New Romances, New Complications, New Season: CTV's Original Hit Drama SAVING HOPE Returns Thursdays at 9 p.m. Beginning January 2

- Season 2 guest stars include Tyler Hynes (WAREHOUSE 13), Sergio Di Zio (FLASHPOINT), Erin Karpluk (BEING ERICA), Peter Keleghan (MURDOCH MYSTERIES), Eric Johnson (CRIMINAL MINDS), and more; Gregory Smith (ROOKIE BLUE) and Peter Stebbings (THE LISTENER) direct episodes -
- CTV to air SAVING HOPE Season 2 catch-up marathon Dec. 25 to Jan. 1 to help get viewers ready for the Season Premiere -
- Digital companion series LAST CALL continues with three new episodes at CTV.ca/SavingHope and the CTV GO App, beginning Jan. 17 -

"The acting is one of the best reasons to see SAVING HOPE." - Alex Strachan, Postmedia

"The producers managed to find a way out of the box…SAVING HOPE definitely requires a box of tissues on standby." - Scott Stinson, National Post

"The fact that CTV has also rolled out a web series [LAST CALL] as a companion piece to the series is a testament to fan demand." - Eric Volmers, Calgary Herald

To tweet this release: http://bit.ly/1aSzg6B

TORONTO, Dec. 10, 2013 /CNW/ - The New Year brings new hope as CTV's original hit drama SAVING HOPE returns for an emotionally charged new season, Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on CTV and CTV GO, beginning with a two-part premiere airing Jan. 2, and continuing Jan. 9. Airing in the network's prestigious GREY'S ANATOMY timeslot, SAVING HOPE returns with secrets and scandals taking hold at Hope Zion Hospital, with a shocking death and surprise pregnancy awaiting fans in the season premiere. SAVING HOPE is also available on demand following each broadcast at CTV.ca and the CTV GO App.

It's a tumultuous time for Dr. Alex Reid (Erica Durance), Dr. Charlie Harris (Michael Shanks) and Dr. Joel Goran (Daniel Gillies), as new romances and complications develop in the halls of Hope Zion. And does a major turn of events finally push Charlie to admit his biggest secret to Alex? It's more sex, lies, ghosts, and surgery on an all-new season of SAVING HOPE.

** Media Note ** - Download photos for SAVING HOPE at BellMediaPR.ca

To help viewers get ready for the season premiere of SAVING HOPE, CTV presents a Season 2 catch-up marathon throughout the holidays. Viewers can watch episodes of SAVING HOPE's second season from Dec. 25 through Jan. 1 daily at 10 p.m. ET/PT on CTV (note: Dec. 29 encore episode airs at 7 p.m. ET/PT on CTV and Dec. 31 encore episode airs at 10 p.m. ET/PT on CTV Two). All nine previously aired Season 2 episodes are also available on demand at CTV.ca/SavingHope and the CTV GO App. To add to the excitement, CTV gives fans of Erica Durance a bonus airing of the romantic made-for-TV comedy, I ME WED, starring Durance, on Friday, Dec. 27 at 8 p.m. ET/PT.

Viewers can continue to catch up on the doctors of Hope Zion Hospital in the exclusive, digital companion series LAST CALL, currently available on CTV.ca/SavingHopeLastCall and the CTV GO App. With three new episodes available this season, LAST CALL examines the more personal and less-explored stories of the doctors and nurses of Hope Zion, as they confess their problems and share secrets over drinks after their rounds. A new episode, titled "Bad Break" (Jan. 17), features Erica Durance and Wendy Crewson's characters bonding over a game of pool, as the pair get in some girl talk to discuss their recent tough breaks.

A Top 15 program among total viewers and all key adult demos when Season 2 aired last summer, SAVING HOPE averaged an impressive 1.3 million viewers each week. The new season follows CTV's recent order announcement for yet another all-new season, and comes in advance of start of production, set to begin in Spring 2014.

In the season premiere, "Wishbones" (Thursday, Jan. 2 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on CTV - check CTV.ca for local times), Alex's (Durance) brother Luke Reid (guest star Tyler Hynes, WAREHOUSE 13) is admitted to Hope Zion Hospital in critical condition, forcing Joel (Gillies) and Charlie (Shanks) to work together on him, while keeping his admittance a secret from Alex. Meanwhile, Alex and Maggie (Julia Taylor Ross), with the help of handsome Obstetrician/Gynecologist Dr. Kalfas (guest star Eric Johnson, CRIMINAL MINDS), must remove a tumour from a patient who is pregnant with twins, but encounter complications when they discover the tumour is uncomfortably close to the uterus. As the day goes on, the two of them discover there's more to the OB/GYN than meets the eye. As unanticipated complications arise during Luke's surgery, Charlie is forced to deal with Luke's spirit, who's less than easy to talk to - and whose presence brings all kinds of emotions to the surface. Is Charlie forced to admit his biggest secret to Alex?

Guest stars this season also include Sergio Di Zio (FLASHPOINT), David Richmond-Peck (ORPHAN BLACK), and more. As well, former guest stars Erin Karpluk (BEING ERICA) and Peter Keleghan (MURDOCH MYSTERIES) return. Actors Gregory Smith (ROOKIE BLUE) and Peter Stebbings (THE LISTENER) each direct episodes this season, alongside regular series director David Wellington.

SAVING HOPE stars 2013 Canadian Screen Award-nominee Erica Durance (SMALLVILLE), Michael Shanks (STARGATE ATLANTIS), Daniel Gillies (THE VAMPIRE DIARIES), 2013 Canadian Screen Award-winner Wendy Crewson (REVENGE), Huse Madhavji (CALL ME FITZ), Julia Taylor-Ross (ROOKIE BLUE), Kristopher Turner (THE LISTENER), Michelle Nolden (REPUBLIC OF DOYLE), and Benjamin Ayres (LESS THAN KIND).

SAVING HOPE is produced by Ilana C Frank Films (ICF Films) with Entertainment One Television (eOne), in association with CTV. The series is executive produced by Ilana Frank and David Wellington for ICF Films, John Morayniss (HELL ON WHEELS, KLONDIKE, HAVEN) for eOne, and Lesley Harrison. Morwyn Brebner (ROOKIE BLUE) and Adam Pettle (ROOKIE BLUE) are Executive Producers and Showrunners. The series was created by Malcolm MacRury (CRASH AND BURN, REPUBLIC OF DOYLE) and Morwyn Brebner. David Wellington won a Directors Guild of Canada award for direction of the pilot. For Bell Media, Trish Williams is Director, Drama, Independent Production; Corrie Coe is Senior Vice-President, Independent Production; Mike Cosentino is Senior Vice-President, Programming, CTV Networks; Phil King is President, CTV Programming and Sports. All distribution rights are handled by eOne.

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:

Twitter:
@BellMediaPR
@CTV_PR
@CTV_Television

Facebook:
facebook.com/ctv

SAVING HOPE:

Twitter:
SAVING HOPE: @SavingHopeTV
Erica Durance: @ED_DURANCE
Michael Shanks: @MichaelShanks
Daniel Gillies: @danieljgillies
Huse Madhavji: @HuseM
Kristopher Turner: @kristopherturn
Julia Taylor-Ross: @juliataylorross
Benjamin Ayres: @BenjaminAyres

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/SavingHopeTV

Tumblr:
http://www.tumblr.com/tagged/saving+hope

Pinterest:
http://pinterest.com/CTVTelevision/saving-hope/

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, digital, and Out-of-Home. 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: BBM Canada, May 27 - Sep 15, 2013

SOURCE: CTV

Matthew Almeida, CTV & CTV Two, 416.384.2629 or [email protected]
Carolyn Fell, CTV & CTV Two, 416.384.2817 or [email protected]