LOOT is coming soon to Apple TV+ reuniting us with the amazing Maya Rudolph! Some new stills from the upcoming Series. Here’s a glimpse at the brand-new Trailer.

Synopsis:

In “Loot,” billionaire Molly Novak (Rudolph) has a dream life, complete with private jets, a sprawling mansion, and a gigayacht — anything her heart desires. But when her husband of 20 years betrays her, she spirals publicly, becoming fuel for tabloid fodder. She’s reaching rock bottom when she learns, to her surprise, that she has a charity foundation run by the no-nonsense Sofia Salinas (Michaela Jaé Rodriguez), who pleads with Molly to stop generating bad press. With her devoted assistant Nicholas (Joel Kim Booster) by her side, and with the help of Sofia and team — including mild-mannered accountant Arthur (Nat Faxon) and her optimistic, pop-culture-loving cousin Howard (Ron Funches) — Molly embarks on a journey of self-discovery. Giving back to others might be what she needs to get back to herself.

LOOT arrives Friday, June 24, 2022 on Apple TV+

(Photo/video credit: Apple TV+)

By David Baldwin

When we last left Sheila Rubin (Rose Byrne), she was on her way to the top of the Aerobics game. But success will not come easy with all of the new challenges standing in her way, including new management, new competition and a completely different home life now that her husband Danny (Rory Scovel) lost his election bid.

The first thing I noticed about Season Two of PHYSICAL was its scope. We are not confined to people’s homes and the mall anymore – we are out and about, being introduced to all of the returning characters in much larger, more populated settings. Covid-related or not, that increased scope speaks to how much more expansive Season Two feels versus Season One, and how much deeper Showrunner/Series Creator Annie Weisman wants us to travel on Sheila’s journey. The Show still has its bleak sense of humour and its streak of foreboding darkness (not to mention its central themes revolving around addiction, body dysmorphia and casual misogyny), yet it feels refreshing to have so much less focus on Danny and his political aspirations this go-round. Seeing him take a backseat to Sheila’s quest for greater success opens the world of PHYSICAL up to such greater possibilities and more interesting storylines for Weisman and Crew to explore.

And yes, the outfits, hairstyles and the inspired musical choices are still just as impeccable as they were the first time. If you love the ’80s even half as much as I do, you will be very pleased.

The Cast is rock solid all-around, settling into their characters with ease. Dierdre Friel’s expanded role as Greta is easily an early highlight, and Scovel’s interpretation of Danny after political defeat makes for an interesting antithesis to last season. Murray Bartlett (the Emmy-nominated MVP from last Summer’s deliciously devious The White Lotus), is the key new character in the Ensemble, playing Vinnie Green, a fellow self-made Aerobics Instructor and Infomercial personality. He straight-up steals the show anytime he pops on-screen. Byrne still stands high above everyone else though, with her vicious narration – which is often just as hilarious as it is harrowing – and her hunger for success and the power that comes with it. The Series continues to be her strongest work to date, practically soaring as she throws herself recklessly into every situation and tries to not overthink the consequences. Byrne was always the highlight of so many of her projects and seeing her continue to lead this cast in this bold, no-nonsense role is truly exhilarating.

Be sure to read our interview coverage with Rose Byrne,
Series Creator Annie Weisman and the rest of the Cast!

The first episode of Season Two of PHYSICAL premieres Friday, June 3, 2022 on Apple TV+,
with each new episode arriving every Friday throughout the Summer.

Opening in Toronto on the Danforth just before the Pandemic and pivoting quickly to sustainably-packaged takeaway, PAPYRUS – Eat Like an Egyptian quickly has won a loyal fanbase in its short time in-operation. The stellar Google Reviews time and again speak for themselves.

Finally, as we navigate our way through these challenging times, the compact establishment located at 337 Danforth Avenue, just west of Chester Station, is ready now to welcome patio dining and indoor dining inside its Pharaoh’s Den. Decorated thoughtfully with nods to history including Rosetta Stones, Chef Am Elimam’s pride and attention to detail and the history of Egyptian cuisine are palpable. If you’re lucky, some nights you even get live Music.

He tells us at a Private Tasting that his goal is to serve fresh-tasting Cuisine, introducing Egyptian food further into the mainstream. Even we admit, while our tastebuds are adventurous, we still don’t know much about it- other than having been delighted by Tut’s, which rightfully has earned its popularity with the Toronto set with its Egyptian Street Food, namely sandwiches and Dukka Fries. The Cuisine though still is uncharted territory for many of Toronto’s discerning palates.

Chef Amr actually only fully realized his passion for cooking late in life and he tells me this is actually his fourth career incarnation, after spending time in the corporate world. And you can sense it. He has a deep understanding of flavour and texture, working often with a Holy Trinity of Garlic, Olive Oil and Beans.

He didn’t start this restaurant simply to build a franchise and make money. He created a restaurant to make food for people who love food. The Menu isn’t extensive, but focuses on doing a few things very well. And believe it or not, very few of the items on the Menu contain meat. They are so flavourful and hearty that you forget that you’re missing the meat.

Some recommendations from the exquisite, unique Menu at PAPYRUS – Eat Like an Egyptian:

Certainly is worth a try, and you won’t leave hungry. With most items priced between $10-$20, this is an invitation for you to try more and share. A gem waiting to be discovered.

Learn more about PAPYRUS – Eat Like an Egyptian here.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

CORUS have announced their upcoming slate of 2022/2023 programming with new and returning programming across their family of networks! With that, they are committing to 200 hours of Canadian content across their portfolio!

Highlights below of what’s to come.

GLOBAL 

Global’s acclaimed scripted slate includes Season 2 of last fall’s #1 new Canadian series Family Law*, starring Jewel Staite and Emmy^® nominee Victor Garber, which was recently greenlit for Season 3 with production currently underway in Vancouver. Also upcoming on Global is Season 2 of Canada/Ireland co-production Departure starring Emmy^® winner Archie Panjabi and Oscar^® winner Christopher Plummer. Then, from acclaimed filmmaker Director X and Boat Rocker is Robyn Hood, a modern reimagining of the classic Robin Hood story set to begin production this summer in the Toronto and Hamilton area with casting to be announced soon.  

Additionally, ET Canada is back on Global for Season 18, fresh from winning four Canadian Screen Awards including Best Talk Program or Series. In addition, ET Canada Weekend has been renewed for Season 2 bringing audiences all the latest entertainment news headlines of the week.. 
 
 

LIFESTYLE 

Food Network Canada 

A Top 10 specialty network** and the ultimate culinary destination, Food Network Canada satisfies appetites with the renewal of five standout original series as part of its lineup. 

Food Network Canada’s new greenlights include the most prestigious culinary competition series in the country and a Top 20 overall specialty entertainment program in spring ‘21*** Top Chef Canada,which is making its return for a milestone 10^th season. In the serialized series, a new roster of talented professional chefs will compete in high-octane challenges for the sought-after title of Canada’s Top Chef. The competitions continue with Season 3 of the larger-than-life themed baking series The Big Bake (7×60 Halloween and 7×60 holiday-theme) from Corus Studios. Celebrated YouTube personality and cookbook author Danni Rose joins the panel of resident judges alongside host Brad Smith, chef and author Eddie Jackson and acclaimed pastry chef Ron Ben-Israel. A Top 10 program on Food Network Canada this spring****, Corus Studios’ Great Chocolate Showdown (8×60) returns with more delectable ooey-gooey creations in its fourth season.  

More from Corus Studios includes previously announced new episodes of sizzling competition series Fire Masters (10×60) with host Dylan Benoit, and the always charismatic John Catucci takes viewers on mouthwatering food travelogue adventures with new episodes of Big Food Bucket List (9×30). 
 
The HISTORY Channel 

The HISTORY Channel comes to life this year with more new original content than ever before. The network’s slate is set to offer a slew of factual and unscripted content including the renewal of five Corus Studios hit series and two groundbreaking documentaries that are sure to educate and entertain audiences.  

In honour of Canada’s National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, a new two-hour documentary sheds light on the history of the relationship between Indigenous people and settlers. True Story (2×60) offers a critical lens to the past, revealing some shameful and heartbreaking truths, as well as uplifting and inspiring hope.  

For Remembrance Day, Our War (2×60) uncovers stories about extraordinary individuals who made heroic contributions to WWI and WWII. From the descendent of one of Canada’s first Black servicemen, to the great-grand-nephew of a female intelligence officer stationed at Bletchley Park, the documentary follows these descendant’s investigations into their families’ historic pasts. 

New from Corus Studios this fall is previously announced series Deadman’s Curse (8×60), following a diverse team of explorers on a quest to find a legendary cursed gold mine in B.C. Fan-favourite Corus Studios series Backroad Truckers (Season 2, 8×60), Big Timber (Season 3, 8×60), Lost Car Rescue (Season 2, 6×60), and Rust Valley Restorers (Season 5, 8×60) all return this year, along with Salvage Kings (Season 3, 8×60), which sees Ted taking the ultimate risk of opening his own salvage business with a team of familiar and new faces. 

HGTV Canada 

HGTV Canada is the nation’s destination for all things home. With 12 Corus Studios series upcoming, including seven returning favourites, HGTV Canada continues to be the go-to network for inspiring and heart-warming programming that fits any style.  

The #1 Canadian Specialty series*****, Island of Bryan (8×60) continues with new episodes this fall, with even more Baeumler adventures upcoming. Corus is prepping a new Untitled Baeumler Project (working title) (10×60) in development and slated for 2023, plus Bryan will team up with co-host Scott McGillivray in the new previously announced competition series Renovation Resort (7×60). The frenemies oversee four talented contractor/design duos as they each transform a waterfront cabin into a one-of-a-kind vacation rental for a chance to win a $100,000 prize. Viewers will see Scott reunited with Debra Salmoni in Season 4 Scott’s Vacation House Rules (14×60), which is newly greenlit. 

Sarah Richardson takes on her own vacation rental challenge this fall in the previously announced Sarah’s Mountain Escape (10×60). The series follows Sarah and her husband, Alexander Younger, as they transform a run-down B&B in Whistler, B.C. into a four-season luxury vacation rental property. Another West coast-based design and renovation series is Pamela Anderson in Pamela’s Garden of Eden (8×60). The previously announced series, coming this fall, follows Pamela as she revitalizes her grandmother’s six-acre legacy property on Vancouver Island into a stunning retreat. Another new personality to the network is no-nonsense luxury home designer Ali Budd, who leads a creative team to renovate and build incredible million-dollar renovations in Ali Budd (working title) (8×60).  

Off the heels of their series premieres, Sebastian Clovis will offer more empathy and experience to overwhelmed homeowners in Season 2 of Gut Job (8×60), while the cross-Canada renovators from Hoarder House Flippers (8×60) will return to tackle a new batch of disaster houses in a brand new season. Renewals continue with a new season of Top 20 Specialty series Rock Solid Builds (8×60)*****, as well as fellow Corus Studios series’ Farmhouse Facelift (8×60) and Making it Home with Kortney and Kenny (10×60). New episodes of Property Brothers: Forever Home (20×60) staring HGTV Canada’s beloved brothers are also confirmed.   

W NETWORK 

W Network spotlights the prolific career of sex educator Sue Johanson in Sex with Sue (1×90), directed by Lisa Rideout.Viewers will be reintroduced to the former W Network personality and see the unexpected and exciting ways her legacy lives on today.  

Corus Studios dives deeper into scripted content with the previously announced set of romantic movies The Love Club (4x120min). The movies follow four women, each dealing with their own dating debacle, who take a vow to call on one another if they are ever in romantic trouble again – a vow that has them resurrecting their “Love Club” ten years later as each of them search for their unique happily-ever-after. The first movie is set to premiere on W Network Winter 2023. The movies will be distributed through Corus Studios. 

ADULT SWIM 

 Corus is pleased to announce its second Canadian original series for Adult Swim, the popular network that offers an unexpected blend of authenticity, originality, and cleverness. The animated Red Ketchup (20×30), commissioned and greenlit by Corus’ French channel Télétoon la nuit, is based on the cult Quebec comic book series from the ‘80s of the same name. Featuring FBI’s crazed rogue agent, Steve “Red” Ketchup, the series will premiere in Canada on both Télétoon la nuit and in English on Adult Swim in 2023. Plus, the previously announced first Canadian original series for Adult Swim, Psi Cops (24×11), is set to premiere on Adult Swim Winter 2023. “Top” detectives Agent Kydd and Agent Felixx, of the secret agency Psi Cops, investigate spiritual phenomena, extraterrestrial life, and paranormal activity using their overly competent incompetence.

KIDS 

NELVANA  
Nelvana continues to deliver premium entertainment for kids with compelling storylines and characters, by nurturing creator-driven projects and best-in-class partnerships.  

The previously announced Best & Bester (52×11) is set to premiere this fall on YTV. A co-production between Nelvana, Eye Present and Gigglebug Entertainment, the series follows two siblings and best friends obsessed with comparing the best things of all time while enjoying the power to transform themselves into anything they want, once a day – if only they can figure out what the best thing to be actually is! 

More fresh content from Nelvana landing on Corus’ kids networks this fall includes new episodes of Super Wish (52×11) on YTV, produced by Nelvana and Discovery’s joint venture, redknot, and created by Nelvana’s own Vanessa Esteves and Daytime Emmy® Award winning art director, Adrian Thatcher. Plus, new episodes of Bakugan: Evolutions (26×22) will bring epic action to TELETOON. Then, everyone’s favourite P.U.R.S.T. agents continue the adventure with new episodes of the second season of Agent Binky: Pets of the Universe (52×11). Produced by redknot, the series is based on the best-selling books by Ashley Spires, published by Corus Entertainment’s Kids Can Press. Also returning to the network is a new season of Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go! (52×11), accompanied by a brand new special with the beloved engines Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go! Mystery at Lookout Mountain (1×60). 

YTV 

YTV is the place to be for non-stop Fam Fun! Reaching more kids in its afterschool time block than any other kids station****** The Zone is delivering another year of cool contests, celeb interviews, games and sketches alongside The Zone Weekend and Big Fun Movies.Beloved hosts Spencer, Alex and Duhin return, plus new host Melony will make her on-air debut on June 6 on The Zone.  

Premiering on YTV in 2023, Popularity Papers(26×30) is the first scripted series to be announced since Corus became a majority stakeholder in the Academy Award® and Emmy Award®-nominated production company Aircraft Pictures. From Aircraft Pictures and WexWorks Media, the live-action comedy series, developed for television by Amanda Brooke Perrin and showrunner Vivian Lin, is based on the award-winning middle-grade book series by Amy Ignatow. The series tells the story of two best friends, Lydia Goldblatt and Julie Graham-Chang, who are on a mission to crack the popularity code and dismantle this crazy social construct for middle-schoolers everywhere. Using the scientific method, the girls conduct social experiments on their peers with hilarious results. 

(Photo credit: Corus)

By Mr. Will Wong

St. John’s-born star Mark O’Brien has built a lasting career as a Working Actor with an acclaimed catalog of work to his name. In addition to winning a Canadian Screen Award for his performance in 2016’s “Goalie“, his recent body of work includes Oscar-caliber films like “Marriage Story” and “Arrival”, plus under-appreciated gems like “Ready or Not” and “Blue Bayou”.

O’Brien tries his hand at directing a Feature for the first time in “The Righteous”, a film he not only stars in, but wrote and served as Executive Producer on as well. The dark Psychogical Horror centers on a man named Frederic (Henry Czerny) and his wife Ethel (Mimi Kuzyk). Frederic and Mimi lose their daughter and while grieving their loss, a young man named Aaron (O’Brien) shows up. Being a former priest and looking to repair his relationship with God, Frederic finds his world unravelling and troubles growing, as he tries to understand Aaron‘s motives in showing-up.

We had the pleasure of chatting with O’Brien on the Toronto leg of his Press Tour, which included a Toronto Premiere of the Film, just before he heads to St. John’s to present it to his hometown. We met a couple nights back quickly at the North American Premiere of David Cronenberg‘s “Crimes of the Future“, which he says he still can’t stop thinking about, which means he liked it.

We ask O’Brien about the inspiration behind “The Righteous”.

O’Brien: “I’ve only recently gotten into genre-type movies only because it’s such a conduit to big, grand themes. I love big, grand operatic themes and notions in a De Palma or Bergman kinda way, where you have something big and grand, that’s interesting enough for an audience. When you’re writing it, it gives you a license to be big and intimate.”

“It’s funny how something comes out of you, because you don’t know why something comes out of you. It’s kinda like writing a song – and I’m not a Songwriter – but when something comes from within you, it’s something that needs to be expressed.”

“For me it’s about getting older and having children, and I’ve really gotta confront things in my life. Rather than making it a straightforward present-day Drama, I felt it would be more impactful if it was in another world. There’s no time and no place and that drives more participation from the Viewer. As opposed to it saying ‘New York, 1988’, where you already know some of the answers.”

“So that’s where it came from and then it kinda morphs. A draft becomes a rehearsal and it changes. I really loved the draft and where it ended up going.”.

We ask about the choice to shoot in Black & White, but also in his native Newfoundland.

O’Brien: “It was always Black & White since Day One. As soon as I thought about it, it just is and has to be. And then you lean-into the aesthetics, so now that it is Black & White, how do I lean-into that so that it’s more impactful? It would be a journey through Frederic‘s subconscious was so it would be black and murky, and you just don’t know what’s around the corner.”

“And in regards to Newfoundland, I wanted to give it the textural feeling of Newfoundland that I felt when I grew-up there, which is cold and it gets into your bones. Above that I wanted to work in the place I love, that I never get to go to, work with friends, work with people I really respect, and have a really good time.”

“Maybe I wouldn’t have shot there if I lived in Newfoundland, but I live in L.A., I work in the States almost exclusively, I want to go back home and I have a lot of passion for that. I grew-up there making Short Films with my buddies using Camcorders and now to be making a Feature there, that was really crazy! Those are locations that are really close to me in different ways. The church I went to school there down the road.”.

“The Righteous” spans multiple genres. In ways it taps into Frederic’s mind, his paranoia and fear of God. We find ourselves wondering if what we’re seeing really happened? Also, it is a Family Drama about coping with grief. We ask O’Brien how he might define his Film.

O’Brien: “My go-to definition is ‘Psychological Horror/Thriller’, but really I like that it’s anything. It’s how one views it and their interpretation of it because it is a Drama, it’s a Mystery, it’s this and it’s that. And I like that.”

“I don’t like something to be too much of one genre. I like the audience to know what could happen. Not that it ruins anything for the audience telling them beforehand, but I don’t like in my own head to do that.”.

We ask about the casting of Henry Czerny and Mimi Kuzyk.

O’Brien: “They are so wonderful. I knew them from before and they bring a lot to it. You don’t want to hire Actors who are just going to do what’s on the page. I thought about it enough. I need someone else to bring ideas for it to soar. Mimi lived upstairs and Henry lived across the street, so we had lots of hangouts!”

“The whole experience was really smooth. Henry just adds so much and brings so much presence on-set. He just really cares. The first sentence in the Movie he actually wrote. He said ‘I just wanted some extra preamble’.”

“I was editing every day while we were filming. The Editor is Canadian, came from L.A. to St. John’s, and at night every day I was seeing edited scenes. So I was living in the world completely. I don’t get Directors who wrap and go on vacation for three weeks, beacuse all I’d be thinking about during the vacation was the Movie. I’m obsessed thinking about it non-stop.”.

O’Brien tells us about his greatest challenge, and it might not be what you’d think it is being a first-time Feature Director, wearing multiple caps.

O‘Brien: “I was filming Blue Bayou in New Orleans and we were on a four-day gap because there’s no direct flights from New Orleans to St. John’s. I was exhausted and after we prepped, I flew back to New Orleans which in itself is a day of travel. So three weeks later I wrapped Blue Bayou, and I had three days off to prep and then we started filming the next day.”

“But that wasn’t the challenge. I knew the Movie we wanted to make. I’ve been on so many sets where the Director doesn’t know what they’re doing. 90% of Directors aren’t always amazing. Just because a Director’ Credits are great, doesn’t always mean they are great on-set. So you learn more as an Actor because you see what doesn’t really work after a certain point for you. I think that helped a lot. Working with wonderful people who were helpful and supportive, aware and present made me better too so that really helped.”

“The thing I struggle with most still is trying to put a Movie together. And to get to Day One of prep is tough. Any time someone is making a Movie, I’m like ‘You win! Here’s an award! You are making the Film!’. I find that incredible. That’s an artistic skill. I don’t know if that’s salesmanship or just pure will and determination. I have no skill in that area. That’s the challenge.”.

We wonder how becoming a father has changed the way O’Brien approaches his Art.

O‘Brien: “In every way. It’s gotta be worth my while to leave my daughter. I’m not a millionaire. If I don’t connect with it, it’s gotta be worth it to leave my wife and my daughter. ‘Cause I’ve already left my family in Newfoundland and that was not easy.”

“But I love it so much what I get to do. I don’t give a shit about the money. I just want to do it, for it to last and matter. I want to look back and be proud of it. And I’ve gotta say most of the things I’ve done in my career, I’m very proud of. Whether or not people watch it, that’s not up to me. That’s not up to anybody. That just happens or it doesn’t happen. My daughter’s illuminated that for me and made me appreciate what I do even more. It’s crazy I get to do this job.”

O’Brien‘s latest Series “61st Street” recently premiered at SXSW, with its Season Finale just having aired. We learned Season Two of the Limited Series already has wrapped. What’s next?

O’Brien: “Right now I’m filming Season Two of Perry Mason for HBO. I’m on all Season Two and I’m the Prosecuting Attorney to Perry‘s Defense Attorney, so we’re kinda enemies which is really fun doing a Court Room Drama and I love that Show. I’m having a blast doing it. I’m still finding the right next thing and certainly writing a lot. Three or four projects I’m just trying to get made. Right now that’s not the most fun trying to figure out who’s in. Whatever it takes to make a Movie is what I wanna do.”.

Vortex Media release THE RIGHTEOUS in theatres Friday, June 3, 2022.

(Photo/video credit: Arrow Films/Vortex Media/Mr. Will Wong)

CBC have announced their upcoming 2022-2023 programming slate with 40 new Series and Specials from Canadian Storytellers!

Included in the Lineup are:

New Original Comedy Series

• COMEDY NIGHT WITH RICK MERCER (Premieres Fall 2022; 8×60; Just For Laughs TV and Counterfeit Pictures) is a Canadian comedy event to remember, composed of eight unforgettable one-hour specials presented by legendary comedy icon and TV personality, Rick Mercer. Featuring an incredible lineup of the country’s new and notable comedians, including stand-up performances from Mercer himself, the series will also feature never-before-seen conversations between Mercer and some of today’s most impressive Canadian comedy talent, including Sophie Buddle, D.J. Demers, Dakota Ray Hebert and Dave Merheje, among others.

• FAKES (Premieres Fall 2022 on CBC Gem; 10×30; Reality Distortion Field), created by David Turko and a co-production with Netflix, follows two best friends who accidentally build one of the largest fake ID empires in North America. Before they even graduate high school, Zoe and Rebecca move into a sick penthouse, earn more cash than they know what to do with, and then get raided by the feds. This is the story of their ultimate betrayal, told from each of their unreliable POVs as they compete for the last word. Starring Emilija Baranac (To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before), Jennifer Tong (Grand Army), and Richard Harmon (The 100).

Returning Original Comedies & Festivals
• SORT OF (Season 2 premieres Fall 2022; 8×30; Sphere Media’s Sienna Films)
• STRAYS (Season 2 premieres Fall 2022; 10×30; Thunderbird Entertainment)
• THIS HOUR HAS 22 MINUTES (Season 30 premieres Fall 2022; 24×30; IoM Media) celebrating its 30th anniversary season.
• THE NEW WAVE OF STANDUP (Season 2 premieres Winter 2023; 4×30; Just For Laughs TV)
• RUN THE BURBS (Season 2 premieres Winter 2023; 13×30; Pier 21 Films)
• SON OF A CRITCH (Season 2 premieres Winter 2023; 13×30; Project 10 Productions)
• WORKIN’ MOMS (Season 7 premieres Winter 2023; 13×30; Wolf + Rabbit Entertainment)

ORIGINAL DRAMA SLATE

This summer brings the adventure of new medical drama SKYMED, while the fall sees the return of audience favourites HEARTLAND and MURDOCH MYSTERIES, and east coast tales MOONSHINE and DIGGSTOWN, as well as a treacherous journey to the Arctic in THE NORTH WATER. New family drama ESSEX COUNTY joins the winter lineup alongside a new English-language adaptation of Radio-Canada series PLAN B; and critically acclaimed female-driven procedural PRETTY HARD CASES returns for a third season.

New Original Drama Series

• SKYMED (Premieres in Canada beginning Sunday, July 10 at 9 p.m. [9:30 NT] on CBC and CBC Gem; 9×60; Piazza Entertainment) Life, death, and drama at 20,000 feet, SKYMED is a drama wrapped in high-stakes medical adventure. The series weaves compelling stories around a diverse ensemble of young First Responders in the remote North, where help – and survival – are literally thousands of miles away. Over the course of the season, the trials, triumphs, hookups and heartbreaks of a perilous job in an unforgiving setting will challenge each of them to face their fears and grow up. Created by Julie Puckrin (X Company, Transplant, Nurses, Killjoys, Mad Men), the one-hour drama features an ensemble cast of young Canadian talent including Natasha Calis (Nurses), Morgan Holmstrom (Siberia), Ace (Aason) Nadjiwon (Batwoman), Praneet Akilla (Nancy Drew), Mercedes Morris (Between), Thomas Elms (The Order), Kheon Clarke (Riverdale), and Rebecca Kwan (Taken).

• THE NORTH WATER (Premieres Fall 2022; 6×60; Rhombus Media and See-Saw Films) In 1859, Patrick Sumner (BAFTA winner Jack O’Connell, Seberg, Godless) joins The Volunteer as a ship’s surgeon, hoping to lose himself in the tough physicality of an Arctic whaling trip. But the ferocity of the elements is matched by the violence of his crew mates, with harpooner Drax (Golden Globe™ winner Colin Farrell, In Bruges, The Batman) a distinctly brutal force of nature. As the true purpose of the expedition becomes clear, confrontation between the two men erupts, taking them on a journey far from solid ground and way beyond the safe moorings of civilization.

• ESSEX COUNTY (Premieres Winter 2023; 5×60; First Generation Films) is a five-part limited series based on the brilliant graphic novel trilogy by Jeff Lemire (Sweet Tooth, Moon Knight). A redemptive tale of family, ESSEX COUNTY tells the story of four disparate characters linked together through bloodlines. From old Uncle Lou, to young Lester, to Anne the country nurse and Ken, the stoic farmer, the four lead characters ebb and flow into each other’s lives, slowly weaving connections between them that ultimately save and redeem them.

• PLAN B (Premieres Winter 2023; 6×60; KOTV) Adapted from the Radio-Canada French-language drama created by Jean-François Asselin and Jacques Drolet and set in Montreal, this high-concept, gripping and intimate psychological drama from Asselin, Drolet and Lynne Kamm follows a man on a desperate and relentless quest to save his relationship – and by extension, his whole world. Who has not at one time wanted to go back and change the course of events? And what if you were given a second chance, a Plan B? The day when Philip (Patrick J. Adams, Suits) discovers the possibility of going back in time, he does not hesitate. Since Evelyn (Karine Vanasse, Cardinal), the love of his life and companion for the past six years, has left him, his life has lost its meaning. With the tremendous power he wields thanks to Plan B, he attempts to save his relationship, his law firm and his dysfunctional family. But Philip soon realizes that even the smallest choice has repercussions – as uncontrollable as they are unexpected – on his life and the lives of others. And even though he can stop tragic events before they happen, Philip cannot erase the memories and the emotions associated with them. Nothing will ever be without consequence again.

• BONES OF CROWS (Premieres 2023-24; 5×60; Marie Clements Media, Screen Siren Pictures and Grana Productions) is a five-part hour-long drama told through the eyes of Cree Matriarch, Aline Spears (played throughout her life by Summer Testawich; Grace Dove, Monkey Beach; and Carla Rae, Rutherford Falls), as she survives Canada’s residential school system to continue her family’s generational fight in the face of systemic starvation, racism, and sexual abuse. The series is an expanded story from the feature film version; a truly epic tale that spans over a hundred years and multiple generations of the Spears family, the series connects and deepens the events of the past with a cumulative force that propels us into the future with power. Commissioned by CBC/Radio-Canada in association with APTN and created by Marie Clements (Red Snow), BONES OF CROWS the series will debut on CBC and Radio-Canada in 2023-24. BONES OF CROWS the feature film, which focuses specifically on Aline Spears as she confronts her traumatic past, will be released theatrically in 2022-23.

Returning Original Dramas
• DIGGSTOWN (Season 4 premieres Fall 2022; 6×60; Circle Blue Entertainment, Freddie Films Inc. and Waterstar Entertainment Inc.)
• HEARTLAND (Season 16 premieres Fall 2022; 15×60; Dynamo Films and SEVEN24 Films)
• MOONSHINE (Season 2 premieres Fall 2022; 8×60, Six Eleven Media and eOne)
• MURDOCH MYSTERIES (Season 16 premieres Fall 2022; 24×60; Shaftesbury)
• PRETTY HARD CASES (Season 3 premieres Winter 2023; 10×60; Cameron Pictures)

FACTUAL ENTERTAINMENT

CBC’s factual entertainment slate features even more people and places across the country this year including Canadians and communities in pursuit of their personal best, with RACE AGAINST THE TIDE with host Maestro Fresh Wes making waves this summer, favourites DRAGONS’ DEN, FAMILY FEUD CANADA and THE GREAT CANADIAN BAKING SHOW returning this fall, and BEST IN MINIATURE and STILL STANDING with Jonny Harris warming up the winter schedule. Joining the lineup is BOLLYWED featuring the Singh family of Toronto’s Little India, thrilling competition series CANADA’S ULTIMATE CHALLENGE; and podcast adaptation STUFF THE BRITISH STOLE. The fall also brings the inaugural edition of THE LEGACY AWARDS from The Black Academy, as well as a variety show like no other – CBC Gem original LIDO TV hosted by Colombian-Canadian musician and artist Lido Pimienta.

New Original Factual Series & Specials

• THE LEGACY AWARDS (September 25, 2022 at 8 p.m. (9 AT/9:30 NT) on CBC and CBC Gem; Insight Productions (a Boat Rocker Company) and Bay Mills Studios)
The inaugural edition of The Black Academy’s award show, The Legacy Awards, is the first major Canadian award show to celebrate and showcase Black talent and will be broadcast from Live Nation Canada’s newest entertainment venue HISTORY, in Toronto’s east end. The live 90-minute telecast will feature performances, award presentations, and tributes honouring both established and emerging Black Canadian talent. The Black Academy is co-founded by Scarborough natives Shamier Anderson (John Wick: Chapter 4) and Stephan James (If Beale Street Could Talk).

• LIDO TV (Premieres Fall 2022 on CBC Gem; 6×20; Lido Pimienta TV/Visitor Media) is a variety show with a mission: to help people cope with life in a world that sometimes feels like it’s falling apart, filled with hilarious sketches, inspiring interviews, immersive documentaries, surreal animations, and puppets. At the centre of it all is host Lido Pimienta, the award-winning Colombian-Canadian musician, artist and mother whose hilarious, curious, and tender personality drives the action. The series tackles themes ranging from feminism and privilege to colonialism and success, and features appearances by Nelly Furtado; musicians Shad and Kittie; writer Sarah Hagi; NorBlack NorWhite co-founder Mriga Kapadiya; and artists jes sachse and Jessica Karuhanga.

• BOLLYWED (Premieres Winter 2023; 10×30; HeartHat Entertainment) is a heartwarming factual series centred around the Singh family, who have been operating the iconic bridal shop, Chandan Fashion, in Toronto’s Little India for the last 37 years. The series shines a fascinating light on the booming and glamorous world of Bollywood culture and fashion, and offers an authentic glimpse into an intergenerationally run business lead by patriarch Cookie Singh, his wife Sarah, and their two children Chandan and Chandni. There’s plenty of old-school-meets-new-school drama and laughs as two generations take on the ever-changing and extravagant world of Indian weddings.

• CANADA’S ULTIMATE CHALLENGE (Premieres Winter 2023; 8×60; Insight Productions (a Boat Rocker Company) and The Gurin Company) is a competition reality format that turns the entire country into a giant obstacle course. Six extraordinary coaches will guide and mentor teams of everyday Canadians at site-specific physical and mental challenges in a unique competition structure. The coaches include: sprinting legend and two-time Olympic champion, Donovan Bailey; Mohawk Olympian in water polo and advocate for Indigenous sport, Waneek Horn-Miller; six-time Olympic medallist in cycling and speed skating, Clara Hughes; three-time Olympic speed skater Gilmore Junio; former captain of Canada’s Olympic bronze medal-winning rugby sevens team, Jen Kish; and NFL Super Bowl Champion and competitive cyclist, Luke Willson.

Each episode will take place at an iconic Canadian location where the teams will compete in spectacular Solo, Tandem or Team challenges that test them physically and mentally. Throughout the eight-episode series, the superstar Canadian coaches will make strategic decisions and motivate their players to victory. In the end, only one team will win CANADA’S ULTIMATE CHALLENGE.

• STUFF THE BRITISH STOLE (Premieres Winter 2023; 6×30; Wooden Horse, WildBear Entertainment and Cream Productions) is a new six-part series for the ABC and CBC based on award-winning journalist Marc Fennell’s acclaimed, chart-topping ABC Podcast, also launched by CBC Podcasts in fall 2021. Throughout its reign, the British Empire stole a lot of stuff. Today those objects are housed in genteel institutions across the U.K. and the world. They usually come with polite plaques. This is a series about the not-so-polite history behind those objects.

Returning Factual Formats & Series:
• RACE AGAINST THE TIDE (Season 2 premieres Sunday, July 10 at 8:30 p.m. (9 NT) on CBC and CBC Gem; 10×30; marblemedia) with new host Maestro Fresh Wes
• DRAGONS’ DEN (Season 17 premieres Fall 2022; 10×60) featuring returning Dragon Robert Herjavec after a decade away from The Den.
• FAMILY FEUD CANADA (Season 4 premieres Fall 2022; 104×30; Zone 3/Fremantle)
• THE GREAT CANADIAN BAKING SHOW (Season 6 premieres Fall 2022; 9×60; Proper Television/Love Productions)
• BEST IN MINIATURE (Season 2 premieres Winter 2023; 8×60; marblemedia)
• STILL STANDING (Season 8 premieres Winter 2023; 10×30; Frantic Films)

DOCUMENTARIES

CBC commissions an average of 80 documentaries each year for CBC, CBC Gem and documentary Channel, with CBC Gem now offering a library of over 800 documentaries, available to stream for free anytime. THE PASSIONATE EYE returns this fall with a new slate of original documentaries that drop audiences into a broad range of cultural conversations, from our fascination with word puzzles, to what it means to be Indigenous, and to a new generation of stock market disruptors.

THE PASSIONATE EYE’s two-hour season premiere will feature Hot Docs 2022 Opening Night selection, INTO THE WEEDS, telling the powerful story of Dewayne “Lee” Johnson, a former Bay Area groundskeeper who takes on a multinational agrochemical corporation after a terminal cancer diagnosis. Directed by celebrated filmmaker Jennifer Baichwal (Anthropocene: The Human Epoch, Long Time Running), the film follows Johnson through his battle, setting his personal journey against a global environmental crisis.

New original doc series this upcoming year include:

• SUMMIT ‘72 (Premieres Fall 2022; 4×60; Mercury Films and Impossible Objects) This timely documentary series will tell the definitive story of the legendary 1972 Canada-USSR Summit Series of Hockey upon its 50th anniversary, and through a modern lens explore its legacy and lasting influence on Canadian national identity, framing it against the political and cultural climate of the times in both countries, and around the world. With never-before-seen 16mm archival footage restored in stunning 4k, and exclusive interviews with key players, SUMMIT ‘72 will bring an unforgettable moment in Canadian history to life on screen as never seen before. Audiences will relive—or experience for the first time—the adrenaline-fuelled, edge-of-your-seat drama of one of the most monumental cultural proxy battles of the Cold War, and trace its many reverberations in the zeitgeist right up to the present day.

• STAY TOONED (Premieres Winter 2023 on CBC Gem; 6×22; Fathom Film Group) Eric Bauza – the Canadian who voices legendary characters from Bugs Bunny to Luke Skywalker – takes us on a deep dive through our favourite cartoons to see how they shaped us into who we are today. In each episode, he meets with friends and experts to explore villains, race, sexuality, and so much more. Featuring Ben Schwartz, Lake Bell, Ken Jeong, Bobby Moynihan, Tara Strong, Lamorne Morris, Cree Summer, and James Adomian, among others.
Returning Documentary Formats & Series:
• THE PASSIONATE EYE (Premieres Fall 2022; 9×60 (+1×120 premiere))
• THE NATURE OF THINGS (Season 62 premieres Winter 2023; 13×60)

CBC KIDS

Building on CBC’s ongoing commitment to inspire, entertain and inform young audiences, CBC Kids will continue to share new programming for kids and tweens across all platforms this upcoming year, including over 500 hours of ad-free programming on CBC Gem. New titles for preschoolers include JEREMY AND JAZZY (Fall 2022; 27×2 and 1×11; Vérité Films Inc.), an animated musical adventure series about song and story creation, starring award-winning musicians Jeremy Fisher (as Jeremy) and Aiza Ntibarikure (as Jazzy), plus celebrity musical guests. MITTENS AND PANTS (Fall 2022; 39×7, Windy Isle Productions and Thunderbird Entertainment) is cuteness overload for preschoolers, featuring the town of Kibble Corners with real puppies, kittens, chicks, piglets and more, voiced by kids.

CBC SPORTS

Coming off of an unprecedented year featuring two Olympic and Paralympic Games, Tokyo 2020 and Beijing 2022, CBC SPORTS will continue to keep Canadians connected to the world of high-performance sport through coverage on CBC TV and CBC Gem, as well as live streams of key competitions on cbcsports.ca and the CBC Sports app. Upcoming featured events include: 2022 World Athletics Championships (USA, July 15 – 24); Commonwealth Games (England, July 28 – Aug. 8); FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship (Location TBC, Aug. 26 – Sept. 11); Rugby Sevens World Cup (South Africa, Sept. 9-11); FIG Rhythmic World Championship (Bulgaria, Sept. 14 – 18); and FIVB Women’s Volleyball World Championship (Poland and The Netherlands, Sept. 23 – Oct. 15). As Canada’s Olympic and Paralympic Network for the next decade, CBC will continue to offer high-quality storytelling that allows audiences to follow the journey of the athletes between Games, all the way to the podium.

INTERNATIONAL SERIES

CBC and CBC Gem will continue to offer audiences a curated selection of acclaimed series from around the world, including a new season of WAR OF THE WORLDS this fall.

• RIDLEY ROAD (Premieres Fall 2022; 4×60; RED Production Company) is a riveting four-episode drama set in 1962 London, a colourful but tumultuous time, based on Jo Bloom’s acclaimed novel. Inspired by true events, RIDLEY ROAD stars newcomer Agnes O’Casey as Vivien Epstein, a young Jewish hairdresser who fits right into London’s mod scene, while secretly infiltrating the British neo-Nazi hierarchy on behalf of Jewish antifascists; Rory Kinnear (Penny Dreadful) as Colin Jordan, the real-life leader of Britain’s post-World War II Nazi movement; and Tom Varey (Ackley Bridge) as Jack, Vivien’s true love.
• TRAVEL MAN (Premieres Fall 2022; 8×30; North One Television)
• WAR OF THE WORLDS (Season 3 premieres Fall 2022; 8×60; Urban Myth Films in association with StudioCanal and Fox Networks Group)

CBC NEWS & CURRENT AFFAIRS

From breaking stories to in-depth coverage, CBC News delivers trusted 24-hour news and information on CBC News Network, CBCNews.ca and the CBC News App. CBC News continues to bring audiences the latest news from across Canada and around the world, in addition to an award-winning slate of current affairs, investigative and primetime and weekend news programs, including the 50th anniversary of MARKETPLACE, celebrating five decades as Canada’s investigative consumer watchdog.

• THE FIFTH ESTATE (Season 48 premieres Fall 2022; 16×60)
• MARKETPLACE (Season 50 premieres Fall 2022; 23×30) celebrating its 50th anniversary season
• THE NATIONAL (Weeknights and Sundays on CBC TV and CBC News Network)
• POWER & POLITICS WITH VASSY KAPELOS (Weeknights on CBC News Network)
• CBC RUNDOWN (Weeknights on CBC News Network)
• CANADA TONIGHT WITH GINELLA MASSA (Weeknights on CBC News Network)
• ROSEMARY BARTON LIVE (Sundays on CBC TV and CBC News Network)

FALL 2022 SCHEDULE – CBC TV and CBC GEM
For Newfoundland and Labrador, please add a half hour for all times

MONDAYS
7 PM – CORONATION STREET (weekdays at 7 p.m.; Fridays at 7:30 p.m.)
7:30 PM – FAMILY FEUD CANADA Season 4
8 PM – MURDOCH MYSTERIES Season 16
9 PM – THE NORTH WATER New Series / RIDLEY ROAD New Series
10 PM – THE NATIONAL

TUESDAYS
7 PM – CORONATION STREET
7:30 PM – FAMILY FEUD CANADA
8 PM – THIS HOUR HAS 22 MINUTES Season 30
8:30 PM – STRAYS Season 2
9 PM – COMEDY NIGHT WITH RICK MERCER New Series / SORT OF Season 2
9:30 PM – SORT OF Season 2
10 PM – THE NATIONAL

WEDNESDAYS
7 PM – CORONATION STREET
7:30 PM – FAMILY FEUD CANADA
8 PM – SUMMIT ‘72 New Series / DIGGSTOWN Season 4
9 PM – WAR OF THE WORLDS Season 3
10 PM – THE NATIONAL

THURSDAYS
7 PM – CORONATION STREET
7:30 PM – FAMILY FEUD CANADA
8 PM – DRAGONS’ DEN Season 17
9 PM – THE FIFTH ESTATE Season 48
10 PM – THE NATIONAL

FRIDAYS
7:30 PM – CORONATION STREET (weekdays at 7 p.m.; Fridays at 7:30 p.m.)
8 PM – MARKETPLACE Season 50
8:30 PM – TRAVEL MAN
9 PM – THE PASSIONATE EYE
10 PM – THE NATIONAL

SATURDAYS
Afternoon – CBC SPORTS

SUNDAYS
Afternoon – CBC SPORTS
7 PM – HEARTLAND Season 16
8 PM – THE GREAT CANADIAN BAKING SHOW Season 6
9 PM – MOONSHINE Season 2
10 PM – THE NATIONAL

Season One of Apple TV+’s PHYSICAL took us on a journey with Sheila Rubin (Rose Byrne) battling her inner-demons, but also finding success on her own in the ’80s. The Series is back for a second season, with ten brand-new episodes! Season Two has Sheila battling loyalty to her husband Danny (Rory Scovel) and also an attraction to someone new. No longer the only one in the fitness game, she finds herself having to dig-in and beat-out the new competition.

Our David Baldwin had the opportunity to sit down and chat with the Cast and Showrunner of PHYSICAL, including:

ANNIE WEISMAN (SHOWRUNNER/PRODUCER)

Annie Weisman comments on the Series’ portrayal of Eating Disorders and Mental Illness, with Sheila going from one addiction to another.

Weisman: “One of our goals of this season was to authentically demonstrate how Eating Disorders are often misunderstood as really being about the disordered eating behaviour itself, and not about the core issues. One of the ways we demonstrated that are how Sheila gains control of her Eating Disorder, but it doesn’t get rid of the core problem and she hops from one addiction to another. We’re being true to the time period in which there’s still so much stigma surrounding Therapy and naming Mental Illness, in women in particular. And it really does take her a long time to have the strength to come forward, and reveal her struggles and seek any kind of help.”

“When we do depict her in the season finally seeking-out help, we also show how radical and out of the mainstream those sources of help were. They really were brand-new.”.

David asks Weisman about the great amount of detail and commitment to the Series being authentically ’80s.

Weisman: “I have the very good fortune of having grown-up in exactly this period of time and place, so one of my many jobs as Showrunner is to oversee choices in terms of style and specificity, but I also work with an incredible Creative Team, who down to every detail, prop and on a large and small scale, ensuring things are period-appropriate. One thing that contributes to the real sense of authenticity in the Show is that we try to depict life as it really is, which is to say that people actually live their lives as an amalgamation of a lot of periods. You’ll see in some people’s homes that things aren’t just from that exact year, you have a lot of the past in there as well. And these characters when we meet them, are kinda living in the past. So you feel that authentic texture of the many decades lived in those spaces. That was important to me as an overall aesthetic.”

“We also shoot with a lens that gives things a bit of a different texture. These lenses give it that feel that you don’t necessarily notice right away, but overall makes it feel like you’re back in time.”

“Music is also a really big part of our storytelling. So it’s important the Music has the regional feel of Southern California at that time. So we start with the textures and sounds of songs that maybe were popular in the time period our characters came of age. So they bring that ’60s Guitar Acoustic sound with them. But then we see it evolve as Sheila gets more into exercise and the ’80s mentality, and you hear the Electronic Music coming in.”.

RORY SCOVAL (DANNY RUBIN)

Rory Scoval‘s Danny while a bit depisable, does have some redeeming qualities, which he tells us about in this upcoming season.

Scoval: “I think there needs to be a little bit of that or else they become this person. Despite their story and situation, you feel this negative thing and are not excited to see them or where they’re at. Even a character like Danny in Season One and especially Two, there has to be a sliver of likability that we can see that a lot of your faults come from a place of insecurity. Then maybe I can relate to that and I don’t think you’re an evil or a bad person – you’ve just got some stuff you’ve got to work out. I think it’s really important and I’m fortunate enough that in Season Two, Danny gets placed in a position to earn that likability that he really does care about his kid and care about being a good dad, his wife and her business succeeding. But he also has to balance-out his ego about it.”.

David asks Scoval talks about the theme of Toxic Masculinity and what he’s learned about it.

Scoval: “Anyone who has an awareness of Toxic Masculinity, you’re kind of aware of it stepping into a Show like this. It’s an opportunity to showcase something like that and the harm it has on people. Movies and Shows give someone a chance to understand what someone is talking about when they are talking about Toxic Masculinity, and they also can show the effects it has on people. I like that I get to step into a role that can showcase something like that, a subject that people do relate to, and they wish people were more aware of.”.

ROSE BYRNE (SHEILA) & DEIRDRE FRIEL (GRETA)

Rose Byrne speaks about her physical preparation for Season Two.

Byrne: “This Season was really interesting because it opened-up the world for a lot of other characters. We explore stuff just outside of Sheila‘s inner-demons this Season. In terms of preparation, what was really great was working with our Choreographer Jen Hamilton, and it’s such a signal of what’s required to becoming the kind of athlete an Aerobics Instructor really is. It’s such high-intensity and Cardio, so I really leaned on her. And Annie Weisman – the Showrunner and Creator – it’s such a deeply-personal story for her. She’s always a touchstone for me just setting the tone, answering all my questions and and questions about the world itself. I love the setting, it’s such a specific time and it’s an immservice job in a way because it’s historical, it adds to the fun of it.”

Byrne and Friel talk about their favourite Costumes and Hairstyles in Season Two.

Byrne: “I can talk about the Costumes all day, that’s our Special Effects. I love it. This Season I wore this dress – lemon yellow and halter-neck, silk cut on the bust – it was just gorgeous with this incredible Veronica-like hair. It was just ’79-’80s.”

Friel: “They built me a bunch of dresses this year. Ernesto (Costume Department) was like, ‘You’re rich, San Diego”. They built me this gold Brocade sort of dress – gold and black – gave me a red lip and it was so pretty.”.

Friel talks about Body Image and navigating this industry.

Friel: “As a plus-size woman in the industry, it can be challenging. The way I look can often be the point of me being there, and not always in a positive light. It’s challenging and wears down at you. Even if you leave your work at work, it can sometimes seep-in.”

“I’m grateful the way we’re talking about this though. We’re talking about Eating Disorders in a way that’s never been talked about.”.

MURRAY BARTLETT (VINNIE)

Critics’ Choice Award Winner Murray Bartlett has had quite a run with his recent scene-stealking work, including The White Lotus and now his role as charismatic Fitness Instructor Vinnie, joining the Cast. David asks him about what draws him to Vinnie.

Bartlett: “I guess I’m just naturally a Scene-Stealer (laughs). I think these characters are really beautifully-written. I feel like I’ve been very fortunate in The White Lotus that Mike White wrote this incredibly-complicated, fantastic character. Similarly on this Show, Annie Weisman has created this amazing Character. I feel like I’m just sorta connecting-the-dots in terms of what they’ve written. I love playing a compelx character and I feel like these characters are created in that way you get to fully explore the aspects of these characters. I got lucky and I’m really enjoying what I’m doing at the moment. These characters don’t fall on your lap every day. A lot of my work has been done for me and I just try to have a great time and find the nuances in them. I hope I’m not too distracting!”.

Bartlett is asked about how hard it is to identify with his larger-than-life Character.

Bartlett: “I think it’s harder to watch yourself do these kind of characters. As an Actor it’s easier to watch something closer to yourself because you can just keep-check of whether or not you’re being honest. With these characters, it can be difficult to watch because you can be, ‘Oh! What is happening?’, even though there’s an enormous amount of joy in playing these kind of characters.”

“We’re in this bizaare time that can feel overwhelming what’s happening in the world. To play a character that is fully-expressed and giving vent to whatever trauma they’re going through, or demons they’re battling, or even to commit to something obsessively, is somehow therapeutic and a great release. I wonder whether that has anything to these type of characters bubbling-up.”.

Season Two of PHYSICAL arrives June 3, 2022 on Apple TV+.

(Photo/video credit: Apple TV+)

Filmed right here in our City, here’s a new look at THE MAN FROM TORONTO which now will arrive on Netflix!

Logline:
A case of mistaken identity arises after a screw-up sales consultant and the world’s deadliest assassin—known only as The Man from Toronto— run into each other at a holiday rental.

THE MAN FROM TORONTO arrives June 24, 2022 on Netflix.

(Photo/video credit: Netflix)

Stephen Merchant stars in BritBox Series THE BARKING MURDERS, coming soon to BritBox Canada. The Mini-Series is based on a shocking true story.

Synopsis:

Also known as Four Lives, The Barking Murders sheds light on the crimes of Stephen Port who murdered four young gay men in London, focusing on their loved one’s tireless efforts to uncover the truth of what happened. 

Based on the true story of serial killer Stephen Port and the investigation which finally brought him to justice, The Barking Murders looks at the devastating impact Port’s crimes had on the families and friends of his victims and on the wider gay community in London. 

THE BARKING MURDERS arrives on BritBox Canada June 7, 2022.

(Photo/video credit: BritBox Canada)

Disney’s PINOCCHO will be celebrated on Disney+ Day September 8, 2022, leading into the D23 Expo! A new Teaser Trailer has been released to get us excited!

Synopsis:

Academy Award® winner Robert Zemeckis directs this live action retelling of the beloved tale of a wooden puppet who embarks on a thrilling adventure to become a real boy. Tom Hanks stars as Geppetto, the wood carver who builds and treats Pinocchio (Benjamin Evan Ainsworth) as if he were his own son. Joseph Gordon-Levitt is Jiminy Cricket, who serves as Pinocchio’s guide as well as his “conscience”; Academy Award® nominee Cynthia Erivo is the Blue Fairy; Keegan-Michael Key is “Honest” John; Academy Award® nominee Lorraine Bracco is Sofia the Seagull, a new character, and Luke Evans is The Coachman. Also in the cast are Kyanne Lamaya as Fabiana (and her marionette Sabina), Giuseppe Battiston as Señor Stromboli and Lewin Lloyd as Lampwick.  

DIsney’s PINOCCHIO arrives September 8, 2022 on Disney+.

(Photo/video credit: Disney)