He didn’t know for sure, but Allan Hawco’s instincts were telling him “Republic of Doyle” might be back for a fourth season.
“I’ve been writing for a potential Season 4 since December,” he told The Telegram in a phone interview Thursday morning from Ireland, where he’s on holiday. “I really think we’ve been breaking scripts that are better than we’ve ever done, and I’m really excited to have the opportunity to produce them.”
CBC-TV announced Thursday “Republic of Doyle” will be back for the 2012-2013 season, along with 13 other prime-time series: “22 Minutes,” “Arctic Air,” “Doc Zone,”
“Dragons’ Den,” “George Stroumboulopoulos Tonight,” “Heartland,” “Marketplace,” “Mr. D,” “The Big Decision,” “The Fifth Estate,” “The Nature of Thi-ngs,” “The Rick Mercer Report” and “The Ron James Show.”
The network’s new programming will include “Murdoch Mysteries,” starring St. John’s native Jonny Harris, crime drama “Cracked,” historical drama “Titanic: Blood and Steel, and “Over the Rainbow,” a live competition search for theatre’s newest Dorothy.
A list of the TV shows that are being cut wasn’t provided, but includes “The Debaters” (which will continue on CBC Radio) and Kevin O’Leary’s “Redemption Inc.” CBC had already announced it would be axing CBC News Network’s “Connect with Mark Kelley” and CBC Radio’s “Dispatches.”
Last week, the public broadcaster announced it would be cutting six prime-time series in an effort to manage a $225-million shortfall, spurring “Republic of Doyle” fans in this province to establish a “Save Republic of Doyle” Facebook page. After the announcement that the show would be renewed, “Republic of Doyle” and “#fourthseasonyesb’y” trended on Twitter.
“Obviously, we were hoping for this result,” Hawco said of the renewal. “We really feel like we’ve just hit our stride with the show. We understand the characters now, we know what works in terms of the plot, what tone the show can and can’t be at such a scientific level, this is going to be our best year yet.”
“22 Minutes” star Shaun Majumder hadn’t heard the news until he spoke to The Telegram.
“Really? That is amazing news,” he said. Majumder juggled the most recent season of the show with tapings of “The Firm” in Toronto and his own series, “Majumder Manor.” He is in town for the premiere screening of his HBO Canada special, “Every Word is Absolutely True,” which will air April 30.
Because of “The Firm’s” plotline, he’ll be able to spend more time on “22 Minutes” when it comes back for its 20th season in the fall.
“I can confidently say I’ll be back, especially now, after having such a great season and feeling so great with the cast make-up: myself, Mark Critch, Cathy Jones and Susan Kent. It’s a magical combination right there and I’m really excited about it.”
CBC-TV plans to shut down news bureaus in South America and Africa and eliminate 88 news jobs as part of its cuts, which are following the federal government’s announcement in the budget it would be cutting 10 per cent of the CBC’s overall government subsidy over the next three years.
CBC Radio 2 is cutting live concert recordings and regional recording facilities in St. John’s, Ottawa, Winnipeg, Regina, Calgary and Edmonton.
tbradbury@thetelegram.com
Twitter: @tara_bradbury
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