Bell Media announced today its lineup of exclusive new programming for its specialty channels for the 2016/2017 season. Led by the acquisition for Space of the highly anticipated DOCTOR WHO companion series CLASS from Stephen Moffat, the diverse series further cement Bell Media’s suite of channels as must-watch destinations, and complement Bell Media’s brand-building collection of original series.
The new series include:
Discovery
- the six-hour scripted broadcast event HARLEY AND THE DAVIDSONS, revisiting the birth of the iconic motorcycle company
The Comedy Network
- comedy series PEOPLE OF EARTH starring Wyatt Cenac (THE DAILY SHOW); and from Comedy Central Kevin Hart comedy HART OF THE CITY, one of many series coming to Bell Media as part of a recently announced long-term content licensing agreement with Viacom International Media Networks for Comedy Central content in Canada.
Space
- in addition to CLASS, mind-bending drama FALLING WATER, and London-based underworld crime drama STAN LEE’S LUCKY MAN
Bravo
- SHOOTER from Executive Producer Mark Wahlberg and starring Ryan Phillipe and Omar Epps; Hollywood It Girl drama FAMOUS IN LOVE starringBella Thorne; drug cartel drama QUEEN OF THE SOUTH starring Alice Braga; murder mystery GUILT featuring Billy Zane; and family drama fromOprah Winfrey and Ava DuVerney, QUEEN SUGAR
E!
- the second scripted drama series from E!, Hollywood insider drama THE ARRANGEMENT featuring Michael Vartan, Josh Henderson, and Christine Evangelista; Mariah Carey docu-series MARIAH’S WORLD; and fitness series REVENGE BODY BY KHLOE KARDASHIAN
Gusto
- all new programming from Jamie Oliver, including a new series to premiere this fall, and UNCORKED, an unscripted series documenting six aspiring master sommeliers from New York
“We promise advertisers and viewers strong brands that cut through the noise of abundant choice with exclusive, curated content, and these recent acquisitions make good on that promise,” said Tracey Pearce, Senior Vice-President, Specialty and Pay. “From CLASS and THE ARRANGEMENT, to SHOOTER and exclusive new programming from the amazing Jamie Oliver, our diverse programming resonates with viewers, delivering audience in all key demos.”
Pedigreed production talent associated with the series include Stephen Moffat (DOCTOR WHO); Mark Wahlberg (BOARDWALK EMPIRE) and Stephen Levinson (BOARDWALK EMPIRE, BALLERS) ; I. Marlene King (PRETTY LITTLE LIARS); Gale Anne Hurd (THE WALKING DEAD) and the late Henry Bromell (HOMELAND); Conan O’Brien (CONAN), Greg Daniels (THE OFFICE, PARKS AND RECREATION), David Jenkins and Jeff Ross (CONAN, EAGLEHEART), along with David Kissinger (EAGLEHEART) and Larry Sullivan; Oprah Winfrey and acclaimed director Ava DuVernay (Selma); and comic book legend Stan Lee.
Bravo
GUILT (June 21 at 9 p.m. ET, 10 x :60)
When Natalie’s (Emily Tremaine, VINYL) sister Grace (Daisy Head, THE SYNDICATE) becomes the prime suspect in her roommate’s murder, and a popular target for the press and in social media, Natalie leaves her life in Boston and heads to London to defend her. With the help of an ethically questionable ex-pat lawyer Stan Gutterie (Billy Zane, Zoolander 2), Natalie starts to question how innocent her sister may really be as more ugly truths start to emerge. GUILT is a co-production of Sea to Sky Entertainment, the joint venture between Lionsgate Television and Thunderbird Films, and BV Family Productions, in association with Freeform.
QUEEN OF THE SOUTH (Tuesday, Aug. 16 at 10 p.m. ET, 13 x :60)
The powerful story of Teresa Mendoza (Alice Braga, I Am Legend), QUEEN OF THE SOUTH follows a woman who is forced to run and seek refuge in America after her drug-dealing boyfriend is unexpectedly murdered in Mexico. In the process, she teams up with an unlikely figure from her past to bring down the leader of the same drug trafficking ring that has her on the run.
SHOOTER (Fall, 10 x :60)
Based on the best-selling novel by Stephen Hunter, Point of Impact, and the 2007 Paramount film, and starring Ryan Phillippe (SECRETS AND LIES) and Omar Epps (HOUSE), SHOOTER follows the courageous journey of Bob Lee Swagger (Phillippe), a highly-decorated ex-Marine sniper who is coaxed back into action after he learns about a plot to kill the President. When Swagger’s former commanding officer Isaac Johnson (Epps) solicits his expertise in a clandestine operation, Swagger re-emerges from exile only to find out that he is inextricably involved in a disastrous operation with ties to his past. SHOOTER is executive produced by Mark Wahlberg (BOARDWALK EMPIRE, ENTOURAGE) of Closest to the Hole Productions; Stephen Levinson (BOARDWALK EMPIRE, BALLERS) of Leverage Entertainment; and Lorenzo di Bonaventura (Transformers, THE REAL O’NEALS). John Hlavin (THE SHIELD) wrote the pilot and will also executive produce. Simon Cellan Jones (BLOODLINE) directed the pilot. Ryan Phillippe is also a producer. SHOOTER is a co-production between Paramount Television and Universal Cable Productions.
FAMOUS IN LOVE (Mid-Season, 10 x :60)
Based on the novel by Rebecca Serle, FAMOUS IN LOVE follows ordinary college student Paige (Bella Thorne, The DUFF) who gets her big break after auditioning for the starring role in a Hollywood blockbuster. Paige must now navigate her new star-studded life and undeniable chemistry with her two co-leads while discovering the highs and lows that come with being the new “it girl” in town. Executive producers of the series are I. Marlene King, Miguel Arteta (ENLIGHTENED), and Dan Farah (READY PLAYER ONE). Rebecca Serle is co-executive producer. King & Serle developed the project for television and wrote the pilot script. Arteta directed the pilot. The series is produced by Long Lake Media, Farah Films, and Carmina Productions, Inc. in association with Warner Horizon Television. It is distributed around the world by Warner Bros. International Television Distribution.
QUEEN SUGAR (Mid-Season, 13 x :60)
QUEEN SUGAR chronicles the lives and loves of the estranged Bordelon siblings in Saint Josephine, Louisiana. The siblings are Nova (Rutina Wesley, TRUE BLOOD), a world-wise journalist and activist; Charley (Dawn-Lyen Gardner, STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS), the savvy wife and manager of an NBA star; and Ralph Angel (Kofi Siriboe, AWKWARD), a formerly incarcerated young father in search of redemption. After a family tragedy, the Bordelons must navigate the triumphs and struggles of their complicated lives in order to run an ailing sugarcane farm in the Deep South. The show’s ensemble cast includes Omar J. Dorsey (RAY DONOVAN), Dondre T. Whitfield (MISTRESSES), Timon Kyle Durrett (BARBERSHOP: THE NEXT CUT), Nicholas L. Ashe (ARE WE THERE YET?), Greg Vaughan (DAYS OF OUR LIVES), Ethan Hutchinson (THE PATH), Marycarmen Lopez (FROM DUSK TIL DAWN: THE SERIES), and Tina Lifford (SCANDAL). Based on the book by Natalie Baszile, QUEEN SUGAR is executive produced by Oprah Winfrey, Ava DuVernay (Selma), and Melissa Carter (MISTRESSES). DuVernay developed the project for television, and wrote and directed the pilot episode. The series is distributed around the world by Warner Bros. International Television Distribution.