New copro partners join CW drama Reign

Frank Siracusa’s Whizbang Films and Vikings coproducer Take 5 Productions have signed up to co-create upcoming CW teen-skewed period drama Reign.

The Canadian pair will join CBS Television Studios on the series, which was one of the more popular new season offers at the LA Screenings last month. The CW show follows a young Mary Queen of Scots played by breakout star Adelaide Kane.

Whizbang and Take 5 already coproduce CBS fantasy series Beauty and the Beast, which is going into a second season. Whizbang is also known for telemovie The Horses of McBride, while Take 5 found success as a coproducer on the high-rating cable series Vikings, plus other period drama such as The Tudors and Camelot.

They claim coproducing Reign will mean their partnership will generate more than US$100 million in production volumes in Canada in the coming year. Shooting begins in Toronto at the end of July.

“Our teaming up with Take 5 Productions is proving to be an incredibly dynamic and fruitful partnership,” said Siracusa, president and CEO of Whizbang.

Take 5 president and CEO John Weber added the partnership reflected “the health and vibrancy” of the Canadian film and TV market.