Paradise Falls
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Paradise Falls was a weekly soap opera shown nationally on the Showcase channel in Canada, starting in 2001. It is set in a summer cottage community in Northern Ontario.
Like many major US soaps, sex is a dominant part of the story lines. However, it shows much more of this than would be allowed by censors on mainstream broadcast networks. The show's open approach to sexual and homosexual themes caused reruns of the show to be carried for a time on the American here! channel, which targets gay and lesbian viewers. Like the soap Passions, murder and a little witchcraft are included in the mix of themes.
Unlike the typical soap opera, the series was shot entirely on location on Sparrow Lake in Muskoka and Whitevale, Ontario, to give it the show an authentic looking background. It was produced entirely in digital format, to reduce production costs, and allow for easier editing when adapted for foreign markets.
The production schedule has been somewhat unorthodox and unpredictable for viewers. Originally 52 episodes were shot in a batch, then aired on Showcase. Then, new shows stopped appearing until 2004, leaving many to think the show was cancelled. A new batch of 26 episodes began to be aired in the fall of 2004.
Contents |
[edit] Cast
| Actor(sorted) | Character | Year(s) | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allen Altman | Billy Hunter | Artist | |
| Salvatore Antonio | Sacha Martinell | 2004- | |
| Sean Bell | Travis Piercy | 2004- | |
| Ian D. Clark | Dominic Bernini | 2001 | Retired widower |
| Carla Collins | Rusty Sinclair | 2001-2002 | Character is an American actress who doesn't realize her star has faded. |
| Steve Cumyn | Tony Beroni | Radio broadcaster | |
| Raven Dauda | Kelly Fairview | 2004- | |
| Danielle Hampton | Charlene 'Charlie' Piercy | 2004- | |
| Art Hindle | Mayor Pete Braga | current | He's been mayor for over 20 years and is a ruthless businessman, who tries to control everything in the town. |
| Michelle Latimer | Trish Simpkin | Goth teen who acts tougher than she really is. | |
| Tammy Isbell | Rose Bernini | Owns and operates the Bernini Boutique that specializes in wedding dresses | |
| Andrew Gillies | Stanley 'The Admiral' Mansfield | ||
| Cameron Graham | Nick Braga | Grandson of Pete and Jessica's forme fiancé. | |
| Gary Hudson | Brick Madison | 2001-2002 | Character is an American actor and former action star. |
| Bill MacDonald | George Mansfield | 2001-2002 | Never got over the suicide of his wife Lisa years ago |
| Grant Nickalls | David Silverman | 2001-2002 | Tourist renting cottage. |
| Joshua Peace | Samuel Sutton | ||
| Frank Pellegrino | Thomas Martinelli | 2004-current | |
| Kim Poirier | Roxy Hunter | Daughter of Francis Hunter | |
| Chantal Quesnel | Yvonne Bernini | current | Returns to town after 14 year absence in need of money |
| Martin Roach | Ravenheart | 2001-2002 | Billed as a visiting warlock |
| Kim Schraner | Jessica Lansing | 2001-2002 | The character Jessicia was the fiancée of Nick Braga. In their backstory, they met in college and were engaged for three years. The actress playing her, Kim Schraner, has since become the star of her own series, Spynet. |
| Dixie Seatle | Bea Sutton | Owner/operator of the local Marina, a common gathering place. | |
| Robert Seeliger | Jeff Bradshaw | Homicide detective | |
| Victoria Snow | Francis Hunter | Mother of Roxy Hunter, who she raised in poverty. | |
| Cherilee Taylor (credited as Cherilee Garofano) | Pamela Harman | Waitress at the Marina. Secretly a witch. | |
| Marni Thompson | Valerie Hunter | Local police officer | |
| Jim Thorburn | Michael Mansfield | High school drop-out and chronic underachiever. |
[edit] External links
- Showcase's official site for Paradise Falls
- Paradise Falls Chamber of Commerce - This is a fictional chamber of commerce, of the fictional town in the show. The "mayor" shown is actor Art Hindle.
- Paradise Falls at the Internet Movie Database
- The Bayview Post article (reprint) - Article on Kim Schraner's role as Jessica Lansing in Paradise Falls.
- Capital Xtra - Article describes Cameron Graham playing Nick Braga in Paradise Falls.
- Playback - Article on production of Paradise Falls.
- Calgary Sun - September 12, 2004 - Article on the return of the show to Showcase, with new episodes, starting in the fall of 2004.
