Season 3 of CTV Original Series THE LISTENER Returns May 30

- Tragedy unfolds during Season 3 when a key character dies -
- The third season delivers first ever FLASHPOINT and THE LISTENER crossover event -
- Guest stars throughout the season include JUNO Award-nominee Fefe Dobson, Peter Outerbridge, Wes Williams and TSN's Glen Suitor -

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TORONTO, May 2, 2012 /CNW/ - The highly-anticipated third season of CTV's hit original series THE LISTENER returns Wednesdays at 10 p.m. ET/PT premiering May 30 on CTV with encore episodes Sundays at 7 p.m. ET/PT, beginning June 3 on CTV, with both broadcasts airing simultaneously on CTV Mobile. THE LISTENER comes back in a key timeslot following a brand new season of fan-favourite SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE (visit CTV.ca to confirm local broadcast times). In Season 3, THE LISTENER's Toby Logan (Craig Olejnik) dramatically steps away from his role as a paramedic to work more closely with the Integrated Investigative Bureau (IIB). Also, the first-ever FLASHPOINT and THE LISTENER crossover event takes place as FLASHPOINT's 'Spike' Scarlatti (Sergio Di Zio) shows up injured at St. Luke Hospital after a SRU takedown. Drama continues to unfold later this season when a tragic turn of events leads to the unexpected death of a lead character. THE LISTENER saw an impressive 13% growth among total viewers in Season 2 on CTV, averaging more than 1 million viewers.

** Media Note ** Download new photos from THE LISTENER at BellMediaPR.ca

New episodes of THE LISTENER are available on demand the day following their television broadcast on the CTV Video Player. Viewers can get the latest news, play the THE LISTENER's Vision Buster game, or catch up on episodes from Seasons 1 and 2 on the series web portal at TheListener.CTV.ca. Fans can also visit THE LISTENER's Facebook page and follow on Twitter @listenertv) for show updates and exclusive behind-the-scenes videos from series stars Ennis Esmer (Oz Bey) and Rainbow Sun Francks (Dev Clark).

"With the focus of THE LISTENER shifting from the hospital to the IIB, Season 3 delivers a new perspective on an established favourite," said Phil King, President, CTV Programming and Sports. "With the death of a major character, a roster of strong guest stars including Peter Outerbridge and Fefe Dobson, and the FLASHPOINT crossover episode, the new season delivers ongoing drama for established fans of the series and potential new viewers."

At the IIB, Toby works in tandem with Sgt. Michelle McCluskey (Gemini Award-nominee Lauren Lee Smith, CSI) and Dev Clark (Rainbow Sun Francks, STARGATE ATLANTIS), as part of an elite special ops unit tasked with handling the most difficult cases. Although the new role gives Toby a renewed focus, it also puts undue pressure on him to prove to his peers - and to himself - that he belongs. While his new job means cutting back on some of his EMS duties, Toby is not far from his best friend and paramedic partner Oz (Ennis Esmer, THE L.A. COMPLEX), after Oz moves in next door.

In the Season 3 premiere, "The Bank Job" (Wednesday, May 30 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on CTV), due to the mental strain of his telepathic abilities, and the continued warnings from Dr. Olivia Fawcett (Mylène Dinh-Robic, STARGATE ATLANTIS) about the toll they're taking on his health, Toby decides to ignore them and live a normal life. But his good intentions are tested when he's taken hostage during a bank heist, and he realizes that the only way to ensure the safety of the other hostages is to risk his own. And while Toby's efforts help Sgt. McCluskey with the bank heist investigation, they also land him in another precarious situation when she's forced to reveal the truth about his abilities to her boss Alvin Klein (Peter Stebbings, MURDOCH MYSTERIES).

THE LISTENER Season 3 was shot in and around Toronto. This season Peter Outerbridge (NIKITA) reprises his role as criminal mastermind Magnus Elphrensen. Additional guest stars include JUNO Award-nominee Fefe Dobson; Canadian rapper, record producer and actor Wes Williams (CRA$H & BURN); and TSN's Glen Suitor, who appears as himself. Rossif Sutherland (I'm Yours), Kristin Lehman (THE KILLING), Corey Sevier (SMALLVILLE), Grace Kung (INSECURITY), Melanie Scrofano (Edwin Boyd), Ian Tracey (HELL ON WHEELS), and Rachel Skarsten (BIRDS OF PREY) also guest star this season.

The ensemble cast of THE LISTENER includes Craig Olejnik as Toby Logan; Lauren Lee Smith as IIB Sergeant Michelle McCluskey; Ennis Esmer as paramedic Oz Bey; Rainbow Sun Francks as Corp. Dev Clark, McCluskey's computer maven partner; Peter Stebbings as Alvin Klein, the IIB's brilliant in-house legal expert; Mylène Dinh-Robic as Dr. Olivia Fawcett, Toby's confidante and colleague at St. Luke Hospital; Tara Spencer-Nairn (CORNER GAS) as Sandy, St. Luke Hospital's triage nurse who runs the floor with military precision; and Arnold Pinnock (COMBAT HOSPITAL) as EMS supervisor George Ryder.

THE LISTENER is produced by Shaftesbury in association with CTV and Fox International Channels. The series is executive produced by Christina Jennings and Scott Garvie for Shaftesbury, and Karen Troubetzkoy (18 TO LIFE) and Peter Mohan (LOST GIRL, THE BRIDGE), who serves as Season 3 showrunner. Robin Johnston and Rebecca Dipasquale are Production Executives for Bell Media. Corrie Coe is Senior Vice-President, Independent Production, Bell Media. Mike Cosentino is Senior Vice-President, Programming, CTV Networks, Bell Media. Phil King is President, CTV Programming and Sports. Sharon Tal Yguado is Executive Producer for Fox International Channels. THE LISTENER is produced with the financial participation of The Canada Media Fund, The Canadian Film or Video Tax Credit and The Ontario Film and Television Tax Credit.

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS: Twitter:
@CTV_Television
@CTV_PR
@listenertv
Ennis Esmer: @heyennisshutup
Lauren Lee Smith: @L_L_S
Rainbow Sun Francks: @RainbowFrancks
Mylène Dinh-Robic: @MyleneDinhRobic
Tara Spencer-Narin: @TSpencerNairn
Arnold Pinnock: @ARNOLDPINNOCK

Facebook:
facebook.com/CTV.TheListener

About Shaftesbury

Founded in 1987, Shaftesbury is an award-winning creator, producer and distributor of original content for television and multiple platforms in more than 120 countries worldwide. Recent productions include three seasons of The Listener for CTV and Fox International Channels; five seasons of Murdoch Mysteries for Citytv, UKTV and ITV STUDIOS Global Entertainment; and Ken Finkleman's comedy series Good God. Shaftesbury's slate of programming for kids and families includes the global hit series Life with Derek and the movie follow-up to the series, Vacation with Derek. Shaftesbury's divisions include Smokebomb Entertainment, the company's digital media group that produces original multiplatform projects including Totally Amp'd and State of Syn as well as companion web experiences for Shaftesbury's slate of properties; Shaftesbury Factual, focusing on non-fiction storytelling across a broad spectrum of genres; Shaftesbury Sales Company, managing international sales and distribution; and Shaftesbury U.S., the company's Los Angeles-based development division. www.shaftesbury.ca

About CTV

CTV, Canada's Olympic Network, is also Canada's largest private broadcaster. Featuring a wide range of quality news, sports, information, and entertainment programming, CTV is Canada's most-watched television network and lead broadcaster of the London 2012 Olympic Games. 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

Christy Sullivan, CTV and CTV Two, 416.384.3624 or [email protected]
Allie Page, CTV and CTV Two, 416.384.4596 or [email protected]