#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.

#FIRSTLOOK: KYLE RICHARDS TO GUEST STAR ON “WILD CARDS”

Kyle Richards (The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills) brings her drama skills to a guest starring role in CBC and The CW’s blue-sky procedural, WILD CARDS.

The episode will air on CBC and CBC Gem on Wednesday, March 12 at 8 pm/8:30 pm NT and on Wednesday, April 9 at 8/7c on The CW.

Richards will play “Talia,” a glamorous reality TV veteran.

In the episode titled “Our Lip (Fillers) Are Sealed,” Max (Vanessa Morgan) and Ellis (Giacomo Gianniotti) go undercover, joining the cast and crew of a reality show to find out who murdered its star. In a world of scandal, deceit and lip-filler parties, every cast member is under suspicion.

About WILD CARDS: WILD CARDS follows a by-the-book, sardonic cop (Gianniotti) and a spirited, clever con woman (Morgan) who are assigned by the Metro Police force to work together. The two use their seemingly opposing skills to solve crimes and begin to learn a little about what it means to trust someone along the way.

From Blink49 Studios, Front Street Pictures and Piller/Segan, WILD CARDS is commissioned by CBC in Canada in association with The CW. The series stars Vanessa Morgan, Giacomo Gianniotti, Jason Priestley, Michael Xavier, Amy Goodmurphy, Terry Chen, Fletcher Donovan, and Jonesy as Marc the Cat. Executive Producers include Michael Konyves, Shawn Piller, Lloyd Segan, James Thorpe, Alexandra Zarowny, and James Genn. The series is produced by Charles Cooper and Virginia Rankin and on behalf of Blink49 Studios, overseen by Executive Vice President of Global Scripted Carolyn Newman and Director of Scripted Television Alix Steerman. AJ Mendez oversees the series for Piller/Segan.

Richards is repped by CAA and Bette Smith Management

Fun Facts about Max:

Clever con queen

Intuitive, funny, and ridiculously likeable

Can adopt a new accent, disguise, and mannerism to become a different person at the drop of a hat

Likes people and wants to see the best in everyone

Her optimism can be mistaken for naiveté

Her dad, George (Jason Priestley), taught her everything she knows, but their bond is unbreakable

Fun Facts about Ellis:

By-the-books cop

On the hunt for his brother’s killer

Lives on a boat

Adopted brother’s cat named Marc

Recently reinstated to his role on police force after a temporary demotion to marine unit

More closed off, has a hard time trusting people

Malcontent, but strong moral compass

Who is Marc the Cat? (Jonesy):

Loyal feline to Ellis

Misses his real dad (Ellis’ brother)

Lives on a boat

Great listener

Very observant and has a wonderful sense of adventure

#FIRSTLOOK: MARTIN SHEEN, ALLY SHEEDY, MARIE AVGEROPOULOS TO GUEST STAR ON SEASON TWO OF “WILD CARDS”

Martin Sheen (The West Wing), Ally Sheedy (Single Drunk Female), Marie Avgeropoulos (The 100), Katie Findlay (Man Seeking Woman), and WWE NXT North American Champion Tony D’Angelo to guest star in season two of WILD CARDS. Season Two returns to CBC and CBC Gem on Wednesday January 8, 2025 at 8 pm/8:30 pm NT and on Wednesday, February 5 at 8/7c on The CW.

-Sheen stars in a recurring role throughout the season as “Joseph Edwards,” known in the con community as the greatest conman of all time, with a connection to Max(Vanessa Morgan) and George (Jason Priestley).

-Sheedy will play “Rose Pruett,” a tough, no-nonsense ranch owner.

-Avgeropoulos will play “Nadia Evans,” a street racing expert and fiercely protective mother.

-D’Angelo will play “Jaws,” a formidable and commanding criminal mastermind.

-Findlay will play “Maddy,” Max’s sassy best friend and former partner-in-crime.

WILD CARDS is a blue-sky procedural that follows a by-the-book, sardonic cop and a spirited, clever con woman who are assigned by the Metro Police force to work together. The two use their seemingly opposing skills to solve crimes and begin to learn a little about what it means to trust someone along the way.

In the season one finale, Detective Cole Ellis (Giacomo Gianniotti) is back on the police force full time while Max Mitchell (Vanessa Morgan) has avoided jail time only to pull an elaborate con worth millions of dollars deceiving them all. But in a bombshell revelation, she risks it all to tell Ellis that she has found out who killed his brother. Not only did Max betray his trust on the job, she broke his heart. Not that he’ll admit that.

Reassigned to work together in season two, the stakes are raised in the cases they solve, the search for a killer, and their feelings for each other. Combining his intelligent, level-headed detective work with her charismatic skills as a con-woman this unlikely duo is back, complete with disguises, surprising twists and of course, Ellis’ cat Marc.

From Blink49 Studios, Front Street Pictures and Piller/Segan, WILD CARDS is commissioned by CBC in Canada in association with The CW. The series stars Vanessa Morgan, Giacomo Gianniotti, Jason Priestley, Michael Xavier, Amy Goodmurphy, Terry Chen, Fletcher Donovan, and Jonesy as Marc the Cat. Executive Producers include Michael Konyves, Shawn Piller, Lloyd Segan, James Thorpe, Alexandra Zarowny and James Genn. The series is produced by Charles Cooper and Virginia Rankin, and on behalf of Blink49 Studios, overseen by Executive Vice President of Global Scripted Carolyn Newman and Director of Scripted Television Alix Steerman.

#FIRSTLOOK: CBC ANNOUNCE WINTER 2024 PROGRAMMING SLATE

CBC today announced streaming and broadcast premiere dates for its winter 2024 slate of new and returning programming on CBC Gem and CBC TV, including more than 20 original series from Canadian creators, producers, and storytellers reflecting people, places and perspectives from across the country. The first episode of all series will be available to stream on CBC Gem starting at 9 a.m. ET on their premiere dates noted below, with a new episode available weekly at the same time unless otherwise specified. CBC TV local broadcast times are noted in parentheses (for Newfoundland and Labrador, please add half an hour to all times).

New Canadian Original Series

ONE MORE TIME New Comedy Series (13×30) – Premieres Tuesday, January 9 (9 p.m.)

Stand-up comedian D.J. Demers created and stars in new workplace comedy series ONE MORE TIME as the hard-of-hearing manager of a second-hand sporting goods store.

WILD CARDS New Drama Series (10×60) – Premieres Wednesday, January 10 (8 p.m.)

Comedic crime-solving drama WILD CARDS follows the unlikely duo of Ellis (Giacomo Gianniotti, Grey’s Anatomy), a gruff, sardonic cop and Max (Vanessa Morgan, Riverdale), a spirited, clever con woman, set against the backdrop of beautiful Vancouver. Acclaimed actor Jason Priestley (Beverly Hills, 90210) joins the cast as a recurring guest star, playing Max’s father and master con man, George.

GHOSTING WITH LUKE HUTCHIE AND MATTHEW FINLAN New Factual Entertainment Series (8×30) – All episodes available to stream on CBC Gem beginning Friday, January 26

Two actors known exclusively for their work in the horror genre step off script and into their own real-life thriller on their quest to decipher if Canada’s most ghostly places are truly haunted.

FOR THE CULTURE WITH AMANDA PARRIS (6×60) New Documentary Series – All episodes available to stream on CBC Gem beginning Tuesday, January 30

In this documentary series, award-winning writer, executive producer and host Amanda Parris leaves the wars raging on social media to create space for urgent and provocative conversations that centre Blackness and Black folks.

ALLEGIANCE New Drama Series (10×60) – Premieres Wednesday, February 7 (9 p.m.)

Supinder Wraich (Sort Of), Enrico Colantoni (Station Eleven), Stephen Lobo (Continuum), Adolyn H. Dar (Superman & Lois), Brian Markinson (A Million Little Things) and David Cubitt (Virgin River) star in new police procedural ALLEGIANCE, telling the story of a young woman caught between her allegiance to her flag, to her badge, and to her family.

THE GREAT CANADIAN POTTERY THROW DOWN New Factual Entertainment Series(8×60) – Premieres Thursday, February 8 (8 p.m.)

Jennifer Robertson (Schitt’s Creek) hosts this open-hearted competition series that sees ten talented Canadian potters face each other to be crowned Canada’s Top Potter, with help from guest judge Seth Rogen.

Returning Series

CORONATION STREET ongoing (weekdays at 7 p.m.; Fridays at 7:30 p.m.)

FAMILY FEUD CANADA Season 5 (102×30) – Continues Monday – Thursday (7:30 p.m.)

BEST IN MINIATURE Season 3 (8×60) – All episodes available to stream on CBC Gem beginning Tuesday, December 26 (airing Tuesday, December 26 to Friday, December 29 at 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. on CBC TV)

MURDOCH MYSTERIES Season 17 (24×60) – Continues Monday, January 1 (8 p.m.)

DRAGONS’ DEN Season 18 (16×60) – Continues Thursday, January 4 (8 p.m.)

THE NATURE OF THINGS Season 63 (14×60) – Premieres Thursday, January 4 (9 p.m.) The new season kicks off with A User’s Guide to the Voice (January 4) as host Anthony Morgan puts his own vocal chords to the test in a rollicking exploration of the human voice, and in Mystery of the Walking Whale (January 11), host Sarika Cullis-Suzuki unravels one of the greatest mysteries of evolution – how whales lost their legs!

Feature Documentaries (9×120) – Premieres Sunday, January 7 (8 p.m.)

CBC Docs will spotlight compelling feature-length documentaries, from Canada and around the world, including the following:

SATAN WANTS YOU (directed by Sean Horlor and Steve J. Adams) premieres January 7

MALCOM IS MISSING (directed by Robert Osborne and Jari Osborne) premieres January 14

THE MAN WHO STOLE EINSTEIN’S BRAIN (directed by Michelle Shephard) premieres January 21

COVEN (directed by Rama Rau) premieres January 28

WITHOUT PRECEDENT: THE SUPREME LIFE OF ROSALIE ABELLA (directed by Barry Avrich) premieres February 4

CYNARA (directed by Sherien Barsoum) premieres February 18

SKYMASTER DOWN (directed by Andrew Gregg) premieres February 25

I AM SIRAT (directed by Deepa Mehta and Sirat Taneja) premieres March 3

THIS HOUR HAS 22 MINUTES Season 31 (24×30) – Continues Tuesday, January 9 (8 p.m.)

SON OF A CRITCH Season 3 (13×30) – Premieres Tuesday, January 9 (8:30 p.m.)

RUN THE BURBS Season 3 (13×30) – Premieres Tuesday, January 9 (9:30 p.m.)

BOLLYWED Season 2 (10×30) – Premieres Sunday, January 14 (7 p.m.)

PUSH Season 2 (8×30) – Premieres Sunday, January 14 (7:30 p.m.)

CBC News

MARKETPLACE Season 51 (17×30) – Continues on Fridays (8 p.m.)

ABOUT THAT WITH ANDREW CHANG (14×30) – Premieres Friday, January 5 at 8:30 p.m. on CBC TV (Weekday mornings on CBC News Explore and available now on CBC Gem)

ABOUT THAT delves deeper into daily news by expanding our understanding of the stories everybody’s talking about, featuring a blend of frank conversation, explainers and feature interviews.

THE FIFTH ESTATE Season 49 (15×60) – Continues on Fridays (9 p.m.)

THE NATIONAL – ongoing (live at 10 p.m. weekdays and Sundays on CBC TV and CBC Gem)

CBC’s flagship national newscast with Chief Correspondent Adrienne Arsenault (Monday – Thursday) and Ian Hanomansing (Friday and Sunday)

CBC MORNING LIVE WITH HEATHER HISCOX (Weekday mornings on CBC TV and CBC News Network)

CANADA TONIGHT WITH TRAVIS DHANRAJ (Weeknights on CBC News Network)

With new host Travis Dhanraj taking the helm on Monday, January 15, CANADA TONIGHT will continue to go beyond the headlines to bring context and diverse perspectives from across the country on top news stories that matter most to Canadians, with a recently expanded time slot of two hours from 7 to 9 p.m. ET.

POWER & POLITICS (Weeknights on CBC News Network)

ROSEMARY BARTON LIVE (Sundays on CBC TV and CBC News Network)

CBC Sports

CBC SPORTS PRESENTS – ongoing (live on Saturday and Sunday afternoons on CBC TV and CBC Gem)

CBC SPORTS brings audiences all the action from the world of high-performance sport with key competitions including: World Aquatics Championships (Doha, Qatar, Feb. 2 – 18), World Speed Skating Championships (Calgary, Feb. 15 – 18), Bobsleigh & Skeleton World Championships (Winterberg, Germany, Feb. 22 – Mar. 2), World Athletics Indoor Championships (Glasgow, Scotland, March 1 – 3), World Allround & Sprint Speed Skating Championships (Inzell, Germany, March 8 – 10) and World Figure Skating Championships (Montreal, March 18 – 24). Canada will also host international competitors at the following World Cup events: Freestyle Skiing Moguls World Cup (Val Saint-Côme, Que., Jan. 20 – 21), Freestyle Ski Cross World Cup (Nakiska, Alta., Jan. 20 – 21), Speed Skating World Cup (Quebec City, Feb. 2 – 4), Freestyle Skiing Aerials World Cup (Calgary, Feb. 10 – 11), Freestyle Skiing Halfpipe World Cup (Calgary, Feb. 17 – 18), World Aquatics Diving World Cup (Toronto, Feb. 26 – Mar. 3) and Snowboard Cross World Cup (Mont-Sainte-Anne, Que. Mar., 23 – 24). Visit cbcsports.ca for the full schedule.

CBC Kids

DINO RANCH Season 3 (26×22) – Premieres Saturday, January 6 on CBC Gem and CBC TV, with a new episode available weekly In a new season of the preschool animated series, the Dino Ranchers and their dinosaurs take care of their home and herds with creative problem-solving and the support of their family.

GANGNAM PROJECT New Series (10×30) – Premieres Friday, March 8 on CBC Gem, with a new episode available weekly A new tween dramedy series set in the world of K-pop, GANGNAM PROJECT tells the story of Hannah Shin, a Canadian-Korean tween with dreams of becoming a K-pop star and connecting with her Korean heritage. One summer, she accepts a job as an English tutor at an elite K-pop training school and ends up getting much more than she bargained for.

THE NEXT STEP Season 6 (26×30) All episodes available to stream on CBC Gem beginning Friday, March 1 The Next Step has another shot at Regionals. This season, the dancers face some tough decisions as they decide whether their own aspirations are more important than that of A-Troupe as a whole.

THE NEXT STEP Season 8 (26×30) Two episodes available weekly on CBC Gem beginning Friday, March 8 (Season 7 available to stream now) Despite the odds being stacked against them, some dancers at The Next Step want nothing more than to continue on the road to Nationals, while others learn dreams can grow and change into something totally new and unexpected.

(Photo credit: CBC)