HOSTAGES Garners Critical Acclaim in Anticipation of Series Premiere, Monday on CTV

- Drama full of high stakes and higher consequences kick off Premiere Week on CTV -
- Toni Collette, Dylan McDermott, and Tate Donovan star in thrilling new series that blurs the lines between right and wrong -
- Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio appears as the First Lady in a recurring guest starring role -

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TORONTO, Sept. 20, 2013 /CNW/ - As anticipation continues to build for Canada's most-watched primetime lineup on CTV, one of the season's most buzzed-about new series, HOSTAGES, is receiving universal praise from TV critics. The series premiere of HOSTAGES helps kick off Premiere Week on Monday, Sept. 23 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on CTV.

With just days to go for the highly anticipated series premiere of HOSTAGES, critics have been unanimous in their acclaim:

"This is one of the shows we're most excited about for fall…" - Entertainment Weekly

"…plot twists offer potential for OMG entertainment" - The Globe and Mail

"A solidly engaging drama that boasts a particularly attention-grabbing performance by McDermott as the rogue FBI agent leading the kill-the-president conspiracy…" - Brad Oswald, The Winnipeg Free Press

"… there's an undeniable tension and energy to the first hour. From the opening scene…HOSTAGES is full of twists and turns…and the performances — McDermott and Collette's especially — are charged with energy." - Alex Strachan, Postmedia News

"…experimental new drama is this season's most alluring act of derring-do..." - The Washington Post

"…you should definitely watch HOSTAGES…an excellent pilot…" - The Hollywood Reporter

"Gripping, tense and full of intrigue right from the start, I thought this thriller was the best drama pilot of the season. - Laura Prudom, The Huffington Post

"… HOSTAGES promises surprising switchbacks and character development ranking among the best of the season." - The Denver Post

"The opener sets this all up smoothly, and Collette, combining a mother's protective instinct with type A pride, is great to watch." - People Weekly

**Media Note** Photography for HOSTAGES is available at BellMediaPR.ca

In the season premiere (Monday, Sept. 23 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on CTV), Dr. Ellen Sanders (Toni Collette), a premiere surgeon, is thrust into a chilling political conspiracy when her family is taken hostage by rogue FBI Agent Duncan Carlisle (Dylan McDermott). In this high-stakes standoff between Ellen and Carlisle, fraught with tremendous national and personal consequences, the choices between right and wrong become even more blurred.

From executive producers Jerry Bruckheimer (Pirates of the Caribbean films, CSI series) and Jeffrey Nachmanoff (Chicago Fire), the intense thrilling drama HOSTAGES stars Emmy^® and Golden Globe^® winner Toni Collette (The United States of Tara), Golden Globe^® Award-winner Dylan McDermott (American Horror Story), Tate Donovan (Argo), Mateus Ward (WEEDS), Quinn Shephard (Trooper), Rhys Coiro (ENTOURAGE), Sandrine Holt (HOUSE OF CARDS), James Naughton (GOSSIP GIRL), and Billy Brown (THE FOLLOWING). Recurring guest star Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio (Without a Trace, Scarface) appears as the First Lady.

Following its television broadcast, viewers can catch up on full episodes of HOSTAGES across CTV's digital platforms, CTV.ca, the CTV App, the CTV Mobile channel on Bell Mobile TV, and through video on demand partners such as Bell Fibe TV.

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About CTV
CTV is Canada's #1 private broadcaster. Featuring a wide range of quality news, sports, information, and entertainment programming, CTV has been Canada's most-watched television network for the past 12 years in a row. CTV is a division of Bell Media, Canada's premier multimedia company with leading assets in television, radio and digital. Bell Media is owned by BCE Inc. (TSX, NYSE: BCE), Canada's largest communications company. More information about CTV can be found on the network's website at ctv.ca.

SOURCE: CTV

Jacqui VanSickle, CTV and CTV Two, 416.384.5091 or [email protected]
Jim Quan, CTV and CTV Two, 416.384.5311 or [email protected]