMILY FAN DAY SATURDAY, MARCH 11, 2017

It’s that time of the year again and you can bet we’re super-pumped for CANADIAN SCREEN WEEK!  As in previous years, FAMILY FAN DAY will give us a chance to connect with some of our favourite Canadian stars of the screen!  Taking place Saturday, March 11, 2017 at Sony Centre for the Performing Arts, the event runs from 10 AM to 2 PM and guess what?  It’s free!

Exciting activations and contests are being planned and did you know that the first 100 in line will get a free swag bag? There will be doughnuts from JELLY MODERN, a MAC booth giving you inspiration for your spring 2017 look, exciting animals from HANDS ON EXOTICS and also a coding workshop by LADIES LEARNING CODE.

Stars in attendance this year include:

• Dan Riskin and Ziya Tong, Daily Planet (Bell Media)

• Kristian Bruun, Orphan Black (Bell Media)

• Simu Liu, Andrea Bang and Andrew Phung, Kim’s Convenience (CBC)

• Hélène Joy and Lachlan Murdoch, Murdoch Mysteries (CBC)

• Alisha Newton, Heartland (CBC)

• Janaye, Tony, Victor, Gary the Unicorn and Dot, CBC Kids (CBC)

• Dwight Drummond, CBC News Toronto (CBC)

• Kim Coates, Bad Blood (Rogers Media)

• Dina Pugliese and Kevin Frankish, Breakfast Television (Rogers Media)

• Victoria Baldesarra and Shelby Bain, The Next Step (Family Channel)

• Chelsea Clark and Ehren Kassam, Degrassi: Next Class (Family Channel)

• Devyn Nekoda, Colin Petierre and Julia Tomasone, Backstage (Family Channel)

• Hosts from Global’s The Morning Show (Corus Entertainment)

• Mike Holmes and Mike Holmes Jr., Holmes + Holmes (Corus Entertainment)

• Noah Cappe, The Bachelor Canada (Corus Entertainment)

• Anthony Farnell, Global News (Corus Entertainment)

• Ella Ballentine, Sara Botsford, Kate MacDonald Butler, L.M. Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables (Corus Entertainment/Breakthrough Entertainment)

…and several more!

YTV‘s Carlos Bustamante will fill hosting duties.

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Here’s a couple tips for taking the best selfies with the stars, from your resident expert, Mr. Will:

1. Be calm, stars are more like us than we are  led to believe.

2. Ask nicely. If you are a real fan, let them know how they have touched your life.

3. Give them space and let them initiate it if they want to get closer to you.

4. Make sure there’s no glaring light behind you in the photo. This is v. unflattering and will almost always ruin your photo. If there is light, make sure it is shining on your faces.

5. Nobody likes a double-chin, so tilt that camera/cell phone up just a bit and tilt that chin down.

6. Look into the lens of the camera, not the screen on your cell phone and smile! Keep your eyes open!

7. Take an extra snap quickly just in case the first didn’t turn out – it’s always good to have a back-up.

8. Thank the star.

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Enjoy and g’luck! We’ll be seeing you around Canadian Screen Week!

More on Family Fan Day here.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong/Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television)