Production Begins on New Global, ABC Drama

TORONTO: Production is under way on Copper, the new drama developed by Thump Inc. and produced in partnership with E1 Entertainment for simulcast on Global in Canada and ABC in the U.S. later this year.

The 13×1-hour series was commissioned by Canwest and picked up by ABC during the development process. Production began last week and will continue in and around the greater Toronto area through November. The Canadian drama, represented internationally by E1, stars Missy Peregrym, last seen on The CW’s Reaper, as Andy McNally, one of five rookie officers coping with the trials and tribulations of big-city policing. Also starring are Gregory Smith (Everwood), Enuka Okuma (24), Travis Milne (My Green House), and Charlotte Sullivan (M.V.P.) 

Ilana Frank (Would be Kings) serves as the series executive producer, with Tassie Cameron (Flashpoint) as showrunner and head writer. E1 Entertainment’s Noreen Halpern and John Morayniss round out the team as executive producers. 

"From cast to crew, the pedigree of talent involved in this original series is simply incredible," said Christine Shipton, the senior VP of drama and factual content at Global Television. "We’re so excited to be joining forces with Thump Inc., E1 Entertainment and ABC Television Network on Copper, and bringing these amazing scripts to screen. It’s a creative, smart and sexy police drama sure to resonate with audiences on both sides of the border."

Noreen Halpern, the president of dramatic programming at E1 Entertainment, added" "This project is unusual. While it was originally developed with Canwest, ABC has been actively involved, early on, since the pitching stage. The result has been a series with a truly international sensibility and E1 couldn’t be more excited about what this augurs for the future of international co-productions."