Sex. Lies. Surgery. Summer's #1 Drama SAVING HOPE Returns Tuesdays at 10, Beginning June 25 on CTV

- Season 2 guest stars include Erin Karpluk, Peter Keleghan, and Noam Jenkins; Jason Priestley and Gregory Smith direct episodes -

- Digital companion series LAST CALL premieres at CTV.ca/SavingHope, the CTV App, and CTV Mobile following the first broadcast episode -

"SAVING HOPE stands out among medical shows." - The Canadian Press

"This is one medical drama that you don't want to miss." - Chloe Magazine

To tweet this release: http://bit.ly/ZoIKr4

TORONTO, May 27, 2013 /CNW/ - Canada's #1 summer drama SAVING HOPE is back with its highly-anticipated second season premiering Tuesday, June 25 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on CTV and CTV Mobile. Each new episode is available following the television broadcast on CTV.ca, CTV Mobile and the CTV App, and viewers can watch all of Season 1 online at CTV.ca now. At the end of last season, former Chief of Surgery, Dr. Charlie Harris (Michael Shanks) awoke from his coma and reunited with his fiancée Dr. Alex Reid (Erica Durance). Charlie, who is still seeing spirits, battles to free himself of his connection to the after-life as his secret threatens to destroy his relationship with Alex, and even his life. Meanwhile, the doctors of Hope Zion Hospital, including new Chief of Staff Dr. Joel Goran (Daniel Gillies), continue to solve medical mysteries, perform heroic surgeries, and navigate complicated - and racy - relationships.

New this season, the doctors of Hope Zion examine the more personal and less-explored side of their relationships in the digital companion series LAST CALL, premiering on CTV.ca/SavingHope, the CTV App, and CTV Mobile following broadcast episodes. LAST CALL follows the stories of the doctors as they confess their problems and share secrets over drinks after their rounds.

"As last season's breakout summer hit, Canada's SAVING HOPE captivated audiences with its unique take on the hospital drama," said Phil King, President, CTV Programming and Sports. "We are excited to bring viewers another compelling season that continues to bring audiences more of the shocking plot twists and exhilarating drama they've come to love."

SAVING HOPE reigns as the most-watched Canadian drama of the 2011-12 broadcast year, with an impressive Season 1 average of 1.7 million viewers each week. This season features Gemini Award-winning actress Erin Karpluk (BEING ERICA), who joins SAVING HOPE for a recurring guest starring role, playing a single mother and one of Dr. Joel Goran's (Daniel Gillies) patients. Additional guest stars include Peter Keleghan (MURDOCH MYSTERIES), Kyle Breitkopf Parental Guidance, Daniel Kash (ORPHAN BLACK), Vanessa Morgan (MY BABYSITTER'S A VAMPIRE), Raoul Bhaneja NIKITA, Noam Jenkins (ROOKIE BLUE), Tyler Hynes (WAREHOUSE 13), and Yanna McIntosh (REPUBLIC OF DOYLE).

In the Season 2 premiere, entitled "I Watch Death" (Tuesday, June 25 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on CTV - check CTV.ca for local times), Alex (Erica Durance) and Charlie (Michael Shanks) are caught in the middle of a shooting on their way to their first shift back at Hope Zion. It's all hands on deck when the victims of the shooting end up at Hope Zee. In the midst of the commotion, Alex treats a bullied teenager and deals with her own emotions about everything that's happened in the past year. Meanwhile, Charlie is caught off guard when he realizes that he's still able to see the spirits of deceased patients. As well, new Chief of Surgery Joel (Daniel Gillies) works alongside Charlie's ex-wife Dawn to perform an intense surgery.

Throughout the season, fans can also visit CTV.ca/SavingHope for an Insider Blog, music playlists curated by the cast, and a comprehensive episode guide. Plus, viewers can catch up on full episodes of SAVING HOPE following its television broadcast across CTV's digital platforms, including CTV.ca, the CTV App, the CTV Mobile channel on Bell Mobile TV, and through video on demand partners such as Bell Fibe TV. Viewers can also catch up on Season 1 of SAVING HOPE online at CTV.ca before the second season premiere.

Saving Hope also stars 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). Gemini-nominated actor Jason Priestley (CALL ME FITZ) and Gregory Smith (ROOKIE BLUE) each direct an episode this season, joining directors David Wellington (THE ELEVENTH HOUR, WOULD BE KINGS, ROOKIE BLUE), Peter Wellington, (THE L.A. COMPLEX), Kelly Makin (FLASHPOINT), Ken Girotti (BOMB GIRLS), John Fawcett (ORPHAN BLACK), and Jeff Woolnough (Jack). Writers this season include Morwyn Brebner (ROOKIE BLUE), Adam Pettle (KING), Malcolm MacRury (CRASH AND BURN, REPUBLIC OF DOYLE), John Krizanc (BOMB GIRLS), Noelle Carbone (ROOKIE BLUE), Waneta Storms (HEMLOCK), and Aubrey Nealon (FLASHPOINT).

Saving Hope is produced by Ilana C Frank Films Inc. (ICF Films) with Entertainment One (eOne), in association with CTV. The series is executive produced by Ilana Frank and David Wellington, John Morayniss (ROGUE, KLONDIKE) for Entertainment One, and Lesley Harrison. Executive Producers and Showrunners are Morwyn Brebner (ROOKIE BLUE) and Adam Pettle (KING). The series was created by Malcolm MacRury (CRASH AND BURN, REPUBLIC OF DOYLE) and Morwyn Brebner. 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.

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 10 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.

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:

CTV:
Twitter:
@CTV_Television
@CTV_PR

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

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

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

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

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

*Source: BBM Canada, BY2011-12: 9/19/2011-9/16/2012, Summer 2012: 5/28/2012-9/16/2012.

SOURCE: CTV

or to arrange an on-set interview, please contact:

Matthew Almeida, Publicist, CTV and CTV Two, 416.384.2629 or [email protected] 
Allison Barber, Unit Publicist, SAVING HOPE, 416.801.6963 or [email protected]