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.

Di Fiore builds Bridge with veteran cop
By: Jim MacDonald
Date: August 11, 2008
Source: Playback Online

 

 

 

 

 

 

Craig Bromell is ready to pull back the curtain and reveal for a television audience what those carrying a badge have to endure from upper brass in order to protect society.

“Any major police department in North America is so political; it’s more political than city hall,” says the former outspoken head of the Toronto Police Association.

With 26 years of police experience, Bromell is sharing executive producer credits with writer and multi-Gemini Award winner Alan Di Fiore (Da Vinci’s Inquest, The Life) on The Bridge, a movie of the week currently being shot in Toronto for CTV.

The story follows street cop Frank Leo (played by Battlestar Galactica’s Aaron Douglas), elected by his fellow officers to head their union. Once in his new position, Leo butts heads with the powers that be as he tries to change what can best be described as an old boys network that is determined to preserve its way of running the force. Along the way, he must struggle with a request to sanction the use of deadly force to take down a corrupt officer.

John Fawcett (The Border, Intelligence) directs. Also in the cast are Paul Popowich (Angela’s Eyes, I Me Wed) and Inga Cadranel (Rent-A-Goalie, MVP).

Di Fiore admits the renegade character he created can be compared to Bromell, who often caused a stir during his six-year tenure as head of Toronto’s police union for such acts as openly criticizing politicians over budgetary issues, and releasing a list of councilors he recommended the association endorse during the municipal elections in 2000.

However, Di Fiore says the script emulates the operations of forces across the continent, which he discovered through interviews and ride-alongs with cops while researching previous projects.

While Bromell says the audience may be shocked to learn what the rank-and-file officers go through as part of their job, Di Fiore feels that on some level, they will be able to relate to the characters since there is often a political element in every office atmosphere.

“The difference being that with the police, it’s your life on the line — and that ups the stakes immediately for everything that happens,” he says.

The Bridge is the first project for Bromell’s 990 Multi Media Company, which he founded in 2005 with partner Adam Shully. It is coproduced by Barna-Alper Productions and Jonsworth Productions (Across the River to Motor City).

CTV has not announced an airdate.

 

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Producing some heat
Rogue ex-cop Craig Bromell shooting life story
By: Joe Warmington
Date: August 2, 2008
Source: Toronto Sun

 

For years Craig Bromell carried a gun while patrolling the streets of Toronto.

This week he actually started shooting. Don’t worry, nobody’s getting hurt. He’s shooting with a camera. Martin Scorcese, Spike Lee, Norman Jewison … and Craig Bromell?

Has kind of a ring to it for the former Toronto Police constable who became the controversial and love-him-or-hate-him police association boss! And now he’s the executive producer of The Bridge — a movie of the week based on his life.

For the next few weeks, the production to be aired in the fall on CTV is being filmed all around Toronto — some in the same neighbourhoods where Bromell patrolled.

“I can’t say it’s a dream come true because it’s not something I ever dreamed about,” laughed Craig last night.

It’s nice that it’s happening because it’s about the only thing being filmed here this summer!

Strangely, this all came out of a meeting at Bistro 990 back in the day when Craig would drown a few cold ones at the bar next to film producer Adam J. Shully. Their business partnership today is poignantly named 990 Multimedia.

As you would expect it has gone to Bromell’s head, him already being a media star as a part-time talk-show host at AM 640. I have been after that bad boy for a year to tell me about this secret production — and what happens this week but they send out a press release! Then, there’s publicists and network people to go through. Say it ain’t so, Bro! You are not going all Hollywood on us?

“Not at all,” he laughs. “I am just learning a new business.”

There’s talk this will end up as a TV series. He seems to be getting the knack of this showbiz thing.

How long will it be before he’ll become the same thorn in the side to the entertainment industry executives as he was toward the chiefs of police or sitting mayors?

“I am on set every minute to make sure they make it look authentic — you know, making sure they capture how a cop walks or how they get out of a car,” he says.

And how a cop union boss intimidates the hell out of everybody. Looks like he’s already a thorn!

“I want this to be the most real-life cop TV show in history,” he tells me.

Who is going to tell him no?

His character is being played by Canadian actor Aaron Douglas of Battlestar Gallactica fame. It’s a good choice, but of course Bromell would have preferred Brad Pitt. No, this has not gone to his head at all.

“Who’s going to play the Scrawler?” I tease my old pal, in essence a reminder it’s the hacks in the media who helped create the legend Bromell.

“He’ll be in the third episode,” he says. “Sure, we’ll call and book John Goodman to play you.”

I was thinking more George Clooney, but as long as he looks good in a fedora!

Aaron Douglas to star in The Bridge
Date: July 31, 2008
Source: Northern Stars

 

Production has begun in Toronto on a new cop drama starring Aaron Douglas. Barna-Alper Productions, working with 990 Multi Media Entertainment Company and Jonsworth Productions announced that the two-hour MOW is being shot for CTV and that principle photography will continue until August 17th.

This is the third crime-based major TV production to be shot in Toronto this year joining the series The Border, which has been picked up for a second season by CBC, and Flashpoint, which is being produced for CTV and CBS. The Bridge follows fictional character Frank Leo (played by Vancouver-born Aaron Douglas) and his climb from street cop to union head challenging the command structure of the entire police force, making enemies along the way. The character is based on veteran insider and outspoken former Toronto police union head, Craig Bromell.

Actor Paul Popowich costars as Frank’s partner and confidante Tommy Dunn. Other cast members include Gemini-Award nominee Inga Cadrane as Jill, a free-spirited cop on the force; Theresa Joy as Police Constable Billy; Ona Grauer plays prosecutor Abby St. James, Michael Murphy as Chief of Police Ed Wycoff and Emmy Award winner, Stuart Margolin as Frank’s father Vic Leo.

“We wanted to create a cop story that hasn’t been seen before on TV, and my experience from working on the inside for 26 years combined with the renowned production team we’ve partnered with will do just that,” said Bromell.

“Craig’s credibility and expertise has brought relevance to the script, and we couldn’t have picked a better production partner to work with on this project,” said Laszlo Barna, Executive Producer, Barna-Alper Productions.

Five-time Gemini Award winner and six-time nominee Alan Di Fiore (Da Vinci’s Inquest, The Life) is executive producer and writer of the made-for-television movie. Aaron Douglas is perhaps best known for his role as Chief Petty Officer Galen Tyrol in the series, Battlestar Galactica.

CTV has not announced a date for The Bridge.