Spirit Rising: Charlie Comes to Life in Stunning Season Finale of SAVING HOPE, Sept. 13 on CTV

- SAVING HOPE heads into season finale as Canada's #1 new summer series with average audience of 1.7 million viewers -

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TORONTO, Sept. 7, 2012 /CNW/ - Last night's monumental episode of SAVING HOPE concluded with Charlie (Michael Shanks) suddenly waking up from a season-long coma and calling out for his fiancée Alex (Erica Durance). Now, the couple must confront life-changing questions in the stunning season finale, Thursday, Sept. 13 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on CTV, leaving viewers with an unexpected twist. The episode airs again on Saturday, Sept. 15 at 8 p.m. ET/PT (visit CTV.ca to confirm local broadcast times).

Following its television broadcast, viewers can catch up on full episodes of SAVING HOPE across CTV's digital platforms on CTV.ca, the CTV App, the CTV Mobile channel and through video on demand partners.

SAVING HOPE debuted in June following an extensive national promotional and publicity campaign, resulting in widespread buzz and critical acclaim. Since then, the prognosis has been glowing. Heading into next week's season ender, SAVING HOPE continues to rank as Canada's #1 new summer series, #1 summer drama, and Top 5 summer series overall, with a season-to-date average of 1.7 million viewers. Online, SAVING HOPE has seen more than two million video views, making it one of the most viewed shows on CTV.ca this summer. In July, CTV announced a 13-episode second season order for the hit drama from ICF Films/Entertainment One.

** Media Note ** Download new photos from SAVING HOPE at BellMediaPR.ca

"Congratulations to the cast and crew of SAVING HOPE on a terrific first season," said Phil King, President, CTV Programming and Sports. "As the summer's breakout hit, we're committed to building on the strength of the fan favourite that has kept viewers glued to their televisions all season long."

In the season finale, entitled "Pink Clouds" (Sept. 13), Charlie, out of coma, goes into full recovery mode, undertaking physiotherapy training to learn how to walk again. Charlie presses on as questions surrounding his relationship with Alex surface. With the same determination that once made her Chief Surgical Resident, Alex takes charge of the situation - pressing onward. But while charting the course of her own life, she is faced with the grim task of telling a bride-to-be that she is going to die. Meanwhile, Joel (Daniel Gillies) is also tasked with making difficult decisions when a young man is brought in with a heroin overdose. While examining track marks on the patient's arms, Joel and Maggie (Julia Taylor Ross) make a shocking discovery: the patient has necrotizing fasciitis - flesh-eating disease. They rush him into the O.R. where Joel prepares to amputate above the infection, but the disease is advancing faster than he's ever seen. Incision after incision, Joel chases the bacteria up the arm but he can't find a clean margin. Under extreme pressure, Joel must improvise if he is going to save this young man's life.

SAVING HOPE stars Erica Durance (SMALLVILLE), Michael Shanks (STARGATE ATLANTIS), Daniel Gillies (THE VAMPIRE DIARIES), Wendy Crewson (Away From Her), Huse Madhavji (CALL ME FITZ), Julia Taylor-Ross (ROOKIE BLUE), and Kristopher Turner (THE LISTENER).

SAVING HOPE is produced by Ilana C Frank Films (ICF Films) with Entertainment One, in association with CTV and NBC. The series is executive produced by Ilana Frank and David Wellington for ICF Films, John Morayniss (THE FIRM, HAVEN) for Entertainment One and Lesley Harrison. Executive Producers and Showrunners are Morwyn Brebner (ROOKIE BLUE) and Aaron Martin (BEING ERICA). The series was created by Malcolm MacRury (CRASH AND BURN, REPUBLIC OF DOYLE) and Morwyn Brebner. David Wellington directed the pilot. 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.

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SAVING HOPE:
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About CTV
CTV is 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. 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.

- CTV -

Source: BBM Canada, Summer 2012: May 28 - August 26, 2012. SAVING HOPE season average: June 7 - August 30, 2012.

SOURCE: CTV

Matthew Almeida, CTV, CTV Two, 416.384.2629 or [email protected]
Jim Quan, CTV, CTV Two, 416.384.5311 or [email protected]