Canadian Crossing

Nurses is the latest Canadian TV drama to come to U.S. broadcast TV

Coroner and Transplant have had some good success on U.S. broadcast television. Nurses is the next Canadian drama to work its way south.

The Global drama will debut on NBC on Monday nights at 10 pm ET for December 7 and December 14 before moving into what has been the Transplant timeslot, Tuesdays at 10 pm ET, starting January 5.

The show debuted in Canada last winter with 10 episodes. Nurses is set is a busy downtown Toronto hospital, similar to Transplant, not the same hospital. Tiera Skovbye, Natasha Calis, Jordan Johnson-Hinds, Sandy Sidhu, and Donald Maclean Jr. are the primary cast members.

Nurses has a legacy to Rookie Blue with many of the same creative team. Adam Pettle (Burden of Truth, Saving Hope) is the series creator and executive producer.

Nurses has now been sold to more than 100 territories. Besides the United States, recent deals include countries such as Germany, Australia, France, Belgium, Iceland, Turkey, and the Netherlands.

Trickster coming to the U.S. on the CW in January

Transplant makes U.S. debut on NBC

U.S. television turns to Canadian TV shows to fill gaps due to COVID-19

CTV went with a simsub with Transplant this fall during the NBC telecasts. Global certainly will consider that option for Nurses.

We don't talk as much about Global. The Canadian network is most famous to U.S. audiences for shows such as Mary Kills People and Private Eyes. Ironically, those shows found homes in the United States but not to completion. Still waiting to find out if Ion Television will go beyond Season 2 of Private Eyes.

While CBC is in a number of U.S. markets mostly through cable, CTV has a few U.S. markets but Global doesn't have any footprint in the United States outside the antenna in Buffalo. 

Transplant looks to wrap up in December on NBC. Transplant averaged 5.6 million total viewers for its NBC premiere. Coroner should wrap up its 2 seasons and 16 episodes on the CW in early December.

Transplant has been a pleasant surprise with intriguing characters and stories. You wish for more of Bash's home life with his sister and the challenges they face.

Coroner is a show where the actors and characters feel comfortable. The show knows its own skin so well. Episodes can be really strong or what the hell.

Would love to see the U.S. networks pick up more seasons even when the pandemic lessens. Not every Canadian show will be good fits for U.S. broadcast television; Trickster will be a good test in January on the CW.

We've seen a few Canadian dramas coming through in recent years, such as Flashpoint (CTV/CBS), The Listener (CTV/NBC), Rookie Blue (Global/ABC), Saving Hope (CTV/NBC), and The LA Complex on (CTV/CW). The new dramas have more of an independent feel, more Canadian, less tied to pressures from American producers.

This doesn't factor in Canadian dramas such as the CBC drama Burden of Truth that is a part of the CW lineup.

U.S. viewers of Transplant and Nurses get a better sense of Canadian health care, showing them a better way.

Transplant, Coroner, Trickster, and Nurses weren't created with the United States in mind. That approach makes them better dramas in our eyes.

Notice that Citytv isn't listed. The Bletchley Circle: San Francisco has some exposure; a UK-Canada co-production doesn't fit the bill too well in the States. Hudson & Rex would be a good fit; Republic of Doyle isn't the only TV drama set in Newfoundland and Labrador. Though Murdoch Mysteries is on cable, Citytv was the original Canadian home for the show.

CanadianCrossing.com Canadian TV coverage

CanadianCrossing.com television coverage

Canadian/American joint ventures aren't a new thing. CBS late night dramas from the late 1980s and early 1990s included Night Heat and Sweating Bullets aka Tropical Heat Of course, we can't forget about Due South.

U.S. broadcast television has the most eyeballs but isn't the creative pinnacle south of the 49th parallel. Still, a few pure Canadian dramas on U.S. broadcast television is a positive move for both countries.

Canadian viewers can watch Nurses on GlobalTV.com and the Global TV app.

photo and video credit: Nurses/Global

2020 Canadian Screen Awards television winners

Emily Hampshire won a pair of 2020 Canadian Screen Awards last night in an online ceremony. Hampshire won Best Lead Performance, Web Program or Series for Save Me and Best Supporting Actress for Schitt's Creek.

The venerable CBC comedy won 4 awards Wednesday night: Best Comedy Series along with individual honours for Eugene Levy (Best Lead Actor) and Catherine O'Hara (Best Lead Actress).

Kim's Convenience got the other 2 acting awards: Andrew Phung for Best Supporting Actor and Amanda Brugel for Best Guest Performance.

Baroness von Sketch Show won Best Sketch Comedy Show & Ensemble Performance and Best Writing, Variety or Sketch Comedy.

Jared Keeso and Jacob Tierney of Letterkenny won Best Writing. The other 4 contenders were from Schitt's Creek.

Tatiana Maslany won 2 awards in 2017 for Best Actress, Drama (Orphan Black) and Best Actress (The Other Half).

Cardinal dominated the drama portion. Just like Schitt's Creek, the CTV show won Best Drama Series and acting awards for Billy Campbell (Best Lead Actor), Karine Vanasse (Best Lead Actress), and Kristen Thomson (Best Supporting Actress).

Thom Allison won Best Supporting Actor for Killjoys. Dalmar Abuzeid won Best Guest Performance for Anne with an E, the only acting award for this series.

Cardinal won Best Writing for Patrick Tarr, Noelle Carbone, and Aaron Bala.

Could build an all-star Canadian TV lineup out of shows that are leaving

2020 Canadian Screen Awards to be unveiled online May 25-28

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Anne with an E, Schitt's Creek dominate 2020 Canadian Screen Awards nominations

Anne with an E cancellation might be start of fallout with CBC and Netflix

The Golden Screen Award for TV Drama or Comedy goes to the most-watched Canadian TV series. This year's winners were in a tie with Murdoch Mysteries (CBC) and Private Eyes (Global).

You can catch up with all of the winners going back to Monday night.

I wondered if Noah Reid might get the call for Best Supporting Actor but Andrew Phung had a great year on Kim's Convenience. Was partial to Caroline Dhavernas to win for Mary Kills People since that show is done for the awards. As we noted earlier this week, you had 3 strong contenders in that category.

Have loved Kristen Thomson since Away From Her but Elizabeth Saunders was terrifying in Mary Kills People.

CanadianCrossing.com television coverage

Each segment of the 2020 Canadian Screen Awards had its own narrator in lieu of a host. Monday's narrators were legendary news anchor Lloyd Robertson, Toronto Raptors PA announcer Herbie Kuhn, and writer, director, producer, and actor Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers. The Tuesday list consisted of actor Maitreyi Ramakrishnan and previous host Emma Hunter (The Beaverton). Last night, we had Evany Rosen and Kayla Lorette in the first segment and Eric McCormack in the second segment.

The 2020 Canadian Screen Awards are presented by CBC and CTV with the support of Telefilm Canada and Canada Media Fund.

photos credit: Schitt's Creek; Cardinal

Could build an all-star Canadian TV lineup out of shows that are leaving

In the 2020 Canadian Screen Awards television awards handed out online tonight, 4 of the 5 Best Dramatic Series contenders aren't producing any more episodes.

Cardinal, Mary Kills People, and Vikings left on their own terms while Anne with an E came to an abrupt end. Coroner is the only contender that will return with more episodes.

On the comedy side, Schitt's Creek is done and Baroness von Sketch Show will be done this fall.

Baroness von Sketch Show to end after 5 seasons this fall

Saying goodbye to Cardinal

2020 Canadian Screen Awards to be unveiled online May 25-28

These are nominees in the individual Canadian Screen Awards categories who aren't coming back in their shows:

Drama

Best Dramatic Series: Anne with an E; Cardinal; Mary Kills People; Vikings
Best Lead Actor: Billy Campbell (Cardinal); Shawn Doyle (Unspeakable)
Best Lead Actress: Amybeth McNulty (Anne with an E); Caroline Dhavernas (Mary Kills People); Karine Vanasse (Cardinal)
Best Supporting Actor: Rossif Sutherland (Believe Me: The Abduction of Lisa McVey); Brendan Fehr (Daughter of the Wolf); Hugh Thomson (Forgive Me)*; Thom Allison (Killjoys)
Best Supporting Actress: Kristen Thomson (Cardinal); Karen Robinson (Forgive Me)*; Kelly McCormack (Killjoys); Elizabeth Saunders (Mary Kills People); Rosemary Dunsmore (Street Legal)

*uncertain if Forgive Me will have a Season 4

Comedy

Best Comedy Series: Schitt's Creek
Best Lead Actor: Daniel Levy, Eugene Levy (Schitt's Creek)
Best Lead Actress: Annie Murphy, Catherine O'Hara (Schitt's Creek)
Best Supporting Actor: Chris Elliott, Noah Reid, Dustin Milligan (Schitt's Creek)
Best Supporting Actress: Mary Walsh (Little Dog); Emily Hampshire, Jennifer Robertson, Sarah Levy (Schitt's Creek)

Depending on the status of Forgive Me, Brandon Oakes (Diggstown) is the only supporting nominee, male or female, in a show that is likely to come back. You could easily justify giving the Best Lead Actress to McNulty, Dhavernas, or Vanasse.

Mark Forward (Letterkenny) along with Andrew Phung and Nicole Power (Kim's Convenience) are the only supporting nominees that are presumably coming back.

We should point out that the 2021 Canadian Screen Awards can contain nominations from Cardinal, Vikings, Anne with an E, Schitt's Creek, and Baroness von Sketch Show since their final seasons will fall in the 2021 window. Still, you get the idea.

Anne with an E cancellation might be start of fallout with CBC and Netflix

Adieu to Schitt's Creek

Top 10 best Canadian TV shows in the 2010s

Celebrating Mary Kills People in humanizing assisted suicide

Canadian TV dramas are hot on U.S. television lately

CanadianCrossing.com television coverage

The good news is there will be a lot more room for award nominations for the 2021 Canadian Screen Awards. Kim's Convenience and Workin' Moms can contend for more awards on the comedy side.

This is the part where we might suggest other shows and actors that would get future Canadian Screen Awards nominations. The uncertainty with the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic means we don't know the near future for anything.

Besides, the 2021 and 2022 versions of the Canadian Screen Awards may have some good surprises. Canadian television is stronger than ever before and that cream will rise.

photo credit: Mary Kills People/Global

Saying goodbye to Cardinal

We do give a lot of love to CBC comedies and dramas but we need to give more love to fine Canadian shows on the private networks.

Cardinal only had 24 episodes over 4 seasons on CTV but proved to be a well-done Canadian television drama with a significant viewing audience in the United States.

Cardinal features detectives John Cardinal (Billy Campbell) and Lise Delorme (Karine Vanasse) in fictional Algonquin Bay.

Most shows choose the best weather to shoot: Schitt's Creek shot its only Christmas episode in the summer. Cardinal was set in winter in seasons 1 and 4 with spring in Season 2 and autumn in Season 3. The show is based on the Giles Blunt books: Forty Words for Sorrow (Season 1); Blackfly Season (Season 2); By the Time You Read This (Season 3); Until the Night (Season 4).

Cardinal was a great outlet for wonderful Canadian talent such as Brendan Fletcher, Allie MacDonald, Kristen Thomson, Kris Holden-Ried, Orphan Black veterans Kevin Hanchard and Kathryn Alexandre, Susan Coyne, Jennifer Podemski, and Devery Jacobs.

Farewell, Cardinal (tv-eh.com)

The show was also intriguing since Vanasse got to play a French-Canadian character. She has played a French character on U.S. television (Pan Am).

Thank you to everyone who joined us tonight and for the past four seasons. Thank you all and goodnight. #Cardinal #UntilTheNight pic.twitter.com/6ZbkfK7vJ5

— Cardinal (@CardinalCTV) May 12, 2020

Cardinal offered a gritty portrayal of small town life in Ontario. Definitely not boring.

The series is broadcast on Hulu in the United States as well as BBC Four in the United Kingdom, C More in Scandinavia, Calle 13 in Spain, and SBS in Australia.

U.S. television turns to Canadian TV shows to fill gaps due to COVID-19

Top 10 best Canadian TV shows in the 2010s

Celebrating Mary Kills People in humanizing assisted suicide

Mary Kills People debuts final season in Canada but doesn't have a U.S. TV home

Canadian TV dramas are hot on U.S. television lately

Karine Vanasse latest to play French-Canadian on English language TV

CanadianCrossing.com television coverage

Since we are honouring Canadian TV dramas that aren't from the CBC, we have a couple of non-updates.

Season 3 of Private Eyes started just under a year ago on Global (May 29) and ran through August 7 with 12 episodes. We have not heard a peep about whether Ion will show Season 3 in the United States or when that might happen.

We have noted that Ion is an odd network for the show since the death count on Private Eyes is much lower than their lineup of shows.

Private Eyes had 12 episodes in Season 3. Global has a 12-episode Season 4 scheduled to air this summer.

We also haven't heard anything from Hulu on Season 3 of Mary Kills People. Hulu has had Seasons 1-2 of the Global drama. Lifetime carried the first 2 seasons on cable TV but dropped the show before Season 3.

We wish we had much better news on either show.

photo credit: Bell Media
Twitter capture: @CardinalCTV

Stronger Together to honour those on the front lines of the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic

Stronger Together | Tous Ensemble is a Canadian pandemic benefit for those in need during the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, including ways to raise money for Food Banks Canada. 

The benefit will run 6:30 pm (7 pm in Newfoundland and a section of Labrador) local time for 90 minutes on CBC, CTV, Global, Citytv, and a number of cable channels, online streaming, and radio.

The list of Canadian talent involved in the special is overwhelming. Here are more than a few:

Amy Poehler (American), Andre de Grasse, Avril Lavigne, Bad Child, Burton Cummings, Charlotte Cardin, Christine Sinclair, Cirque du Soleil, Command Sisters, Dallas Green, Dan Kanter, David Foster, Desiire, Donovan Woods, Fefe Dobson, Geddy Lee, Georges St-Pierre, Hamza Haq, Johnny Orlando, Josh Ramsay, Justin Bieber, Kiefer Sutherland, Measha Brueggergosman, Mike Myers, Morgan Rielly, National Chief Perry Bellegarde, Olivia Lunny, Pascal Siakam, Robbie Robertson, Ryan Reynolds, Ryland James, Sam Roberts, Scott Helman, Serena Ryder, Serge Ibaka, Shawn Hook, TIKA, The Tenors, Tyler Shaw, Walk off the Earth.

Schitt's Creek cast members including Annie Murphy, Catherine O’Hara, Chris Elliott (American), Dan Levy, Dustin Milligan, Emily Hampshire, Eugene Levy, Jenn Robertson, John Hemphill, Karen Robinson, Noah Reid, Rizwan Manji, and Sarah Levy.

Alessia Cara, Arkells, Barenaked Ladies, Bianca Andreescu, Bryan Adams, Buffy Sainte-Marie, Céline Dion, Chris Hadfield, Connor McDavid, David Suzuki, Eric McCormack, Hayley Wickenheiser, Howie Mandel, Jann Arden, Jason Priestley, Margaret Atwood, Marie-Mai, Michael Bublé, Penny Oleksiak, Rick Hansen, Rick Mercer, Russell Peters, Sarah McLachlan, Shania Twain, Sofia Reyes, Tessa Virtue, Will Arnett, William Prince.

Made | Nous, designed to promote Canadian talent and content, is one of the sponsors of the program.

Unlike One World: Together At Home, which also ran last weekend on Canadian television, this is a fundraiser for Food Banks Canada. You can start the ball rolling or get ready for Sunday night. You can text COVID to 30333 to donate or make a donation online.

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There will also be a "star-studded, virtual ensemble performance of a timely and treasured classic" that will be released to help raise money for the Canadian Red Cross.

We are hoping for options outside Canada to tune in via YouTube, Facebook, or some other combination. Stay tuned. If you can donate within Canada, please do so. Food Banks Canada needed help even before the pandemic arrived.

photos credit: Stronger Together | Tous Ensemble

CBC News needs to bring back local news in wake of the COVID-19 coronavirus

Editor's Note: CBC News has reversed policy and as of March 25, "CBC will continue to restore our local TV news offer for local audiences with an expanded 30-minute local news segment on CBC News Network. Viewers in all our regions will see their trusted anchors back on air reporting the local news that pertains to their communities."

CBC has worked to make its CBC News Network coverage of the COVID-19 coronavirus more available to Canadians. That is great news. Unfortunately, another CBC News move is hurting Canadians wanting to get information.

CBC News is running CBC News Network instead of supper-hour TV newscasts at 6 p.m. and local newscasts at 11 p.m. after The National.

The COVID-19 coronavirus is a worldwide story, a Canadian story, and a local story. Those local stories are being lost because CBC doesn't have the person power to cover those stories. That is what we are being told.

"We are an essential public service, and we will be here for Canada through it all. That is our mandate and promise to all Canadians."

"Television is resource intensive, and much of it can't be done from home. The spine of our television broadcast infrastructure and the support for many of our local supper-hour newscasts run through Toronto facilities. On Monday, with fewer technical staff in the Toronto building, that spine was at risk of breaking."

"More importantly, we see what's coming: more cases, more illness, more people in isolation, more restrictions on travel, more staffing challenges in all of our newsrooms. To get ahead of the curve and the enormous strain we expect it will place on our news service, we were forced to act."

So, we put a temporary pause on one piece of what we do — local TV newscasts at 6 p.m. and some at 11 p.m. — in order to protect everything else: local and national reporting; local and national radio service; local and national digital service; our national nightly newscast; and our 24-hour news channel, CBC News Network (NN)."

These words are from Brodie Fenlon, editor in chief and executive director of daily news for CBC News. We don't doubt the integrity of anything said or the issues of limited resources.

We just think shutting down the local supper hour newscasts is a huge mistake.

CBC isn't just The National and CBC News Network. Viewers have a relationship with their local news people. Canadians need more security, not less.

The promise of CBC Gem was CBC News Network and getting streams of other CBC channels across the country. If you live in Ontario and your parents live in British Columbia, you will want to check in on what is going on there. No local news means you don't know what is happening in another part of Canada.

As far as resources, the late night comedy shows have been resorting to doing videos from couches and backyards. A local CBC anchor could give an update from their home. Local information delivered by local people. Doesn't even have to be a whole half-hour: 12-15 minutes would work.

CanadianCrossing.com CBC coverage

CanadianCrossing.com journalism coverage

As we have noted, Canadian journalism isn't that strong. Most of Canada can get updates from CTV, Global, and Citytv. Those markets would have a leg up on CBC once the crisis is over since their local anchors are still delivering local news.

Prince Edward Island as well as Newfoundland and Labrador have a different issue: CBC is one of the few news outlets in those provinces.

CBC North is exempt from the changes.

National newscasts aren't going to break down Alberta or Manitoba numbers. They might mention Edmonton or Winnipeg, not so much Red Deer or Flin Flon.

The private networks have more money and American shows as lead-ins to their news. Canadians want good local news. If they can't get from CBC, they will turn elsewhere.

CBC is great but can get locked in unfortunate decisions made by people not thinking above and beyond a limited box. This is one of those times.

Canadians and non-Canadians can watch CBC News Network online. They don't need CBC News Network to interrupt local newscasts.

Bring back the supper-hour broadcasts. Make them hybrids with some local coverage and fill the rest of the half hour with CBC News Network. Better than what is happening now.

photo credit: CBC News

Celebrating Mary Kills People in humanizing assisted suicide

Mary Kills People ended its 3-season run on Global in Canada last night. We are still quite hopeful for a U.S. outlet for Season 3, whether Hulu, a cable TV channel, or both.

There are no spoilers for the series finale but some mild Season 3 spoilers ahead.

The summer setting disappears as winter is here, to borrow from Game of Thrones. Winter changes the dynamic of Season 3.

In Season 3, the foil changes from a traditional criminal element to a more subtle criminal. Elizabeth Saunders stars as Francine Thorp, a nurse at Eden General (the hospital where Mary worked). Thorp may parallel what Mary has done on the surface but not when you take a closer look.

As an American who pays attention to Canada, Francine Thorp seemed to be patterned after the real-life case of Elizabeth Wettlaufer. Wettlaufer was a registered nurse who was convicted of killing 8 senior citizens and 6 attempted murders in southwestern Ontario between 2007-2016. Insulin was involved in both the real and fictional cases.

Francine Thorp has proven to be far more creepy than those who were chasing Mary in seasons 1-2. The fiction and the real-life story were both a lot about passing the buck.

The other major addition to Season 3 was Rachael Ancheril as Lucy Oliviera. Lucy proves to be a ethical temptation for Des.

Nicole (Charlotte Sullivan) became a bigger part of the show since her name was on the lease for the hospice. The hospice proved to be a co-star creating the kind of environment that Des and Nicole wanted and Mary could tolerate.

Jess, Mary's older daughter (Abigail Winter) and her best friend Naomi (Katie Douglas) kicked up their game in Season 3. Jess knew more about what her mother did. Naomi tested her friendship with Jess with her suicide attempts. Their relationship has gone through ups and downs. Their symmetry was about sisters (though Jess has a younger sister), friendship, and deciding to end life.

Naomi has a lot of problems and has shown a lot of immaturity. We've seen peeks in Season 3 as to Naomi's mindset. Douglas has a difficult task in making Naomi remotely likeable. See her in Level 16 to find out how good she is as an actor. Lola Flanery as Cambie, Mary's younger daughter, got a stronger voice in Season 3.

While Annie (Grace Lynn Kung) didn't have as much of an impact in Season 3, Kung felt like a real nurse in approach and attitude in the show.

Mary Kills People debuts final season in Canada but doesn't have a U.S. TV home

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Revisiting the Strange Empire: finding more Canadian TV in the United States

CanadianCrossing.com TV coverage

Tara Armstrong, Tassie Cameron, Marsha Greene along with Caroline Dhavernas: the feminist approach to assisted suicide was intriguing to watch. Dr. Mary Harris was angelic in her approach to her patients and seriously flawed. You had to watch every movement, every facial look from Harris/Dhavernas. She was surrounded by strong, flawed female characters that portrayed an enriching story and gave humanity to a difficult issue for a lot of people.

Lifetime made a great choice to pick up the show but a poor choice to not carry the show to the end.

Mary Kills People has only 18 episodes, but told a fascinating, real, emotionally torn drama. Mary Kills People is a good argument against the perception that Canadian TV is boring.

photo credit: Mary Kills People/Global

Mary Kills People debuts final season in Canada but doesn't have a U.S. TV home

Global TV in Canada will air the final 6 episodes of Mary Kills People starting this Sunday at 8 pm Eastern. As for when Americans can watch the final season, that remains a mystery.

Lifetime carried the first 2 seasons in the United States but will not carry the final season. The channel is shifting its programming from TV shows to original movies. There is a Lori Loughlin joke in there somewhere.

Hulu has the first 2 seasons but we don't know about Season 3.

UK viewers will get to see the run of the show. Channel 4 will debut the first episode of Season 1 on 14 May at 9 pm. According to IMDb, Mary Kills People has been exported to Sweden, The Netherlands, and Spain. Hopefully, those countries will get the entire run of the show.

Canadian TV dramas are hot on U.S. television lately

Revisiting the Strange Empire: finding more Canadian TV in the United States

Caroline Dhavernas stars at Dr. Mary Harris with her business partner Des Bennett (Richard Short) where they give a classy end for those who want to end it all. Season 3 picks up 5 months after the Season 2 finale where we aren't sure what happened to Detective Ben Wesley (Jay Ryan).

Season 3 will run continuously on Global starting Sunday and finish on June 16.

Global does not have a presence on U.S. cable systems. If you live near the 3 largest cities and are on the U.S. side, you could tune into CIII (6) in Toronto; CKMI (20) in Montréal; or CHAN in Vancouver (8).

Lifetime Television is a subsidiary of A&E Networks, jointly owned by Hearst Communications and Disney. They could have found another network in their vast ownership to show the final 6 episodes. That would be the minimum required for U.S. fans of the show. They couldn't even do that.

We will update this story if we get word on a U.S. TV or streaming outlet that will carry the final season of Mary Kills People.

CanadianCrossing.com TV coverage

Speaking of Global TV, Season 3 of Private Eyes will start up on May 29 at 9 pm Eastern. Jann Arden, Gordon Pinsent, and William Shatner (back as PI Norm Glinski) will guest star in Season 3.

The show has been airing on Ion Television in the United States. The show is far less violent than the other shows on the U.S. channel but as we have learned from Mary Kills People, beggars can't be choosy. We do not have an air date in the U.S. but expect a significant delay between airings in Canada versus the U.S.

Private Eyes had 10 episodes in Season 1, 18 episodes in Season 2, and will have 12 episodes in Season 3.

Season 2 of Private Eyes had less interaction with its supporting cast. The show has made good use of Samantha Wan as Zoe and created an awkward but cute romance with Detective Mazhari (Ennis Esmer). Schitt's Creek fans will remember that Esmer played a travel blogger in Season 5.

photo credit: Mary Kills People/Global TV

Schitt's Creek, Anne with an E win big at 7th Canadian Screen Awards

The 7th Canadian Screen Awards went without a host on purpose. Schitt's Creek, Anne with an E, and A Colony | Une colonie were huge winners.

Even without a host, we had the Red Wine Ladies from Baroness von Sketch Show; a parody of the Bradley Cooper/Lady Gaga moment at the Oscars with Jann Arden and Allan Hawco; and Annie Murphy throwing a little French out there to get some hot French-Canadian film work.

So let's take a look at the winners:

You have to go back to the spring of 2013 where Meg Tilly won for Bomb Girls for Best Lead Actress, Drama to hear a name other than Tatiana Maslany (Orphan Black). Amybeth McNulty took the 2019 honour for Anne with an E.

Kim Coates won Best Lead Actor, Drama for Bad Blood.

Anne with an E won Best Drama Series as well as Best Supporting Actor, Drama for R.H. Thomson and Best Supporting Actress, Drama for Geraldine James.

Billy Campbell and Karine Vanasse swept the top acting awards for a drama or limited series with their performances in Cardinal.

Schitt's Creek to bow out gracefully after Season 6 in 2020

"Wouldn't we all be happier if we were able to love out loud?" — Dan Levy while accepting the Best Comedy award.

Schitt's Creek won for Best Comedy and 3 of the 4 major acting awards for Catherine O'Hara, Noah Reid, and Emily Hampshire.

Jared Keeso won Best Lead Actor, Comedy for Letterkenny.

Karen Robinson, who stands out on Schitt's Creek, won Performance in a Guest Role, Drama for her role on Mary Kills People.

Dominique Provost-Chalkley from Wynonna Earp won the Audience Choice Award. Provost-Chalkley brought up her co-star and fellow nominee Katherine Barrell onstage. The status of Wynonna Earp is up in the air. Hopefully, this award will help that cause.

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A Colony | Une colonie pulled off an impressive feat of winning Best Motion Picture and the John Dunning Best First Feature Award.

Émilie Bierre, who told the CSA audience she will turn 15 in May, won Best Lead Actress for A Colony | Une colonie. Bierre also appeared in Genesis | Genèse, nominated for Best Motion Picture.

Théodore Pellerin won Best Lead Actor for Family First | Chien de garde. My feelings on the film are well-known but Pellerin is the real deal.

Richard Clarkin received the Best Supporting Actor award for The Drawer Boy. Sarah Gadon, one of the few English-Canadian actors nominated for any film award, took Best Supporting Actress for The Great Darkened Days | La grande noirceur.

The Podemski sisters — Jennifer, Sarah and Tamara — presented Best Director, noting that 60% of the nominees were women (versus 0% for the Academy Awards). The honour went to Jasmin Mozaffari for Firecrackers.

Anthropocene: The Human Epoch won for Best Feature Length Documentary.

Best Original Screenplay went to Catherine Léger for Slut in a Good Way | Charlotte a du fun while Best Adapted Screenplay went to Robert Budreau for Stockholm.

Animal Behaviour from Alison Snowden and David Fine was nominated for the Academy Awards for Best Animated Short Film but did win the Canadian Screen Award for Best Animated Short Film.

Stephan James won the Radius Award from the new Made Nous campaign for contribution to the world stage. The family theme of the evening included an introduction by Shamier Anderson, older brother of Stephan James and also U.S. Deputy Marshal Xavier Dolls on Wynonna Earp.

Susan Kent and Jonny Harris played Mary Walsh's children on Hatching, Matching and Dispatching. Kent and Harris introduced Walsh as she won the Earle Grey Award.

The Kids in the Hall won the Academy Icon Award. They had a fun sketch with the missing member Mark McKinney, who was in Los Angeles shooting NBC's Superstore.

Deepa Mehta won the Lifetime Achievement Award. Mehta was introduced by her daughter Devyani Saltzman, who is with the Art Gallery of Ontario.

CanadianCrossing.com television coverage

CanadianCrossing.com film coverage

The Canadian Screen Awards properly point out that the organisation voluntarily went without a host before the whole Kevin Hart/Oscars scenario. Andrew Phung handled the transition at the beginning and Brent Butt ended the show.

Previous hosts included Jonny Harris and Emma Hunter (2018) as well as Howie Mandel, Norm Macdonald, Martin Short, and Andrea Martin.

You can find out more on the nominees in all the categories.

photos credit: Canadian Screen Awards/CBC

Schitt's Creek, Anne with an E lead TV nominations for 2019 Canadian Screen Awards

Schitt's Creek and Anne with an E each have 15 nominations for the 2019 Canadian Screen Awards. Cardinal on CTV has 14 nominations.

Drama

The best lead actress opened up with Tatiana Maslany and Orphan Black in the mix. A bit surprised to not see Lauren Lee Smith in that category for Frankie Drake Mysteries. A bit surprised to see Kristin Kreuk for Burden of Proof in that category. I'm a big fan of Caroline Dhavernas in Mary Kills People.

Best Dramatic Series
Anne with an E
Bad Blood
Blood and Water
Frankie Drake Mysteries
Vikings

Best Lead Actor
Kim Coates Bad Blood
Jerry O'Connell Carter
Aaron Ashmore Killjoys
Yannick Bisson Murdoch Mysteries
Eric McCormack Travelers

Best Lead Actress
Amybeth McNulty Anne with an E
Caroline Dhavernas Mary Kills People
Wendy Crewson The Detail
Melanie Scrofano Wynonna Earp
Kristin Kreuk Burden of Proof

Best Supporting Actor
Salvatore Antonio Mary Kills People
Daniel Petronijevic Cardinal
Louis Ferreira Bad Blood
R.H. Thomson Anne with an E
Brent Carver Save Me

Best Supporting Actress
Sharron Matthews Frankie Drake Mysteries
Chanelle Peloso The Bletchley Circle: San Francisco
Mackenzie Porter Travelers
Geraldine James Anne with an E
Selena Lee Blood and Water

Comedy

Kim's Convenience is missing from the comedy awards, but for a very good reason. The show aired in the fall of 2017 and the winter of 2019, but not in 2018. Seeing Private Eyes in the comedy category might be a one-time thing since, well, the show isn't a comedy. Amanda Brugel, who also appears on Kim's Convenience, got a nod for her work on Workin' Moms.

For U.S. viewers, the second half of the second season of Private Eyes finally starts on Ion Television starting this Sunday.

Best Comedy Series
Letterkenny
Mr. D
Schitt's Creek
Second Jen
Workin' Moms

Best Lead Actor
Jared Keeso Letterkenny
Jason Priestley Private Eyes
Gerry Dee Mr. D
Daniel Levy Schitt's Creek
Eugene Levy Schitt's Creek

Best Lead Actress
Cindy Sampson Private Eyes
Annie Murphy Schitt's Creek
Catherine O'Hara Schitt's Creek
Catherine Reitman Workin' Moms
Dani Kind Workin' Moms

Best Supporting Actor
Chris Elliott Schitt's Creek
Noah Reid Schitt's Creek
Peter Keleghan Workin' Moms
Ennis Esmer Private Eyes
Colin Mochrie Tiny Plastic Men

Best Supporting Actress
Mary Walsh Little Dog
Emily Hampshire Schitt's Creek
Jennifer Robertson Schitt's Creek
Jann Arden Workin' Moms
Amanda Brugel Workin' Moms

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Film

A pair of films received 8 nominations to lead the way: Just a Breath Away | Dans la brume and The Great Darkened Days | La grande noirceur) from Maxime Giroux, who directed Felix and Meira.

The best motion picture nominees are all French-language films, including the nominee for Best Foreign Language Film, Family First (Chien de garde). I haven't seen the other nominees but Chien de garde was horrible. Anthropocene: The Human Epoch leads the nominees for best feature-length documentary.

Chien de Garde fails to make Oscars shortlist

60% of the best director nominees are women.

Best motion picture

• A Colony | Une colonie
• Family First | Chien de garde
• Genesis | Genèse
• Just a Breath Away | Dans la brume
• The Great Darkened Days | La grande noirceur

Best director

• Sophie Dupuis Family First | Chien de garde
• Jasmin Mozaffari Firecrackers
• Geneviève Dulude-De Celles A Colony | Une colonie
• Maxime Giroux The Great Darkened Days | La grande noirceur
• Daniel Roby Just a Breath Away | Dans la brume

Best feature-length documentary

• Anthropocene: The Human Epoch
• Immaculate Memories: The Uncluttered Worlds of Christopher Pratt
• Letter from Masanjia
• The Devil's Share (La Part du diable)
• What Walaa Wants

I can't speak to the other nominees in the best actor category but Pellerin should win this without a fight. I may have hated the film but he acted his way into a win. The performances in The Grizzlies were wonderful, but those 3 are the only ones I've seen on these lists. I like Sarah Gadon but haven't seen this film.

Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role

• Michael Rowe Crown and Anchor
• Theodore Pellerin Family First | Chien de garde
• Martin Dubreuil The Great Darkened Days | La grande noirceur
• Paul Nutarariaq The Grizzlies
• Brandon Oakes Through Black Spruce

Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role

• Emilie Bierre, A Colony | Une colonie
• Carla Turcotte Sashinka
• Valeria Henríquez The Padre
• Rose-Marie Perreault Fake Tattoos | Les faux tatouages
• Brigitte Poupart Les Salopes or the Naturally Wanton Pleasure of Skin | Les salopes ou le sucre naturel de la peau

Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role

• Richard Clarkin The Drawer Boy
• Paul Doucet With Love | L'Amour
• Jacob Whiteduck-Lavoie A Colony | Une colonie
• Paul Ahmarani Genesis | Genèse
• Michel Robin Just a Breath Away | Dans la brume

Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role

• Kate Moyer Our House
• Romane Denis Slut in a Good Way | Charlotte a du fun
• Sarah Gadon The Great Darkened Days | La grande noirceur
• Anna Lambe The Grizzlies
• Irlande Côté A Colony | Une colonie

You can find all the nominations in film, television, digital media, and special awards. The 7th Canadian Screen Awards will be on March 31 and will air on CBC.

photos credit: Critic Choice Television Awards/CW network