TORONTO, Dec. 8, 2016 /CNW/ - TVO's first commissioned drama series, Hard Rock Medical, returns with nine new episodes in January 2017. The episodes premiere on TVO starting on Sunday, January 8 at 8 pm, and for the first time, all of the new episodes will be available on demand on tvo.org following the January 8 broadcast.
Loosely inspired by the world-renowned Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM), Hard Rock Medical's students navigate their way through an offbeat medical training program in the North at Hard Rock U. With another year of med school under their belts, the stakes are raised with the students travelling by snowmobile to rescue a lumberjack with severed fingers, tending to patients with hypothermia, and caring for seniors with addiction issues.
The students are immersed in all areas of Northern life, as they grapple with issues of medical ethics, and struggle to keep their personal lives together. In the Nipissing First Nation, Eva and Melanie face a difficult cancer case that is complicated by Eva's relationship with the patient's mother. Gary and Charlie are embedded with EMS teams, working alongside paramedics, local police, and emergency room doctors. Cameron and Gina are based out of a downtown clinic doing outreach to street kids, seniors, and drug addicts, and Nancy and Farida learn what it takes to be a doctor in a small regional hospital.
The series' ensemble cast returns including Canadian talents, Patrick McKenna (The Red Green Show, Traders), Angela Asher (18 to Life, Degrassi: The Next Generation), Tamara Duarte (Degrassi: The Next Generation) and Northern Ontario favourite, Stéphane Paquette.
"We are delighted with the critical acclaim Hard Rock Medical received and would like to thank our production partner APTN and the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation for making this series possible," said Lisa de Wilde, Chief Executive Officer, TVO. "TVO is committed to sharing uniquely Ontario stories and Hard Rock Medical exemplifies the distinct challenges of delivering healthcare in Northern Ontario, helping to deepen viewers understanding, and creating a dialogue around the richness of our province."
"I'm so pleased to be able to bring these new episodes of Hard Rock Medical to our dedicated and loyal following. Thanks to TVO, APTN, and the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation for helping us to tell these stories," said Derek Diorio, co-creator, Hard Rock Medical.
Mini docs that give an in-depth look into life in the North accompany the series. Created by students at North Bay's Canadore College, topics include: the Full Moon Ceremony, inspiring accounts from the Nipissing First Nation, and the art and music of Hard Rock Medical. The short films will air on TVO in January and be available on tvo.org following the broadcast.
New episodes of Hard Rock Medical premiere on TVO beginning on Sunday, January 8 at 8 pm and repeat Mondays at 10:30 pm and Fridays at 7 pm. All nine 30-minute episodes will be available on demand on tvo.org, directly following the broadcast premiere, where viewers can also catch up on past episodes. The series will also be broadcast on the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN).
Hard Rock Medical is produced by Distinct Features and was co-created by Smith Corindia and Derek Diorio. The series received funding from the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) to support the regional production of the series, which is shot entirely in Northern Ontario. Filming for the new episodes took place exclusively in North Bay.
About TVO
As the technological extension of Ontario's public education system, TVO's vision is to create a better world through the power of learning. TVO provides learning opportunities for Ontarians through innovative educational products, in-depth current affairs, groundbreaking documentaries, and award-winning TVOKids resources both inside and outside the classroom. TVO is funded primarily by the Province of Ontario and is a registered charity supported by sponsors and thousands of donors. For more information, visit tvo.org.
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SOURCE TVO
Image with caption: "Farida played by Rachelle Casseus and Nancy played by Angela Asher in TVO's Hard Rock Medical, credit Michael Tien. (CNW Group/TVO)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20161208_C8626_PHOTO_EN_834744.jpg
Image with caption: "Charlie played by Stef Paquette steps in between Gary played by Mark Coles Smith and a cop in TVO's Hard Rock Medical, credit Michael Tien. (CNW Group/TVO)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20161208_C8626_PHOTO_EN_834746.jpg
Image with caption: "Gina played by Tamara Duarte and Cameron played by Jamie Spilchuk making a house call in TVO's Hard Rock Medical, credit Michael Tien. (CNW Group/TVO)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20161208_C8626_PHOTO_EN_834740.jpg
Image with caption: "Farida played by Rachelle Casseus inside the operating room in TVO's Hard Rock Medical, credit Michael Tien. (CNW Group/TVO)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20161208_C8626_PHOTO_EN_834742.jpg
Image with caption: "Melanie played by Melissa-Jane Shaw attending to a patient in TVO's Hard Rock Medical, credit Michael Tien. (CNW Group/TVO)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20161208_C8626_PHOTO_EN_834748.jpg
Image with caption: "Dr. Fraser Healy played by Patrick McKenna in TVO's Hard Rock Medical, credit Michael Tien. (CNW Group/TVO)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20161208_C8626_PHOTO_EN_834751.jpg
Media contact: Nicole Morrison, Public Relations Specialist, 416.484.2600 x2281, [email protected]
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