Temple Street Productions and Family Channel announce start of principal photography on season three of hit tween drama The Next Step

TORONTO, July 29, 2014 /CNW/ - Temple Street Productions Inc. (Temple Street) and Family Channel announced today that principal photography has begun on the third season of hit tween dance series, The Next Step. The serialized drama filmed in reality-style was created by Frank van Keeken (Wingin' It) and follows the lives of an elite group of dancers. With the season three order, Temple Street will have produced over 90 episodes.

"Season three of The Next Step continues to build on the relationships and team dynamics that were formed in the first two seasons, while focusing on what our audience really loves – the dancing," said Michael Goldsmith, Director, Original Programming, Family Channel. "We're excited to be working with Temple Street again to produce another set of high-energy performances and unpredictable storylines that keep fans coming back for more from week to week."

"We're all thrilled to return to production with Family Channel who have been an amazing broadcast partner from the beginning," commented Executive Producers of The Next Step and Co-Presidents of Temple Street Productions, Ivan Schneeberg and David Fortier.  "In addition to bringing our fans more high-intensity dancing and intriguing drama on screen, we're also excited to be launching an exciting retail and licensing program with world class partners for TNS fans to engage with the series off-screen as well."

In season three of The Next Step, the dancers at The Next Step Dance Studio face additional challenges as they continue to compete at the highest levels of competition. But it takes a lot more than proper technique to be successful; the A-Troupe needs to learn to work together, if they truly want to win as a team.  The team members must decide at every turn, how their decisions are impacting their teammates and their team's chance to win.

The Next Step stars: Victoria Baldesarra as Michelle; Alexandra Beaton as Emily; Brittany Raymond as Riley; Trevor Tordjman as James; Isaac Lupien as Eldon; Lamar Johnson as West; Jordan Clark as Giselle; Jennifer Pappas as Chloe; Taveeta Szymanowicz as Thalia; Zac Vran as Hunter; Samantha Grecchi as Stephanie; Logan Fabbro as Amanda; Brennan Clost as Daniel; Myles Erlick as Noah; Natalie Krill as Phoebe; and Bree Wasylenko as Kate.

Capitalizing on the international success of the series, a guest character from the UK, Ella Gilling has been added to this season. Additionally, Devon Michael Brown and Cierra Healey, join The Next Step cast as new dancers Max and Cierra.

Premiering this fall on Family Channel, audiences can catch the second half of season two which culminates with the competition taking place at the national championship.

Commissioned by Family Channel, The Next Step is produced by Temple Street and is executive produced by Frank van Keeken (Wingin' It, Kids in the Hall, Billable Hours), Ivan Schneeberg and David Fortier (Orphan Black, Being Erica, Wingin' It). BBC Worldwide handles the international rights to the series. The Next Step is also produced with the financial assistance from The Shaw Rocket Fund.

About Temple Street
Temple Street is a leading producer of television, film and digital media content based in Toronto, Canada. A selection of Temple Street's past and present projects includes: Orphan Black (Space, BBC America), Over the Rainbow (CBC), Being Erica (CBC, SOAPnet), Wingin' It (Family Channel), Cover me Canada (CBC), Recipe to Riches (Food Network, Global), Billable Hours (Global, Showcase), Canada's Next Top Model (CTV), How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria? (CBC), Queer as Folk (Showtime, Showcase) and Darcy's Wild Life (NBC, Discovery Kids, Family Channel). For more company information visit www.templestreetproductions.com.

About Family Channel
Family Channel is a premium, commercial-free network offering the best in family television entertainment in approximately 6 million homes across Canada. Dedicated to celebrating family life and providing a fun experience for all, Family airs a unique mix of series, movies and specials, with a large portion of programming supplied by Disney. Family Channel also offers Family OnDemand, a television-based Subscription Video on Demand (SVOD) service and Family OnLine, an internet-based, streaming service, these services, available at no additional cost, present hit Disney movies and series, plus top-rated Canadian series to subscribers when they want it, where they want it. Visit us at Family.ca.

SOURCE: News - Media

For further information and to arrange set-visits please contact: Mario Tassone, Unit Publicist, The Next Step, 416.889.6993, [email protected]; Joanna Landsberg, Publicist, Family Channel, 416.956.8547, [email protected]; Pam Wilson, Ink Media Corporation, Temple Street Productions, 310.849.7303, [email protected]