Sci-Fi Storm

Jason Priestley (Call Me Fitz) has just signed on to direct an episode and guest star in 4 episodes in the second season of Syfy’s Haven. Production on the second season of 13 episodes picks up April 1st, with late summer the target to begin airing episodes. Priestley will play “a handsome but anti-social marine biologist who must deal with an affliction most would consider a blessing.”

Here is the full press release:

JASON PRIESTLEY TO DIRECT SUPERNATURAL DRAMA SERIES HAVEN AND GUEST STAR IN MULTIPLE EPISODE ARC
Production On Season Two Begins April 1, 2011

New York, NY/Toronto, ON/Los Angeles, CA/London, UK – March 11, 2011 – Jason Priestley (who stars in, directs and produces the international hit dark comedy Call Me Fitz) has signed on to direct one episode of the second season of Haven, as well as guest starring in a four-episode story arc. Haven, Syfy’s original series from leading independent producer Entertainment One (eOne), is co-commissioned by Shaw Media in Canada and globally via Universal Networks International (UNI).

Haven will commence production on 13 episodes for season two in Nova Scotia on April 1, 2011 with an eye towards a Summer 2011 premiere.

Priestley will play Chris Weekly, a handsome but anti-social marine biologist who must deal with an affliction most would consider a blessing. He joins Emily Rose, who plays Audrey Parker, a former FBI agent with a knack for investigating the supernatural; Lucas Bryant, who plays Nathan Wournos, a handsome local cop with his own supernatural affliction; and Eric Balfour, who plays Duke Crocker, a local smuggler and reluctant aide in solving Haven’s troubles. Haven is based on The Colorado Kid from renowned author Stephen King.

The creative team behind the second season of Haven includes Executive Producers John Morayniss (Hung, Hell on Wheels) and Noreen Halpern (Hung, Rookie Blue) from eOne who are joined by Lloyd Segan, Shawn Piller, Scott Shepherd (Stephen King’s The Dead Zone) and Matt McGuiness (Journeyman) as well as Sam Ernst & Jim Dunn (Stephen King’s The Dead Zone) who also developed the series.

Haven is produced by Entertainment One in association with Piller/Segan/Shepherd and airs on Syfy in the U.S., Showcase in Canada and internationally on Universal Networks International (UNI). Entertainment One controls the worldwide distribution rights to the one-hour series and concluded a deal with Germany’s Tele München Group (TMG) for the television rights in Continental Europe.

About Syfy
Syfy is a media destination for imagination-based entertainment. With year round acclaimed original series, events, blockbuster movies, classic science fiction and fantasy programming, a dynamic Web site (www.Syfy.com) and a portfolio of adjacent business (Syfy Ventures), Syfy is a passport to limitless possibilities. Originally launched in 1992 as SCI FI Channel, and currently in more than 99 million homes, Syfy is a network of NBCUniversal, one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies. (Syfy. Imagine greater.)

About Entertainment One
Entertainment One (LSE:ETO) is a leading international entertainment company that specializes in the acquisition, production and distribution of film and television content. The company’s comprehensive network extends around the globe including Canada, the U.S., the UK, Ireland, Benelux, France, Germany, Scandinavia, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. Through established Entertainment and Distribution divisions, the company provides extensive expertise in film distribution, television and music production, kids programming and merchandising and licensing. Its current rights library is exploited across all media formats and includes more than 20,000 film and television titles, 2,400 hours of television programming and 45,000 music tracks.

About Universal Networks International
Universal Networks International, the global channels division of NBCUniversal, is one of the world’s premier entertainment networks, delivering quality content and compelling brands to over 387 million subscribers in over 150 territories across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Latin America and Asia. The portfolio includes the brands – Syfy Universal, DIVA Universal, Studio Universal, Universal Channel and 13th Street Universal and now also, with the acquisition by Comcast Corporation, E! Entertainment Television, The Style Network and Golf Channel. These brands deliver a full range of entertainment experiences to local audiences across the globe. Universal Networks International also operates Movies 24 and has an interest in the KidsCo joint venture.

Universal Networks International is part of NBCUniversal, one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. Comcast Corporation owns a controlling 51% interest in NBCUniversal, with GE holding a 49% stake.

About Shaw Communications Inc.
Shaw Communications Inc. is a diversified communications and media company, providing consumers with broadband cable television, High-Speed Internet, Home Phone, telecommunications services (through Shaw Business), satellite direct-to-home services (through Shaw Direct) and engaging programming content (through Shaw Media). Shaw serves 3.4 million customers, through a reliable and extensive fibre network. Shaw Media operates one of the largest conventional television networks in Canada, Global Television, and 19 specialty networks including HGTV Canada, Food Network Canada, History Television and Showcase. Shaw is traded on the Toronto and New York stock exchanges and is included in the S&P/TSX 60 Index (TSX: SJR.B) (NYSE: SJR). For more information about Shaw, please visit www.shaw.ca.