Production starts July 27 on new family comedy
Toronto, ON – 23 July 2015 – Canuck A-lister Jason Priestley (Call Me Fitz, Beverly Hills: 90210, Haven) and celebrated actress Molly Ringwald (The Secret Life of the American Teenager, The Breakfast Club and the upcoming Universal Pictures film Jem & The Holograms) bring the funny to Family, starring as seemingly-flawless parents to five children in the new original series The Wonderful Wayneys. FromAircraft Pictures and Dolphin Entertainment, The Wonderful Wayneys follows Paige and Wayne Wayney as they forge the path to familial greatness. The live-action comedy, created and executive produced by the witty and cheeky Tom Saunders (Arrested Development, The Larry Sanders Show), begins filming in Toronto on July 27 and will deliver 26 half-hour episodes to DHX Television for Spring 2016.
“Exploring family dynamics is a new challenge that we’re looking forward to embarking on with The Wonderful Wayneys and the ability to tell the Wayneys’ story in a comedic fashion brings a new element to our programming roster,” said Michael Goldsmith,Vice President, Original Production, DHX Television. “We have a longstanding relationship with Aircraft and Dolphin, and are eager to see how they utilize the brilliant talent that Jason, Molly and the rest of the cast bring to the show. Being able to offer a comedy that appeals to the entire family is an exciting opportunity and we’re confident that this show will have something for everyone.”
The wonderful Wayneys are an amazing family: good looking, MENSA smart, talented, athletic and popular to boot. Paige (Ringwald) and Wayne Wayney (Priestley) have worked hard at raising “multi-exceptional” offspring and are proud of their children: Adam, Conner, Bentley and Derek. Everyone in town envies them or wants to be them, and you can even find Paige’s book about raising her extraordinary family on the bestseller list. But alas, their fifth child, Emmett, is not marching in lock step on the path to familial greatness. What he lacks academically, athletically and artistically, he makes up for with relentless enthusiasm and curiosity. Emmett knows that one day he’ll find his way, but in the meantime he’s determined to celebrate his C-average status in spectacular creative fashion – no matter how often his best laid plans threaten to destroy the family’s living space, reputation or sense of safety.
“The extraordinary talent assembled for this show both on and off screen is a real testament to the quality of the work created by Tom Saunders,” says Producer Anthony Leo of Aircraft Pictures. “We’re honoured to be a part of bringing it to life.”
“Dolphin Entertainment, Aircraft Pictures and Family Channel have been in business together for over a decade,” adds Executive Producer Bill O’Dowd, CEO of Dolphin Entertainment. “It’s refreshing in this business to be able to work with such close friends.”
Filling the roles of Priestley and Ringwald’s multi-exceptional children in the series are: Luke Bilyk (Degrassi, Lost Girl) as Adam; Katie Douglas (Defiance, Max & Shred) as Conner; Matthew Tissi (Call Me Fitz, Transporter) as Bentley; Jake Sim (The Amazing Gayl Pile, Arthur) as Derek; and newcomer Simon Cadel as Emmett.
The Wonderful Wayneys is produced by Aircraft Pictures (Todd & The Book Of Pure Evil, What’s Up, Warthogs!) with producers Anthony Leo and Andrew Rosen, and Dolphin Entertainment (Ned’s Declassified School Survival Guide, Zoey 101, and the upcoming feature film Max Steel, based on the Mattel action-figure franchise) with Executive Producer Bill O’Dowd. Tom Saunders (Arrested Development, The Larry Sanders Show) is Series Creator and Executive Producer. The show is co-executive produced by Steve Skrovan (Everybody Loves Raymond, Hot in Cleveland) and Garry Campbell (MADtv, Kids in the Hall). Tia Ayers, Barbara Haynes, Skander Halim, Max Reid, Josh Gal and Emer Connon round out the writing room.
Family Channel offers the best in family television entertainment in a premium, commercial-free environment. Dedicated to celebrating family life and providing a daily vacation for children and their families, Family airs a unique mix of top-rated series, movies and specials. Family Channel subscribers also have access to Family OnDemand and Family OnLine at no additional cost, to see hit movies and series when they want them, where they want them. Visit us at Family.ca.
About DHX Television
DHX Television is comprised of the Family suite of channels and is part of DHX Media Ltd., a leading creator, producer, marketer and broadcaster of family entertainment. DHX Media Ltd. markets and distributes its library of more than 11,000 half-hours of entertainment programming worldwide, and licenses its owned properties through its dedicated brand-management and consumer-products business, DHX Brands. DHX Media Ltd.’s full-service international licensing agency, Copyright Promotions Licensing Group Ltd. (CPLG), represents numerous entertainment, sport and design brands. With offices in 15 cities worldwide, including Toronto, Vancouver, Halifax, Los Angeles, London, Paris, Barcelona, Milan, Munich, Amsterdam and Beijing, DHX Media Ltd. is listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market and on the Toronto Stock Exchange.
Social Media Links
Facebook: Facebook.com/wonderfulwayneys
Twitter: @wonderfulwayney
Like Family Facebook.com/FamilyChannel
Follow Family @Family_Channel
For more information, interviews, artwork, and to arrange set visits, please contact:
Joanna Landsberg
Publicist – DHX Television
416.977.7458
joanna.landsberg@dhxmedia.com
Jaime Bassett
Director, Communications – DHX Television
416.977.7416
jaime.bassett@dhxmedia.com
Maureen O’Donnell
Unit Publicist – The Wonderful Wayneys
416.255.0504
c: 416.435.2008
mod2216@gmail.com