Prairie Dog Film + Television announces that the powerful and gritty primetime drama Blackstone will bow on CBC Television starting June 15. Launching as part of CBC’s National Aboriginal History Month programming, the series explores the real-life issues facing Canada’s Aboriginal community as explored through the characters of the fictional Blackstone First Nation reserve. Blackstone seasons one and two air on CBC starting June 15 at 11:30 p.m./midnight NT. The series will run Monday through Friday in the same timeslot until July 7. The series is also available for download – for the first time ever – on iTunes starting June 16.
“We are thrilled to bring Blackstone to the CBC,” says Ron E. Scott, showrunner & director. “We’ve always used Blackstone as a platform to draw attention to the news that affects the Aboriginal community today – from drug abuse to the epidemic of missing Aboriginal women – and now a whole new audience will experience these relevant and powerful stories.”
Compelling and uncompromising, Blackstone is an authentic drama that explores the raw and real dynamics of family, power and politics. Blackstone is both a portrayal of a community plagued by corruption, violence and injustice, and an inspiring story of the undying hope and resilience of a people fighting for a better life in the midst of adversity.
Currently, viewers can download seven behind-the-scenes videos through CBC’s portal on iTunes. Following that, nine behind-the-scenes videos from season two will be available from June 16. Each episode of “Blackstone” will be available for purchase on iTunes following its CBC broadcast.
Blackstone season one features Carmen Moore, Eric Schweig, Michelle Thrush, Nathaniel Arcand, Roseanne Supernault, Steven Cree Molison, Andrea Menard, Justin Rain and Gordon Tootoosis. Season two sees the addition of Tantoo Cardinal, Georgina Lighting, Garry Chalk, Frank Cassini and Cameron Bancroft.
Blackstone has been nominated for 89 awards, winning 29, including two Geminis, six Leo Awards and multiple Alberta Film & Television Awards.
Blackstone is produced by Prairie Dog Film + Television, with Ron E. Scott as showrunner & director, Jesse Szymanski as co-executive producer, and Damon Vignale as writer/producer. The series broadcasts in Canada on APTN and is currently in production of season 5. As well, it is in the United States on Hulu, in New Zealand on Maori Television, in Australia on SBS/NITV, and is internationally distributed by PPI Releasing.
Blackstone is produced in association with Aboriginal Peoples Television Network, the Canada Media Fund, with the assistance of the Government of Alberta, Alberta Media Fund, the participation of Rogers Cable Network Fund, and with the assistance of the Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit.