Blackstone (TV series)
Blackstone is a Canadian television series which airs on APTN and Showcase. Written, created, directed and produced by Canadian producer Ron E. Scott, the series began filming its first season in 2010 in and around Edmonton, Alberta.[1]
| Blackstone | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Genre | Crime drama Political drama |
| Created by | Ron E. Scott |
| Starring |
|
| Country of origin | Canada |
| Original language | English |
| No. of seasons | 5 |
| No. of episodes | 39 |
| Production | |
| Running time | 44 minutes |
| Production company | Prairie Dog Film + Television |
| Release | |
| Original network | APTN Showcase |
| Original release | 25 January 2011 – 23 December 2015 |
The series has gone on to have four full seasons. Season five started production in spring of 2015 and premiered November 3, 2015.[2][3] Season 5 was the final season.[4]
In 2015, Prairie Dog Film + Television announced a deal which will see the first and second seasons of the series given a second run on CBC Television as a summer series,[5] as well as making it available for download from iTunes.
Premise
Blackstone follows the lives of Indigenous people living on the fictional Blackstone First Nations reserve, set in Alberta, Canada. The story is told from an Indigenous Canadian point of view. The show addresses important issues that Canadian aboriginals face such as racism, suicide, rape, addiction, alcoholism, drugs, water pollution, education, physical abuse, sexual abuse, child abuse, domestic violence, corruption, politics, crime, missing and murdered aboriginal women, and foster care.
Series regulars
- Carmen Moore as Leona Stoney
- Eric Schweig as Andy Fraser
- Michelle Thrush as Gail Stoney
- Roseanne Supernault as Natalie Stoney (Seasons 1-2) (Recurring Season 4)
- Nathaniel Arcand as Victor Merasty (Seasons 1-4) (Guest Season 5)
- Gordon Tootoosis as Cecil Delaronde (Regular Season 1)
- Steven Cree Molison as Daryl Fraser (Regular Seasons 2-5) (Recurring Season 1)
- Andrea Menard as Deborah "Deb"/"Debbie" Fraser (Recurring Seasons 1 and 4) (Regular Seasons 2-3) (Guest Season 5)
- Justin Rain as Alan Fraser (Recurring Season 1) (Regular Season 2-5)
- Ashley Callingbull as Sheila Delaronde (Recurring Season 1 and 5) (Regular Seasons 2-3)
- Gary Farmer as Ray Delaronde (Regular Season 2)
- Tantoo Cardinal as Wilma Stoney (Recurring Season 2) (Regular Seasons 3-5)
- Trevor Duplessis as Greg Nepoose (Recurring Seasons 1-2) (Regular 3-5)
- Cheri Maracle as Sarah Bull (Recurring Season 3) (Regular Seasons 4-5)
- Bernard Starlight as David "Jumbo" Tailfeathers (Recurring Seasons 1-3) (Regular 4-5)
- Glen Gould as Smokey Stoney (Recurring Season 4) (Regular Season 5)
Full cast
Amenakew family:
- Cody Bird as Josh Amenakew
- Tommy J. Mueller as Rick Amenakew
Bull family:
- Cheri Maracle as Sarah Bull
- Georgina Lightning as Tracy Bull
- Miika Bryce Whiskeyjack as Wendy Bull
Delaronde family:
- Ashley Callingbull as Sheila Delaronde
- Gordon Tootoosis as Cecil Delaronde
- Gary Farmer as Ray Delaronde
Fraser family:
- Justin Rain as Alan Fraser
- Eric Schweig as Andy Fraser
- Steven Cree Molison as Daryl Fraser
- Andrea Menard as Deborah "Deb" or "Debbie" Fraser
- Ray G. Thunderchild as Tom Fraser
Henry family:
- Jaren Brandt Bartlett as Alex Henry
- Swo Wo Gabriel as Tim Henry (Alex's brother)
- Stanley Isadore as Phil Henry (Alex and Tim's uncle)
Merasty family:
- Nathaniel Arcand as Victor Merasty
- Quelemia Sparrow (season 1) / Michelle Latimer (season 2) as Gloria Merasty
- Sydney Miles as Victoria Merasty
Stoney family:
- Michelle Thrush as Gail Stoney
- Carmen Moore as Leona Stoney
- Roseanne Supernault as Natalie Stoney
- Tantoo Cardinal as Wilma Stoney
- Glen Gould as Smokey Stoney
Tailfeathers family:
- Bernard Starlight as David "Jumbo" Tailfeathers
- Julian Black Antelope as Darrien Tailfeathers
Social Workers:
- Valerie Planche as Marilyn Cole
- Hiro Kanagawa as Harold
Police:
- Mathew Strongeagle as Stu Nolan
- Vincent Gale as Detective Deacon
- Garry Chalk as Deputy Chief Ken Hillis
- John Cassini as Detective Platt
- Lori Triolo as Detective Hutch
Lawyer:
- Ryan Cunningham as Darcy Douglas (Andy Fraser's Lawyer)
Doctors:
- Cameron Bancroft as Dr. Kurt Ellis
- Jennifer Podemski as Dr. Crowshoe
Other major characters:
- Mark Anderako as Walter "Walt" Andrachuck
- Warren Michael as Leonard "Leo" Morin
- Morningstar Mercredi as Norma DeLorme
- Trevor Duplessis as Greg Nepoose (close friend to the Stoney family, Gail's on/off boyfriend)
- Teneil Whiskyjack as Kyra Amos
- Star Birdyellowhead as Carla Janvier
- Amanda McLeod as Chrystal
- Greg Lawson as Teddy Burton
- Jim Thorburn as Chris Connor (Leona's ex-boyfriend)
- Lee Tomaschefski as Angel
- Darrell Dennis as Clyde Bearspaw
- Jessica Matten as Gina (Daryl's girlfriend)
- Christopher Rosamond as Jack
Notable guest stars
- Brett Dier as Jake (Season 2, Episode 6: Forgiveness)
- Mark Meer as Policeman (Season 5, Episode 2: Super Dad)
- MacKenzie Porter as Brianne
Episodes
Season 1 (2011)
| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | "Future? What Future?" | Ron E. Scott | Gil Cardinal | 25 January 2011 | |
| In the pilot episode, the Blackstone First Nation struggles with the disintegration of the community brought on by members' actions. | ||||||
| 2 | 2 | "A New Beginning" | Ron E. Scott | Story by : Ron E. Scott & Damon Vignale Teleplay by : Ron E. Scott | 1 February 2011 | |
| Newly elected Chief Leona Stoney (Carmen Moore) struggles with her role and responsibilities, while Andy Fraser (Eric Schweig) orchestrates the removal and destruction of incriminating files from his tenure as chief. | ||||||
| 3 | 3 | "White Bread Red Class" | Ron E. Scott | Story by : Ron E. Scott & Damon Vignale Teleplay by : Damon Vignale | 8 February 2011 | |
| Tensions rise as Leona discovers there are significant funds missing from the Band's account and deals with the complications of hiring a white substitute teacher. | ||||||
| 4 | 4 | "Suffer The Children" | Ron E. Scott | Story by : Ron E. Scott & Damon Vignale Teleplay by : Damon Vignale | 15 February 2011 | |
| While Blackstone band members air their concerns over her leadership, Leona allows the police to investigate a child abuse case in the community. | ||||||
| 5 | 5 | "Ditch Monkey" | Ron E. Scott | Story by : Ron E. Scott & Damon Vignale Teleplay by : Gil Cardinal | 22 February 2011 | |
| Leona faces both a personal and public crisis when her sister Gail Stoney (Michelle Thrush) is hospitalized because of her acute alcoholism. Andy leads a movement to unseat her as Chief. | ||||||
| 6 | 6 | "Daddy's Home" | Ron E. Scott | Story by : Ron E. Scott & Damon Vignale Teleplay by : Seline Williams | 1 March 2011 | |
| When Andy successfully coordinates a vote to replace Leona as chief, she moves off Blackstone and pursues the conviction of Phil Henry (Stanley Isadore). | ||||||
| 7 | 7 | "Bingo Night" | Ron E. Scott | Story by : Ron E. Scott & Damon Vignale Teleplay by : Ron E. Scott | 8 March 2011 | |
| Leona and members of Blackstone take the stand during the trial of the sexual abuse case. | ||||||
| 8 | 8 | "Push Pull Twist Turn" | Ron E. Scott | Story by : Ron E. Scott & Damon Vignale Teleplay by : Damon Vignale | 15 March 2011 | |
| Andy and brother Daryl (Steven Cree Molison) argue over money while Leona returns to Blackstone as a counselor focused on healing the community. | ||||||
| 9 | 9 | "Time's Up" | Ron E. Scott | Ron E. Scott & Damon Vignale | 22 March 2011 | |
| Andy's world starts to unravel when he is forced out of the strip-club expansion. Leona faces opposition from some Band members in her new role as counselor at the high school. | ||||||
Season 2 (2012)
| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 1 | "Blood is Thicker than Water" | Ron E. Scott | Story by : Ron E. Scott & Damon Vignale Teleplay by : Ron E. Scott | 11 January 2012 | |
| Water problems cause widespread sickness among Band members and threaten to expose Andy. | ||||||
| 11 | 2 | "By Their Sins" | Ron E. Scott | Story by : Ron E. Scott & Damon Vignale Teleplay by : Damon Vignale | 18 January 2012 | |
| The police arrive on Andy's doorstep with questions about a missing woman, the result of tips from the strip club; meanwhile Child Services visits Blackstone and removes a young resident. | ||||||
| 12 | 3 | "A Girl Walks Into a Bar" | Ron E. Scott | Story by : Ron E. Scott & Damon Vignale Teleplay by : Ron E. Scott | 25 January 2012 | |
| Gail grapples with self-control after an explosive visit to a foster home leaves her furious. Alan (Justin Rain) conceals his new job in the city. | ||||||
| 13 | 4 | "50/50" | Ron E. Scott | Story by : Ron E. Scott & Damon Vignale Teleplay by : Damon Vignale | 1 February 2012 | |
| Andy schools Walt Andrachuck (Mark Anderako) on business matters while Gail visits her estranged mother about Leona's illness. | ||||||
| 14 | 5 | "Hitchin" | Ron E. Scott | Story by : Ron E. Scott & Damon Vignale Teleplay by : Damon Vignale | 8 February 2012 | |
| Daryl takes matters into his own hands when rumors begin to threaten his business. Tracey has her day in court but struggles to live up to her promises. | ||||||
| 15 | 6 | "Forgiveness" | Ron E. Scott | Story by : Ron E. Scott & Damon Vignale Teleplay by : Penny Gummerson | 15 February 2012 | |
| Alan confronts Andy about his indiscretions and Leona is visited by an unwelcome guest. | ||||||
| 16 | 7 | "I'm Not A Racist" | Ron E. Scott | Story by : Ron E. Scott & Damon Vignale Teleplay by : Gil Cardinal | 22 February 2012 | |
| Leona struggles to get media attention for a missing Aboriginal woman, while the dump's excavation moves forward. | ||||||
| 17 | 8 | "Human" | Ron E. Scott | Story by : Ron E. Scott & Damon Vignale Teleplay by : Damon Vignale | 29 February 2012 | |
| Andy faces the grim possibility of losing everything after a body is discovered during the excavation of a Blackstone dump. | ||||||
Season 3 (2013)
| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 | 1 | "Some Things Never Change" | Ron E. Scott | Story by : Ron E. Scott & Damon Vignale Teleplay by : Ron E. Scott | 25 September 2013 | |
| Consumed by guilt and worried about self-preservation, Andy starts to lose the stranglehold he has on Blackstone, while Victor (Nathaniel Arcand) tries to position himself as leader of the community. | ||||||
| 19 | 2 | ""Bull in a China Shop" | Ron E. Scott | Story by : Ron E. Scott & Damon Vignale Teleplay by : Damon Vignale | 2 October 2013 | |
| Tracy's sister Sarah (Cheri Maracle) returns to Blackstone and threatens to take Wendy away from Leona and Gail. | ||||||
| 20 | 3 | "Reap What You Sow" | Ron E. Scott | Story by : Ron E. Scott & Damon Vignale Teleplay by : Ron E. Scott | 9 October 2013 | |
| A shooting rocks Blackstone testing the community's notions of justice, violence, and retribution. | ||||||
| 21 | 4 | "Never Gonna Stop" | Ron E. Scott | Story by : Ron E. Scott & Damon Vignale Teleplay by : Damon Vignale | 16 October 2013 | |
| Daryl faces consequences from the Russian mafia, while Gail and Leona receive further threats from Sarah and Darrien, who want custody of Wendy. | ||||||
| 22 | 5 | "Still My Kid" | Ron E. Scott | Jason Long, Ron E. Scott & Damon Vignale | 23 October 2013 | |
| A shroud of domestic violence hangs over Blackstone; Debbie (Andrea Menard ) and Alan are lured back into Andy's life. | ||||||
| 23 | 6 | "Burn Baby Burn" | Ron E. Scott | Ron E. Scott & Damon Vignale | 30 October 2013 | |
| Andy's business venture fails as the murder case against him tightens; Leona and Gail ask their ailing mother to move back to Blackstone. | ||||||
Season 4 (2014)
| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24 | 1 | "Payback's a Bitch" | Ron E. Scott | Ron E. Scott & Damon Vignale | 11 November 2014 | |
| Andy is threatened in prison, while his family struggles to make it without him. Leona counsels Blackstone's young people after the fire, and Gail struggles to cope with the stabbing. | ||||||
| 25 | 2 | "Deeper and Deeper" | Ron E. Scott | Ron E. Scott & Damon Vignale | 18 November 2014 | |
| Gail falls deeper into her addiction. Andy continues to feel the pressures of prison life. Daryl's girlfriend takes a bet from Jumbo (Bernard Starlight). | ||||||
| 26 | 3 | "Sext Me" | Ron E. Scott | Ron E. Scott & Damon Vignale | 25 November 2014 | |
| Andy finds an unexpected friend among his enemies. Leona urges Stu to investigate a case. Victor seeks a financial opportunity for Blackstone. | ||||||
| 27 | 4 | "Truth or Dare" | Ron E. Scott | Ron E. Scott & Damon Vignale | 2 December 2014 | |
| Leona pursues her search for the missing girls. Gail makes a mistake with Wendy that cannot be rectified. Andy comes to the aid of a fellow inmate. | ||||||
| 28 | 5 | "Where there's Smoke" | Ron E. Scott | Ron E. Scott & Damon Vignale | 9 December 2014 | |
| Leona, Gail, and Wilma are paid a visit by someone from their past (Glen Gould). Jumbo gets in too deep financially. Victor seeks advice from an unlikely connection. | ||||||
| 29 | 6 | "Wolves vs. Sheep" | Ron E. Scott | Ron E. Scott & Damon Vignale | 16 December 2014 | |
| Andy gives Alan advice while Debbie's condition deteriorates. Gail returns home to find Leona full of resentment; Daryl discovers unexpectedly of a betrayal. | ||||||
| 30 | 7 | "Discovery" | Ron E. Scott | Ron E. Scott & Damon Vignale | 23 December 2014 | |
| Gail seeks psychological help. Andy and Daryl discover one of their father's secrets. Victor is under pressure from the community to make a decision. | ||||||
| 31 | 8 | "There Will Be Blood" | Ron E. Scott | Ron E. Scott & Damon Vignale | 30 December 2014 | |
| The proposal to drill for oil divides Blackstone, but brings the Stoney family together. Victor's integrity is questioned while Andy seeks revenge. | ||||||
Season 5 (2015)
| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 32 | 1 | "Beginning of the End" | Ron E. Scott | Gil Cardinal | 3 November 2015 | |
| The search continues to find Wendy. Alan suffers after the explosion at the Blockade. Andy works every angle he can think of to avoid going to jail. A major character goes missing. | ||||||
| 33 | 2 | "Super Dad" | Ron E. Scott | Ron E. Scott | 10 November 2015 | |
| An attempt to return Wendy to safety goes terribly wrong. Andy shows Hillis he's ready to turn threats into action. Daryl reconnects with an old friend with criminal ties. | ||||||
| 34 | 3 | "The Worm Has Turned" | Ron E. Scott | Susie Maloney and Ron E. Scott | 17 November 2015 | |
| The community mourns a death. Leona considers running for Chief. Wilma takes a surprising stand against her daughters and someone from Alan's past pays him a visit. | ||||||
| 35 | 4 | "Back in the Saddle" | Ron E. Scott | Mike Gosselin and Ron E. Scott | 24 November 2015 | |
| A clever plan puts Andy in the running for Chief. Daryl makes a shady deal to save his business. Wilma's health declines rapidly and Gail finds an outlet in art therapy. Alan struggles to fit in at school, but finds a friend in Sheila. | ||||||
| 36 | 5 | "The River's Edge" | Ron E. Scott | Christina Ray and Ron E. Scott | 1 December 2015 | |
| The community seeks justice after a brutal attack on a Blackstone youth. A backchannel investigation drives an unexpected wedge between Daryl and Jack and puts Gina in danger's way. | ||||||
| 37 | 6 | "Retribution" | Ron E. Scott | Ron E. Scott and Damon Vignale | 8 December 2015 | |
| Andy and Daryl seek their own kind of justice. Issues surrounds the care of Smokey's foster kids. Wilma fights to get out of the hospital. | ||||||
| 38 | 7 | "Bottle Caps" | Ron E. Scott | Damon Vignale | 15 December 2015 | |
| Leona, Andy and Wilma faces obstacles in their way in each and every different path they choose to take will decide their lives. | ||||||
| 39 | 8 | "Flat Line" | Ron E. Scott | Ron E. Scott and Ian Carpenter | 23 December 2015 | |
| Everyone on Blackstone now has to face the future whether it's a sad or bright one in the series finale. But in the end hope can still be seen beyond the horizon. | ||||||
See also
- Redfern Now an Australian television series with a similar theme.
Accolades
| Year | Award | Category | Nominee(s) | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Gemini Awards | Best Actress in a Drama Series | Michelle Thrush | Won |
| Best Actress in a Drama Series | Carmen Moore | Nominated | ||
| Best Animated Title Design | Steve Seeley and Darren Bierman | Nominated | ||
| Leo Awards | Best Screenwriting in a Dramatic Series | Damon Vignale | Won | |
| Best Dramatic Series | Blackstone | Nominated | ||
| Best Lead Performance by a Male in a Dramatic Series | Eric Schweig | Nominated | ||
| Best Lead Performance by a Female in a Dramatic Series | Michelle Thrush | Nominated | ||
| Carmen Moore | Won | |||
| 2012 | Leo Award[6] | |||
| Best Dramatic Program | Blackstone | Won | ||
| Best Lead Performance by a Male in a Dramatic Series | Steven Cree Molison | Won | ||
| Best Supporting Performance by a Male in a Dramatic Series | Frank Cassini | Won | ||
| Best Supporting Performance by a Female in a Dramatic Series | Tantoo Cardinal | Won | ||
| Best Lead Performance by a Female in a Dramatic Series | Carmen Moore | Nominated | ||
| Best Screenwriting in a Dramatic Series | Damon Vignale | Nominated | ||
| 2013 | 1st Canadian Screen Awards | |||
| Best Actor in a Continuing Leading Dramatic Role | Steven Cree Molison | Nominated | ||
| Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Supporting Role in a Dramatic Program or Series | Georgina Lightning | Nominated | ||
| Best Achievement in Casting | Rhonda Fisekci for the episode "Forgiveness" | Nominated | ||
| 2014 | 2nd Canadian Screen Awards | |||
| Best Dramatic Series | Blackstone | Nominated | ||
| Best Writing in a Dramatic Series | Damon Vignale and Ron E. Scott | Nominated | ||
| Best Actress in a Continuing Leading Dramatic Role | Michelle Thrush | Nominated |
References
- "TV Series ‘major shot in the arm’ for Edmonton". CBC News, July 16, 2010.
- "The countdown continues..." 28 October 2015.
6 days left until the Final Season of BLACKSTONE premieres Tuesday, November 3 on APTN! — with Cheri Maracle.
- "The 5th and Final Season of the Hit Drama Blackstone Premieres on APTN Tues., Nov. 3" (PDF). 5 October 2015.
Blackstone season five (8 x 60') airs Tuesdays starting November 3 on Aboriginal Peoples Television Network
- "APTN's Blackstone Ending After Five Seasons" (PDF). 5 October 2015.
- "Award-winning Blackstone Drama Set to Air on CBC, Download from iTunes" Archived 2015-06-23 at the Wayback Machine. Broadcaster, June 9, 2015.
- "Leo Awards Official Results".
External links
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