Like CBS a few days ago, NBC has dealt with the WGA strike by ordering up a dramatic series from north of the border. The Peacock net has signed for 13 episodes of “The Listener” (working title), about a young man who can read people’s thoughts, from CTV and Saftesbury Films.
In the series to begin shooting in late spring, Toby Logan, played by Craig Olejnik, is a young, big-city paramedic with the power to listen to people’s thoughts. With his paramedic partner Osman Bey, played by Ennis Esmer, as his sidekick, Toby juggles life as a telepathic sleuth with that of an urban twenty-something.
"This deal is another example of us reaching out to the international community to find innovative and interesting programming," said Teri Weinberg, Executive Vice President, NBC Entertainment.
Created by Michael Amo, "The Listener" was developed by CTV with Shaftesbury Films beginning in 2006 with a pilot directed by Clement Virgo produced last summer. "The Listener" was part of CTV’s first venture into pilot production in 2007. It was the first time CTV had ordered pilots as part of its development of new Canadian television series.
"The Listener" is produced by Shaftesbury Films in association with CTV and NBC. Executive producers are Emmy and Gemini award-winning Christina Jennings, Scott Garvie for Shaftesbury Films, Russ Cochrane and Michael Amo. The Listener is distributed in the United States by Program Partners.
