By: Terri-Lynne Waldron
The CTV Upfront Red Carpet event took place last Thursday at the Sony Centre for the Performing Arts on Front Street, and the network revealed some of their new fall, mid-season and returning shows.
The star-studded Red Carpet gala brought out cast members from medical dramas, action series and daytime talk shows.
Here are some of the highlights.
MasterChef Canada judges—Michael Bonacini and Claudio Aprile—may have already been renowned chefs when the show debuted in 2014, but the reality program has put them in a different kind of spotlight.
“It’s all positive,” said Aprile about his newfound TV fame. “Everything about it is a plus plus. I think that it is fantastic that we have a new audience and it never gets old.”
Bonacini shared the same sentiments.
“The fans here are incredibly respectful and they are very interested in who we are, where we’re cooking, what we’re working on and what new dishes are on the menu,” he revealed.
“They really can connect with us because we are a part of the city as much as they are a part of the city. That’s what makes it extra special for those who live here in the great city of Toronto.”
GOTHAM stars Camren Bicondova (Catwoman) and David Mazouz (Batman) summed up their show in five words. “Thrilling, exciting, dark, exhilarating and fun,” said Mazouz.
After hesitating, Bicondova responded with, “Fun for everyone to watch.” Her interest in the world of superheroes was not instant, but preparing for the show changed her perspective. “I wasn’t a fan of superheroes,” she confessed. “But once I got the role and started researching, I eventually became a fan.”
Mazouz, on the other hand, had always been on board with that world. “I was always a superhero fan, but never really a Batman comic book fan per se, until I booked the role.”
Meeting fans at comic con events has been an added bonus. “Very positive,” said Bicondova of the fan reaction. “Everybody is loving it and the hype was building right from the start and it hasn’t stopped—which is a very good thing. I am glad people are excited for season 2, because I am.”
The new show CATCH—which is set for a mid-season debut in January—puts actors Jay Hayden and Jacky Ido in the hot seat. The show is produced by Shonda Rhimes who has found success as a producer with SCANDAL, GREY’S ANATOMY and HOW TO GET AWAY WITH MURDER.
“Well it’s exciting,” responded Hayden, when asked about being in Rhimes’ universe. “We feel like we’re entering into a family, instead of being just the new kid at school. We feel like there’s already a support structure there for us.”
“We’re following in the footstep of such great shows like GREY’S ANATOMY, SCANDAL and HOW TO GET AWAY WITH MURDER that we feel excited and at the same time we feel responsible for bringing the trademark that we need, to step up to the task.”
The Internet is filled with so many spoiler alerts for TV shows that it can be difficult for fans to have that element of surprise when watching episodes. Kristin Lehman and Brendan Penny from MOTIVE, don’t have to worry about revealing spoilers to friends and family members.
“It’s not so much that they ask what happens next because they know it’s going to be completely different,” explained Penny. “When we’re shooting there’s so much—especially for my character—technical dialogue that I just forget. I really look forward to seeing the episodes because I say, ‘I don’t really remember this one.’ So that’s good. “
“A lot of our friends, family and fans are really satisfied by the show and they don’t want spoilers. So I haven’t been asked really,” said Lehman. “I get a lot of questions about what I am wearing and where they can get the outfits that Angie wears.”
Nick Blood from MARVEL’S AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D does not have to worry about forgetting his lines when filming scenes.
“I find line learning fairly easy if you kind of know the character well and you know the scenario and the scene makes sense—it makes it a lot easier to learn,” he said. “And also, you’re shooting a bit at a time so you can’t complain too much.”
Blood has had his fair share of doing manual work, so he knows how to put what he does as an actor in its proper perspective.
“I’ve worked in all sorts of jobs like labouring, working in a bar or working in a kitchen and stuff
—and that’s much harder than learning lines.”