EXCLUSIVE: Jason Priestley and Cindy Sampson are set to reunite on the set of Private Eyes next week.
Filming for Private Eyes West Coast, a new iteration of the popular light crime series for Global, kicks off on Wednesday, June 5. The series brings back the dynamic duo of Matt Shade and Angie Everett, portrayed by Priestley and Sampson, now solving crimes on the scenic Canadian West Coast.
This ten-episode spin-off, first announced in March, transports the action to Victoria, British Columbia, setting the stage against the vast Pacific Ocean. Lionsgate Canada and Piller/Segan, the team behind the original series, are co-producing, with Lionsgate Television managing international distribution.
Production is slated to continue throughout the summer, with Corus Entertainment’s Global set to release the first glimpses of Shade and Everett’s new surroundings “soon.” Additional details on casting and plot developments are expected to be announced later.
It has also been confirmed that Priestley will serve as an executive producer for the series.
The original Private Eyes aired for five seasons from 2016 to 2021, reaching audiences in 180 countries worldwide. The show featured Priestley as a former professional hockey player who joins forces with the tough and savvy private investigator Angie Everett, creating an effective investigative team.
In the U.S., the series initially aired on Ion Television in 2018 and is currently available on streaming platforms like Hallmark+, Apple TV+, and Roku.
Corus Entertainment is the commissioning broadcaster for West Coast, with Rachel Nelson, VP of Original Programming and Head of Corus Studios, and Lynne Carter, Director of Original Programming, overseeing the show’s production.
The executive production team includes Priestley, Sarah Dodd (Cardinal, Family Law), Jennifer Kassabian (Hudson & Rex, Degrassi: Next Class), and Jocelyn Hamilton (Cardinal, Burden of Truth), along with Piller and Segan. Kassabian and Dodd also act as showrunners. Piller will direct the pilot episode, with other season directors including Priestley, James Genn (Wild Cards, The Good Doctor), Shannon Kholi (Resident Alien, You), and Alysse Leite-Rogers (When Calls The Heart, Family Law).
“We’re excited to bring Jason and Cindy together again for this new chapter in Private Eyes, and to collaborate once more with our partners at Corus and our esteemed colleague Jocelyn Hamilton, as well as our extended Lionsgate family,” stated Piller and Segan.
“Victoria offers a fresh, cinematic landscape and an opportunity to take the series in new and surprising directions. This west coast reimagining will maintain the clever dialogue and beloved main characters while introducing new mysteries set against beautiful new vistas,” they added.
“Private Eyes West Coast builds upon the original series’ success and charm, bringing a vibrant new locale and cast to this spinoff. We are delighted to work with Piller/Segan and Corus to infuse this franchise with fresh, west coast vibes,” added Hamilton, President of Television at Lionsgate Canada. “Viewers can expect a smart, stylish journey that remains true to the spirit of the original while charting its own unique path.”
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