TORONTO – TVO is set to debut its first commissioned drama series that tells the story of eight medical students and the challenges they face practicing rural medicine in Northern Ontario.
Featuring a Canadian ensemble cast headed by actor Patrick McKenna, Hard Rock Medical premieres with two 30-minute episodes on June 9 at 8 p.m. ET.
Loosely inspired by the Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM) at Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, TVO says the series provides a fresh and entertaining look at the unique challenges of delivering healthcare in Ontario’s north. Hard Rock U's unconventional teaching methods have students learning hunting techniques, visiting coal mines, and taking trips in the bush, all while getting a medical degree. Questioning whether they have what it takes to succeed, the students cope with their emotional and personal trials along the way.
Directed by Canadian Derek Diorio and shot in Northern Ontario, the 13-episode series features Canadian actors Angela Asher, Danielle Bourgon, Rachelle Casseus, Tamara Duarte, Kyra Harper, Christian Laurin, Patrick McKenna, Andrea Menard, Stéphane Paquette, Melissa Jane Shaw, Jamie Spilchuk, and Australian Mark Coles Smith.
“Hard Rock Medical does a fantastic job of highlighting a proudly Ontario story while engaging audiences in some of the real-life challenges of practising medicine in the North,” said Nancy Chapelle, TVO’s managing director of content and programming, in a release. “The series showcases Northern Ontario, with the region becoming a pivotal character in the narrative as the program unfolds.”
The new TVO series is a Canadian-Australian co-production from Hard Rock Medical Productions Inc. and Moody Street Productions. Hard Rock Medical Productions is a joint venture of Ottawa's Title Entertainment Inc., Distinct Features Inc., and Carte Blanche Films Inc. Hard Rock Medical received funding from the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation to support the regional production of the series.
Hard Rock Medical’s 30-minute episodes will air on Sundays at 8 pm ET (with repeats Fridays at 8:30 pm and 10 pm) and will also be on hardrockmedical.com.
Watch a preview here.
