Production Begins in Montréal on Season 2 of Bravo's Hit Original Drama 19-2

− Thrilling police drama to return in 2015 on Bravo −
− 19-2 is co-produced by Montréal's Sphere Media Plus and Echo Media −
− Adrian Holmes and Jared Keeso return to star as Nick Barron and Ben Chartier respectively −
− Louis Choquette, Érik Canuel, and Podz slated to direct −

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MONTRÉAL, July 29, 2014 /CNW/ - Bravo announced today that production has begun on Season 2 of its hit original drama series 19-2. Set to return to Bravo in 2015, the 10-episode, hour-long drama films on location in Montréal throughout the summer and fall. Season 2 sees the return of embattled beat partners Ben Chartier (Jared Keeso), and Nick Barron (Adrian Holmes), as they continue to navigate the corrupt and murky waters of Montréal's streets, while trying to balance their lives. The sophomore season also introduces two, new characters, Cassius Clement a.k.a Kaz (Richard Chevolleau, SAVING HOPE), Nick's charming cousin with a shady background, and Rita (Lisa Berry, NIKITA), Kaz's girlfriend. Writers Bruce Smith DURHAM COUNTY and Jesse McKeown (ROGUE), and Damon Vignale (BLACKSTONE) return, and Nikolijne Troubetzkoy (CALL ME FITZ) joins the fold. Louis Choquette (Rumours, Mirador, Le Gentleman) and Érik Canuel (Bon Cop, Bad Cop, FLASHPOINT) return to direct. Renowned director of the French-Canadian version of 19-2, Podz (Daniel Grou), is slated to direct the premiere episode of the second season.

** Media Note ** Download photography for 19-2 at BellMediaPR.ca/bravo

"Season 1 of 19-2 captivated viewers with its exceptional mixture of complex story lines and richly layered characters," said Corrie Coe, Senior Vice-President, Independent Production, Bell Media. "Season 2, as developed by our talented production partners, cast and crew, pushes our characters into even more amplified situations, where personal and professional relationships are pushed to the limit. Viewers will be astonished to see these characters navigate through life at their breaking point."

"As a producer, few things compare to the excitement of having 19-2 be supported by Bell Media," said Jocelyn Deschênes, Founding President and Executive Producer, Sphere Media. "Following the success of its debut and the truly enthusiastic response from viewers coast-to-coast, it is with great pride that Luc Châtelain (Echo Media) and I take on a second season."

After premiering January 2014, Season 1 of 19-2 went on to become Bravo's #1 new series of the season drawing an average of nearly 200,000 viewers per episode. The series has attracted 3 million unique viewers to date.

After a shocking Season 1 finale, Season 2 continues to dive into the multi-layered relationship between Nick and Ben. Convinced that there is a mole at Station 19, Ben begins to secretly investigate his own squad, challenging his loyalties, and forcing him into a web of lies and deceit, further complicating both his partnership with Nick, and their burgeoning friendship.

Season 2 also sees the return of Nick's ex-wife, Isabelle Latendresse (Maxim Roy, HEARTLAND); Nick's former lover, officer Audrey Pouliot (Laurence Lebeouf, DURHAM COUNTY); angry beat-cop and Nick's antagonist, J.M. Brouillard (Dan Petronijevic, SAVING HOPE); officer Tyler Joseph (Benz Antoine, THE LISTENER), the good-humoured beat cop struggling with alcohol addiction; Tyler's brazen, no-nonsense partner Béatrice Hamelin (Mylène Dinh-Robic, THE LISTENER); straight-shooting Sergeant Julien Houle (Conrad Pla, THE LISTENER); and Marcel Gendron, the manipulative District Commander (Bruce Ramsay, CONTINUUM).

19-2 is co-produced by Sphère Média Plus and Echo Media in association with Bell Media. Executive producers are Jocelyn Deschênes and Virginia Rankin from Sphère Média Plus, and Luc Châtelain from Echo Media. Jesse McKeown (DAVINCI'S INQUEST) is co-executive producer. 19-2 is an English-adaptation of the hit Québec series from the creators and stars of the original, Réal Bossé and Claude Legault and director Podz. Executive Producer Bruce Smith (DURHAM COUNTY) also acts as showrunner and writer. Directors are Louis Choquette, who also directed the series' pilot episode, Érik Canuel, and Podz. Production Executives for Bell Media are Michele McMahon and Tom Hastings. Trish Williams is Director, Independent Production, Bell Media. Corrie Coe is Senior Vice-President, Independent Production, Bell Media. Catherine MacLeod is Senior Vice-President, Specialty Channels and Bell Media Production. Phil King is President - CTV, Sports, and Entertainment Programming.

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About Sphere Media
Headquartered in the Montreal area, Sphère Média Plus has established itself as a major player in television production. Founded by Jocelyn Deschênes in 1997, the company has earned universal acclaim for the boldness, originality and quality of its productions. With nearly 975 hours of series television to its credit - including successful high-end series like LES HAUTS ET LES BAS DE SOPHIE PAQUIN and its English adaptation SOPHIE, BAD KARMA and TOUTE LA VÉRITÉ - the company offers primetime programming that is attractive to viewers and contemporary in outlook.

Sphère Média Plus productions have been sold or adapted in a variety of international markets. In Canada, the company's programs have been seen on the Radio-Canada, TVA, CBC and Séries+ networks, and the company has worked on the pilot of Isabel (adapted from the series LE MONDE DE CHARLOTTE) for NBC in the United States. Over the years the company has won numerous industry and people's choice prizes, including more than 120 Prix Gémeaux (TV industry awards). Sphère Média Plus continues to develop new projects for both the French-and English-speaking markets. Since 2011, the company has had an office in Toronto, confirming its desire to extend its activities across the whole of the North American market. 

About Echo Media
Echo Media is a film and television production company headed by President and Founder Luc Châtelain.  Over the last 30 years Echo Media (formerly Spectra Television) has produced a rich portfolio of hundreds of hours of programming in all genres that have won the hearts of audiences, critics and industry members alike.  The company offers a rich catalogue of award-winning drama series (19-2, ARMISTED MAUPIN'S FURTHER TALES OF THE CITY); animation series (LIFE ON THE BLOCK, FRED'S HEAD); documentaries (Inside The Cirque du Soleil, 10 x OTTO DIX, Building the Future in Haïti, Life is a Highway, ); feature films (Memories Corner; Metallic Blues) youth programming (MIAM!, TOOPY AND BINOO, KID PADDLE); as well as comedy and HD music and variety events coverage (Cirque Éloize's Rain, Nomade, and Nebbia; Amelia by Edouard Lock, Brian Setzer Orchestra). 

Nominated for the most prestigious of prizes and festivals, Echo Media is a recipient of numerous awards, notably the Geminis, Gemeaux, ADISQ, Banff Rockie, Montreux Rose d'Or, and International and Primetime Emmys.  Echo Media's productions have been distributed in over 180 countries around the world.

About Bell Media Independent Production
Bell Media has commissioned some of Canada's most-watched and most-acclaimed original programming, working with the best Canadian independent producers in the country. Hit CTV series include ratings success stories SAVING HOPE, THE LISTENER, MOTIVE, and THE AMAZING RACE CANADA, the record-breaking, Canadian-produced complementary version of the hit international series. New to CTV in 2014 are hit international format MASTERCHEF CANADA and multi-cam office comedy SPUN OUT, one of the most-watched new comedies of the season. Among the scripted series on Bell Media pay and specialty channels are the two-time Emmy®-nominated hit DEGRASSI, the internationally acclaimed ORPHAN BLACK, the most-watched original series in Space history BITTEN, Bravo's most-watched new drama 19-2, TRANSPORTER: THE SERIES, and upcoming dramas SENSITIVE SKIN, and KILLJOYS. Bell Media specialty channels are also home to hit factual series HIGHWAY THRU HELL and CANADA'S WORST DRIVER, among others. In 2013, Bell Media ordered 27 original Canadian series and currently has 84 projects in various stages of development.

About Bravo
Bravo delivers compelling stories through clever and immersive programming to viewers across Canada. From high-profile dramas to blockbuster feature films, Bravo is home to award-winning entertainment. Bravo is a division of Bell Media, which is owned by BCE Inc. (TSX, NYSE: BCE), Canada's largest communications company. More information about Bravo is available at www.bravo.ca.

SOURCE: Bravo