marblemedia starts production on two new family sitcoms, The Parker Andersons and Amelia Parker
Two interconnected shows, one blended family
Anthony Q. Farrell is showrunner for both series First slate of cast is announced
Toronto (October 13, 2020) - Award-winning media production and distribution company, marblemedia, in association with award-winning creator Beachwood Canyon Productions, announces today production is set to begin later this month in Toronto on series, The Parker Andersons and Amelia Parker (20 eps x 30 mins), two brand-new scripted family single camera sitcoms that follows the life of one bi-racial family, blended by marriage.
In this completely new and innovative concept, the series will enhance traditional TV storytelling by creating two stand-alone comedy series, The Parker Andersons and Amelia Parker, each with their own storylines and episodes, while still connected by larger overarching plotlines tying the two independent series together. The Parker Andersons follows the warmly comedic antics of a newly blended family, while Amelia Parker centers around the quietest member of the family, a tween girl navigating the world around her.
The Parker Andersons follows Tony Parker, a British widower and father of two (Nathan and Amelia), who moves to North America where he meets and marries Cleo Anderson, the mother of two kids (Victoria and Charlie). All together, they quickly discover that sometimes being ‘blended’ feels a lot like being in a blender.
Amelia Parker centers around the quietest member of the Parker Anderson family, a tween girl who is coming into her own. After her mother died, Amelia became selectively mute, figuring that before she participates in the world again, she better figure some things out. In confessionals, we see that Amelia is actually an opinionated, vivacious girl, who openly explains her hopes, anxieties and fears in virtual conversations with her deceased mom.
Anthony Q. Farrell takes over as Showrunner for both series. Farrell has written for NBC’s The Office, CBC’s Little Mosque on the Prairie, and Nickelodeon’s The Thundermans and has developed TV series for CBS Studios, Disney Channel, Cartoon Network amongst others. He is the creator of Secret Life of Boys, the BAFTA-winning CBBC series, which is in its fifth season. Anthony joins the series bringing unparalleled talent, humour and leadership to really form the true essence of both shows. He has assembled a richly talented and diverse team of writers and directors to assist him in ensuring that the stories for both shows are not only entertaining, but also authentic. Leading by example through collaboration and providing opportunity for the next generation, Anthony Q. Farrell is reimagining show running for the next wave.
“We could not be more excited to work with Anthony Q. Farrell as he leads his diverse team of writers, actors and directors to create these new shows. Both productions will showcase the real emotions and experiences that come with honest representation of blended families. We cannot wait to share these hilarious and heartwarming series with audiences around the world” shares Mark Bishop, Executive Producer and co-CEO of marblemedia. “We’re extremely grateful to Frank van Keeken for creating a beautiful concept and story world for both of these new shows.”
"This series has incredible potential. And with my awesome team of writers-- Jay Vaidya, Amanda Joy, Murry Peeters, Ian Steaman and Sadiya Durrani, we are hoping to unlock as much of it as possible. We're having tons of fun in the room tackling topics that we rarely see on television," said Anthony Q. Farrell, Showrunner & Executive Producer.
“I am thrilled that Anthony Q. Farrell is leading our team as the showrunner for The Parker-Andersons and Amelia Parker,” adds Executive Producer and Series Creator Frank van Keeken.
The series has been commissioned by BYUtv in the US to debut in 2021 as part of their focus on inspiring family programming and will launch in Canada later in 2021, with a Canadian broadcaster to be announced soon.
The Parker-Andersons and Amelia Parker will star Arnold Pinnock as Tony Parker (Cardinal, Coroner, Baroness Von Sketch), Kate Hewlett as Cleo Anderson (The Stanley Dynamic, Degrassi: The Next Generation, The Girlfriend Experience), Millie Davis as Amelia Parker (Odd Squad, Dino Dana, Orphan Black), Agape Mngomezulu as Nathan Parker (Best Intentions, The Twilight Zone, Supernatural), Devin Cecchetto as Victoria Anderson (Ginny & Georgia, The Craft), Charlie Zeltzer as Charlie Anderson (The Handmaid’s Tale, Anne with an E), Sandy Jobin-Bevans as Roger Anderson (Designated Survivor, Just Like Mom and Dad, Good Witch, Baroness Von Sketch Show) and Akiel Julien as Nick Parker (Utopia Falls, The Boys, What We Do in the Shadows). Additional cast members will be announced in the coming weeks.
Executive Producers for the series include Mark J.W. Bishop, Matt Hornburg, Carrie Paupst Shaughnessy, and Co-Executive Producer Donna Luke (marblemedia); Executive Producers Frank van Keeken and Yolanda Yott (Beachwood Canyon); Executive Producer and Showrunner Anthony Q. Farrell and Producer Jim Corston; Executive Producers for BYUtv Michael Dunn, Andra Johnson Duke, Melissa Puente and Jim Bell.
Anthony Q. Farrell is represented by Sheree Guitar at Sheree Guitar Entertainment, David Ritchie at Ambition Talent, Inc. and Jonathan Shikora at Lichter, Grossman, Nichols, Adler, Feldman, Clark.
About marblemedia
marblemedia is a leading global entertainment company that develops, produces and distributes compelling TV and interactive digital content for audiences of all ages, across all media platforms.
A trailblazer known for creating entertainment for the whole family through an informative, entertaining and optimistic lens, the company stands on their merits for showcasing diverse and inclusive storytelling. With such recent hits as the award-winning competition Netflix Original series Blown Away, critically-acclaimed travelogue Netflix Original series Restaurants on the Edge; YesTV, Family Channel and BYUtv’s award-winning family gameshow Just Like Mom and Dad; scripted teen series Open Heart, co-produced with Epitome Pictures and Nickelodeon; and the high-octane competition series All-Round Champion based on the International Emmy® Kids Award-winning format.
Founded in 2001 by co-CEOs Mark Bishop and Matt Hornburg with a vision of creativity, partnership and innovation, the company has offices in Toronto, London and L.A., with a 50-acre production facility located 90 minutes north of Toronto. Learn more at marblemedia.com
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Press image of Anthony Q. Farrell is available to directly download here
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