CTV recruits ‘Bridge’ for 2009
By: Brendan Kelly
Date: November 3, 2008
Source: Variety
CTV recruits ‘Bridge’ for 2009
Canadian network orders 11 episodes of drama
MONTREAL — Canadian net CTV announced Monday that it has ordered 11 one-hour episodes of “The Bridge,” based on the insights of former Toronto police union head Craig Bromell.
The producers are Barna-Alper Prods. (which was recently bought by Entertainment One), 990 Multi Media Entertainment Co. and Jonsworth Prods., in association with CTV. The producers shot a two-hour pilot in Toronto over the summer, and production on the series is set for next year.
Drama is about cops fighting criminals — and their own bosses.
“Craig Bromell is one of the most galvanizing figures in the history of policing in Canada,” said CTV president of creative Susanne Boyce. “We look forward to bringing to Canadian audiences a distinct and authentic view of life behind the scenes of a modern police force.”
The two previous Canuck dramas developed by CTV have both been sold to U.S. networks. “Flashpoint,” also about Toronto cops, aired on CBS this summer, and “The Listener,” about a young man who can read people’s thoughts, is due on NBC and CTV in 2009.
“The Bridge” has not yet been sold to any network other than CTV.
The series is written by Gemini Award-winning writer Alan Di Fiore (“Da Vinci’s Inquest,” “The Handler”) and focuses on streetwise cop Frank Leo, who becomes the police union boss and has to battle the old boys’ network that runs the force.
Cast includes Aaron Douglas (“Battlestar Galactica”) as Leo, Paul Popowich, Inga Cadranel, Frank Cassini, Theresa Joy, Ona Grauer, Michael Murphy and Stuart Margolin.
Exec producers are Bromell, Laszlo Barna, Adam J. Shully, Di Fiore and Robert Wertheimer.