'Flashpoint' pipeline brings 'The Bridge' to CBS

Aaron Douglas

Credit: Billy Tompkins/Sci Fi

From the country that brought you "Flashpoint," Jim Carrey and Labatt's beer comes... "The Bridge."

Flush with the success of "Flashpoint," CBS has ordered 13 episodes of the police drama "The Bridge," the network's second collaboration with Canada's CTV.

"The Bridge" is inspired by former Toronto police union head Craig Brommell and focuses on an officer who has to fight crime, while also battling his own bosses and distention in the police union rank-and-file. 

"We look forward to working with our creative partners at CBS in bringing yet another great Canadian production to a North American audience," says Susanne Boyce, president, creative, content and channels, CTV Inc. "Craig Bromell and Alan Di Fiore have done a beautiful job in creating a distinct and authentic view of life behind the scenes of a modern police force."

"The Bridge" was originally developed as a two-hour telefilm and backdoor pilot for CTV, Canada's largest privately owned English language broadcast network. It was ordered to series in November 2008 and the pilot was sent to CBS execs, who jumped on board. Going forward, all episodes will be produced in association with CTV and CBS Paramount Network Television.

Production on "The Bridge" will begin in late spring in Toronto, setting the door for a possible "Flashpoint"-esque summer premiere. 

The new series stars Aaron Douglas ("Battlestar Galactica," "Smallville"), Paul Popowich ("Angela's Eyes"), Inga Cadranel ("Rent-a-Goalie"), Frank Cassini ("Vice"), Theresa Joy ("All the Good Ones are Married"), Ona Grauer ("Stargate SG-1"), Michael Murphy ("X-Men: The Last Stand") and two-time Emmy Award-winner Stuart Margolin ("The Rockford Files").

"Like 'Flashpoint,' we see 'The Bridge' as a series that works creatively and financially for both our network and studio - and importantly, for CBS Television viewers," says Nancy Tellem, president, CBS Paramount Network Television Entertainment Group. "Nina [Tassler] and David [Stapf] both consider 'The Bridge' a high-quality, compelling drama that fits with the network's lineup and the studio's roster, respectively. And, we all look forward to working again with our creative partners at CTV. Together, we've already launched an exciting new show and a successful new model to deliver programming to the North American market."

CTV and CBS began their partnership on the police drama "Flashpoint," which premiered last summer to solid ratings. The second season of "Flashpoint" launched on CBS in January and has boosted the network's Friday night 9 p.m. audience by 37 percent over last year. In addition, "Flashpoint" has become Canada's most watched original drama series.

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