Canwest and AETN announce star-studded production, The Kennedys

Starring Greg Kinnear, Barry Pepper, Katie Holmes and Tom Wilkinson

Eight-Part Limited Series to Premiere in 2011

For complete program information, photos and primetime grids please visit: www.canwesttvmedia.com

TORONTO, April 28 /CNW/ - History Television joins forces with U.S. AETN channel, History(TM), to produce the Canadian Specialty channel's first-ever scripted limited series, The Kennedys. Featuring an outstanding cast, this revealing one-hour, eight-part drama spotlights one of America's most legendary families as they have never been seen before. The series is set to premiere in 2011.

Heavy on star-power, the ambitious series features Oscar(R)-nominated and Emmy(R) Award-winning actor Greg Kinnear (As Good As it Gets, Little Miss Sunshine) as President John F. Kennedy, Katie Holmes (Batman Begins, The Ice Storm) as First Lady, Emmy(R) Award-winning actor Tom Wilkinson (In The Bedroom, John Adams) as Ambassador Joe Kennedy Sr. and Barry Pepper (Saving Private Ryan, Enemy of the State) will star as Attorney General, Robert Kennedy.

"There's an endless fascination with the Kennedy story, and it's one that continues to resonate with people around the world," said Christine Shipton, SVP, Drama and Factual Content, Canwest Broadcasting. "As the network's very first scripted drama series, we're excited to bring this prolific piece of American history to life with our partners at AETN."

Produced by Muse Entertainment for AETN and History Television, The Kennedys come from the Emmy(R) Award-winning team behind the groundbreaking series 24, creators Stephen Kronish and Joel Surnow. The series will be directed by Jon Cassar (24, Criminal Minds) and produced by Muse Entertainment in association with Asylum Entertainment. Joel Surnow, Jonathan Koch, Steve Michaels, Michael Prupas, Jon Cassar and Jamie Paul Rock serve as the executive producers.

Shooting is set to begin in June in and around the Greater Toronto area and will continue through until September, 2010.

History Television is a Canwest Broadcasting channel.

About Canwest Originals:

Canwest is the proud home of the most diverse slate of Canadian Original programs across the Dramatic, Lifestyle and Entertainment genres. As a steadfast supporter of the Canadian production community, Canwest is dedicated to bringing the best of the country to audiences nationwide - including shows such as: Rookie Blue, Family Restaurant, Holmes Inspection, Ice Pilots NWT, 16:9, Re-Vamped and Canada's most trusted entertainment news show Entertainment Tonight Canada.

About Canwest Broadcasting

Canwest Broadcasting operates Global Television and eighteen of the country's most popular specialty channels, including HGTV, Mystery TV, National Geographic Channel, Showcase, History Television, Food Network and TVtropolis. Canwest Broadcasting is a division of Canwest Media Inc.

About Canwest Media Inc.

Canwest Media Inc. is a subsidiary of Canwest Global Communications Corp. (www.canwest.com), Canada's largest media company. In addition to owning the Global Television Network, operating 18 industry-leading specialty channels and having ownership in 5 specialty channels, Canwest is Canada's largest publisher of English language paid daily newspapers and owns and operates more than 80 online properties.

For further information: Jane Collins, Publicist, History Television, [phone], [email protected]