Family Channel and Radical Sheep Productions Announce the Start of Production for Season Five of the Hit Tween Drama The Next Step

TORONTO, June 20, 2016 /CNW/ - DHX Television's Family Channel and Radical Sheep Productions, a division of Boat Rocker Studios, announced today that principal photography has begun on the fifth season of the award-winning global tween series, The Next Step. The fan-favourite series, which follows the lives of an elite group of dancers that train at the Next Step studio, has become a worldwide phenomenon, sparking three Canadian tours, international tours through Europe, the UK and Australia, a feature film, and spin-off series. Production on the 20-episode order begins this summer in Toronto, with the fifth season slated to premiere on Family Channel in 2017.

"We're elated that after four seasons this Canadian original series continues to draw in viewers globally with its serialized storylines, relatable characters, and of course, tremendous dancing," said Michael Goldsmith, Vice President, Original Production, DHX Television. "This is the first time in network history that we've commissioned a fifth season of an original production and I think it speaks volumes to the affinity of the brand and the connection that our young stars have made with fans worldwide. We're so proud of this show and look forward to working with Radical Sheep to deliver more episodes, dance and drama internationally from this homegrown hit."

"We are thrilled to be back for another season of The Next Step. The talent and dedication of our amazing cast, writers, producers and crew on this series never ceases to amaze us. The continued success of The Next Step around the world is a testament to their brilliance and hard work," said Executive Producers of the show and Co-Presidents of Boat Rocker Studios, Ivan Schneeberg and David Fortier. 

Season five opens a new chapter for The Next Step dance studio. The studio is expanding and attracting a lot of fresh faces and the dancers are looking to step up their game. The dance world is a tight family, but competition will put old friendships and new relationships to the test, as the dancers try to strike a balance between individual talent and dedicated teamwork. This season asks the question: How far would you go to make it to the top?

In addition to returning fan-favourites from previous seasons of the show, season five of The Next Step will introduce fans to a new group of talented young dancers including: Dylan Ratzlaff as Jacquie; Jessica Lord as Lola; Milaina Robinson as Zara; Julian Lombardi as Ozzy; Hanna Miller as Heather; Noah Zulfikar as Kingston; Dawson Handy as Josh; and Julian Elia as Elliot.

Currently airing Fridays at 7:30 p.m. ET/PT on Family, season four has brought about a lot of change to the A-Troupe under Riley's (Brittany Raymond) leadership. This Friday, June 24 marks the midseason finale, titled "Heat of the Moment," where auditions for the qualifier duet begin and Alfie (Giuseppe Bausilio) makes an important decision about Riley. Fans looking to catch up on The Next Step can catch the series in its entirety on The Family Channel App.  

Family Channel recently revealed the cast will be making its fifth consecutive appearance at the most anticipated event of the summer: the network's annual Big Ticket Summer Concert. Co-hosted by Family's Deepa Prashad and The Next Step star Trevor Tordjman (James), the show will also feature performances by Myles Erlick (Noah), Briar Nolet (Richelle), Alexandra Chaves (Piper), Isaiah Peck (Henry) and Shelby Bain (Amy). Tickets are on sale now at Family.ca.

The Next Step is produced by Radical Sheep Productions, a division of Boat Rocker Studios in association with Family Channel and is executive produced by Ivan Schneeberg and David Fortier (Lost & Found Music Studios, Wingin' It); Michelle Melanson Cuperus (The Bagel and Becky Show, Fangbone!); Rachael Schaefer (The Next Step, Wingin' It); Karen McClellan (The Other Kingdom, Being Erica); and Frank van Keeken (Lost & Found Music Studios, Wingin' It). The Next Step was created by Frank van Keeken. The Next Step is also produced with the participation of the Shaw Rocket Fund, the Canada Media Fund (CMF) and CBBC. BBC Worldwide handles the international rights to the series.

Radical Sheep Productions Inc., a division of Boat Rocker Studios has over 500 episodes of award winning series and successful licensing programs to its name including Fangbone!,Yup Yups, Stella and Sam, and Can You Imagine That! Radical Sheep is currently in production on The Bagel and Becky Show for Teletoon and BBC Worldwide, The Next Step for DHX and Ollie! The Boy who Became What He Ate for the CBC.

Boat Rocker Media is a global entertainment company that creates, produces and distributes premium media content for all platforms and develops brands and IP for worldwide monetization. Under its banner are Boat Rocker Studios (which includes Temple Street and Radical Sheep Productions), Boat Rocker Rights, Boat Rocker Brands, Boat Rocker Ventures, and Boat Rocker Animation. A selection of its projects include Orphan Black (BBC AMERICA, Space), Killjoys (Syfy, Space), X Company (CBC), Being Erica (CBC, SOAPnet), The Next Step (Family Channel), Lost & Found Music Studios (Family Channel, Netflix), Wingin' It (Family Channel), Million Dollar Critic (W, BBC America), Over the Rainbow (CBC), Recipe to Riches (CBC, Food Network, Global), Billable Hours (Global, Showcase), Canada's Next Top Model (CTV), How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria? (CBC) and Darcy's Wild Life (NBC, Discovery Kids, Family Channel). For more information on Boat Rocker Media, please visit (www.boatrocker.com) and connect via (Twitter) or (Facebook).

Family Channel offers the best in family television entertainment in a premium, commercial-free environment. Dedicated to celebrating family life and providing a daily vacation for children and their families, Family airs a unique mix of top-rated Canadian and acquired series, movies and specials. Family is also home to F2N – an entertainment haven for teens that features high quality programs after 9 p.m. Family Channel subscribers have access to the Family Channel App, Family OnDemand and Family Online at no additional cost, to see hit movies and series when they want them, where they want them. Visit us at Family.ca.

DHX Television is comprised of Family Channel, Family CHRGD, Family Jr. and Télémagino, and is part of DHX Media Ltd., a leading creator, producer, marketer and broadcaster of family entertainment. Dedicated to celebrating family fun, DHX Television delivers best-in-class programming through premium subscriptions and its original production mandate, and creates and produces captivating in-market events that appeal to Canadian families. DHX Television is home to world-renowned series including The Next Step, Degrassi: Next Class and Teletubbies. DHX Media Ltd. has offices globally, and is traded on the NASDAQ and Toronto Stock Exchange.

SOURCE DHX Television

artwork and to arrange set-visits please contact: Renée Pye, Unit Publicist, The Next Step, 416.576.6413, [email protected]; Joanna Landsberg, Publicist, Family Channel, 416.977.7458, [email protected]