Riverdale is a Canadian prime time television soap opera, which ran for three seasons from 1997 to 2000.[1] The series was set in the Toronto community of Riverdale, focusing on a variety of characters and their interactions in everyday life.[2]
| Riverdale | |
|---|---|
| Created by | Yan Moore |
| Country of origin | Canada |
| Original language | English |
| No. of seasons | 3 |
| No. of episodes | 94 |
| Production | |
| Producers | Stephen Stohn, Linda Schuyler |
| Running time | 30 minutes |
| Production company | Epitome Pictures |
| Original release | |
| Network | CBC Television |
| Release | 1997 – 2000 |
Riverdale was produced by Epitome Pictures in association with CBC Television.[3] Originally inspired by the socially realistic style of British soaps such as Coronation Street,[4] due to low early ratings it began introducing some more American-style soap opera elements,[5] most notably in the expansion of Melissa DiMarco's character, Irene Stavros, into an American-style soap vixen who dressed in tight clothing to accentuate her sex appeal.[6]
Cast member Marion Gilsenan was battling cancer for much of her stint on the series.[7] She won a Gemini Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Program or Series at the 14th Gemini Awards in 1999, several months after her death.[8]
The series typically attracted low ratings in its initial prime-time airing, but performed more strongly on Sundays after a daytime repeat was added following Coronation Street.[9] 94 half-hour episodes were produced.[10]
Cast
edit- Chris Benson as Wally Wowczuk
- Christian Potenza as Jimmy Snow
- Maurice Long as Dave Nichols
- Christopher Shyer and Hamish McEwan as Ben MacKenzie
- Marion Gilsenan as Joan MacKenzie
- Martin Roach as Jerome "Tiny" Sheffield
- Paul Soles as Costas Stavros
- Maria Ricossa as Chrisa Stavros
- Alex Campbell as Patrick MacKenzie
- Stewart Arnott as Charles MacKenzie
- Lynne Griffin as Alice Sweeney
- Hugo Dann as George Pattillo
- Merwin Mondesir as Gordo Johnson
- Ken James as Stan Wilkes
- Jayne Eastwood as Gloria Wilkes
- Yanna McIntosh as Jenni Hernandez
- Tyrone Benskin as Mike Hayes
- Tom Melissis as Jake Rose
- Ashley Brown as Robin Hayes
- Melissa Thomson as Cassie Coulter
- Diana Reis as Stephanie Long
- Melissa DiMarco as Irene Stavros
- Nicole Hughes as Caroline Walker
- Matt Cooke as Terry Walker
- Michelle Martin and Jennifer Podemski as Michelle Martin
- Jessica Greco as Katie MacKenzie
- Kris Holden-Ried as Shawn Ritchie
- Simon Fraser as Doug Wilkes
- Gilmour the dog as Gilmour
References
edit- ^ "Riverdale's death a bit suspicious". Toronto Star, February 3, 2000.
- ^ Henry Mietkiewicz, "Riverdale takes time soaping up". Toronto Star, September 22, 1997.
- ^ Sid Adilman, "Soap City Riverdale's 4 1/2-acre `neighborhood' is just a front for soap opera on grand scale". Toronto Star, May 25, 1997.
- ^ Ted Shaw, "Riverdale producers tap into British soaps". St. Catharines Standard, September 27, 1997.
- ^ John Allemang, "Riverdale flooded by torrents of soap suds". The Globe and Mail, October 7, 1999.
- ^ Jim Bawden, "This blonde bombshell is no bimbo; Tight tops and leather pants all part of the act for Melissa DiMarco"]. Toronto Star, February 27, 2001.
- ^ Jim Bawden, "Soap star acted through illness; Riverdale's Marion Gilsenan dies from cancer". Toronto Star, January 13, 1999.
- ^ Antonia Zerbisias, "CBC cops 41 Geminis; Public network dominates news and information awards; CTV dramas win big". Toronto Star, November 8, 1999.
- ^ "Riverdale renewed, but future in doubt". Ottawa Citizen, January 23, 1999.
- ^ Kari Shannon, "Producer of Riverdale 'blindsided' as CBC puts kibosh on soap opera". National Post, February 1, 2000.
