A new take on the British drama Prime Suspect, an animated version of Napoleon Dynamite and the return of Dave Foley and Sarah Michelle Gellar to series television are among the highlights of Global TV‘s fall lineup.
Global’s parent company, Shaw Media, announced its primetime roster, which includes six new dramas and six new comedies.
They include a small-screen adaptation of John Grisham’s The Firm; Gellar as a woman who takes over her estranged twin sister’s identity in Ringer; the rookie cop drama The 2-2, executive produced by Robert De Niro; and Foley’s sitcom How to be a Gentleman.
Headlining Global’s lineup of new acquisitions is Prime Suspect, from director Peter Berg (Hancock, The Kingdom) and starring actress Maria Bello (A History of Violence, ER). The show follows Jane Timoney, the “tough-as-nails police detective who doesn’t know when to quit,” according to a Shaw release. “An outsider who has just transferred to a new, male-dominated precinct, Jane is forceful, rude and reckless but a brilliant cop. Ultimately, Jane remains focused, keeping her eye on one thing – the prime suspect.”
Over on specialty channel Slice, two reality show staples get a Canadian spin: Real Housewives Vancouver and Intervention Canada.
The new shows will be detailed at a downtown presentation aimed at ad buyers this afternoon.
Citytv announced its lineup Monday, touting buzzed-about series that include the dinosaur drama Terra Nova and J.J. Abrams’ thriller Person of Interest. CTV is set to announce its slate of shows Thursday, while CBC reveals its lineup on June 8.
Shaw Media SVP, content, Barbara Williams outlined a diverse list of new and returning shows, including Bones, Family Guy, Glee, The Good Wife, House, NCIS, NCIS: LA, The Office, The Simpsons and Survivor.
New dramas include A Gifted Man, about a surgeon whose dead ex-wife offers guidance from the afterlife and The Finder, about a former military policeman who can find anything.
Fresh comedies include Are You There, Vodka? It’s Me, Chelsea, inspired by comedian Chelsea Handler’s memoir; the animated series Allen Gregory with the voice of Jonah Hill as a precocious seven-year-old; I Hate My Teenage Daughter about two best friends raising teenage daughters; and Fran Drescher in Happily Divorced as a Los Angeles florist who finds out her husband is gay.
New to daytime is The Talk with Leah Remini, Sara Gilbert, Sharon Osbourne, Holly Robinson Peete and Julie Chen, while night time will be anchored by The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson.
Global is also adding two established dramas that previously aired on other networks: Harry’s Law and Parenthood.
Meanwhile, Shaw’s 18 specialty channels boast more than 35 additions. A look:
Food Network: Duff Goldman’s travelling series, Sugar High; the spicy food showcase Heat Seekers with Aaron Sanchez and Toronto’s Roger Mooking; quick cooking tips in Jamie’s Meals In Minutes.
Slice: docu-soap Mob Wives; former Dragons’ Den star W. Brett Wilson with the investment challenge, Risky Business; Canadian comic Caroline Rhea hosts Cake Walk: Wedding Cake Edition.
HGTV: Dina’s Party with Dina Manzo of the Real Housewives of New Jersey; makeover series HGTV’D; travel spinoff House Hunters On Vacation; organization series Consumed; and the realty series Urban Suburban.
History Television: the secret history of symbols in Brad Meltzer’s Decoded; the Second World War epic The Pacific.
Showcase: Angie Harmon as a Boston detective in Rizzoli & Isles; the dramas Royal Pains; and Warehouse 13; new seasons of Rescue Me, Burn Notice, Fairly Legal and Weeds.
