CTV’s THE LISTENER is Back in Action as Production Begins on Season 5

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TORONTO (January 16, 2014) – CTV announced today that production has commenced on Season 5 of its hit original drama series THE LISTENER, starring Craig Olejnik as clairvoyant crime-solver Toby Logan. Toby will face new challenges in Season 5 of THE LISTENER when Detective Sergeant Brian Becker (Anthony Lemke; THE LISTENER Season 1; LOST GIRL) returns to shake things up at the Integrated Investigative Bureau (IIB), while his investigative journalist girlfriend, Tia Tremblay (Melanie Scrofano; HAVEN), starts to uncover secrets from his mysterious past. Forensics technician Alex Kendrick (Natalie Krill; ROOKIE BLUE) also joins the IIB team, and immediately catches the eye of Corporal Dev Clark (Rainbow Sun Francks; STARGATE ATLANTIS).

“The characters are in for an incredible evolution this season, both personally and professionally, and we can’t wait for viewers to see how they emerge from these new situations,” said Phil King, President, CTV, Sports, and Entertainment Programming. “It’s a pleasure to be back in the IIB with Shaftesbury for a fifth season.”

“We’re raising the stakes this season with powerful investigative storylines blended with even more of the character-driven drama, heart, and humour that fans of the show have come to love,” said Christina Jennings, Chairman & CEO, Shaftesbury. “We can’t wait to share Season 5 with audiences in Canada and around the world.”

During its fourth season on CTV, THE LISTENER continued to drive million-plus audiences, including a series-high 1.4 million viewers. The series ranked as the fourth most-watched Canadian series in all genres for the year. Season 4 also saw A25-54 growth in Toronto, Vancouver, and Calgary over Season 3.

** Media Note ** Download photos from THE LISTENER at www.BellMediaPR.ca

Anthony Lemke

Natalie Krill

Toby Logan (Craig Olejnik) is THE LISTENER, a telepath who works as a special consultant with the elite Integrated Investigative Bureau (IIB), facing both professional and personal challenges as he uses his mind-reading skills to solve increasingly difficult and dangerous crimes alongside Sergeant Michelle McCluskey (Lauren Lee Smith, CSI; THE L WORD). Now a more seasoned investigator, and faced with a hostile colleague from the past in Detective Sergeant Becker (Lemke), Toby will become more proactive and eventually come into conflict with the goals and procedures of the IIB organization. Meanwhile, Michelle is determined to have it all, working to balance her demanding career and the challenges of first-time parenthood with husband Adam (Kris Holden-Ried; LOST GIRL). And Toby’s best friend, Oz Bey (Ennis Esmer, DIRTY SINGLES), will embark on a second career and new professional adventure when he decides to open a swanky gastro-pub.

Produced for CTV by Shaftesbury in association with Fox International Channels, and distributed by Shine International, 13 new one-hour episodes will be filmed at Toronto’s Pinewood Studios until May 2014, bringing the series total to 65 episodes.

Anthony Lemke appeared in the first season of THE LISTENER as Detective Sergeant Brian Becker, a career-driven supervisor who was suspicious of Toby and his assistance on police cases that always seemed to have lucky breaks. Following the death of a police officer at the end of the season, Toby and Becker did not part on good terms. Lemke has since appeared in WITCHES OF EAST END, BLUE MOUNTAIN STATE and LOST GIRL. Natalie Krill adds a new perspective to the IIB team as forensics technician Alex Kendrick. Krill is best known for her roles in M.V.P. and ROOKIE BLUE, and also has a recurring role in REMEDY.

The cast of THE LISTENER includes Craig Olejnik as Toby Logan; Lauren Lee Smith as IIB Sergeant Michelle McCluskey; Ennis Esmer as Toby’s best friend, Oz Bey; Rainbow Sun Francks as IIB security and technical expert Corporal Dev Clark; Peter Stebbings (THE BORGIAS) as IIB head Alvin Klein; Kris Holden-Ried as Adam Reynolds, Michelle’s reformed gambler husband; and Tara Spencer-Nairn (CORNER GAS) as Sandy Wardwell, Oz’s girlfriend and St. Luke Hospital triage nurse.

One of Canada’s top-rated homegrown dramas, THE LISTENER is broadcast on CTV and Bravo in Canada and Fox International Channels internationally, and distributed by Shine International. The series has been licensed in 120 countries and 33 languages worldwide. Produced by Shaftesbury in association with CTV and Fox International Channels, the series is executive produced by Christina Jennings, Scott Garvie, Craig Olejnik and Peter Mohan (LOST GIRL, THE BRIDGE), who is also showrunner. Tina Grewal (HEARTLAND) is producer. Sharon Tal Yguado is executive producer for Fox International Channels. Tom Hastings and Rebecca DiPasquale are production executives for Bell Media. Trish Williams is Director, Independent Production, Bell Media and Corrie Coe is Senior Vice-President, Independent Production, Bell Media. Mike Cosentino is Senior Vice-President, Programming, CTV Networks, Bell Media. Phil King is President, President CTV Sports and Entertainment Programming. THE LISTENER is produced with the financial participation of The Canadian Film or Video Tax Credit and The Ontario Film and Television Tax Credit.

About Bell Media Independent Production

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 CTV series include ratings success stories SAVING HOPE, THE LISTENER, MOTIVE, the #1 new Canadian scripted series of the 2012/13 season, and THE AMAZING RACE CANADA, the record-breaking, Canadian-produced complementary version of the hit international series. CTV is also home to drama series PLAYED, and premiering in the 2013/14 season, multi-cam office comedy SPUN OUT, and hit international format MASTERCHEF CANADA. Among the scripted series on Bell Media pay and specialty channels are the two-time Emmy®-nominated hit DEGRASSI, the recently renewed ORPHAN BLACK, CSA-winning CALL ME FITZ, and upcoming dramas BITTEN, SENSITIVE SKIN, 19-2, and KILLJOYS. Bell Media specialty channels are also home to reality series such as BRAVE NEW GIRLS, game shows MATCH GAME and POP QUIZ, and factual series HIGHWAY THRU HELL and CANADA’S WORST DRIVER, among others. In 2013, Bell Media ordered 24 original Canadian series and currently has 74 projects in various stages of development.

About Shaftesbury

With offices in Toronto and Los Angeles, Shaftesbury is an award-winning creator and distributor of original content for television and multiple platforms in more than 120 countries. Shaftesbury’s slate includes five seasons of THE LISTENER for CTV and Fox International Channels; seven seasons of MURDOCH MYSTERIES for Citytv, UKTV, ITV STUDIOS Global Entertainment and CBC; the global hit kids’ series LIFE WITH DEREK; and compelling documentaries including TVO’s UNSUNG: BEHIND THE GLEE. Shaftesbury’s groundbreaking digital media division, Smokebomb Entertainment, creates convergent experiences for television and original digital content including the comedy series BACKPACKERS for CW Seed and CTV; tween series TOTALLY AMP’D and UNLIKELY HEROES for YTV.com and Hulu; and 3D sci-fi series STATE OF SYN for Hulu. Visit us online at http://shaftesbury.ca and http://smokebomb.ca.

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 12 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.

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:

Twitter:

@CTV_Television

@CTV_PR

@ShaftesburyTV

THE LISTENER on Twitter:

@listenertv

Craig Olejnik: @craigolejnik

Ennis Esmer: @heyennisshutup

Lauren Lee Smith: @L_L_S

Rainbow Sun Francks: @RainbowFrancks

Tara Spencer-Nairn: @TSpencerNairn