Disney+ has unveiled its first-ever Canadian local Originals, billed as “an important step in the streamer’s expanding investment in Canadian storytelling.”
Disney is among the U.S. streaming giants that has been backing a legal challenge of the CRTC mandate – which Ottawa reversed course on last week – requiring platforms to spend a base contribution of five per cent of their annual Canadian revenues on Canadian programming. The commission upped that amount to 15% on May 21.
The new greenlights include “Knighted,” a new eight-episode scripted comedy and “I’m Not Coming Back,” a three-part true-crime documentary.
Produced by Heavy Lifting Productions in association with 3 Arts Entertainment, “Knighted” follows a missing person’s case that spirals into an absurd documentary-style exploration of the sinister secrets lurking beneath a local medieval dinner theatre. Bruce McCulloch (The Kids in the Hall) developed and is executive producing, alongside creators Jackson Rowe and Mike Mildon (For Heaven’s Sake) and producers Trevor Rotenberg, Zack Waxenberg and Greg Walter from 3 Arts Entertainment.
“I’m Not Coming Back” is produced by Tuck Shop Media and Hodgee Films about two armed fugitives who went on a killing spree in the summer of 2019 that turned into one of the largest-scale manhunts in Canadian history. When national police leads run dry, authorities enlist help from a member of the Fox Lake Cree Nation in their pursuit of justice. The series is from producer Joe Tuck (Running Smoke, Field Generals: History of the Black Quarterback) and director Brent Hodge (I Am Chris Farley, Pharma Bro).
“We’re delighted to launch ‘Knighted’ and ‘I’m Not Coming Back’ as our first-ever Canadian originals, two series that showcase the incredible range of talent we have here in Canada,” Paige Murray, Director of Development, Disney+ Canada, said in a release. “This demonstrates our deep commitment to local content, investing in stories that will resonate with audiences both here in Canada and around the world.”
