Muse, New Metric, Eliot Page titles topline Paramount+ Canada’s first new projects
BANFF: Paramount+ in Canada has unveiled its first ever development slate, spanning series, features and documentaries, with projects from companies including Muse Entertainment, New Metric Media, Wynonna Earp creator Emily Andras and Eliot Page’s Page Boy Productions banner.
The Canadian arm of Paramount+ is developing Hate the Player: The Ben Johnson Story, a scripted comedy about the Canadian sprinter who won Olympic gold in 1988 but was later stripped of his medals for doping. The project comes from Anthony Q Farrell, whose credits include the US version of The Office, and Letterkenny and Children Ruin Everything producer New Metric Media.
Also in development is Len & Club, a limited six-part thriller about the secret relationship of two young men in rural 20th-century New Brunswick whose story came to light when a box of photos was recently discovered in an estate sale. The project, based on a true story, comes from writer Lynne Kamm and producers Muse Entertainment and Page Boy Productions.
Paramount+ also greenlit development on one-hour genre series Carpe Diem from showrunner Emily Andras (Wynonna Earp, Lost Girl) and producers December Films, Cineflix Studios, Gina Marcheschi and Jon Brown. Based on the bestselling book series by Julie Kenner, the project follows a frazzled suburban mum who must get back into the game of demon hunting when her supernatural past comes calling.
The streamer is developing The Drive at Night, a dark comedy genre series about two best friends, a vampire and a werewolf, as they take a road trip across Canada. It is written by Craig Wallace (Murdoch Mysteries, Todd & The Book of Pure Evil) and produced by Black Birds Entertainment.
On the documentary side, Paramount+ Canada has commissioned 500 Days in the Wild, which follows filmmaker Dianne Whelan (This Land, 40 Days at Basecamp) as she treks 28,000 kilometres across Canada. Set for release in the fall, the project is produced by Betsy Carson with executive producers Christine Haebler and Dianne Whelan for Rebel Sisters Productions. It will be distributed theatrically in Canada by Elevation Pictures.
Also on its slate is The Boy in the Woods, a real-life story about a Jewish boy hiding and being hunted in the forests of Nazi-occupied Eastern Europe. It is produced by Lumanity Productions and JoBro Productions and based on the memoir The Boy in the Woods by Maxwell Smart. The film is distributed theatrically in Canada by Photon Films.
Paramount+ in Canada also acquired several domestic feature films including Midnight At The Paradise, which will land on the service later this year, and All The Lost Ones, Café Daughter, Orah and Who’s Yer Father?, set to debut in 2024. It also picked up the romantic comedy feature The End of Sex, produced by Vortex.
In addition, Paramount Global is expanding its Canadian FAST channel strategy with the addition of three new channels: Truly Canadian, which will highlight Canadian scripted series including Little Mosque on the Prairie, Edgemont and Arctic Air; Pluto TV Documentaries, which will include NFB documentaries and films that have been featured at Hot Docs; and The Red Green Show Channel.
“Paramount+ is known for content that is entertaining. Our strategy includes partnering with the most exciting creators in the country, like we did with this first slate of projects,” said Katrina Kowalski, VP of content, Paramount+ and Pluto TV Canada.
“Storytelling captures viewers’ hearts and minds, and Paramount+ in Canada is proud to be working with local partners who are just as passionate as we are.”
Doug Smith, senior VP of streaming and content licensing, Canada, Paramount Global, added: “We are proud of today’s announcement which is the result of thoughtful dialogue with the Canadian production community. Paramount Streaming has a robust team of Canadians working directly on the business; we know this is the key to our success in the market, and we are proud to give the Canadian creative community an opportunity to shine both at home and around the world.”
