CTV Announces Acquisitions For 2018/19 Season

CTV announced today that it has landed Hollywood’s hottest, big-buzz new series at this year’s Los Angeles Screenings, securing deals with six leading studio partners for seven new dramas, two new dramedies, one new comedy, a talk show starring A-lister Alec Baldwin, and a hot-ticket special that pays tribute to one of the most influential groups of all time. In addition, CTV also confirmed today it has acquired break-out drama THE RESIDENT and a special edition of AMERICA’S GOT TALENT: THE CHAMPIONS to expand its star-studded slate.

“Mission accomplished. CTV has secured the most coveted series from Hollywood, including two of the year’s biggest drama gets, THE ROOKIE and MAGNUM P.I.,” said Mike Cosentino, President, Content and Programming, Bell Media. “Big stars, great stories and best-in-class drama, comedy and reality; we look forward to introducing Canadians to another winning lineup this Fall.”

The season’s new slate of series’ and specials includes:

• THE ROOKIE, the sought-after and big-buzz new cop series marking the return of Nathan Fillion to primetime television as a man who pursues his dream of joining the LAPD in the midst of a mid-life awakening
• MAGNUM P.I., the must-watch, fun-filled, and action-packed reboot of the classic series featuring ex-Navy SEAL turned private eye Thomas Magnum (Jay Hernandez)
• GOD FRIENDED ME, a humorous and uplifting drama starring Brandon Micheal Hall.
• WHISKEY CAVALIER, the high-octane, hour-long action dramedy named after the code name of super FBI agent Will Chase and starring fan-favourites Scott Foley and Lauren Cohan.
• Legal thriller THE FIX, a courtroom drama with high-profile attorney and author Marcia Clark at the helm as executive producer
• The eponymous, primetime interview series THE ALEC BALDWIN SHOW, featuring the three-time Emmy® Award winner and his whip-smart brand of humour while in conversation with compelling personalities
• THE KIDS ARE ALRIGHT, a family-focused single-camera comedy about traditional Irish-Catholic family of 10, inspired by the 1970s childhood of acclaimed writer/executive producer Tim Doyle.
• THE RED LINE, a timely, racially charged drama from Hollywood heavyweight producers Ava DuVernay and Greg Berlanti and starring TV veteran Noah Wyle
• Fast-paced, spy-hunting thriller THE ENEMY WITHIN, in which an FBI agent enlists a locked up, ex-CIA operative(Jennifer Carpenter) to track down a criminal
• THE VILLAGE, the heart-warming drama about neighbours who have found a home and a bonded family in an apartment building in Brooklyn
• GRAND HOTEL, the soapy upstairs/downstairs drama executive produced by Hollywood A-lister Eva Longoria focusing on the scandals and explosive secrets hiding beneath the picture perfect exterior of a Miami Beach hotel
• AMERICA’S GOT TALENT: THE CHAMPIONS, featuring the very best “AGT” contenders from around the world
• Long-awaited special ABBA: THANK YOU FOR THE MUSIC, AN ALL-STAR TRIBUTE, featuring the first new ABBA music in 35 years from the legendary pop group
• And the sophomore season of compelling medical drama THE RESIDENT, starring fan-favourites Matt Czuchry and Canada’s Emily VanCamp

The CTV 2018/19 lineup features an incredible list of stars including Alec Baldwin, Jennifer Carpenter, Matt Czuchry, Nathan Fillion, Scott Foley, Joe Morton, Noah Wyle, and the iconic pop group ABBA. Among the acclaimed, heavy-hitting producers behind new CTV series are Greg Berlanti, Simon Cowell, Tim Doyle, Ava DuVernay, Simon Fuller, Mark Gordon, Peter Lenkov, and Eva Longoria.

CTV and CTV 2’s 2018/19 primetime schedules will be presented at the #CTVUpfront on Thursday, June 7 in Toronto. CTV concluded the 2017/18 season as Canada’s most-watched television network for the 17^th year in a row.

CTV’s New 2018/19 Acquisitions:

SERIES

THE ROOKIE
Starting over isn’t easy, especially for small-town guy John Nolan who, after a life-altering incident, is pursuing his dream of being an LAPD officer. As the force’s oldest rookie, he’s met with skepticism from some higher-ups who see him as just a walking midlife crisis. If he can’t keep up with the young cops and the criminals, he’ll be risking lives including his own. But if he can use his life experience, determination and sense of humor to give him an edge, he may just become a success in this new chapter of his life. The series stars four-time Emmy®-nominated, Canadian-born Nathan Fillion (CASTLE) as John Nolan, Alyssa Diaz (ZOO) as Angela Lopez, Richard T. Jones (SANTA CLARITA DIET, JUDGING AMY) as Sergeant Wade Grey, Titus Makin (PRETTY LITTLE LIARS, STAR CROSSED) as Jackson West, Mercedes Mason (FEAR THE WALKING DEAD) as Captain Zoe Andersen, Canadian actor from Calgary, Alta. Melissa O’Neil (DARK MATTER, LOST GENERATION) as Lucy Chen, Afton Williamson (THE BREAKS, BLINDSPOT) as Talia Bishop and Eric Winter (ROSEWOOD, SECRETS AND LIES) as Tim Bradford. Alexi Hawley (CASTLE) is writer and executive producer; Mark Gordon (DESIGNATED SURVIVOR, GREY’S ANATOMY, RAY DONOVAN), Nathan Fillion, Michelle Chapman, and Jon Steinberg are executive producers on the series. Liz Friedlander (CONVICTION) directed and executive produced the first episode. Entertainment One (eOne) is the lead studio on THE ROOKIE, a co-production with ABC Studios.

MAGNUM P.I.
MAGNUM P.I. is a modern take on the classic series starring Jay Hernandez (SCANDAL, THE EXPANSE) as Thomas Magnum, a decorated former Navy SEAL who, upon returning home from Afghanistan, repurposes his military skills to become a private investigator. A charming rogue, an American hero, and a die-hard Detroit Tigers fan, Magnum has Juliet Higgins and her Dobermans to keep him in line, as well as his trusted buddies and fellow POW survivors TC and Rick when he needs back-up on a job. With keys to a vintage Ferrari in one hand, aviator sunglasses in the other, and an Old Düsseldorf longneck chilling in the fridge, Thomas Magnum is back on the case!

Peter Lenkov (HAWAII FIVE-O), Eric Guggenheim (HAWAII FIVE-O, PARENTHOOD), Justin Lin (S.W.A.T., SCORPION), John Davis, John Fox and Danielle Woodrow are executive producers for CBS Television Studios in association with Universal Television. Lin directed the pilot from a script by Lenkov and Guggenheim. MAGNUM P.I. stars Jay Hernandez as Thomas Magnum, Perdita Weeks (ENNY DREADFUL) as Juliet Higgins, Zachary Knighton (SANTA CLARITA DIET) as Orville “Rick” Wright, and Stephen Hill (LAW & ORDER: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT) as Theodore “TC” Calvin.

GOD FRIENDED ME
GOD FRIENDED ME stars Brandon Micheal Hall (THE MAYOR, SEARCH PARTY) in a humorous, uplifting drama about Miles Finer (Hall), an outspoken atheist whose life is turned upside down when he receives a friend request on social media from God and unwittingly becomes an agent of change in the lives and destinies of others around him. After repeated pokes by God, Miles’ curiosity takes over, and he accepts the ultimate friend request and follows the signs to Cara Bloom (Violett Beane), an online journalist. Brought together by the “God Account,” the two find themselves investigating God’s friend suggestions and inadvertently helping others in need. Miles is set on getting to the bottom of what he believes is an elaborate hoax, but in the meantime he’ll play along and, in the process, change his life forever. Steven Lilien and Bryan Wynbrandt , Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter and Marcos Siega are executive producers for Warner Bros. Television and CBS Television Studios. Siega directed the pilot from a script by Lilien & Wynbrandt. GOD FRIENDED ME stars Brandon Micheal Hall as Miles Finer, Violett Beane (THE FLASH) as Cara Bloom, Suraj Sharma (HOMELAND) as Rakesh Singh, Javicia Leslie (CHEF JULIAN) as Ali Finer and Joe Morton (SCANDAL) as Reverend Arthur Finer.

THE RESIDENT
THE RESIDENT is a powerful medical show focusing on a young doctor’s final years of training that rips back the curtain to reveal the truth of what really happens, both good and bad, in hospitals across the country. The series stars Matt Czuchry (THE GOOD WIFE), Canadian actress Emily VanCamp (REVENGE), Manish Dayal (HALT AND CATCH FIRE), Moran Atias (24: LEGACY), Merrin Dungey (BIG LITTLE LIES), Shaunette Renée Wilson (Black Panther, BILLIONS), Melina Kanakaredes (CSI: NY, PROVIDENCE), and Canadian actor Bruce Greenwood (The PEOPLE V. O.J. SIMPSON: AMERICAN CRIME STORY, MAD MEN). THE RESIDENT is produced by 20th Century Fox Television. The series’ executive producers include Todd Harthan (ROSEWOOD), Amy Holden Jones (Mystic Pizza, Indecent Proposal), (GREY’S ANATOMY), Antoine Fuqua (Southpaw, TRAINING DAY), David Boorstein (Level 26: Dark Revelations), Oly Obst (THE MICK, GHOSTED), and Phillip Noyce (PATRIOT GAMES, THE BONE COLLECTOR), who also directed the pilot.

THE ALEC BALDWIN SHOW
Starring the three-time Emmy® Award winner, the one-hour program showcases host Alec Baldwin’s (30 ROCK) in-depth conversations with compelling personalities. The show is executive produced by Jason Schrift, along with Baldwin and Mallory Schwartz via his El Dorado Pictures.

THE KIDS ARE ALRIGHT
Set in the 1970s, this ensemble comedy follows a traditional Irish-Catholic family, the Clearys, as they navigate big and small changes during one of America’s most turbulent decades. In a working-class neighborhood outside Los Angeles, Mike and Peggy raise eight boisterous boys who live out their days with little supervision. The household is turned upside down when oldest son Lawrence returns home and announces he’s quitting the seminary to go off and “save the world.” Times are changing and this family will never be the same. There are 10 people, three bedrooms, one bathroom and everyone in it for themselves. The series stars Michael Cudlitz (THE WALKING DEAD) as Mike Cleary, Mary McCormack (FALLING WATER) as Peggy Cleary, Sam Straley (CHICAGO P.D.) as Lawrence, Caleb Martin Foote (AMERICAN HORROR STORY) as Eddie, Sawyer Barth (PUBLIC MORALS) as Frank, Christopher Paul Richards (ME, MYSELF, AND I; BILLIONS) as Joey, Jack Gore (BILLIONS) as Timmy, Andy Walken as William, and Santino Barnard as Pat. The series is inspired by the childhood of writer/executive producer Tim Doyle. Randall Einhorn (PARKS AND RECREATION, THE OFFICE) directed and was an executive producer on the pilot. The series is from ABC Studios.

WHISKEY CAVALIER
The high-octane, hour-long action dramedy follows the adventures of tough but tender FBI super-agent Will Chase (codename: “Whiskey Cavalier”), played by Scott Foley (SCANDAL). Following an emotional breakup, Chase is assigned to work with badass CIA operative Francesca “Frankie” Trowbridge (codename: “Fiery Tribune”), played by Lauren Cohan (THE WALKING DEAD). Together, they lead an inter-agency team of flawed, funny and heroic spies who periodically save the world (and each other) while navigating the rocky roads of friendship, romance and office politics. The series stars Scott Foley as Will Chase, Lauren Cohan as Francesca “Frankie” Trowbridge, Ana Ortiz (UGLY BETTY) as Susan Sampson, Tyler James Williams (THE WALKING DEAD) as Edgar Standish and Vir Das as Jai Datta. Dave Hemingson (THE CATCH) is writer and executive producer; Bill Lawrence and Jeff Ingold (Doozer Productions) are executive producers; Peter Atencio is director and executive producer (pilot), and Scott Foley is producer of the series from Warner Bros. Television.

THE FIX
Attorney and author Marcia Clark co-writes and executive produces a new legal drama about Maya Travis, an L.A. district attorney who suffers a devastating defeat when prosecuting an A-list actor for double murder. With her high-profile career derailed, she flees for a quieter life in Washington. Eight years later when this same celebrity is under suspicion for another murder, Maya Travis is lured back to the DA’s office for another chance at justice. This legal thriller is executive produced/co-written by Clark, Liz Craft and Sarah Fain (FOR THE PEOPLE, THE VAMPIRE DIARIES), and is from Mandeville TV and ABC Studios. THE FIX stars Robin Tunney (THE MENTALIST) as Maya Travis, Adam Rayner (NOTORIOUS) as Matthew Collier, Merrin Dungey (ALIAS) as CJ, Breckin Meyer (FRANKLIN & BASH) as Alan Wiest, Marc Blucas (UNDERGROUND) as Riv, Mouzam Makkar (THE EXORCIST, THE VAMPIRE DIARIES) as Loni Kampoor, Alex Saxon (THE FOSTERS) as Gabriel Johnson, with Scott Cohen (ALLEGIANCE, THE GILMORE GIRLS) as Ezra Wolf and Adewale Akinnouye-Agbaje (TEN DAYS IN THE VALLEY, LOST) as Sevvy Johnson. Elizabeth Craft, Sarah Fain, and Marcia Clark are writers and executive producers. David Hoberman (The Fighter, MONK), Todd Lieberman (The Fighter, DETROIT 1-8-7), and Laurie Zaks (CASTLE) are executive producers (Mandeville). Canadian-born, L.A.-based writer/director/producer Larysa Kondracki directed the pilot.

THE RED LINE
From acclaimed producers including Ava DuVernay (Selma), and Greg Berlanti (SUPERGIRL, THE FLASH, ARROW), THE RED LINE is a drama that follows the lives of three vastly different Chicago families whose stories of loss and tragedy intersect in the wake of the mistaken shooting of an African American doctor by a white cop. As the stories of the Calder, Young and Evans families crisscross and converge, a message of hope appears – it’s possible to emerge from tragedy stronger, and it’s important to come together with others, not just to survive, but to thrive. Academy Award, Golden Globe and Emmy Award-nominee Ava DuVernay, Greg Berlanti and Sarah Schechter (THE FLASH) are executive producers, and Caitlin Parrish (SUPERGIRL) and Erica Weiss are co-executive producers for Warner Bros. Television and CBS Television Studios. Victoria Mahoney directed the pilot from a script by Parrish and Weiss. THE RED LINE stars Noah Wyle (ER) as Daniel Calder, Emayatzy Corinealdi (BALLERS) as Tia Young, Aliyah Royale as Jira Calder-Brennan, Noel Fisher (SHAMELESS) as Paul Evans, Howard Charles as Ethan Young, Elizabeth Laidlaw as Vic Renna, Vinny Chhibber (NO TOMORROW) as Liam Bhatt, and Michael Patrick Thornton (PRIVATE PRACTICE) as Jim Evans.

THE ENEMY WITHIN
In this fast-paced, spy-hunting thriller, Erica Shepherd (Jennifer Carpenter) is a brilliant former CIA operative, now known as the most notorious traitor in American history, serving life in a Supermax prison. Against every fiber of his being, but with nowhere else to turn, FBI Agent Will Keaton (Morris Chestnut) enlists Shepherd to help track down a fiercely dangerous and elusive criminal she knows all too well. For Keaton, it’s not easy to trust the woman who cost him so much. While Shepherd and Keaton have different motivations for bringing the enemy to justice, they both know that to catch a spy… they must think like one. The cast includes Jennifer Carpenter (LIMITLESS, DEXTER), Morris Chestnut (ROSEWOOD), Raza Jaffrey (HOMELAND), and Kelli Garner (PAN AM). Ken Woodruff (GOTHAM, THE MENTALIST) will write and executive produce. Mark Pellington (BLINDSPOT) will direct and executive produce the pilot. Vernon Sanders also executive produces. THE ENEMY WITHIN is produced by Universal Television.

THE VILLAGE
Welcome to THE VILLAGE, an apartment building in Brooklyn that appears like any other from the outside – but is quite unique inside. The people who reside here have built a bonded family of friends and neighbors. Sarah’s a nurse and single mom raising a creative teen; Gabe’s a young law student who just got a much older and unexpected roommate; Ava must secure the future of her young, U.S.-born son when ICE comes knocking; Nick’s a veteran who’s just returned from war; and the heart and soul of the building, Ron and Patricia, have captivating tales all their own. These are the hopeful, heartwarming and challenging stories of life that prove family is everything, even if it’s the one you make with the people around you. The cast includes Moran Atias (THE RESIDENT, 24: LEGACY), Dominic Chianese (THE GOOD WIFE, BOARDWALK EMPIRE), Warren Christie (THE RESIDENT), Frankie Faison (THE GOOD WIFE), Jerod Haynes, Daren Kagasoff (RED BAND SOCIETY), Michaela McManus (SEAL TEAM), Lorraine Toussaint (THE FOSTERS), and Grace Van Dien (GREENHOUSE ACADEMY). Mike Daniels (SHADES OF BLUE, SONS OF ANARCHY) will write and executive produce. Minkie Spiro (DOWNTON ABBEY, CALL THE MIDWIFE) directs and executive produces the pilot. Jessica Rhoades (COLD CASE FILES) also executive produces. THE VILLAGE is produced by Universal Television and 6107 Productions.

GRAND HOTEL
Eva Longoria (DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES) executive produces this bold, provocative drama set at the last family-owned hotel in multicultural Miami Beach. Charismatic Santiago Mendoza owns the hotel, while his glamorous second wife, Gigi, and their adult children enjoy the spoils of success. The hotel’s loyal staff round out a contemporary, fresh take on an upstairs/downstairs story. Wealthy and beautiful guests bask in luxury, but scandals, escalating debt and explosive secrets hide beneath the picture-perfect exterior. The show is based on the Spanish series. GRAND HOTELstars Demian Bichir (THE BRIDGE, WEEDS) as Santiago Mendoza, Roselyn Sanchez (WITHOUT A TRACE) as Gigi Mendoza, Denyse Tontz (THE FOSTERS) as Alicia Mendoza, Bryan Craig (VALOR) as Javi Mendoza, Wendy Raquel Robinson (THE MAYOR, THE GAME) as Mrs. P, Lincoln Younes (LOVE CHILD) as Danny, Shalim Ortiz (HEROES) as Mateo, Anne Winters (THE FOSTERS) as Ingrid, Chris Warren (THE FOSTERS) as Jason, Feliz Ramirez as Carolina and Justina Adorno as Yoli.

Brian Tanen (UGLY BETTY) is the writer and executive producer; Eva Longoria and Ben Spector (UnbeliEVAble), Ramon Campos and Teresa Fernandez-Valdes (Beta) are executive producers of the series. Ken Olin (THIS IS US) directed the pilot. The series is produced by ABC Studios.

AMERICA’S GOT TALENT: THE CHAMPIONS
This special edition of the series brings together the most talented, memorable, wackiest and all-around favorites from past seasons of “AGT” for the ultimate display of talent. Additionally, some of the most popular acts from the other world GOT TALENT franchises, spanning 184 countries, will come to share their talents and compete against one other. AMERICA’S GOT TALENTwas created by Simon Cowell and is co-produced by FremantleMedia North America and Syco Entertainment. Simon Cowell, Sam Donnelly, Jason Raff, Trish Kinane, and Richard Wallace are the executive producers.

SPECIALS

ABBA: THANK YOU FOR THE MUSIC, AN ALL-STAR TRIBUTE
One of the bestselling music groups of all time with album and single sales of 380 million, the four members of ABBA – Agnetha Faltskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Anderson and Anni-Frid Lyngstad – will be debuting their first new song in 35 years, written by Andersson and Ulvaeus. It is set to be performed by virtual ABBA, a state-of-the-art digital representation of the band in 1979 but voiced and recorded by ABBA today. The two-hour special ABBA: THANK YOU FOR THE MUSIC, AN ALL-STAR TRIBUTE will showcase specially invited artists performing classic songs made famous by ABBA, including “Dancing Queen”, “Mamma Mia”, The Winner Takes It All” and “Take A Chance On Me”. The telecast will be produced and directed by Johan Renck (THE LAST PANTHERS) and executive produced by Simon Fuller (AMERICAN IDOL, SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE), with Es Devlin on board as set designer.