BBC Worldwide Takes on Canadian Drama

LONDON, June 5: BBC
Worldwide has picked up the international distribution rights to the Canadian
drama The Session, scheduled to
air in the 2008-09 season on CBC.

BBC Worldwide will act as
the exclusive international sales partner for the series, which is being
produced by Canada’s Temple Street Productions. The Session stars Erin Karpluk (The L Word, Bionic Woman) and Michael Riley (This is Wonderland), and tells the story of a woman who is given the
opportunity to go back in time and relive moments from her past.

David Fortier and Ivan Schneeberg,
the co-presidents of Temple Street Productions and executive producers on the
series, commented, “We’re really proud of The Session. It has a fantastic cast and a great story to tell
which transcends geographic borders and cultures. Having BBC Worldwide on board
as our international distribution partner is a real coup for us and will help
ensure that The Session is seen
by audiences around the world.”

Helen Jackson, BBC
Worldwide’s director of independents, said, “The Session is a fantastic concept, with a truly universal
appeal. Who doesn’t sometimes look back on their life and think about what they
might have done differently? Given the subject matter and Temple Street’s
pedigree for producing high-quality shows, we know that it is a series that will
play well with international audiences, and we’re really happy to have this
opportunity to show Ivan and David what BBC Worldwide can do.”

—By Kristin
Brzoznowski