Matthew Almeida
CTV – CTV2
Canada’s CTV and NBCUniversal International Studios Partner on New Medical Procedural THE TRANSPLANT from Montréal-Based Sphère Média Plus
– 13-episode series is a modern immigrant story wrapped in a medical procedural –
OTTAWA (January 31, 2019) – Canada’s leading television network CTV, together with NBCUniversal International Studios, today announced THE TRANSPLANT, a new, one-hour, primetime medical procedural slated for CTV’s 2019/20 broadcast season. Developed by CTV, the series is from award-winning Montréal-based producer Sphère Média Plus (19-2). NBCUniversal will have distribution rights outside of Canada. The announcement was made from the Canadian Media Producers Association (CMPA) Prime Time conference in Ottawa.
When a truck plows into the busy street café where he works, Bash, a struggling Syrian refugee, draws on bold skills and warzone instincts from his former life as a doctor to save multiple people. Among these victims is the chief of the busiest trauma centre in Toronto and the one person who can give Bash the opportunity to return to a career in emergency medicine that he so deserves.
THE TRANSPLANT tells the story of this charismatic man with an elusive past as he joins a team of doctors, challenged to make a place for himself in a new hospital and country. The drama blends a modern immigrant tale with an ensemble medical procedural, offering audiences a fresh take on a beloved genre. The first cycle consists of 13 episodes, with production set to begin in Summer 2019.
“With its universal themes of compassion, courage, and hope, this compelling series puts a new spin on medical dramas, which are sure to not only connect with CTV viewers in Canada, but with viewers everywhere,” said Mike Cosentino, President, Content and Programming, Bell Media. “Following our successful partnerships with NBCU International Studios on MOTIVE and THE DISAPPEARANCE, we were actively looking for another project to collaborate on for the international market and found the perfect series with THE TRANSPLANT. We look forward to again working with our partners to bring this intriguing new series to the world.”
Jeff Wachtel, President, NBCUniversal International Studios added: “With THE TRANSPLANT, CTV has picked-up a series which combines high-stakes drama with a very personal journey about finding your place in the world. We’re excited to be partnering with Mike and his team to produce something special for the Canadian market and beyond.”
“THE TRANSPLANT is a timely drama that subtly addresses one of the most compelling issues of our time: the question of immigration and refugees,” said Jocelyn Deschenes, President and Founder of Sphère Média Plus. “We have been inspired by many of the Syrian consultants who have shared their stories with us.”
The series is created and written by Joseph Kay (FRONTIER, LIVING IN YOUR CAR). Executive producers are Jocelyn Deschenes, Bruno Dube, Virginia Rankin, Jeremy Spry, and Tara Woodbury of Sphère Média Plus, the producers behind Bell Media’s multiple award-winning drama 19-2.
THE TRANSPLANT will be produced with the participation of the Canada Media Fund and the Bell Fund.
THE TRANSPLANT is produced by Sphère Média Plus in association with CTV and NBCUniversal International Studios. For CTV, Michele McMahon and Gosia Kamela are Production Executives; Tom Hastings is Director, Drama, Original Programming; Corrie Coe is Senior Vice-President, Original Programming, Bell Media; Pat DiVittorio is Vice-President, CTV and Specialty Programming. Mike Cosentino is President, Content and Programming, Bell Media. Randy Lennox is President, Bell Media. NBCUniversal International Studios Executives are Kristen Del Pero, VP Scripted Programming and Amal Baggar, VP Scripted Programming.
Social Media
About NBCUniversal
NBCUniversal International Studios delivers award-winning international content to millions across the globe. Based in London, the business’ in-house production labels include: Carnival Films, creator of worldwide phenomenon DOWNTON ABBEY and Sky 1’s most-watched drama, STAN LEE’S LUCKY MAN; Monkey, producer of BAFTA-winning MADE IN CHELSEA and reality ITVBe hit, THE REAL HOUSEWIVES OF CHESHIRE; and Australian-based Matchbox Pictures, SPA’s Media Super Production Business of the Year and maker of critically-acclaimed drama series SAFE HARBOUR, THE NOWHERE BOYS, GLITCH and THE SLAP.
Additionally, NBCUniversal International Studios operates a joint production venture with WT TV (TALES OF THE CITY) and Heyday Television (THE CAPTURE, THE INBETWEEN and THE LONG SONG), and owns an equity stake in LARK Productions Canada (FIRST RESPONDERS and MOTIVE).
It also operates a prolific International Formats business, which licenses and produces content in over 70 territories worldwide, with key brands including THE TITAN GAMES, SONGLAND, WORLD OF DANCE, TOP CHEF, SUITS and HOUSE.
Complementing its content, in 2017, International Studios extended the legacy of award-winning title, DOWNTON ABBEY, by launching Downton Abbey: The Exhibition in New York. The touring exhibition is currently in West Palm Beach, Florida.
About Sphère Média Plus
Founded in 1997, Sphère Média Plus is recognized as one of the leaders in its field. To date, the company has produced no fewer than 25 television series in French and English, adding up to over 1,200 episodes of primetime drama and comedy. With offices in Montréal and Toronto, Sphère Média Plus is the first Quebec production company to break into the English Canadian market with adaptations of several of its French-language series including RUMEURS (RUMOURS), LES HAUTS ET LES BAS DE SOPHIE PAQUIN (SOPHIE), NOUVELLE ADRESSE (THIS LIFE) and 19-2, the last of which triumphed at the 2016 Canadian Screen Awards and received critical praise from the New York Times. Sphère Média Plus has twice been on the prestigious nomination list for an International Emmy Awards, once for Best Performance by an Actor (Claude Legault) and once for Best Drama Series (19-2). Sphère Média is a division of DATSIT Sphere Inc.
About Bell Media Original Programming
Bell Media has commissioned some of Canada’s most-watched and most-acclaimed original programming, working with the best Canadian independent producers in the country. Hit series commissioned by CTV include the hit drama CARDINAL; the record-breaking Canadian formats THE AMAZING RACE CANADA and MASTERCHEF CANADA; the original international TV format THE LAUNCH; satirical news series THE BEAVERTON; new comedy series JANN; new lifestyle series MARY’S KITCHEN CRUSH; and CANADA’S WALK OF FAME AWARDS. Among the original series on Bell Media specialty and streaming platforms are Space’s KILLJOYS and WYNONNA EARP; Bravo’s mystery dramedy CARTER; Comedy’s CORNER GAS ANIMATED; Crave’s hit comedy LETTERKENNY and recently announced mockumentary NEW EDEN; and SnackableTV’s interactive stand-up series JOKEOFF and upcoming animated series LITTLEKENNY. In addition to adventure drama FRONTIER, Discovery is also home to Bell Media’s hit factual franchises HIGHWAY THRU HELL, HEAVY RESCUE: 401, and CANADA’S WORST DRIVER, in addition to new original series DISASTERS AT SEA, among others. Bell Media is one of the first media companies in North America to commit to producing all new original scripted series in 4K.
About CTV
CTV is Canada’s #1 private broadcaster. Featuring a wide range of quality news, sports, information, and entertainment programming, CTV has been Canada’s most-watched television network for the past 17 years in a row. CTV is a division of Bell Media, Canada’s premier multimedia company with leading assets in television, radio, digital, and Out-of-Home. Bell Media is owned by BCE Inc. (TSX, NYSE: BCE), Canada’s largest communications company. More information about CTV can be found on the network’s website at CTV.ca.
Get the latest announcements from Bell Media
Subscribe to our media lists to receive official press releases and alerts from Bell Media PR.