Tanya Huff TV series

Tanya Huff is one of my oldest and dearest friends -- we first met when were both students at Ryerson Polytechnical Institute in Toronto in 1979. So I am just so totally tickled pink that Canada's Space: The Imagination Station has ordered 22 hour-long episodes of a TV series based on Tanya's popular Blood books. Way to go, Tanya! I'm also thrilled for my mystery-writing friend Maureen Jennings, who got a 13-episode order for a series based on her books. Woohoo! Here's the Toronto Star report:

Three new series for CHUM
Mar. 17, 2006. 01:00 AM

CHUM Television has ordered three new one-hour TV drama series for the fall and cancelled two others.

The Murdoch Mysteries from Shaftsbury Films, starring Peter Outerbridge, has been picked up for 13 episodes. Based on Maureen Jennings's novels and set in late-Victorian Toronto, the casting may prove to be a problem. Outerbridge already stars in another Shaftesbury series, ReGenesis. Will he be able to fit in two hour-long series a year?

Also picked up is Blood Ties, based on Tanya Huff's popular Blood novels. This one-hour series has a commitment for 22 episodes and will be shot in Vancouver with casting still to be announced.

Also picked up is the hour drama Across The River To Motor City about an insurance investigator in 1960s Windsor and Detroit. Six episodes have been ordered.

CHUM also cancelled two Canadian dramas. Demise of The Collector was expected but not the stylish Godiva's, which had garnered some critical praise in its second year, as well as popularity with younger viewers.

-- Jim Bawden