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''Paradise Falls'' is a weekly
soap opera A soap opera, or ''soap'' for short, is a typically long-running radio or television serial, frequently characterized by melodrama, ensemble casts, and sentimentality. The term "soap opera" originated from radio dramas originally being sponsored ...
television series which aired nationally on the
Showcase Showcase or vitrine may refer to: *Cabinet (furniture) *Display case Music * ''Showcase'' (Bill Anderson album), 1964 * ''Showcase'' (Patsy Cline album), 1961 * ''Showcase'' (Buddy Holly album), 1964 * ''Showcase'' (Philly Joe Jones album), 1959 ...
channel in Canada, starting in 2001. It was filmed in the summer cottage community of
Muskoka, Ontario The District Municipality of Muskoka, more generally referred to as the District of Muskoka or Muskoka, is a regional municipality in Central Ontario, Canada. Muskoka extends from Georgian Bay in the west, to the northern tip of Lake Couchiching ...
. Like many major soap operas, sex is a dominant component of the storylines, although more explicit in nature. The show's open approach to sexual and
homosexual Homosexuality is romantic attraction, sexual attraction, or sexual behavior between members of the same sex or gender. As a sexual orientation, homosexuality is "an enduring pattern of emotional, romantic, and/or sexual attractions" to peop ...
themes caused reruns of the show to be carried on the
Here! TV Here TV is an American premium television network targeting LGBT audiences. Launched in 2002, Here TV is available nationwide on all major cable systems, fiber optics systems, and Internet TV providers as either a 24/7 premium subscription channe ...
network in the United States, which targets gay and lesbian viewers. Like the soap ''
Passions ''Passions'' is an American television soap opera that originally aired on NBC from July 5, 1999, to September 7, 2007, and on DirecTV's The 101 Network from September 17, 2007, to August 7, 2008. Created by screenwriter James E. Reilly and pro ...
'', murder and a little witchcraft are included in the mix of themes.


Synopsis

Set in the summer cottage municipality of Muskoka, the series premise was that the town of Paradise Falls' cottage life was not what one would expect – beneath its idyllic surface lurked scandal, murder, deceit, betrayal, steamy love affairs and political intrigue.


Episodes


Production

Unlike the typical studio based soap opera, the series was shot entirely on location on Sparrow Lake in Muskoka and Whitevale,
Ontario Ontario ( ; ) is one of the thirteen provinces and territories of Canada.Ontario is located in the geographic eastern half of Canada, but it has historically and politically been considered to be part of Central Canada. Located in Central Ca ...
, which gave 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 show's production company is
Breakthrough Entertainment Breakthrough Entertainment is a Canadian production company founded in 1986 by Peter Williamson and Ira Levy. It produces famous Canadian TV shows such as '' Jimmy Two-Shoes'' and '' Atomic Betty''. History On July 10, 2018, 9 Story Media Group ...
. The production schedule has been somewhat unorthodox and unpredictable for viewers. An initial 52 episodes were shot in a batch in 2001, then aired that year on Showcase. After the first season had finished airing, no new episodes were seen until 2004, as the producers had difficulty raising money for a second season. A second season of 26 episodes aired, beginning in September 2004. The show was dormant again until it was announced in August 2007 that filming had begun on a third batch of 26 episodes. This third group of episodes started airing on April 11, 2008 on the American premium cable channel
Here! TV Here TV is an American premium television network targeting LGBT audiences. Launched in 2002, Here TV is available nationwide on all major cable systems, fiber optics systems, and Internet TV providers as either a 24/7 premium subscription channe ...
, but the third season did not premiere on Showcase until September 1, 2009.


Cast and characters

*
Art Hindle Arthur Hindle is a Canadian actor and director. Early life and education Hindle was born in Halifax. For 12 years, he alternated living with his divorced parents in addition to living in foster homes. He grew up in Bowmanville, and later at T ...
as Mayor Pete Braga. He has been mayor for over 20 years, and is a ruthless businessman. He tries to control everything in town. He is the father of Roxy Hunter and grandfather of Nick Braga. *
Chantal Quesnel Chantal Quesnel (sometimes credited as Chantal Quesnelle, born 1971) is a Canadian actress. She currently is a voice actress for the TV animated series ''Zeroman'', shown in Canada on Teletoon. She also appeared in Don Mancini's film ''Curse of Ch ...
as Yvonne Bernini. She is the sister of Rose Bernini. She returns to town after 14-year absence. * Tammy Isbell as Rose Bernini. She owns and operates the Bernini Boutique that specializes in wedding dresses, and is engaged to Tony Beroni. *
Dixie Seatle Dixie Seatle is a Canadian actress and faculty member in the Acting for Film and Television program at Humber College's School of Creative and Performing Arts in Toronto, Ontario. Her first film credit was a supporting role in the 1978 production ...
as Bea Sutton. She is the owner/operator of the local Marina and a central figure in town. She is the ex-fiancé of Pete Braga, ex-girlfriend of Thomas Martinelli and ex-husband of Anne Sutton. She falls for Wes Coleman, and runs for mayor against Pete. It is revealed that she is a transgender woman. *
Victoria Snow Victoria Snow (born 1954/55)"Cinderella story at Stratford". ''The Globe and Mail'', April 28, 1979. is a Canadian actress."Driven Snow: Proving she can act as well as sing Victoria Snow copped a Gemini for her portrayal of a Metis woman in Daughte ...
as Francis Hunter. She is the alcoholic mother of Roxy Hunter, whom she raised in poverty. *
Cameron Graham Cameron may refer to: People * Clan Cameron, a Scottish clan * Cameron (given name), a given name (including a list of people with the name) * Cameron (surname), a surname (including a list of people with the name) ;Mononym * Cam'ron (born ...
as Nick Braga. He is the grandson of Pete, and Jessica's former fiancé. He is gay and married to Sacha. *
Kim Poirier Kim Jacinthe Poirier (born February 6, 1980) is a Canadian actress, singer, film producer, and television host. Biography Personal life Born in Drummondville, Quebec, the daughter of actress/model Carol Laquerre who was Miss Toronto in 1976, sh ...
as Roxy Hunter. She is the daughter of Frances Hunter and Pete Braga, and the ex-girlfriend of Michael Mansfield and Travis Piercy. *
Michelle Latimer Michelle Latimer is a Canadian actress, director, writer, and filmmaker. She initially rose to prominence for her role as Trish Simkin on the television series ''Paradise Falls'', shown nationally in Canada on Showcase Television (2001–2004). ...
as Trish Simpkin. A
goth A Goth is a member of the Goths, a group of East Germanic tribes. Two major political entities of the Goths were: *Visigoths, prominent in Spanish history *Ostrogoths, prominent in Italian history Goth or Goths may also refer to: * Goth (surname) ...
teen who acts tougher than she really is. She is tri-sexual. * Steve Cumyn as Tony Beroni. He is a flamboyant radio broadcaster, and is engaged to Rose Bernini. He is the ex-husband of Lynnie Jordan. *
Kim Schraner Kim Schraner (born 1976) is a Canadian actress, who starred in the children's spy TV series '' Spynet'', shown in Canada on CBC Television. Schraner starred in the Showcase soap opera ''Paradise Falls'' as the character Jessica Lansing. She st ...
as Jessica Lansing. Jessica was the fiancée of Nick Braga. In their backstory, they met in college and were engaged for three years. She comes back to town get revenge on him (seasons 1 and 3) * Cherilee Garofano as Pamela Harman. She is a waitress at the Marina. She is secretly a witch. She is also the fiancée of Samuel Sutton (seasons 1–2) *
Allen Altman Allen, Allen's or Allens may refer to: Buildings * Allen Arena, an indoor arena at Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tennessee * Allen Center, a skyscraper complex in downtown Houston, Texas * Allen Fieldhouse, an indoor sports arena on the Univer ...
as Billy Hunter. He is an artist, and the husband of Valerie. He creates Paradise Falls' large tourism mascot (a large loon with breasts) (seasons 1–2) *
Joshua Peace Joshua () or Yehoshua ( ''Yəhōšuaʿ'', Tiberian Hebrew, Tiberian: ''Yŏhōšuaʿ,'' Literal translation, lit. 'Yahweh is salvation') ''Yēšūaʿ''; syr, ܝܫܘܥ ܒܪ ܢܘܢ ''Yəšūʿ bar Nōn''; el, Ἰησοῦς, ar , يُوشَع ...
as Samuel Sutton (seasons 1–2). He is the son of Bea and Anne Sutton, and the fiancé of Pamela Harman. *
Marni Thompson Marni Thompson is a Canadian actress, whose most extensive starring role was in ''Paradise Falls'', a soap opera on Showcase Television, starting in 2001. She played ''Valerie Hunter'', a bored local police officer in a small community. Except ...
as Valerie Hunter (seasons 1–2). She is a local police officer. She is the wife of Billy who falls pregnant with Jeff Bradshaw's baby, a boy named Jackson. She gets shot and killed at the marina. * Andrew Gillies as Stanley 'The Admiral' Mansfield (seasons 1–2). He is the supposed English relative of Michael Mansfield. *
Robert Seeliger The name Robert is an ancient Germanic given name, from Proto-Germanic "fame" and "bright" (''Hrōþiberhtaz''). Compare Old Dutch ''Robrecht'' and Old High German ''Hrodebert'' (a compound of '' Hruod'' ( non, Hróðr) "fame, glory, hono ...
as Jeff Bradshaw (seasons 1–2). He is a homicide detective. He has an affair with Valerie, and leaves her pregnant. Their son is named Jackson. *
Jim Thorburn Jim or JIM may refer to: * Jim (given name), a given name * Jim, a diminutive form of the given name James * Jim, a short form of the given name Jimmy * OPCW-UN Joint Investigative Mechanism * ''Jim'' (comics), a series by Jim Woodring * ''Jim ...
as Michael Mansfield (seasons 1–2). He is a high school drop-out and chronic underachiever. He is the ex-boyfriend of Roxy Hunter. He later runs out of town with Kelly Fairview. *
Debra McGrath Debra McGrath (born July 5, 1954) is a Canadian actress and comedian. Education Debra McGrath was born in Toronto in 1954. She studied theatre at Ryerson Polytechnical Institute (now Toronto Metropolitan University). Career McGrath first sta ...
as Shirley Armstrong (seasons 1–2). She is the radio host from Fenmore who has had a secret affair with Dominic Bernini. * Martin Roach as Ravenheart (season 1). He is a visiting warlock con-man and Pamela's ex. *
Carla Collins Carla Collins (born April 30, 1965) is a Canadian comedian, actress, television host, and writer. Collins performs across North America. She has been a regular at the Laugh Factory in Los Angeles and toured with the renowned "Hot Tamales". In J ...
as Rusty Sinclair (season 1). She is an American actress who doesn't realize her star has faded. * Gary Hudson as Brick Madison (season 1). He is an American actor, and former action star, with a cocaine addiction. * Bill MacDonald as George Mansfield (season 1). He never got over the suicide of his wife Lisa years ago. He is shot to death by Pete. * Grant Nickalls as David Silverman (season 1). He is a tourist renting a cottage. He murders Sarah, kidnaps Roxy, and tries to murder his girlfriend, Pamela. *
Kris Holden-Ried Kris Holden-Ried (born August 1, 1973) is a Canadian actor. Early life and pentathlon Holden-Ried was born in Pickering, Ontario. He studied at Montreal's Concordia University School of Business. He was a champion competitor in riding and fen ...
as Simon, Nick’s former lover (season 1) * Karen Racicot as Sarah Braga (season 1) * Ian D. Clark as Dominic Bernini. He is a retired widower who has had a secret affair with Shirley Armstrong (season 1) * Patrick Stevenson as Austin (season 1) *
Yank Azman Yank Azman (born October 19, 1947) is a Canadian television and film actor. Early life Azman was born in a displaced persons camp in Bad Wörishofen, Germany to Cesia (née Waishand), a sales clerk, and Kuba Zajfman, a tailor and furrier, Holoca ...
as the lawyer, Mr. Bloom (season 1) *
Peter Outerbridge Peter Outerbridge (born June 30, 1966) is a Canadian actor, best known for his role as Ari Tasarov in the CW action series ''Nikita'', Dr. David Sandström in the TMN series ''ReGenesis'', Henrik "Hank" Johanssen in ''Orphan Black'', Bob Corbett ...
as Tyrone Fox, another one of Rose's dates who gets run over by Brick Madison (season 1) * Ker Wells as Roman Wiancek, a male escort who "dates" Rose (season 1) * Kristen Booth as Trudy Sinclair, Rusty's daughter, a bisexual teen who has a romance with Trish (season 1) * Mark Ellis as Neil Armstrong, the son of Shirley. He also dates Rose (season 1) *
Kent Staines Kent is a county in South East England and one of the home counties. It borders Greater London to the north-west, Surrey to the west and East Sussex to the south-west, and Essex to the north across the estuary of the River Thames; it faces the ...
as Clive, the shifty, gay script writer (season 1) * Harrison Wayne as the childlike apparition (Frances and Billy Hunter's dead brother) (season 1) *
Salvatore Antonio Salvatore Antonio is a Canadian actor and playwright. Early life He was born Salvatore Antonio Alessandro Migliore in Toronto, Ontario. He attended an enriched Arts programme at Unionville High School, and upon graduating he was one of 10 stu ...
as Sacha Martinelli. He is the son of Thomas Martinelli. He runs a gay B&B, and falls for Nick Braga whom he marries (seasons 2–3) * Frank Pellegrino as Thomas Martinelli (season 2). He is the father of Sacha, and the ex-boyfriend of Bea Sutton. * Mike Realba as Ben Santos, the police officer (season 2) * Kate Trotter as Anne Sutton, Bea's psychotic ex-wife (season 2) * Alan Van Sprang as Johnny Brice, the gay hockey star (season 2) * David Ferry as Kirk, Nick's jailed father (season 2) * Raven Dauda as Kelly Fairview. She runs out of town with Michael Mansfield (season 2) *
Sean Bell Sean, also spelled Seán or Séan in Irish English, is a male given name of Irish origin. It comes from the Irish versions of the Biblical Hebrew name ''Yohanan'' (), Seán (anglicized as ''Shaun/ Shawn/ Shon'') and Séan (Ulster variant; angli ...
as Travis Piercy. He is the brother of Charlie, and the ex-boyfriend of Roxy Hunter (season 2) * Danielle Hampton as Charlene 'Charlie' Piercy. She is the sister of Travis, and the ex-girlfriend of Trish (season 2) * Steve Belford as Colin Wagner. He works at the B&B, and helps Jessica Lansing get revenge on Nick (season 3) *
Meredith McGeachie Meredith McGeachie (born July 5, 1971) is a Canadian television and film actress."Just another day in Paradise". ''Vancouver Sun'', September 2, 2009. Education McGeachie graduated from the theatre program at George Brown College. Career She ...
as Cate Banning. She is a local police officer. She is the sister of Ethan Banning, and the girlfriend of Trish Simpkin and the ex-girlfriend of Julie Cordry (season 3) * Mark Humphrey as Wes Coleman. He is a reporter for the ''Paradise Falls Chronicle''. He falls for Bea Sutton even though he's married (season 3) *
Julie Brown Julie Ann Brown (born August 31, 1958) is an American actress, comedian, screen/television writer, singer-songwriter, and television director. Brown is known for her work in the 1980s, where she often played a quintessential valley girl charac ...
as Mimi Van Lux, a porn film director (season 3) *
Amanda Brugel Amanda Brugel (born March 24, 1978) is a Canadian actress. Born and raised in Pointe-Claire (a suburb of Montreal), Quebec, she made her acting debut in the drama film ''Vendetta'' (1999). This was followed by roles in the comedy film ''A Diva's C ...
as Lynnie Jordan, the ex-wife of Tony Beroni (season 3) * Kerry Lai Fatt as Julie Cordry, the ex-girlfriend of Cate Banning (season 3) *
Stephen Huszar Stephen Huszar (born January 24, 1984) is a Canadian film and television actor born in Saskatoon. He is first generation Hungarians, Hungarian. His parents came over from Hungary as immigrants when they were very young. He graduated from the Un ...
as porn star, Tucker Hardwood (season 3) * Wesley Morgan as Ethan Banning. He is the son of Cate Banning, and the boyfriend of Roxy Hunter (season 3)


Home media

It was announced on
Kim Poirier Kim Jacinthe Poirier (born February 6, 1980) is a Canadian actress, singer, film producer, and television host. Biography Personal life Born in Drummondville, Quebec, the daughter of actress/model Carol Laquerre who was Miss Toronto in 1976, sh ...
's MySpace blog that Paradise Falls would be getting a DVD release. There is no more information currently, though Here! TV confirmed that it planned to release the show. The third season is available exclusively on Amazon's Video On Demand section and is the first time the show has been available to buy.


References


External links

*
The 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.
Fans of Paradise Falls Tv Series
– For fans and cast members to enjoy {{Showcase programming (Canada) Canadian television soap operas Fictional populated places in Ontario 2001 Canadian television series debuts 2008 Canadian television series endings Showcase (Canadian TV channel) original programming Television series by Corus Entertainment Television shows set in Ontario 2000s Canadian drama television series