TORONTO – CanWest and ABC have jointly renewed the series Rookie Blue after the Canadian drama recorded the highest-rated premiere for a Canadian drama series on any network in over a decade.
Bolstered by a hefty marketing campaign across the country, the series premiere on June 24th garnered 2.1 million viewers on Global, and has hooked a combined weekly average of 8.5 million viewers on both sides of the border. The series’ second season is currently in development and will move into production in Toronto later this summer.
“We are so proud of Rookie Blue’s amazing success and are thrilled to announce its renewal alongside ABC,” said Barbara Williams, EVP of content for CanWest Broadcasting, in the announcement. “This homegrown series has delivered record-setting audiences, and we’re looking forward to giving fans even more of these fresh characters and gripping storylines in season two.”
Rookie Blue follows the lives of five inexperienced rookies thrown into the world of big city policing. Shot entirely on location in Toronto, the series was developed by Thump Inc. and produced in partnership with indie studio and distributor E1 Entertainment.
"We’re very pleased that the show has connected with viewers, especially considering the challenge of finding an audience in the summer, and thrilled to pick it up for a second season", said Quinn Taylor, SVP of movies, miniseries and acquisitions for the ABC Entertainment Group.
