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

TORONTO, July 24, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ - Temple Street Productions Inc. (Temple Street) and Family Channel announced today that principal photography has begun on the second season of break out reality-style series, The Next Step. The serialized tween drama is created by Frank van Keeken, creator of the hit Temple Street series Wingin' It, which also airs on Family Channel and Disney XD.

In addition to the 30 half-hour episodes on the channel, extra content will appear on Family.ca including, The Next Step Aftershow web series featuring exclusive character interviews and behind-the-scenes footage and commentary on the series' storylines.

"Last season's premiere of The Next Step drew in more than one million viewers making it Family's largest premiere audience for any series, acquired or domestic," said Michael Goldsmith, Director, Original Programming, Family Channel. "With the show's captivating cast, unique format and superior dancing, we have high hopes for the continued success of the series going into its second season."

"We are thrilled at how The Next Step has resonated with audiences in Canada who faithfully tune in each week to follow the drama and excitement of our compelling cast of characters," commented Executive Producers of The Next Step and Co-Presidents of Temple Street Productions, Ivan Schneeberg and David Fortier.  "We look forward to bringing the fans a new season filled with more dance, original songs and of course more drama."

Season two of The Next Step follows the lives of an elite group of dancers at The Next Step Dance Studio as they attempt to win 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 and accept everyone for who they are, if they truly want to win as a team.

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; Brennan Clost as Daniel; Jennifer Pappas as Chloe; Bree Wasylenko as Miss Kate; Samantha Grecchi as Stephanie; Tamina Pollack-Paris as Tiffany; and So You Think You Can Dance Canada season four winner Jordan Clark as Giselle. A national casting search found new cast members Zac Vran, who plays Hunter, someone from Michelle's past; and Taveeta Szymanowicz as Thalia, a new studio member.

The remaining episodes from season one will debut on Family Channel this fall, culminating with the epic competition taking place at the regional 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.

For artwork and series information, please visit http://press.bellmedia.ca

SOURCE: Family Channel

and to arrange set-visits please contact:

Lisa Shamata, Unit Publicist
The Next Step
416.209.5737
[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]