Production Begins in Toronto on Global's New Original Drama Houdini & Doyle

Canada/UK Co-Production from Shaftesbury (Canada) and Big Talk Productions (UK) to Premiere on Global in Canada, ITV Encore in the UK
and Fox in the US in 2016

Series Hails From Canadian Executive Producers David Titcher and David Hoselton and House Creator David Shore

TORONTO, Nov. 26, 2015 /CNW/ - Shaw Media announced today that production has begun on Houdini & Doyle in the Toronto area. Starring Michael Weston (Six Feet Under, House) and Stephen Mangan (Episodes) along with Canadian actress Rebecca Liddiard (Between, MsLabelled), the mystery adventure drama series, scheduled to premiere on Global in 2016, is shooting the final two episodes of the 10-episode drama on location in Toronto and Southern Ontario until mid December. A Canada/UK treaty co-production from Shaftesbury and Big Talk Productions, the first eight episodes of the series were filmed in Manchester, UK from July to November 2015.

"Comprised of such a talented team of producers, writers, and actors, Houdini & Doyle will be a strong addition to Global's 2016 lineup," said Christine Shipton, Senior Vice President and Chief Creative Officer, Shaw Media. "We are thrilled to have this unique co-production film the final two episodes right here in Toronto."

"It's wonderful to have David Shore and David Hoselton back home in Canada," said Christina Jennings, Chairman and CEO, Shaftesbury. "Kudos to Shaftesbury US head Maggie Murphy for finding this project and an inspired creative team to lead it."

"I'm thrilled to be back working at home; even if it is in 1901," said David Shore, Executive Producer.

"Houdini & Doyle is a paranormal period piece – think Edwardian X-Files – with a sense of humour," added David Hoselton, Executive Producer.

In Houdini & Doyle, Harry Houdini (Michael Weston) – master magician, escape artist and paranormal debunker – and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (Stephen Mangan) – prolific writer, creator of "Sherlock Holmes" and paranormal aficionado – grudgingly join forces in 1901 London and Canada to investigate unsolved and inexplicable crimes with a supernatural slant in collaboration with New Scotland Yard Constable Adelaide Stratton (Rebecca Liddiard). Inspired by true events, the series will draw heavily on the rich history of the period.

The 10-episode drama was ordered straight to series for ITV Encore in the UK and Global in Canada and licensed in the US on FOX. Jeff Renfroe (Remedy, Haven, Beauty and the Beast) is serving as director of the final two episodes filmed in Canada.

Produced in association with Shaw Media, ITV Encore and Sony Pictures Television, Houdini & Doyle is a Canada/UK treaty co-production from Shaftesbury (Canada) and Big Talk Productions (UK) in association with Shore Z Productions. The series is executive produced by David Shore (House), David Titcher (The Librarians) and David Hoselton (House, Chicago P.D.) along with Christina Jennings, Maggie Murphy and Scott Garvie for Shaftesbury and Kenton Allen, Matthew Justice and Luke Alkin for Big Talk Productions. Producers are Suzanne Colvin-Goulding (Canada) and Adrian Sturges (UK). The series is distributed by Sony Pictures Television.

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About Shaw Communications
Shaw Communications Inc. is a diversified communications and media company. Shaw serves 3.2 million consumers and businesses through a reliable and extensive fibre network. Shaw provides consumers with broadband Internet, WiFi, Digital Phone and Video services. Shaw Business provides businesses with Internet, data, WiFi, telephony, Video and fleet tracking services, and ViaWest provides collocation, cloud and managed services. Shaw Media provides Canadians with engaging programming content through one of Canada's largest conventional television networks, Global Television, and 19 specialty networks, including HGTV Canada, Food Network Canada, HISTORY® and Showcase. Shaw is traded on the Toronto and New York stock exchanges and is included in the S&P/TSX 60 Index (Symbol: TSX – SJR.B, NYSE – SJR). For more information about Shaw, please visit www.shaw.ca.

About Shaftesbury
With offices in Toronto and Los Angeles, Shaftesbury is an award-winning creator and producer of original content for television and digital platforms, sold in 120 countries worldwide. Shaftesbury's slate includes new drama series Houdini & Doyle for Sony Pictures Television, Shaw Media, ITV and Fox; thriller series Slasher for Super Channel and Chiller; nine seasons of Murdoch Mysteries for CBC, UKTV and ITV STUDIOS Global Entertainment; and hit Kids' CBC series The Moblees. Shaftesbury's digital and technology arm, Smokebomb Entertainment, produces original digital, convergent and branded entertainment projects including the hit YouTube series Carmilla, funded by U by Kotex®; supernatural drama V Morgan Is Dead; fashion comedy series MsLabelled, produced in partnership with Shaw Media and the Tetley tea brand; and the Emmy®-nominated Murdoch Mysteries: Curse of the Lost Pharaohs. Shaftesbury and Smokebomb recently launched shift2, an innovative agency that helps brands explore their millennial voice using scripted series and social media to drive measurable results. Visit us online at http://shaftesbury.ca. 

SOURCE Global Television

For media inquiries, interview and set visit opportunities please contact: Jacqui VanSickle, Senior Publicist, Global Television, 416-966-7261, [email protected]; Ashley Applebaum, Publicity Manager, Global Television, 416-934-8481, [email protected]; Judy Lung, PR Manager, Television & Film, Shaftesbury, 416-363-1411 ext 186, [email protected]