Bell Media's Original Canadian Series THE L.A. COMPLEX Acquired by The CW for U.S. Broadcast

- New drama series premieres tonight at 9 p.m. ET on MuchMusic and CTV -

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"The L.A. Complex….practically bursts with energy in its hour-long series opener."
- Postmedia News

"The L.A. Complex is a slick, well-shot project…"
- QMI Agency

"A soap with some smarts and well-drawn characters."
- The Globe and Mail

TORONTO, Jan. 10, 2012 /CNW/ - Bell Media announced today that its sexy new Canadian drama THE L.A. COMPLEX has become its latest original series to be acquired by a U.S. network. The CW has picked up the existing six episodes of the one-hour series, which was ordered by Bell Media in August 2010 and shot in Toronto and Los Angeles last summer. Produced by Emmy®-nominated Epitome Pictures (DEGRASSI) and executive produced, written, and directed by Martin Gero (HBO's BORED TO DEATH, Young People F*cking), THE L.A. COMPLEX is a no-holds-barred, character-driven relationship drama that follows the exploits of six attractive, young hopefuls in search of stardom in Hollywood. A MuchMusic Original Series, THE L.A. COMPLEX has its world premiere tonight, Tuesday, Jan. 10 at 9 p.m. ET/PT (8 p.m. CT, 10 p.m. MT/AT), in simulcast on CTV and MuchMusic. Subsequent episodes air Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET on MuchMusic. The CW has announced plans for its American premiere later this spring.

"We're very happy The CW has recognized the potential in what we hope is another long-running franchise from our partners at Epitome Pictures," said Phil King, President, CTV Programming and Sports. "THE L.A. COMPLEX has international characters and a U.S. setting, but tells a familiar Canadian story. With tonight's world premiere just around the corner, today's announcement bodes well for the future of this homegrown series."

"Collaborating with Bell Media has been an excellent experience right from the get-go, and to have this announcement come the day of THE L.A. COMPLEX premiere on CTV and MuchMusic, makes it even better," said Executive Producer and CEO of Epitome Pictures Inc., Linda Schuyler. "For so many years, we've been working with young Canadian actors who venture to L.A. for pilot season, some of whom have even landed series on The CW!  To tell stories like theirs is so much fun."

**Media Note: Download photos for THE L.A. COMPLEX here.

For a sneak peek of THE L.A. COMPLEX, click here.

Full of new relationships, salacious temptations and make-it-or-break it decisions, THE L.A. COMPLEX's coming-of-age dwellers grapple with life's defining moments as they deal with the unreality of the show-biz industry. THE L.A. COMPLEX stars Canadian Jewel Staite (FIREFLY, STARGATE ATLANTIS) as the street-smart Haligonian Raquel, who's frightened of becoming yesterday's news; Jonathan Patrick Moore (Neighbours, All Saints) as Connor, a break-out Australian with drop-dead good looks and a dark past; Canadian Joe Dinicol (MURDOCH MYSTERIES, Scott Pilgrim vs. The World) as "nice guy" Nick, a struggling stand-up comedian from Edmonton who is always the best friend and never the boyfriend; Andra Fuller (The Secret Life of the American Teenager, Entourage) as Kaldrick, the extremely successful Hip-Hop artist hailing from the streets of Oakland; Canadian Chelan Simmons (SMALLVILLE, SUPERNATURAL, KYLE XY) as Alicia, a sensitive, aspiring dancer from Regina who will do whatever it takes to make ends meet; Canadian Cassie Steele (DEGRASSI, RELIC HUNTER) as Abby, the naïve Toronto actor who is ready to fight to get to the top; and Canadian Benjamin Charles Watson (Todd and the Book of PURE Evil, The Listener) as Tariq, the confident and talented Montreal hip-hop artist with a secret.

THE L.A. COMPLEX is executive produced by Linda Schuyler and Stephen Stohn of Epitome Pictures (DEGRASSI, INSTANT STAR) and Martin Gero. Directors are Martin Gero and Stefan Brogren. Writers are Martin Gero, Aaron Abrams, Matt Huether, Cole Bastedo, Karen Hill, and Brendan Gall. For Bell Media, Trish Williams is Production Executive; Corrie Coe is Senior Vice-President, Independent Production; Neil Staite is Vice-President and General Manager, Music and Entertainment; Catherine MacLeod is Vice-President, Specialty Channels; Rick Brace is President, Specialty Channels and CTV Production, and Phil King is President, CTV Programming and Sports.

About Bell Media Independent Production
Bell Media has produced some of Canada's most-watched and most-acclaimed original programming in partnership with Canadian independent producers, including, most recently, ratings success stories FLASHPOINT and THE LISTENER, Emmy Award-winning period drama THE BORGIAS, international hit DEGRASSI, Gemini Award-winning comedy TODD & THE BOOK OF PURE EVIL, sci-fi fan favourite SANCTUARY, critically acclaimed sketch comedy series PICNICFACE, upcoming theatre docu-series WAY OFF BROADWAY, upcoming hospital drama SAVING HOPE, and mythological action/adventure series PRIMEVIL: NEW WORLD. The company has also ordered two-hour drama pilot, BOREALIS, and the television feature THE HORSES OF McBRIDE.

About MuchMusic
As the No. 1 Canadian brand for young adults, Much is an integral part of today's pop-culture landscape. Live performances and interviews with the best Canadian and international artists, and celebrity guests put fans in the centre of the action making Much's acclaimed street-level Toronto headquarters Canada's epicentre of celebrity. A multiplatform Canadian icon, MuchMusic.com is a favourite destination for youth delivering music videos, user-generated content and more. Much spotlights homegrown talent through original productions and nurtures the Canadian music video production industry through its annual, multi-million dollar contribution to MuchFACT. It is available in 8.6 million households across Canada via cable, satellite, and mobile. Much is a division of Bell Media, which is owned by BCE Inc. (TSX, NYSE: BCE), Canada's largest communications company.

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Sara McLaren, Much MTV Group, 416.384.6104, [email protected]
Mary Costa, Much MTV Group, 416.384.7702, [email protected]
Alana Russo, The CW, 818-977-5993, [email protected]