Compelling
and provocative cop drama executive-produced by Toronto Police veteran
Craig Bromell
Toronto, Ontario (November 3, 2008) - CTV announced today the
order of a new one-hour original Canadian drama series, THE
BRIDGE. Based on the insights of veteran insider and outspoken
former Toronto police union head Craig Bromell, CTV has ordered 11,
one-hour episodes, following the production of a two-hour pilot shot in
Toronto last summer. THE BRIDGE provides an unflinching
look at the struggle street cops face as they not only battle criminals
- but also their own bosses - in order to protect society and,
ultimately, themselves.
Produced by
Barna-Alper Productions, an Entertainment One company, 990 Multi Media
Entertainment Company and Jonsworth Productions, in association with CTV,
production of THE BRIDGE is scheduled to begin in 2009.
THE BRIDGE becomes the third, new original drama series
to be ordered by CTV in the last year, joining last summer's breakout
hit FLASHPOINT and THE LISTENER, currently in production.
"Craig Bromell
is one of the most galvanizing figures in the history of policing in
Canada," said Susanne Boyce, President, Creative, Content and Channels,
CTV Inc. "We look forward to working with him on THE BRIDGE,
and bringing to Canadian audiences a distinct and authentic view of life
behind the scenes of a modern police force."
"We set out to
make the most realistic two-hour movie drama about cops ever seen on TV,
and it has paid off," said Craig Bromell, Executive Producer, 990 Multi
Media Entertainment Company. "We expose the inner workings of a big city
police force – the police, power and politics behind the blue line. It's
something that hasn't been seen before on TV, and we're grateful to CTV
for this opportunity. We're looking forward to collaborating with Alan
Di Fiore to create even more compelling, hard-hitting storylines for the
series."
"We are very
excited to be able to bring to our new company this gritty, realistic
series that is brought to life by Alan Di Fiore and produced by CTV,"
said Laszlo Barna, Executive Producer, Barna-Alper Productions, an
Entertainment One company.
Written by
five-time Gemini Award winner and six-time nominee Alan Di Fiore (DA
VINCI'S INQUEST, THE LIFE, THE HANDLER), THE BRIDGE
peels away the veneer of a big-city Canadian police force to reveal the
political machinations underneath. After the rank and file unanimously
vote street cop Frank Leo (
Aaron
Douglas)
into office as union head, he begins his quest to put street cops first
and clean up the force from the ground up.
But the old
boys' network running the police force and the city's self-serving
politicians are not about to sit idly by while a former street cop makes
up his own rules. Frank walks a thin blue line as he battles wiretaps
and a concerted campaign to bring him down, letting nothing stop him
from fulfilling his unwavering vow that when cops are in trouble, the
union will be there.
THE
BRIDGE stars
Aaron Douglas
(BATTLESTAR GALACTICA, SMALLVILLE) as outspoken union head Frank Leo;
Paul Popowich (ANGELA'S EYES, I ME WED) as Frank's partner and
confidante Tommy Dunn; Gemini-Award nominee Inga Cadranel
(RENT-A-GOALIE, MVP) as Jill, the free-spirited cop on the force; Frank
Cassini (Vice, INTELLIGENCE) as Staff Sergeant Bernie Kantor; Theresa
Joy (ALL THE GOOD ONES ARE MARRIED, Sixty Days) as feisty tomboy Police
Constable Billy; Ona Grauer (STARGATE SG-1 and STARGATE ATLANTIS) as
beautiful, passionate prosecutor Abby St. James; Michael Murphy (Away
from Her, X-Men: The Last Stand) as Chief of Police, and political
animal, Ed Wycoff; and two-time Emmy Award winner Stuart Margolin (THE
ROCKFORD FILES, TOM STONE) as Frank's father, Vic Leo.
THE BRIDGE
is produced by Barna-Alper Productions, 990 Multi Media Entertainment
Company and Jonsworth Productions, in association with CTV. Executive
Producers are Craig Bromell, Laszlo Barna, Adam J. Shully, Alan Di Fiore
and Robert Wertheimer. Wendy Grean is producer. CTV's Production
Executive is Brett Burlock. Susanne Boyce is President, Creative,
Content and Channels, CTV Inc.
ABOUT 990 MULTI MEDIA ENTERTAINMENT
COMPANY:
990 Multi Media Entertainment Company is a Canadian production company
that was jointly founded in 2005 by Craig Bromell and Adam J. Shully.
Their goal is to tell the "best police stories out there" across a
variety of mediums, including television series, feature films and
documentaries as well as acquiring dramatic, autobiographical and
biographical literary works to translate into moving images. Bromell's
26 years on the Toronto Police Force coupled with Shully's 25 year
history in the film and television industry affords 990 Multi Media
Entertainment Company a unique voice and ability to tell these stories.
THE BRIDGE is the company's first television venture with producing
partner Barna-Alper Productions.
ABOUT BARNA-ALPER PRODUCTIONS:
Barna-Alper Productions is one of Canada's leading independent
production companies. Renowned for its excellent dramatic and
documentary production, the company has garnered numerous national and
international awards over the years. The team is led by Laszlo Barna, a
passionate advocate for the Canadian film and television industry. The
company's dramatic series slate is crowned by seven seasons of CBC's DA
VINCI'S INQUEST, best drama, and award-winning series BLUE MURDER and DA
KINK IN MY HAIR. Recent television movies include CELINE, a musical
biopic about Céline Dion; the acclaimed SHANIA: A LIFE IN EIGHT ALBUMS;
CHOICE: THE HENRY MORGENTALER STORY and the mini-series, OCTOBER 1970.
With over 25 years of experience, Barna-Alper continues making
productions that are relevant to audiences around the world. Barna Alper
along with Blueprint Entertainment, Oasis International and Maximum
Films was recently acquired by Entertainment One. For more information,
visit www.bap.ca.
ABOUT CTV:
CTV, Canada's largest private broadcaster, offers a wide range of
quality news, sports, information, and entertainment programming. It has
the number-one national newscast, CTV NATIONAL NEWS WITH LLOYD
ROBERTSON, and is the number-one choice for prime-time viewing.
CTVglobemedia Inc. is Canada's premier multi-media company which owns
CTV Inc. and The Globe and Mail. CTV Inc. also owns radio stations
across the country, and leading national specialty channels. Other
CTVglobemedia investments include an interest in Maple Leaf Sports and
Entertainment, and in Dome Productions, a North American leader in the
provision of mobile high definition production facilities. More
information about CTV may be found on the company website at www.ctv.ca.
