Rueben's Ramblings

Bell Media, Canada’s premier multi-media company, will bring the new drama Highland Gardens to Canadian viewers at some soon point (and hopefully to US viewers when possible), as it starts production on the new series today.

The premise of Highland Gardens is set in and around an apartment-style hotel that draws aspiring performers from Canada, the U.S. and all over the world. The show is a no-holds-barred, character-driven relationship drama that follows the exploits of six young hopefuls in search of celluloid and stardom in Hollywood. Full of heart-rending moments, salacious temptations and hilarious escapades, the show’s coming-of-age dwellers grapple with life’s defining moments as they deal with the unreality of the show-biz industry. Whether they stay a week, a month, or 40 years, the denizens of Highland Gardens provide something to each other that’s in short supply elsewhere in Hollywood: support.

The ensemble drama stars the following:

Joe Dinicol (Murdoch Mysteries and the film Scott Pilgrim vs. The World) is “nice-guy” Nick, a struggling stand-up comedian from Edmonton who is always the best friend and never the boyfriend;

Andra Fuller (The Secret Life of the American Teenager and Entourage) is Kaldrick, the extremely successful Hip-Hop artist hailing from the streets of Oakland, California;

Jonathan Patrick Moore (the Australian shows Neighbours and All Saints) is Connor, a break-out Australian with drop-dead good looks and a dark past;

Chelan Simmons (Kyle XY) is Alicia, a sensitive, aspiring dancer from Regina who will do whatever it takes to make ends meet;

Jewel Staite (Firefly and Stargate Atlantis) is the street-smart Haligonian Raquel, who’s frightened of becoming yesterday’s news;

Cassie Steele (Degrassi and Relic Hunter) is Abby, the naïve Toronto actor who is ready to fight to get to the top; and,

Benjamin Charles Watson (The Listener) is Tariq, the confident and talented African-Canadian hip-hop artist with a secret on the down low.

The one-hour, six-part scripted series begins shooting in Toronto today before continuing in Hollywood this fall. The show will be executive produced by Linda Schuyler (Degrassi and Instant Star), Stephen Stohn (Degrassi and Instant Star) and Martin Gero (Bored to Death).