Michael Shanks to Star in New TV Series on CTV

Congratulations to Stargate star MICHAEL SHANKS, who now has a new television series, CTV’s Saving Hope! Also starring in the series is Smallville’s ERICA DURANCE, who guest starred on SG-1 in the Season Eight episode “Affinity.” Shanks also took a turn at guest starring with Durance a few years later as Smallville’s well-received character Carter Hall/Hawkman.

Here’s the press release from Bell Media PR of Canada:

CTV Orders New One-Hour Original Drama Series SAVING HOPE

Toronto, ON (November 2, 2011) – CTV announced today that it has ordered to series SAVING HOPE, a new, one-hour original drama starring Erica Durance (SMALLVILLE) and Michael Shanks (STARGATE ATLANTIS) from the acclaimed Gemini award-winning producers Ilana Frank and David Wellington (THE ELEVENTH HOUR, Of Murder and Memory, ROOKIE BLUE). CTV has ordered 12 one-hour episodes in addition to the pilot shot this summer.

In SAVING HOPE, when charismatic Chief of Surgery Charlie Harris (Shanks) at Toronto’s Hope-Zion Hospital ends up in a coma, he leaves the hospital in chaos – and his fiancée and fellow surgeon, Alex Reid (Durance), in a state of shock. Along with newly-arrived star surgeon, Joel Goran (Daniel Gillies,THE VAMPIRE DIARIES), Alex races to save Harris’ life. As the action unfolds, comatose Dr. Harris wanders the halls of Hope-Zee in “spirit” form, not sure if he’s a ghost or a figment of his own imagination. Reid, along with her fellow doctors, press on to save his life and those of their other patients, as they deal with the complicated and courageous decisions that are made in their daily struggle to keep hope alive.

“Tapping into the frenetic lives of medical professionals entrusted to make life and death decisions every single day, SAVING HOPE is a sexy, heart-pumping hospital drama with captivating storylines,” said Phil King, President, CTV Programming and Sports. “We look forward to working with the talented actors and creative team behind this compelling new series.”

**Media Note** Photography for SAVING HOPE is available online at BellMediaPR.ca

SAVING HOPE also stars Huse Madhavji (COMBAT HOSPITAL, STAR DAILY), Julia Taylor-Ross (ROOKIE BLUE), and Kristopher Turner (ROOKIE BLUE, THE LISTENER).

SAVING HOPE, which is inspired by Ian Brown’s The Globe and Mail “Mount Hope” series based on stories from Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto, is executive produced by Thump Inc.’s Ilana Frank and David Wellington (THE ELEVENTH HOUR, Of Murder and Memory, ROOKIE BLUE). Co-created and written by Malcom MacRury (REPUBLIC OF DOYLE, LIVES OF THE SAINTS) and Morwyn Brebner (ROOKIE BLUE). Lesley Harrison is also executive producer. David Wellington directs. Trish Williams is Director, Independent Production, Drama, Bell Media. Corrie Coe is Senior Vice-President, Independent Production, Bell Media. Mike Cosentino is Senior Vice-President, Programming, CTV Networks. Phil King is President, CTV Programming and Sports.

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About Bell Media Independent ProductionBell Media has produced some of Canada’s most-watched and most-acclaimed original programming in partnership with Canadian independent producers, including, most recently, ratings success stories FLASHPOINT and THE LISTENER, Emmy Award-winning period drama THE BORGIAS, international hit DEGRASSI, Gemini Award-winning comedy TODD & THE BOOK OF PURE EVIL, sci-fi fan favourite SANCTUARY, critically acclaimed sketch comedy series PICNICFACE, as well as the upcoming drama HIGHLAND GARDENS, the upcoming special A RUSSELL PETERS CHRISTMAS, and the upcoming documentary series METAL EVOLUTION. In addition to SAVING HOPE, Bell Media recently announced series orders for mythological action/adventure series PRIMEVAL: NEW WORLD and the original theatre docu-series BROADWAY BOOTCAMP (working title). The company has also ordered two-hour drama pilot, BOREALIS, and the television feature THE HORSES OF McBRIDE.

About CTVCTV, Canada’s Olympic Network, is also Canada’s largest private broadcaster. Featuring a wide range of quality news, sports, information, and entertainment programming, CTV is Canada’s most-watched television network and lead broadcaster of the London 2012 Olympic Games. CTV is a division of Bell Media, Canada’s premier multimedia company with leading assets in television, radio and digital. Bell Media is owned by BCE Inc. (TSX, NYSE: BCE), Canada’s largest communications company. More information about CTV can be found on the network’s website at ctv.ca.

About Thump Inc.Thump Inc. was founded by Ilana Frank, one of Canada’s most celebrated and respected producers of long form drama. In 2007 Thump produced the powerful four-hour mini-series WOULD BE KINGS directed by David Wellington, starring Ben Bass, Currie Graham and Natasha Henstridge for which Natasha won a Gemini. In 2008, Thump produced OF MEMORY AND MURDER (aka MURDER ON HER MIND), a made for television movie starring Annabeth Gish (BROTHERHOOD, THE WEST WING) and Chandra West (JOHN FROM CINCINNATI, NYPD BLUE), for CTV and Lifetime. More recently Thump developed and produced the very successful series ROOKIE BLUE, now in its third season of production, distributed and available worldwide through Entertainment One. Thump, under Frank’s leadership, focuses on nurturing and developing the talents of up and coming and established writers and creators, and producers of long form drama for television and film. Frank’s talents were recognized as co-creator and executive producer of THE ELEVENTH HOUR, winning over fifteen Geminis in all major categories during its three year run. In 2007, the Writers Guild of Canada awarded Frank the Alex Barris Mentorship Award and Women in Film and Television honoured Frank with the Crystal Award for Creative Excellence.

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:

Twitter:
@CTV_PR
@CTV_Television

Cast:
@MichaelShanks
@_DanielGillies
@HuseM

Producers:
@ilanacfrank
@dbwellington

Facebook:
facebook.com/ctv

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