Production Begins on Season 2 of Space's #1 Original Series KILLJOYS

– Stars Hannah John-Kamen, Aaron Ashmore, and Luke MacFarlane return as the dynamic trio of interplanetary bounty hunters –
– Michelle Lovretta returns as showrunner; new directors include Martin Wood, Stefan Pleszczynski, Ruba Nadda, Jeff Renfroe, and Grant Harvey –
– Shot in Toronto, Season 2 is set to premiere in 2016 on Space and Syfy –

"KILLJOYS has gotten what the likes of FIREFLY never got: more time to tell its story. Which is good news… because once the story arcs and relationships really started going, the series took off like a ship to the stars." – Nerdist

To tweet this release: http://bmpr.ca/1TnhoZc

TORONTO, Dec. 3, 2015 /CNW/ - Space announced today that production has begun on Season 2 of its most-watched original series ever, KILLJOYS. Created by showrunner Michelle Lovretta (LOST GIRL) and produced by Temple Street Productions (ORPHAN BLACK) in association with Space and Syfy, the 10-episode, one-hour adventure drama is set to premiere in 2016 on Space. Shot in Toronto, the critically acclaimed ratings hit continues to follow interplanetary bounty hunters - or "killjoys" - Dutch (Hannah John-Kamen, THE HOUR), Johnny (Aaron Ashmore, SMALLVILLE), and D'avin (Luke MacFarlane, BROTHERS AND SISTERS), as they chase deadly warrants throughout the Quad, a distant planetary system on the brink of a bloody class war.

Returning to direct this season are Paolo Barzman, and Peter Stebbings. New to direct this season are Martin Wood, Stefan Pleszczynski, Ruba Nadda, Jeff Renfroe and Grant Harvey. Spearheaded by Lovretta, the writing team includes Adam Barken, Jeremy Boxen, Jon Cooksey, Julian Doucet, Sean Reycraft, and Priscilla White.

"Season 1 of KILLJOYS really resonated with fans and their support for this series was enormous," said Corrie Coe, Senior Vice-President, Independent Production, Bell Media. "We're excited to start production on Season 2, and can't wait to work again with our incredible dynamic trio Luke, Hannah, and Aaron, and our partners at Temple Street Productions and Syfy to deliver another chapter of this unique adventure series."  

"We're thrilled to return to the Quad for a second season of KILLJOYS and continue our partnership with Space and Syfy who have been incredibly supportive partners of the series," said Ivan Schneeberg and David Fortier, Executive Producers and co-presidents of Temple Street Productions. "Together with creator Michelle Lovretta and our talented cast and crew, we're looking forward to delivering another intense, amped-up season to the KILLJOYS fan community."

"In the debut season, we introduced the killjoys and learned about their world, the politics of the Quad, the mysteries of the RAC, and the rich cast of characters. This season, we up the ante on the sci-fi factor, sexiness, and stakes, and answer some existing core questions while introducing new mysteries for our dynamic trio," said Showrunner and Executive Producer, Michelle Lovretta. "This season promises to be a twisted romp, but the heart and soul of KILLJOYS remains the same - that of deep friendships and family bonds. I wouldn't have it any other way."

In Season 2, the trio is on the move to uncover Dutch's duplicitous and mysterious childhood mentor, Khlyen's (Rob Stewart, SUITS) secret agenda. As shocking truths are revealed, Dutch, D'avin, and Johnny realize the Quad's notorious criminals are no match for the threat within the Reclamation Apprehension Coalition (RAC). The Killjoy's loyalties are tested as they struggle to find the balance between politics, family, and the good of the Quad. With so much on the line, they begin to wonder if the warrant is indeed all.

Season 1 of KILLJOYS culminated with an audience-high 560,000 viewers for the season finale. Throughout its run, KILLJOYS averaged nearly 450,000 viewers in its timeslot, making it Space's most-watched original series of all time.

Executive Producers are David Fortier and Ivan Schneeberg of Temple Street Productions and Karen Troubetzkoy. D.J. Carson serves as Producer. Universal Cable Productions distributes the series worldwide except Canada.

KILLJOYS is produced by Temple Street Productions in association with Space and Syfy. Production Executives for Bell Media are Rebecca DiPasquale and Kathleen Meek. Tom Hastings is Director, Drama, Independent Production, Bell Media. Corrie Coe is Senior Vice-President, Independent Production, Bell Media. Tracey Pearce is Senior Vice-President, Specialty and Pay, Bell Media. Randy Lennox is President, Entertainment Production and Broadcasting, Bell Media.

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:
KILLJOYS on Twitter 
Space on Facebook
Space on Twitter 
Space on Instagram

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, MOTIVE, the record-breaking THE AMAZING RACE CANADA, and MASTERCHEF CANADA. CTV recently announced its first-ever serialized drama CARDINAL. Among the original scripted series on Bell Media pay and specialty channels are the internationally acclaimed ORPHAN BLACK, the smash-hit thriller BITTEN, Space's most-watched original series KILLJOYS, Bravo's most-watched original drama 19-2, award-winning dramedy SENSITIVE SKIN, upcoming cult comedy LETTERKENNY, and the new original drama FRONTIER. Bell Media specialty channels are also home to hit factual series HIGHWAY THRU HELL, COLD WATER COWBOYS, and CANADA'S WORST DRIVER, among others.

About Space
Space is home to phenomenal programming including imaginative dramas, epic movies, engaging reality series, and the daily entertainment talk show INNERSPACE, the source for all-things genre – all in high definition (HD). Named "Channel of the Year" in 2013 by Playback Magazine, Space is also home to Original Series ORPHAN BLACK and BITTEN. Space content is always available at Space.ca, and on Facebook, @SpaceChannel, and other social media platforms. Space is a division of Bell Media, which is owned by BCE Inc. (TSX, NYSE: BCE), Canada's largest communications company.

About Syfy
Syfy is a media destination for imagination-based entertainment. With year round acclaimed original series, events, blockbuster movies, classic science fiction and fantasy programming, a dynamic Web site (www.Syfy.com), and a portfolio of adjacent business (Syfy Ventures), Syfy is a passport to limitless possibilities. Originally launched in 1992 as SCI FI Channel, and currently in 96 million homes, Syfy is a network of NBCUniversal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies.  NBCUniversal is a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation. (Syfy. Imagine Greater.)

About Temple Street Productions
Temple Street Productions is a leading producer of television and digital media content based in Toronto and Los Angeles. A selection of Temple Street's past and present projects include, ORPHAN BLACK (Space, BBC AMERICA), KILLJOYS (Space, Syfy), X COMPANY (CBC), BEING ERICA (CBC, SOAPnet), THE NEXT STEP (Family Channel), 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) and the upcoming series LOST AND FOUND MUSIC STUDIOS (Family, Netflix). For more company information:http://www.templestreetproductions.com twitter @TempleStreet or connect with us on Facebook.

Source: Numeris (BBM Canada)

SOURCE SPACE

Image with caption: "Production Begins on Season 2 of Space’'s #1 Original Series KILLJOYS (CNW Group/SPACE)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20151203_C7703_PHOTO_EN_557770.jpg

Natalie Cole, Space, 416.384.2140 or [email protected]; Mary Costa, Space, 416.384.7702 or [email protected]; Cynthia Amsden, Unit Publicist, 416.910.7740 or [email protected]