Prime Video presented its burgeoning slate of Canadian Amazon Original productions at an event in Toronto on Wednesday, introducing new projects including The Sticky, an English-language dramedy set in Quebec and inspired by the real-life “Great Canadian Maple Syrup Heist” of 2011.
Produced by Jason Blum’s Blumhouse Television, Jonathan Levine’s Megamix, Jamie Lee Curtis’ Comet Pictures, and Canadian producer Sphere Media, the half-hour series revolves around Ruth Clarke, a tough, middle-aged maple syrup farmer who transforms the future of her community with the theft of millions of dollars’ worth of maple syrup. Brian Donovan and Ed Herro (Little Darlings) wrote the pilot and will executive produce and showrun alongside Canadian co-showrunner/executive producer Kathryn Borel (Anne With An E). Jonathan Levine (Nine Perfect Strangers) will direct and executive produce. The series is slated to start filming in Montreal in late fall.
Also in the works is an untitled documentary project on The Tragically Hip from director Mike Downie, a multi-part docuseries that will feature never-before-seen footage, photos, performances, and stories from the band’s storied 40-year career. Woven throughout the interviews will be lead singer (and Mike’s brother) Gord Downie’s personal writing from his notebooks and journals, lyrics, and correspondence with family, friends, and fans.
Other new projects include original film Sugar, a Canadian-Mexican co-production from B.C.-based Sepia Films and Montreal’s Connect3 Media, directed by filmmaker and cinematographer Vic Sarin (Partition). It follows two influencers coaxed onto a luxury cruise ship, who find themselves ensnared in a drug smuggling operation. Starring Katherine McNamara (Shadowhunters, Maze Runner: The Death Cure), Jasmine Sky Sarin (Perfect High), Éric Bruneau (Coroner, Laurence Anyways), and Anthony Timpano (Imperfect High, Riverdale), it will launch in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand on Prime Video later this year.
Previously-announced Canadian productions include docuseries The Unsolved Murder of Beverly Lynn Smith, diving into the controversial investigation into the 1974 murder of the 22-year-old in Raglan, ON. It will have its world premiere at the Hot Docs Festival before launching on Prime Video on May 6; The Lake, a half hour episodic comedy starring Jordan Gavaris (Orphan Black), Julia Stiles (Hustlers, The Bourne Identity), and Madison Shamoun (#blackAF, Black-ish), set to launch June 17; Three Pines starring Alfred Molina and based on Canadian author Louise Penny‘s Chief Inspector Armand Gamache novels, launching in early 2023; animated series Gary and His Demons, created by Mark Little, who serves as head writer, co-director, and the voice of Gary, launching this fall; the revival of The Kids in the Hall, set to launch May 13, and companion docuseries The Kids in the Hall: Comedy Punks, set to launch May 20.
“We have already had success in Canada with local content including All or Nothing: Toronto Maple Leafs and LOL: Last One Laughing Canada. The slate shared today demonstrates our focus and investment in developing the highest quality content for our Prime members in Canada,” said Magda Grace, head of Prime Video Canada, in a release. “Our roots in Canada run deep with productions like The Boys, Reacher, The Man in the High Castle, The Expanse, and Upload being shot in Canada, but now our slate of Canadian Amazon Originals underlines our investment in the local creative community and commitment to our Canadian audiences.”
“Canada has incredible stories to tell, and we have been fortunate enough to work with the best local producers, directors, writers, and actors to start to bring these stories to our Prime members in Canada. Our upcoming Canadian slate offers something for every Canadian entertainment fan—from comedies and dramas, to true crime films, documentaries, and animation,” added Christina Wayne, head of Originals, Canada, Amazon Studios. “Along with the Canadian producers including Muse, Blue Ant Studios, AMAZE, and Attraction—who we are already working with—we are proud to collaborate with the best internationally, including Left Bank and Blumhouse, to work with Canadian talent and have our local development team shepherd these upcoming Canadian stories.”
Subscribe Now – Free!
Broadcast Dialogue has been required reading in the Canadian broadcast media for 30 years. When you subscribe, you join a community of connected professionals from media and broadcast related sectors from across the country.
The Weekly Briefing from Broadcast Dialogue is delivered exclusively to subscribers by email every Thursday. It’s your link to critical industry news, timely people moves, and excellent career advancement opportunities.
Let’s get started right now.
