Shaftesbury Films hits the croisette with Ken Finkleman's new series Good Dog

    
    -  Good Dog Gets Greenlit by The Movie Network and Movie Central
    -  International Emmy Winner Ken Finkleman Returns with a New Series
    

CANNES, FRANCE , Oct. 7 /CNW/ - Shaftesbury Films announced today that Good Dog, a hilarious half-hour "tragedy" written by and starring acclaimed producer and creator Ken Finkleman, has been ordered by Astral Media's The Movie Network and Corus Entertainment's Movie Central. The series will begin production later this year.

"Doing a series with The Movie Network and Movie Central is the best it gets in this country," said series creator Ken Finkleman. "No commercials and a small staff dedicated to the originality and quality of their shows who trust the creators rather than the stock market-like movement of the numbers."

"Movie Central is proud to bring Ken Finkleman's new series, Good Dog, to pay television," said Erica Benson , Vice-President Programming, Movie Central. "With this original series, audiences are in for a treat. Good Dog is wickedly funny, insightful and intelligent. Ken Finkleman at his finest."

"The Movie Network is thrilled to have greenlit Good Dog," said Kevin Wright , Senior Vice President, Astral Television Networks. "Having partnered with Shaftesbury Films previously on the award-winning original series ReGenesis and the upcoming series Bloodletting and Miraculous Cures, we know that the Shaftesbury team, along with the exceptionally talented Ken Finkleman, will hit the pay television mark on every level with this exciting new series."

Meet George. He's so "high concept" he's got his own TV show. About him. And his life. Well, a version of his life. And what a life it is...he's totally neurotic and dating a gorgeous woman half his age, and the sex is amazing. It's a very hot May-December relationship. Did we mention she has two young children who live with them? That's high concept. Except it's not. Hot. And neither is his friend Doug, a "yes man" who bears the brunt of George's neuroses. Speaking of, George wants to call his show "Embrace Your Enthusiasm." As long as he can clear it with that Larry David fellow.

Good Dog is Executive Produced by Shaftesbury's Christina Jennings and Scott Garvie and by Ken Finkleman, and is produced by Peter Meyboom. Ken Finkleman is writing and starring in the series. Finkleman won an International Emmy for The Newsroom and has since received multiple award nominations for his work as a writer, director and producer for the series.

Please visit Shaftesbury's Booth at MIPCOM, R27.12, for more information.

About Shaftesbury Films:

Founded in 1987, Shaftesbury Films has established a reputation as one of Canada's leading producers of high quality film and television programming. Recent productions include; the highly anticipated drama series Bloodletting & Miraculous Cures for The Movie Network and Movie Central; the drama series The Listener for CTV, NBC and Fox International Channels; the drama series Murdoch Mysteries for Citytv and UKTV; the drama series ReGenesis for The Movie Network, Movie Central and Showcase; the record breaking TV movies In God's Country and Eight Days to Live, starring Kelly Rowan for CTV; and The Robber Bride, the Emmy-nominated TV movie starring Gemini award-winner Mary-Louise Parker for CBC. Shaftesbury Films also produces a variety of kids' programming, including 70 episodes of the highly successful series Life with Derek, currently airing on Family Channel and broadcast in over 120 countries worldwide and the upcoming comedy series Overruled! for Family Channel. Most recently, Shaftesbury has established a Digital Media division, Smokebomb Entertainment, an award-winning developer of original multiplatform digital content. Visit the Shaftesbury website at www.shaftesbury.ca.

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For further information: or to arrange set visits and media interviews, please contact: Sue Baldaro, Communications Director, Shaftesbury Films, [phone] ext. 154, [phone], mobile, [email protected]