Global and ABC announce broadcast date for new Canadian original drama,
Rookie Blue

    
                     Canwest Commissioned Series to Air
                   Thursdays - 9pm ET/PT Starting June 24

    Starring Missy Peregrym (Reaper, Heroes) and Gregory Smith (Everwood)

           From Executive Producers Tassie Cameron and Ilana Frank

                 Produced by E1 Entertainment and Thump Inc.
    

TORONTO, April 7 /CNW/ - Canwest and ABC today announced scheduling details for Rookie Blue, the latest homegrown series to be picked up for broadcast in the United States.

Premiering Thursday, June 24 - 9pm ET/PT in simulcast on Global and ABC, this highly-anticipated original series is a one-hour, 13-part drama that follows the lives of five inexperienced rookies thrown into the world of big city policing - where even the smallest mistake can have life-or-death consequences.

Commissioned by Canwest and picked up by ABC Television Network during development last year, Rookie Blue (previously titled Copper) was developed by Thump Inc. and produced in partnership with leading indie studio and distributor, E1 Entertainment.

"Canadians have been waiting for the next great homegrown series, and Rookie Blue has 'hit' written all over it," said Barbara Williams, Executive Vice President of Content, Canwest Broadcasting. "From the top-notch writing to the superb cast and incredible production values, we love everything about this show. Canwest is committed to making Rookie Blue the next big TV success story in Canada and around the world."

Rookie Blue features a stellar lineup of Canadian talent including Missy Peregrym (Reaper, Heroes) as eager Andy McNally; Gregory Smith (Everwood) as thrill-seeker Dov Epstein; Charlotte Sullivan (M.V.P.) as ambitious Gail Peck; Enuka Okuma (24) as feisty Traci Nash; and Travis Milne (My Green House) as police poster-boy Chris Diaz.

The series also stars Ben Bass (Would Be Kings) as Detective Sam Swarek; Eric Johnson (Smallville) as Detective Luke Callaghan; Matt Gordon (Rent-A-Goalie) as Oliver Shaw; Noam Jenkins (Flashpoint) as Jerry Barber; and Melanie Nicholls King (The Wire) as Noelle Williams.

In this sexy, high-stakes drama, the young group of 20-something officers carry big guns and even bigger emotional baggage. Rookie Blue examines the trials and triumphs, competition and camaraderie of this rookie family who are about to learn that no amount of training can prepare them for this job - or for life. At the core of the group is Andy McNally (Peregrym), an ambitious rookie who was raised by her cop father. Andy's unstable childhood left her searching for a family, which she finds in her fellow rookies. Despite her strong instincts and convictions, few see Andy for who she really is: a vulnerable girl who is trying too hard to appear invincible for the sake of her fellow officers, her father and for herself.

Shot entirely on location in Toronto, Rookie Blue is executive produced by award-winning Tassie Cameron (Flashpoint), Ilana Frank (The Eleventh Hour, Would Be Kings), Noreen Halpern (Hung, Haven), John Morayniss (Hung, Haven) and David Wellington (The Eleventh Hour, Would Be Kings).

Rookie Blue will be launched in Canada with an extensive and innovative marketing campaign - details to be announced in the coming weeks.

Global Television is a Canwest Broadcasting network.

About Canwest Broadcasting

Canwest Broadcasting operates Global Television and 18 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 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 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: For media inquiries, please contact: Sónia Brum, Publicist, Global Television, [phone], [email protected]; Grace Park, Publicity Manager, Global Television, [phone], [email protected]