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TORONTO (October 19, 2026) – Crave’s sun-soaked and seductive original reality series format, TEMPTATIONS UNDER THE SUN, is set to return with 10 new episodes.

This season, the romantic reality series is set in Panama, and features 17 new sultry singles ready to put their dating skills to the test. TEMPTATIONS UNDER THE SUN: PANAMA follows Season 1, TEMPTATIONS UNDER THE SUN: CYPRUS, which debuted on Crave earlier this year. The series is the English adaptation of the hit French-language Noovo and Crave Original format, OCCUPATION DOUBLE, which is currently in its 20th season and has generated many popular spinoffs including OD: TENTATIONS AU SOLEIL, OD EXTRA, VENDREDIS OD, OD WEEKEND, L'AGENCE DE RENCONTRE OD, and more

Sexologist Shan Boodram - teacher on TOO HOT TO HANDLE and host of the Lovers By Shan podcast - returns to host the new season, which premieres on Crave in 2027.



TEMPTATIONS UNDER THE SUN: PANAMA brings together Canada’s most daring singles as they face seductive challenges and unexpected twists under the Mediterranean sun. The stakes are high as contestants earn points to unlock key advantages…but only the boldest and most compatible couple makes it to the end and returns home with an impressive cash prize.

The Canadian singles ready to mix and mingle in the new season are:

 	Abu, 25 (Edmonton, AB)
 	Cory, 23 (Hamilton, ON)
 	Daishawn “Dai”, 28 (Toronto, ON)
 	Darby, 23 (Saskatoon, SK)
 	Desi, 26 (Barrie, ON)
 	Harry, 21 (Ottawa, ON)
 	Jessieann, 26 (Veron, BC)
 	Jorge, 26 (Montréal, QC)
 	Kareen, 25 (Edmonton, AB)
 	Kennedy, 24 (Ajax, ON)
 	Kris, 26 (Edmonton, AB)
 	Lina “Lili”, 26 (Montréal, QC)
 	Morgan, 24 (North Bay, ON)
 	Olivia “Via” 25, (Halifax, NS)
 	Setayesh “Sety”, 27 (Toronto, ON)
 	Sierra, 25 (Vancouver, BC)
 	Will, 30 (Beamsville, ON)

TEMPTATIONS UNDER THE SUN: PANAMA is produced by Productions J in collaboration with Crave. Francis Laforest is Executive Producer; Julie Snyder is Executive Producer, Carine Sansregret is Head of Development; Rose Gauthier-Robitaille is Line Producer; Sabrina Roy is Creative Producer; Jean-Philippe Perron is Consultant.

For Bell Media: Rachel Goldstein-Couto is Head of Development, Alexis McLaren is Production Executive; Sarah Fowlie is Head of Production; Carlyn Klebuc is General Manager, Original Programming; Li Yeh is Director, Strategic Planning, and Justin Stockman is Vice President, Global Content.

The series is distributed internationally by Sphere Abacus, a Bell Media company.

Crave Announces TEMPTATIONS UNDER THE SUN: PANAMA

TORONTO (October 19, 2026) – Crave’s sun-soaked and seductive original reality series format, TEMPTATIONS UNDER THE SUN, is set to return with 10 new...

TORONTO (October 16, 2026) – With elections continuing to take place across Canada, Bell Media announced today that upcoming CTV News election specials will be available to viewers on Crave for the first time through the free Bell Media account. CTV News provides in-depth coverage of the B.C. provincial and municipal elections, the Alberta Referendum, and Ontario and Manitoba municipal elections, with extensive updates and analysis on CTVNews.ca and the CTV News app, and select live specials additionally available locally on CTV and CP24. 

“Expanding the availability of CTV News’ live election coverage to a national audience allows Canadians to follow the key political storylines unfolding in numerous regions across the country,” said Richard Gray, VP News, Bell Media. “With local and national newscasts available through Crave’s News section and on CTV, as well as extensive information on CTVNews.ca and the CTV News app, we continue to provide new ways for Canadians to access the news they need.” 

Users can stream CTV News election specials with a Bell Media account, which provides access to select free ad-supported programming on Crave. Keeping Canadians informed each and every day, CTV News coverage continues to be available locally on CTV, and streaming on Crave through the live CTV channel.  

&nbsp;

Upcoming CTV News election specials include: 

B.C. municipal election 2026 – Saturday, Oct. 17 beginning at 8 p.m. PT 

 	Crave, CTVNews.ca, the CTV News app, and YouTube 

CTV News Vancouver anchors Mi-Jung Lee and Nafeesa Karim are joined by a panel of top political experts to deliver province-wide results, with CTV News reporters providing live coverage of key races. 

 

Alberta Referendum 2026 – Monday, Oct. 19 beginning at 10 p.m. MT 

 	CTV Alberta, Crave, CTVNews.ca, and the CTV News app 

The live special is hosted by CTV News Calgary Senior Anchor Tara Nelson, and includes CTV NATIONAL NEWS Chief News Anchor and Senior Editor Omar Sachedina and CTV News Chief Political Correspondent Vassy Kapelos. They are joined by an expert panel including former Alberta Premiers Rachel Notley and Jason Kenney. CTV Edmonton Senior Anchor Geoff Hastings provides reaction from the province’s capital, with updates from reporters at key locations across Alberta. 

 

B.C. Election 2026 – Saturday, Oct. 24 beginning at 6 p.m. PT 

 	CTV British Columbia, Crave, CTVNews.ca, the CTV News app, and YouTube 

CTV News Vancouver anchor Mi-Jung Lee is joined by a panel of B.C. political insiders, including former B.C. Premier Christy Clark. The live special provides up-to-the-minute results from the CTV News election desk, and coverage from reporters at key ridings across the province. 

 

TORONTO DECIDES – ELECTION NIGHT LIVE – Monday, Oct. 26 beginning at 7 p.m. ET  

 	CP24, Crave, CP24.com, CTVNewsToronto.ca, and the CTV News app 

Anchored by Michelle Dubé, Nathan Downer, Liz West, and Bakari Savage, CP24 provides real-time results, in-depth political analysis, and live reports from key campaign headquarters across Toronto and the surrounding region as election results unfold. Nick Dixon leads CP24's interactive election results centre, breaking down voting results, election race calls, key battlegrounds, and regional voting patterns.  

&nbsp;

Manitoba Municipal Election 2026 – Wednesday, Oct. 28 beginning at 8 p.m. CT 

 	Crave, CTVNews.ca, and the CTV News app 

Senior News Anchor Maralee Caruso is joined by CTV Winnipeg reporters Jon Hendricks and Taylor Brock in studio, delivering live election results and up-to-the-minute coverage from key races. 

 

Canadians can always connect with CTV News by visiting CTVNews.ca, subscribing to the organization’s daily newsletters, and by downloading the official CTV News app. 

As Canadians Vote, CTV News Election Specials Available on Crave for the First Time

TORONTO (October 16, 2026) – With elections continuing to take place across Canada, Bell Media announced today that upcoming CTV News election special...

October 15 – CRYSTAL LAKE *Series Premiere* 

 	A prequel to the Friday the 13th franchise, CRYSTAL LAKE follows single mother Pam Voorhees (Linda Cardellini), who has been unable to shake her grief after her young, sickly son Jason tragically drowned in the town lake almost a year before. When two strangers arrive at Pam’s door digging into her past, a disturbing chain of events are set into motion, leaving the townspeople of Crystal Lake wondering: just who is Pam Voorhees? All eight episodes drop on Thursday, Oct. 15. 

October 16 – USA Network Original THE RAINMAKER *Season 2 Premiere* 

 	Season 2 of the 10-episode legal drama THE RAINMAKER, inspired by the New York Times best-selling John Grisham novel and from Lionsgate Television and Blumhouse Atomic Monster, debuts on Friday, Oct. 16. The season picks back up with Rudy Baylor (Milo Callaghan), an underdog lawyer taking on powerful interests alongside his boss Jocelyn “Bruiser” Stone (Lana Parrilla) and his right-hand man Deck Shifflet (P.J. Byrne), the firm’s colourful paralegal. This season, J. Lyman Stone and Associates faces old adversaries and new ones in a case where the lives of hundreds of children hang in the balance, and where winning might be just as dangerous as losing. Later, Rudy goes up against his former law school flame, Sarah Plankmore (Madison Iseman), in the courtroom at the behest of her mysterious new boss, Amanda Vonn (Merle Dandridge), a powerful attorney whose agenda may be hiding a shocking international conspiracy. In a separate case, Bruiser's ex-husband Tom Cassady (Austin Nichols) turns to her for help as his legal troubles threaten his life and that of the star pitcher (Liam O’Halloran) of the minor league baseball team he coaches. Additional cast members include Asher De Land, Libby Kay, Kevin Ryan, and Tim Murphy. John Slattery and Karen Bryson also return. Episodes stream Fridays at 10 p.m. ET on Crave, and air on USA Network at 10 p.m. ET. 

October 20 – CTV Comedy Original ACTING GOOD *Season 5 Premiere* 

 	Five seasons. One unforgettable community. And one last chance for Paul to start acting good. Inspired by co-creator and stand-up comedian Paul Rabliaskas’ life in his fly-in first nation, in its final season, Paul’s (Paul Rabliauskas) constant immaturity and antics finally catch up with him when Rose (Cheyenna Sapp), alongside his friends and family, stages a surprise intervention at Yeah Man. When Paul refuses to see the error of his ways, Rose reaches her breaking point, forcing him to confront a hard truth: if he wants to keep the people he loves together, he’s going to have to change. What follows is a very Paul-like journey of self-improvement, complete with divorced dads, an unlikely counsellor, and a stint competing on the reality survival series The Deadliest Native. But when Paul’s transformation goes a little too far, his newfound self-righteous attitude creates problems of its own. To repair his relationships and help his community, Paul must find the balance between the person he was and the person he wants to become. CTV and APTN Original comedy ACTING GOOD returns for its fifth and final season on Monday, Oct. 19 with a special two-episode premiere kicking off at 10 p.m. ET/PT on CTV Comedy Channel and streaming next day on Crave. 

October 21 – THE GOLDEN LIFE *Series Premiere* 

 	The all new-series THE GOLDEN LIFE debuts exclusively on Crave in Canada with a special 90-minute episode on Tuesday, Oct. 20 at 10 p.m. ET on USA Network, and streaming next day on Crave. THE GOLDEN LIFE features Kelly Bensimon, Countess Luann De Lesseps, Dorinda Medley, Sonja Morgan, and Ramona Singer as they bring decades of friendship and feuds to sunny Palm Beach, Florida for a new start in the Sunshine State. Whether it’s yacht parties, championing the Gay Polo League, an old-school girls weekend in Miami, or glamourous shop-and-sip events in luxury boutiques, the ladies bring their iconic personalities to the exclusive Palm Beach scene. The series continues with additional episodes featuring the cast in the glitzy Hamptons social scene - joined by Candace Bushnell and Margaret Josephs - in the new year. 

***Media Note: Assets for Crave programming are available at the Bell Media press site, The Lede, here   

Programming Premieres and Key Finales for the week of October 15 – 21 

*All Programming Subject to Change*    

 

HBO and HBO Max

October 16 – HBO Original KATE BERLANT: PARMESAN (Comedy Special) 

 

Movies   

October 15 – FANON *Canadian Title* 

October 15 – MORTAL KOMBAT: ANNIHILATION (1997) 

October 16 – THIS IS NOT A TEST *Canadian Title* 

October 16 – EDWARD SCISSORHANDS 

October 16 – AMITYVILLE SHARK HOUSE 

October 16 – FIVE NIGHTS AT FREDDY’S 

October 16 – THE LAST VOYAGE OF THE DEMETER 

October 16 – TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES (1990) 

October 16 – SHERLOCK HOLMES 

October 18 – THE WRONG HOUSEMAID 

 

STARZ  

October 16 – MY BEST FRIEND'S WEDDING 

October 16 – THE GATES 

October 16 – MICHAEL JACKSON’S THIS IS IT 

October 16 – TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES (1990) 

 

Additional Highlights 

October 15 – CRYSTAL LAKE S1 (Premiere) 

October 16 – ROAD TO AVONLEA S5-7 *Canadian Title* 

October 16 – THE RAINMAKER S2 E1 (Season Premiere)  

October 16 – TRAQUEUR DE CHARS S3 E10 (Season Finale) 

October 21 – AU SERVICE DE LA MAFIA S1 (Premiere) 

 

Next Day on Crave 

October 16 – 9-1-1: NASHVILLE  S2 (Season Premiere) *following CTV 

October 19 – SNAPPED: KILLER MOMS S1 E1 (Series Premiere) *following OXYGEN 

October 19 – CATFISH MURDERS S1 E1 (Series Premiere) *following OXYGEN 

October 20 – CTV Comedy Original ACTING GOOD S5 E1-2 *following CTV Comedy *Canadian Title*  

October 21 – THE GOLDEN LIFE S1 Part 1 (Series Premiere) *following USA Network 

October 15 – 21: Crave Weekly Streaming Overview

October 15 – CRYSTAL LAKE *Series Premiere*  A prequel to the Friday the 13th franchise, CRYSTAL LAKE follows single mother Pam Voorhees (Linda Cardel...

Thursday Programming  

 	12 p.m. ET – NFL GameDay (TSN2) 
 	4 p.m. ET – NFL Live (TSN1/3) 
 	7 p.m. ET – TNF Tonight (TSN1) 
 	8:15 p.m. ET – Seattle @ Denver 

 	TSN1, CTV2 Network, and RDS2 



Friday Programming 

 	1:30 p.m. ET – NFL GameDay (TSN1/3) 
 	4 p.m. ET – NFL Live (TSN1/3) 

Sunday Programming 

 	9:30 a.m. ET – NFL International Series: Houston vs. Jacksonville live from London, England 

 	TSN Premium and RDS 


 	10 a.m. ET – NFL Countdown (TSN1)
 	10 a.m. ET – NFL Fantasy Focus (TSN Premium)
 	1 p.m. ET – NFL RedZone (TSN Premium, RDS.ca, and RDS App)
 	1 p.m. ET – FanDuel Sunday (TSN1)
 	7 p.m. ET – Football Night in America (TSN)
 	7:30 p.m. ET – NFL on CTV Live (CTV) 

Sunday 1 p.m. ET 

 	Carolina @ Philadelphia 

 	CTV Toronto, CTV BC, CTV Alberta, CTV Kitchener, CTV Northern Ontario, CTV Saskatchewan, and CTV Winnipeg 


 	New York Jets @ New England  

 	CTV Montreal, CTV Ottawa, CTV Atlantic, CTV2 Toronto, CTV2 BC, CTV2 Alberta, CTV2 London, and CTV2 Windsor  


 	Pittsburgh @ Tampa Bay 

 	TSN Premium 


 	Baltimore @ Cleveland  

 	CTV2 Ottawa, CTV2 Atlantic, and RDS 


 	Chicago @ Atlanta  

 	TSN1/3 



Sunday 4 p.m. ET 

 	Buffalo @ Las Vegas – Kickoff at 4:25 p.m. ET 

 	CTV Network and RDS 


 	Los Angeles Chargers @ Kansas City – Kickoff at 4:25 p.m. ET 

 	TSN1/3 



Sunday Night Football 

 	8:15 p.m. ET – Dallas @ Green Bay 

 	TSN, CTV Network, and RDS 



Monday Programming 

 	3 p.m. ET – NFL Live (TSN1/3)

 	6 p.m. ET – NFL Monday Night Countdown (TSN1/3) 
 	8:15 p.m. ET – Washington @ San Francisco 

 	TSN1/3/4, CTV2 Network, and RDS2  



&nbsp;

This page will be updated as any changes to NFL programming are confirmed. CTV games are available by region on Crave through the live CTV channel.  

NFL on TSN, CTV, Crave, and RDS – Week 6: Jaguars Host Texans at London’s Wembley Stadium, Cowboys and Packers Tackle Sunday Night Football, and more

Thursday Programming   12 p.m. ET – NFL GameDay (TSN2)  4 p.m. ET – NFL Live (TSN1/3)  7 p.m. ET – TNF Tonight (TSN1)  8:15 p.m. ET – Seattle @ Denver...


 	Crave unveiled two new clips from its upcoming original series YAGA today at New York Comic Con, following an AMC+ panel with Carrie-Anne Moss, showrunner and writer Kat Sandler, and executive producer Mackenzie Donaldson.
 	The clips are available HERE.
 	The eight-episode, half-hour drama reimagines the myth of Baba Yaga as a contemporary mystery thriller set in a small coastal town and premieres on Crave with the first two episodes on Friday, Oct. 23.
 	Based on the hit play by showrunner and writer Kat Sandler, YAGA follows Rapp (Noah Reid), a private investigator who arrives in a small coastal town to investigate the disappearance of a young heir to a powerful fishery, Henry Park (Hudson Williams). He finds himself at odds with an apprehensive local detective, Carson (Clark Backo), a charismatic university professor with a taste for younger men, Katherine (Carrie-Anne Moss), and a labyrinth of enigmatic suspects, secret lives, and ancient magic.
 	Additional cast includes Sheila McCarthy, Megan Follows, Ezra Franky, Patrick Gilmore, Katharine Isabelle, and Hiro Kanagawa, along with Emilija Baranac, Georgia Acken, Anisa Harris, and Sam Krochmal.


New Clips Revealed for Buzzy Crave Original Series YAGA at New York Comic Con

Crave unveiled two new clips from its upcoming original series YAGA today at New York Comic Con, following an AMC+ panel with Carrie-Anne Moss, showru...

October 9 – Crave Original ALL HEART: A RUGBY STORY *Docuseries Premiere*  

 	This all-new Crave Original docuseries offers a behind-the-scenes look at the Canadian women’s team and their journey through Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025. Over four 30-minute episodes, ALL HEART: A RUGBY STORY highlights the culmination of years of sacrifice, hard work, and preparation by the women’s national team – a mix of veteran players, young rising superstars, and semi-professionals who play overseas. As the team pursued its history-making campaign, the players pushed through grueling injuries, fought for a position in the lineup, and battled global behemoths. With unprecedented access provided by the partnership with Rugby Canada and World Rugby, audiences can witness a story of raw conviction and self-belief that transcends the sport. Produced by Boat Rocker Studios, alongside executive producers Jay Baruchel and The Tragically Hip, and in collaboration with Rugby Canada and World Rugby. All four episodes are available for streaming on Friday, Oct. 9. 

 

October 11 – HBO Original Docuseries THE PET CEMETERY MURDERS: A GHOST STORY * Premiere*  

 	What begins as an investigation into a 1985 murder turns into a haunting exploration of a community’s dark history of violence and bloodshed. Set in the rural bayou outside New Orleans, Louisiana, a harsh landscape steeped in supernatural lore and traditions, the story starts with the disappearance of Dorothy Lou Thompson – the owner of a pet cemetery that had been built on land long rumoured to be cursed. Dorothy’s body eventually turns up wrapped in chains in the Mississippi River, raising questions about her past and the people around her. With no concrete evidence, the case goes cold until 2009 when Det. John Doran reopens the investigation, following up on old leads and digging into the case files. Unexpectedly, a witness comes forward with a terrifying tale of Dorothy’s ghost which compels him to come forward with information. Three years later, a second witness claims to be haunted by the murdered woman seeking vengeance. The vexing accounts launch a police investigation into Dorothy’s tragic past, revealing a trail of dead husbands, a domineering mother Grace, who founded the cemetery after outrunning her own criminal acts, and the long shadow of a community steeped in evil deeds that were buried but not forgotten. The three-part documentary series debuts on Sunday, Oct. 11 with one new episode streaming on subsequent Sundays.  

***Media Note: Assets for Crave programming are available at the Bell Media press site, The Lede, here   

Programming Premieres and Key Finales for the week of October 8 – 14 

*All Programming Subject to Change*    

 

HBO and HBO Max

October 11 – HBO Original THE PET CEMETERY MURDERS: A GHOST STORY S1 E1 (Premiere) 

 

Movies 

October 8 – A TRIBE CALLED LOVE 

October 8 – THE RICHEST WOMAN IN THE WORLD *Canadian Title* 

October 8 – THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY 

October 8 – INGLORIOUS BASTERDS 

October 9 – TROLLS BAND TOGETHER 

October 9 – PRIMATE 

October 9 – IMMACULATE 

October 9 – UGLYDOLLS 

October 9 – KILL BILL: THE WHOLE BLOODY AFFAIR 

October 9 – ADDAMS FAMILY VALUES  

October 9 – THE ADDAMS FAMILY (1991) 

October 9 – THE OTHER GUYS 

 

STARZ

October 9 – DO NOT ENTER 

October 9 – A CARPENTER CHRISTMAS ROMANCE 

 

Additional Highlights

October 10 – Crave Original ANNA PIGEON S1 E10 (Finale) 

 

Next Day on Crave

October 9 – GEORGIE &amp; MANDY'S FIRST MARRIAGE S3 E1 (Season Premiere) *following CTV 

October 10 – BOSTON BLUE S2 E1 (Season Premiere) *following CTV 

October 12 – SNAPPED S36 (Finale) *following Oxygen

October 8 – 14: Crave Weekly Streaming Overview 

October 9 – Crave Original ALL HEART: A RUGBY STORY *Docuseries Premiere*   This all-new Crave Original docuseries offers a behind-the-scenes look at...

Thursday Programming

 	2:30 p.m. ET – NFL GameDay (TSN4/5) 
 	4 p.m. ET – NFL Live (TSN1/3) 
 	7 p.m. ET – TNF Tonight (TSN1/3) 
 	8:15 p.m. ET – Tampa Bay @ Dallas  

 	TSN1/3, CTV Network, and RDS.ca  



 

Friday Programming 

 	1:30 p.m. ET – NFL GameDay (TSN3/5) 
 	4 p.m. ET – NFL Live (TSN1/3) 

 

Sunday Programming 

 	9:30 a.m. ET – NFL International Series: Philadelphia vs. Jacksonville live from London, England 

 	TSN Premium and RDS2 


 	10 a.m. ET – NFL Countdown (TSN1)  
 	10 a.m. ET – NFL Fantasy Football Now (TSN Premium) 
 	1 p.m. ET – NFL RedZone (TSN Premium, RDS.ca, and RDS App) 
 	1 p.m. ET – FanDuel Sunday (TSN1) 
 	7 p.m. ET – Football Night in America (TSN) 
 	7:30 p.m. ET – NFL on CTV Live (CTV) 

 

Sunday 1 p.m. ET

 	Las Vegas @ New England  

 	CTV Network and RDS 


 	Indianapolis @ Pittsburgh  

 	TSN1/3/4 


 	New York Giants @ Washington 

 	CTV2 Toronto, CTV2 Ottawa, CTV2 London, CTV2 Windsor, and CTV2 Atlantic 


 	Chicago @ Green Bay 

 	CTV2 BC and CTV2 Alberta 


 	Minnesota @ New Orleans  

 	TSN Premium 



&nbsp;

Sunday 4 p.m. ET 

 	San Francisco @ Seattle – Kickoff at 4:25 p.m. ET 

 	CTV Network and RDS


 	Detroit @ Arizona – Kickoff at 4:25 p.m. ET 

 	TSN1/3/4 



 

Sunday Night Football 

 	8:20 p.m. ET – Baltimore @ Atlanta 

 	TSN, CTV Network, and RDS 



 

Monday Programming 

 	3 p.m. ET – NFL Live (TSN2) 
 	6 p.m. ET – NFL Monday Night Countdown (TSN1/3) 
 	8:15 p.m. ET – Buffalo @ Los Angeles Rams 

 	TSN, CTV2 Network, and RDS2 


 	8:15 p.m. ET – Monday Night Football with Peyton &amp; Eli (TSN Premium) 

 

This page will be updated as any changes to NFL programming are confirmed. CTV games are available by region on Crave through the live CTV channel. 

NFL on TSN, CTV, Crave, and RDS – Week 5: Eagles and Jaguars Clash in London, Bills Visit Rams on Monday Night Football, and more

Thursday Programming 2:30 p.m. ET – NFL GameDay (TSN4/5)  4 p.m. ET – NFL Live (TSN1/3)  7 p.m. ET – TNF Tonight (TSN1/3)  8:15 p.m. ET – Tampa Bay @...

By BILL HARRIS

Special to The Lede

HBO’s LANTERNS just wrapped up its season on Crave, and stars Kyle Chandler and Aaron Pierre were following along episode by episode, just like everyone else.

“I think I'm feeling quite emotional, to be honest with you,” Pierre said. “With that eighth and final episode coming out (Sunday), I just sort of relived it, and I don't know … I've said it a thousand times, and I'll say it a thousand times more, every single person who had a hand in this show, and every single department, everyone gave everything, and we really were like a football team. No matter what happens next, this is one of the proudest moments of my career.”

Chandler admitted, “I just watched the final episode today, and I was trying to catch up with all the twists and turns. There was a lot going on. Something that really struck me is the last scene I did with Aaron in the show. Because it’s like when you win the state championship, tears come to your eye, because all the work that you put in slams into you at one moment on the field. It happened to me this morning while watching it. I did have to gently wipe away a tear, so my wife didn't make fun of me.”

Chandler and Pierre took part in a virtual media session mere hours after the finale aired (the entire season is available now on Crave). It’s a rare thing to have the stars of a show getting together to talk about it so quickly following the last episode, but it speaks to how strongly both Chandler and Pierre feel about the project.

SPOILER ALERT: Some general details about the season are going to be discussed.

LANTERNS was far more grounded in human stories and emotions than most superhero-themed shows.

The story initially followed experienced Green Lantern Hal Jordan, played by Chandler, and new recruit John Stewart, played by Pierre, in 2016, as they investigated an incident in Rushville, Nebraska, that Hal believed had extraterrestrial undertones. Hal turned out to be right, but both he and John made risky decisions that had disastrous and deadly ramifications for the town.

After so much damage had been done, John chose not to possess the ring that he had worked his whole life to earn, because he couldn’t remember why he wanted it any more.

Then, 10 years later in 2026, the paths of Hal and John came together once again, but under very different circumstances.

“The father-son aspect of this show, for me, is just incredible,” Chandler said. “I lost my pop when I was 14. And you know, Hal had that going on with John, that father-son relationship. It became apparent while we were shooting it, that wisdom, and being able to give back a little bit. So that love story is, he won my heart over again, and I was able to do what my father would have done for me.”

With the parameters of that particular relationship in mind, Pierre acknowledged that there’s a tonal difference between the John Stewart we see in the first half of the season, and the John Stewart we see in the last half of the season.

“John's superpower, in my opinion, subjectively, is not being fearless, it's the ability to acknowledge fear and overcome it,” Pierre said. “And I hope what people catch in (episodes) 1-4 is that he sort of quietly, quite stoically, accepts the fact – maybe he doesn't articulate it – but he's like, ‘yeah, I'm not ready for the job yet.’ But he leans into it so heavily. He doesn't lean away from it. He doesn't lean away from it with arrogance, or with this delusion. He leans into it, and actively searches for ways to become everything he knows he can become, if he just makes himself the student that absorbs, versus deflecting when he doesn't know something.”

Beyond their own contributions, both Chandler and Pierre acknowledged that LANTERNS had a stellar cast from top to bottom, particularly Kelly Macdonald, who played Kerry Kane, the Rushville sheriff with multiple world-changing secrets. Other key cast members included Laura Linney as Lianna, Ulrich Thomsen as Thaal Sinestro, Jason Ritter as Billy Macon, Garret Dillahunt as Will Macon, Poorna Jagannathan as Zoe Macon, and Shea Pritchard as the teenage Noah Macon in the 2026 timeline.

To end the virtual media session on a lighter note, Chandler was asked what he would do if he had the Green Lantern’s powerful ring for 24 hours.

“I'd make a construct where everyone who is out to do bad, and not being part of the human community, the human experience, but veering too far off for themselves, or towards places they shouldn't be, would sort of fade away so you could barely see them, or their words were taken away from them, they were mute,” Chandler said. “They had no way to express themselves until they were able to be intellectually worthy to use words to speak, and to make actions. That'd be fun to do for 24 hours, just 24 hours. And maybe the TVs didn't work at the same time.”

Chandler then realized what he had said.

“No, not the TVs, we want the TVs!” he added with a smile. “Anyway, you get my point. I mean, you want HBO working, that’s for sure!”

billharristv@gmail.com

@billharris_tv

Kyle Chandler and Aaron Pierre Illuminate the LANTERNS Finale: ‘I Did Have to Gently Wipe Away a Tear’

By BILL HARRIS Special to The Lede HBO’s LANTERNS just wrapped up its season on Crave, and stars Kyle Chandler and Aaron Pierre were following along e...

OTTAWA (October 7, 2026) – CTV News announced today the appointment of Marieke Walsh as Deputy Bureau Chief of the network’s Ottawa News Bureau. In this role, Walsh provides additional leadership and support to CTV News’ comprehensive coverage of federal politics and national affairs from Parliament Hill. She begins her new role later this month. 

In addition to delivering breaking news and political coverage for CTV News’ award-winning Ottawa News Bureau team, Walsh becomes a regular cross-platform contributor to CTV News, hosting a weekly podcast as well as supporting key programs as a fill-in anchor.  

“I am thrilled to join the storied CTV NATIONAL NEWS Ottawa News Bureau and the incredible team of journalists who work tirelessly to bring the issues that matter most to the doorstep of power on Parliament Hill,” said Walsh. “It is an immense privilege to wake up every day and do a job I love so much, and I’m grateful to CTV News for this amazing opportunity.” 

“Marieke Walsh is a highly respected political journalist whose experience, leadership, and commitment to impactful reporting makes her an outstanding addition to our Ottawa Bureau team,” said Richard Gray, VP News, Bell Media. “Her deep understanding of Canada's political landscape and exceptional editorial judgement will bolster our coverage from the nation’s capital. With Marieke as a key part of the team, we will continue to deliver the trusted news that Canadians expect.” 

“There are reporters across the industry whose work you follow closely and respect. For me, Marieke has always been one of them. Her decision to join CTV NATIONAL NEWS and the Ottawa News Bureau further strengthens our talented team,” said Graham Richardson, Ottawa Bureau Chief, CTV NATIONAL NEWS. “Marieke is an exceptional journalist with a passion for enterprise reporting and an instinct for political news. Her ability to break stories, hold decision-makers to account, and drive the conversation on Parliament Hill will make an immediate impact on our political coverage at a pivotal moment for the country.” 

Walsh is joining CTV News from The Globe and Mail, where she was the senior political reporter. In that role she helped lead team coverage of federal elections and leadership campaigns, and broke major stories across business, energy, health, and politics. Throughout her career, she has built a reputation for incisive reporting, thoughtful analysis, and the ability to provide audiences with comprehensive context on complex issues.  

CTV News Appoints Marieke Walsh as Ottawa Deputy Bureau Chief

OTTAWA (October 7, 2026) – CTV News announced today the appointment of Marieke Walsh as Deputy Bureau Chief of the network’s Ottawa News Bureau. In th...

TORONTO, ON (October 6, 2026) – From the mind of Jared Keeso comes I KILL THE BEAR, a new, six-part, Crave Original comedy series which drops Friday, Nov. 6.

I KILL THE BEAR is a comedy about a family of bear wranglers for film sets, and why, after 100 years, they’ve decided to make this film their last. The Thibaults – Keeso, St-Pierre, Beauchesne, and Torrens – are a fourth-generation Franco-Ontarian family who make their living wrangling bears on film sets. They’re incredibly kind, well-intentioned people who have spent most of their lives isolated in the bush and suddenly find themselves trying to navigate a Hollywood world they don’t completely understand.

A trailer for the series was also released today:


Keeso is joined onscreen by an ensemble cast including: Adrian Holmes (19-2, BEL-AIR), Mixed Martial Arts star Georges St-Pierre (CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER), Jonathan Torrens (TRAILER PARK BOYS), Sarah-Maude Beauchesne (BELLEFLEUR), multi-award-winning, Diamond-selling Nickelback frontman Chad Kroeger, Kristin Kreuk (SMALLVILLE), Scott Thompson (KIDS IN THE HALL), Dylan Playfair (LETTERKENNY),  Eliana Jones (SHORESY), Frederick Roy (SHORESY), and Megha Sandhu (PAINKILLER).

Guest stars include: Andrew Antsanen, Jann Arden, Brent Butt, Michala Brasseur, Jesse Camacho, Kim Coates, Art D’Ecco, Tricia Helfer, Emma Hunter, Kim Cloutier, Ryan McDonell, Ben Mulroney, Michelle Mylett, Matt Paradis, Jay Onrait, Maxim Roy, Melanie Scrofano, Rachel Sellan, Hannah Simone, George Stroumboulopoulos, and more.

I KILL THE BEAR is produced by New Metric Media in association with Play Fun Games and in partnership with Bell Media’s Crave, with the participation of the Rogers Fund and the NOHFC. Jared Keeso is Executive Producer, writer, star, and creator, with story by Keeso and Producer Trevor Risk. Dan and Sean Skene are directors and Executive Producers. Mark Montefiore and Kara Haflidson are Executive Producers with Max Wolfond serving as Supervising Producer for New Metric Media. New Metric Media handles international distribution.

For Bell Media: Rachel Goldstein-Couto is Head of Development; Melissa Williamson is Senior Production Executive; Sarah Fowlie is Head of Production; Li Yeh is Director, Strategic Planning; Carlyn Klebuc is General Manager, Original Programming; and Justin Stockman is Vice President, Global Content.

Jared Keeso’s New Comedy Series, I KILL THE BEAR, Premieres November 6

TORONTO, ON (October 6, 2026) – From the mind of Jared Keeso comes I KILL THE BEAR, a new, six-part, Crave Original comedy series which drops Friday,...