Production Begins in Montréal on THE DISAPPEARANCE, CTV and Super Écran's New Original Mystery Series

– Original six-part series to be produced in 4K by award-winning Montréal-based Productions Casablanca in association with Bell Media and NBCUniversal International Studios –
– Ensemble cast featuring Aden Young, Peter Coyote, Joanne Kelly, Camille Sullivan, Micheline Lanctôt, and Kevin Parent announced –
– THE DISAPPEARANCE will premiere as part of CTV and Super Écran's 2016/2017 mid-season schedule –
– French-language version to air on Super Écran – ­­

To tweet this release: http://bmpr.ca/2di0E9Y

MONTRÉAL, Oct. 11, 2016 /CNW/ - CTV and Super Écran, alongside award-winning Montréal-based Productions Casablanca and NBCUniversal International Studios, announced today that production has begun onTHE DISAPPEARANCE, the networks' new six-part limited run event series. Directed by Peter Stebbings (Defendor, ORPHAN BLACK), the character driven mystery drama begins shooting in 4K in Montréal today. THE DISAPPEARANCE is set to premiere as part of CTV and Super Écran's 2016/2017 mid-season schedule. NBCUniversal International Studios will act as international distributor.

Also announced today are the members of the cast, which features Peter Coyote (E.T.) as retired judge and prosecutor Henry Sullivan; Aden Young (RECTIFY) as Luke Sullivan, Henry's son, and a scruffy, soulful musician; Joanne Kelly (WAREHOUSE 13) as Catherine Sullivan, Henry's daughter and Luke's sister, and a funny, devoted palliative care nurse; Camille Sullivan (THE MAN IN THE HIGH CASTLE) as Helen Murphy Sullivan, Luke's ex-wife, a microbiologist, and devoted mother; Micheline Lanctôt (UNITÉ 9) as Susan Bowden, a tough, experienced Lieutenant-Detective; and Kevin Parent (CAFÉ DE FLORE) as Sergeant-Detective Charles Cooper, and Susan's partner.

THE DISAPPEARANCE is a psychological family drama centered around the unexplained and sudden disappearance of Anthony Sullivan during a treasure hunt on the day of his tenth birthday. The series follows the family as the complex and emotionally fraught mystery of their child's disappearance unfolds. While both the police and family conduct their own investigations, seeking any signs and trace of evidence, long-buried familial secrets with devastating consequences rise to the surface leaving an unforeseen impact on every member of the Sullivan family.

"With production now underway in Montréal, it's the beginning of an exciting and emotionally gripping six-episode journey," said Corrie Coe, Senior Vice-President, Independent Productions, Bell Media. "We're honoured to be working with strong production partners and an immensely talented ensemble cast, and can't wait to introducing viewers to THE DISAPPEARANCE in 2017. 

"We are excited to begin production on THE DISAPPEARANCE, our first English project in association with CTV and Super Écran, said Joanne Forgues, Producer, Productions Casablanca. "We are also thrilled to work with such talented writers, Peter Stebbings as a director, and this exceptional cast who will all bring out the quality of this project. We are so proud to have NBCUniversal International Studios as our international distributor."

JoAnn Alfano, EVP, Scripted Programming at NBCUniversal International Studios comments: "THE DISAPPEARANCE is an exceptional series that will resonate with viewers in Canada and the world over. With complex characters and a riveting universal story, this series has equal parts heart, emotion, suspense, intrigue and mystery."  

THE DISAPPEARANCE was first put into development by CTV in October 2015. The series is created and written by the Montréal-based writing team of Normand Daneau and Geneviève Simard. The series is produced by Joanne Forgues and Sophie Parizeau of Productions Casablanca, creators of the Prix Gémeaux-winning series, Les invincibles and Série noire, and is executive produced by Joanne Forgues and Jean-Marc Casanova. Emmy Award-winning JoAnn Alfano (You, Me and the Apocalypse, Resurrection & 30 Rock) will executive produce for NBCUniversal International Studios. The series is directed by Peter Stebbings.

THE DISAPPEARANCE is produced by Productions Casablanca in association with Bell Media and NBCUniversal International Studios, with the financial participation of the Canada Media Fund, the Cogeco Program Development Fund and the assistance of the Québec Film and Television Tax Credit and the Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit. Super Écran has commissioned the series for French-language broadcast. NBCUniversal International Studios serves as international distributor.

For Bell Media, Gosia Kamela is Production Executive; Tom Hastings is Director, Drama, Independent Production; and Corrie Coe is Senior Vice-President, Independent Production. Mike Cosentino is Senior Vice-President, CTV and Specialty. Randy Lennox is President, Broadcasting and Content, Bell Media.

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:

Twitter: 
@CTV_PR
@CTV_Television
@superecran
@adenyoungRTFY – Aden Young
@CamilleSully – Camille Sullivan 

Facebook:
www.facebook.com/CTV

About Productions Casablanca
Productions Casablanca has carved a place in the television landscape with its original primetime productions. The company's creative vision gives rise to stories and characters that resonate with a wide audience and offer quality content by providing creators with a production environment that measures up to their imaginations. This commitment to excellence was made possible by the company's personal, intimate approach. Producer and founder Joanne Forgues favours quality over quantity in her choices. Passion, talent and perseverance are what motivate the company's teams.

About NBCUniversal International Studios
NBCUniversal International Studios delivers award-winning international television to millions across the globe. Based in London, NBCUniversal International Studios' in-house production labels include: Carnival Films, makers of The Last Kingdom for BBC Two, Sky 1's most-watched drama, Stan Lee's Lucky Man and creators of the Emmy and Golden Globe award-winning drama sensation Downton Abbey; Monkey, producers of upcoming Channel 4 game show, Question Jury, Bravo's Newlyweds: The First Year, and Channel 4's hit UK reality series, Made in Chelsea; factual entertainment label Chocolate Media, makers of Channel 4's Restoring Britain's Landmarks, Sky 1's Driving School of Mum and Dad and Channel 5's Inside Manchester's Midland Hotel; Lucky Giant, producers of upcoming BBC Two scripted comedy, Quacks; and Australian-based Matchbox Pictures, makers of critically-acclaimed drama series The Nowhere Boys, Glitch, The Slap and The Real Housewives of Melbourne.

Additionally, NBCUniversal International Studios operates a joint production venture with Working Title Television and Heyday Television and has a first look deal with Hardy Son & Baker and 87 Films.

It also operates a prolific global formats business, and owns Tellycopter, a research and development resource that sits alongside its production companies.

About Super Écran 
Super Écran is the only premium French-language network in Canada that broadcasts TV premieres of films, exclusive and original series, and variety shows. Super Écran offers commercial-free viewing on four channels available in HD, with five new films every weekend. Super Écran is also available via On Demand, online and through the Super Écran GO app.

Super Écran is a division of Bell Media.

About Bell Media Independent Production
Bell Media has commissioned some of Canada's most-watched and most-acclaimed original programming, working with the best Canadian independent producers in the country. Hit series commissioned by CTV include ratings success stories SAVING HOPE, and the record-breaking THE AMAZING RACE CANADA, and MASTERCHEF CANADA. Upcoming original series on CTV include CARDINAL and THE DISAPPEARANCE. Among the original scripted series on Bell Media pay, specialty, and streaming platforms are the internationally acclaimed ORPHAN BLACK, Space's most-watched original series KILLJOYS, Bravo's award-winning and most-watched original drama 19-2, award-winning dramedy SENSITIVE SKIN, CraveTV's first original series LETTERKENNY, Discovery's upcoming drama FRONTIER, and Comedy's new satirical news series THE BEAVERTON. Discovery is also home to Bell Media's hit factual series HIGHWAY THRU HELL, COLD WATER COWBOYS, and CANADA'S WORST DRIVER, among others. Bell Media is one of the first media companies in North America to commit to producing all new scripted series in 4K.

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 14 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.

– CTV –

SOURCE CTV

Jim Quan, Communications, CTV Networks, 416.384.5311, [email protected]; Mélanie Sylvestre, Super Écran, 514.529.3200, ext. 3405 or [email protected]; Geneviève Lefebvre / Brigitte Chabot Communications, [email protected] / 514-861-7870, ext. 227; Stéphanie Culakowa / Brigitte Chabot Communications, [email protected] / 514-861-7870, ext 223