Internet Sensation LETTERKENNY Becomes First Original Series Ordered by CraveTV
Bell Media announced today that CraveTV, in partnership with The Comedy Network, has commissioned its first original Canadian series. The six-part, half-hour comedy LETTERKENNY becomes the first original series commissioned for a Canadian SVOD service. In development at Bell Media since November 2013, LETTERKENNY is based on the internet sensation Letterkenny Problems, a five-part series of shorts which have garnered more than 8 million views and earned a Canadian Screen Award nomination in 2014 for Best Web Series.
LETTERKENNY is created by Listowel, Ontario native Jared Keeso, co-star of Bravo’s critically-acclaimed, original drama series 19-2. Hot off the heels of a Canadian Screen Award win for Best Performance by an Actor in a Continuing Leading Dramatic Role, Keeso will star in LETTERKENNY, and also acts as executive producer and co-writer. Nathan Dales (KING & MAXWELL) stars as Wayne’s quick-tongued sidekick, Daryl. Produced by New Metric Media in partnership with DHX Media and in association with Four Peaks Media Group, Jacob Tierney (The Trotsky) is executive producer, director, and co-writer. Patrick O’Sullivan and Mark Montefiore are executive producers for New Metric Media. Production begins in Northern Ontario this summer.
LETTERKENNY is about Wayne (Keeso), a good-ol’ country boy in Letterkenny, Ontario trying to protect his homegrown way of life on the farm, against a world that is constantly evolving around him. The residents of Letterkenny belong to one of three groups: Hicks, Skids, and Hockey Players.
“LETTERKENNY is raw, authentic and unlike anything we’ve seen before,” said Mike Cosentino, Senior Vice-President, Programming, CTV Networks and CraveTV. “It’s a perfect first commission for the service and will no doubt be a standout in CraveTV’s popular Comedy Collection.”
“LETTERKENNY has enormous potential as a flagship series for The Comedy Network,” said Tracey Pearce, Senior Vice-President, Specialty and Pay, Bell Media. “We are thrilled to be working with Jared on another project, and delighted to join forces with New Metric Media and DHX Media on this one-of-a-kind series.”
Click here for more information on the commission of LETTERKENNY by CraveTV.