City Greenlights Two Original Scripted Series, Second Jen and Bad Blood: The Vito Rizzuto Story

– Coming-of-age, digital-first comedy Second Jen stars co-creators Samantha Wan and Amanda Joy –
– Inspired by true events, series Bad Blood follows the life and death of notorious underworld figure, Vito Rizzuto –

TORONTO, June 6, 2016 /CNW/ - Continuing its commitment to delivering world-class Canadian content, City adds two new original scripted series to its lineup with millennial-focused, digital-first comedy Second Jen, and limited event drama Bad Blood: The Vito Rizzuto Story.  Currently in pre-production, these new original series join the City 2016/2017 prime-time schedule alongside fan-favourite survivalist thriller, Between. Broadcast details to be announced in the coming months.

"We're committed to delivering strong Canadian originals to viewers and are excited to add two new series to our programming slate," said Colette Watson, VP of Television and Broadcast Operations, Rogers Media. "Second Jen and Bad Blood are prime examples of how City tailors compelling content to meet the needs of our diverse and dynamic audiences on the platforms of their choice."

Created by and starring Samantha Wan (Sudden Master) and Amanda Joy (Trapped in Terra), Second Jen is a coming-of-age comedy about two second-generation Chinese and Filipino-Canadian millennials and best friends experiencing all of life's "firsts".  Produced by Don Ferguson Productions, the new digital-first comedy is set to begin shooting this summer with showrunner Jeff Biederman helming the project, who also acts as an executive producer alongside Don Ferguson, Lucy Stewart and Kevin Wallis of Don Ferguson Productions.  Romeo Candido is slated to direct. This six-part, 30-minute, digital-first scripted series will premiere on Citytv.com in fall 2016, and will air on City and OMNI Television at a later date.

Inspired by reputed mobster Vito Rizzuto, and based on the best-selling book, Business or Blood: Mafia Boss Vito Rizzuto's Last War by Antonio Nicaso and Peter Edwards, Bad Blood: The Vito Rizzuto Story is a six-part, 60-minute scripted limited event series debuting on City and FX in 2017. While imprisoned in Colorado's Supermax Prison for the murders of three Bonanno family members, Rizzuto watches helplessly as the thriving empire he built is dismantled, and his closest friends and family members are mysteriously murdered one by one. When Rizzuto is finally released from prison, a Shakespearean-level revenge tale plays out – leading to the brutal murders of his closest companions, and ultimately the death of Rizzuto himself. Bad Blood: The Vito Rizzuto Story is produced by New Metric Media, Sphere Media and DHX Media. Writers and Executive Producers are Michael Konyves (Barney's Version) and Simon Barry (Van Helsing).

From Rogers Media, Nataline Rodrigues is Director of Original Programming, Hayden Mindell is Vice President of Television Programming & Content, and Colette Watson is Vice President of Television and Broadcast Operations.

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About City 
City™ television stations in Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Montreal and Saskatchewan offer viewers intensely-local, urban-oriented, culturally-diverse television programming. A distinct alternative to other conventional television stations, City engages its viewers with dynamic on-air personalities and delivers an entertaining mix of news, local-interactive formats such as: Breakfast Television and Cityline; as well as local Canadian and US acquired prime time entertainment programming. City is a part of Rogers Broadcasting Limited, a division of Rogers Communications Inc. (TSX: RCI and NYSE: RCI) which is a diversified Canadian communications and media company. For more information on City stations and programming, visit Citytv.com.

SOURCE Rogers Media

Media Contacts: Michelle Lomack, City, [email protected], 416.819.2783; Stephanie Perron, City, [email protected], 647.278.6799