the cast of 'InSecurity'
The stars of CBC's winter 2011 season were on hand at Toronto's TIFF Bell Lightbox this morning, to present new additions and returning favourites set to premiere in January.
The presentation began with Gordon Pinsent, star of upcoming miniseries the Pillars of the Earth, demonstrating the joys of 3-D in a comedic filmed piece on the big screen.
The bit tied in with a 3-D hockey preview, as the CBC will broadcast Hockey Night In Canada in 3-D on December 11 and February 20.
Highlights of upcoming series were then presented by Allan Hawco of Republic of Doyle, and Richard Yearwood of the new spy comedy Insecurity.
Here are the new series the Ceeb has in store:
- InSecurity is a half-hour ensemble action comedy about a group of bumbling spies working to the keep the nation safe . . . ish. Premieres January 4.
- Village on a Diet is a reality series that follows the overweight people of Taylor B.C. as the small town strives to collectively shed one ton of weight in three months. Somehow the preview for Village gave me goosebumps. Heartfelt? Inspirational? Just maybe. Premieres January 3.
- The Pillars of the Earth is a miniseries based on the 1989 Kenn Follett novel of the same name. Gordon Pinsent and Donald Sutherland star in the series, set in the 12th century against the backdrop of war, religious strife and power struggles. The story revolves around the building of a cathedral in the fictional market town of Kingsbridge over a 50 year span. Premieres January 4.
- Make the Politicans Work, a five-part series that sees federal to local politicans test their real-life skills through assignments connected to their areas of interest and portfolios. NDP leader Jack Layton takes on a busy urban ER, PEI premier Robert Ghiz tests his sea-legs on a lobster boat, and Vancouver mayor Gregor Robertson works as a garbage collector. Premieres January, exact date TBD.