In a post-Smallville life, Erica Durance has been doing exceptional so far. Not only has she guest starred on numerous television series since, but she’s transitioned back into a series regular role with the medical drama Saving Hope. While it’s been very ratings-challenged here in the States on NBC, the drama has been doing well north of the border on CTV. Now, it seems we can expect more from Hope Zion Hospital as today it’s been announced Durance and crew will be back for another year.
CTV has revealed they have renewed Saving Hope for a 13 episode second season. While this may seem like fantastic news, there has yet to be any announcement from NBC, throwing into question whether or not the series will return to the United States. The series has been one of the top rated shows on Canadian television this summer, averaging 1.6 million an episode.
Saving Hope airs every Thursday at 9PM on NBC and CTV. We’ll keep you updated on whether or not the show will be returning to NBC.
Here is the full press release from CTV, also announcing the fourth season pick-up of original drama The Listener:
CTV announced today full-season orders of its hit original dramas THE LISTENER and SAVING HOPE as both series break mid-season for London 2012 this week. The network ordered a 13-episode fourth season of international hit THE LISTENER from Shaftesbury, and a 13-episode second season of this summer’s #1 drama SAVING HOPE from ICF Films/Entertainment One. Both CTV original series have been attracting impressive audiences this summer. The third season of fan favourite THE LISTENER is delivering its best performance yet with an average audience of 1.14 million viewers, up 14% over last season and up 28% over Season 1. Meanwhile, SAVING HOPE reigns as Canada’s #1 new series this summer with a season-to-date average of 1.6 million viewers.
The announcement comes following CTV’s order of the new original drama series MOTIVE (working title), as well as the pilot orders for new original comedies SATISFACTION and SPUN OUT.
“With new season orders of veteran hit THE LISTENER and the summer’s breakout hit SAVING HOPE, both currently on air, we are committed to continuing to build on the strength of these fan favourite shows,” said Phil King, President, CTV Programming and Sports.
“We are thrilled to be coming back for a fourth season of THE LISTENER after our strongest season yet, and thank everyone at CTV for their commitment to the series,” said Christina Jennings, Chairman and CEO, Shaftesbury. “The enduring success ofTHE LISTENER is a testament to the dedicated team of actors, writers, producers, directors and crew who bring this show to life, and we look forward to working closely with CTV to continue to grow our fan base across all platforms.”
“We’re excited that Canadian audiences have responded to SAVING HOPE with such enthusiasm,” said executive producer Ilana Frank, Ilana C Frank Films (ICF Films). “We’re grateful for CTV’s commitment and proud to have this opportunity to bring a second season to viewers.”
In Season 3, THE LISTENER’s Toby Logan (Craig Olejnik) dramatically steps away from his role as a paramedic to work more closely with the Integrated Investigative Bureau (IIB). At the IIB, Toby works in tandem with Sgt. Michelle McCluskey (Gemini Award-nominee Lauren Lee Smith, CSI) and Dev Clark (Rainbow Sun Francks, STARGATE ATLANTIS), as part of an elite special ops unit tasked with handling the most difficult cases. Although the new role gives Toby a renewed focus, it also puts undue pressure on him to prove to his peers – and
to himself – that he belongs. While his new job means cutting back on some of his EMS duties, Toby is not far from his best friend and paramedic partner Oz (Ennis Esmer, THE L.A. COMPLEX), after Oz moves in next door.
In SAVING HOPE, Charlie Harris (Michael Shanks, STARGATE SG1), the charismatic Chief of Surgery of Toronto’s Hope-Zion Hospital ends up in a coma, leaving the hospital in chaos – and his fiancée and fellow surgeon, Alex Reid (Erica Durance, SMALLVILLE), in a state of shock. Along with newly-arrived star surgeon, Joel Goran (Daniel Gillies, THE VAMPIRE DIARIES), Alex races to save Harris’ life. As the action unfolds, comatose Dr. Harris explores the hospital halls in “spirit” form, not sure if he’s a ghost or a figment of his own imagination. Reid, along with her fellow doctors, press on to save his life and those of their other patients, as they deal with the complicated and courageous decisions that are made in their daily struggle to keep hope alive.
SAVING HOPE also stars Wendy Crewson (Away From Her), Huse Madhavji (COMBAT HOSPITAL, CALL ME FITZ), Julia Taylor-Ross (ROOKIE BLUE), and Kristopher Turner (ROOKIE BLUE, THE LISTENER).
Episodes of THE LISTENER and SAVING HOPE are also available across CTV’s digital platforms following their television broadcast on CTV.ca, the CTV App, CTV Mobile on Bell Mobile TV, and through video on demand partners, such as Bell Fibe TV.
