"The Guard" Series Premier

[WPXE ION]

ION Television Heats Up Primetime with New Original Coast Guard Search and Rescue Drama "The Guard"


Weekly Series Premieres Saturday, March 13 with

Back-to-Back Episodes at 9:00 PM and 10:00 PM, ET



Series Guest Stars David James Elliot ("JAG")

 

West Palm Beach – February 16, 2010 – "Keeping your head above water" takes on new meaning in ION Television's new original primetime high-action marine rescue series, "The Guard."  The series premieres for the first time to the U.S. audience with a two-hour block of back-to-back episodes on Saturday, March 13, 2010 at 9:00 PM and 10:00 PM, ET.  Following its debut, "The Guard" will continue to air on ION Television in the same time two-hour period with back-to-back episodes each Saturday night.  "The Guard" centers around four members of the Canadian Coast Guard Search and Rescue Team who knowingly place themselves at risk everyday in order to save lives.

 

"We are excited to add 'The Guard' to our lineup of original programming," said Kristine Hunsinger, Senior Vice President, Planning, Scheduling and Acquisitions, ION Media Networks.  "Coming off the critically-acclaimed success of our first original drama 'Durham County,' we are sure viewers will enjoy the sexy, adrenaline-filled search and rescue drama 'The Guard."

 

Produced by Halifax Film and Brightlight Pictures, "The Guard" is a one-hour character-driven drama series that focuses on the lives of an imperfect, offbeat and sometimes, difficult rescue team. Led by Duty Captain Miro Da Silva (Steve Bacic), these heroic Coast Guard rescue specialists put their lives in danger as they dangle from helicopters and plunge into seas in order to rescue those in peril.  Off-duty, rough waters still plague the team as they deal with their own personal issues.  Da Silva is having financial troubles, Rescue Specialist Jeremy Guilbaut (Andrew Vanderlee) is suffering from emotional problems after a rescue gone awry, Rescue Specialist Carly Greig (Zoie Palmer) is an alcoholic with commitment issues and Rescue Specialist Laura Nelson (Claudette Fink) lives with David Nelson (David James Elliott from "JAG") who suffers from MS.

 

Writers for "The Guard" include Raymond Storey, Peter Smith, James Taylor Phillips, Abigail Kinch, Michael MacLennan and Karen X. Tulchinsky.  Charles Bishop, Stephen Hegyes, Raymond Storey and Shawn Williamson serve as executive producers.  The series has received 3 Gemini Award nominations and 11 Leo Award nominations including two wins:  Best Supporting Female Performance for Julie Patzwald and Best Supporting Female Performance for Eve Harlow.  

 

ION Television acquired the exclusive U.S. rights to the award-winning original TV series, "The Guard" from Lionsgate.  In addition, the network secured all U.S. television, digital media rights, internet streaming and video-on-demand rights.

Official press release

[Bluto]

Cool.  Any update on your HD upgrade date?

[WPXE ION]

I know the equipment is on order. When the actual delivery date is I do not know for certain. Stations will receive equipment based on market size, so WPXE is down the list a bit.