CBC-TV acquires six-episode Tricia Helfer-Brian Van Holt drama ‘Ascension’

TORONTO – CBC-TV has announced plans to air “Ascension,” a six-episode Canadian-produced drama starring Brian Van Holt and Tricia Helfer.

The show was originally commissioned by American network Syfy.

The plot centres on a covert 1963 government space operation that sent hundreds of people on a century-long journey to populate a new world.

Nearly a half-century into the mission, a mysterious murder aboard the Ascension causes the ship’s population to question the purpose of the voyage.

Van Holt (“Cougar Town”) and Helfer (“Battlestar Galactica”) are joined in the cast by Jacqueline Byers, Brandon P. Bell and Tiffany Lonsdale.

The show began production this week in Montreal and will premiere on CBC in November.

“Adding this futuristic drama series will complement our overall schedule nicely and will undoubtedly draw a strong audience with its compelling and unusual plot line,” said Sally Catto, general manager of programming for CBC-TV, in a statement.