CBC AND BET+JOIN FORCES FOR “THE PORTER” ORIGINAL DRAMA

CBC, Canada’s public broadcaster, and BET+, the preeminent streaming service for the Black audience, are partnering on the original series "The Porter" (working title, 8x60) from Inferno Pictures and Sienna Films, which has been greenlit for 2021/22.

Originated and created by Arnold Pinnock ("Altered Carbon", "Travelers") and Bruce Ramsay ("19-2", "Cardinal"), with Annmarie Morais, Marsha Greene, and Aubrey Nealon, “The Porter” is set in the roar of the 1920s and follows the journeys of four ambitious souls who hustle, dream, cross borders and confront barriers in the fight for liberation - on and off the railways that crossed North America.

Morais and Greene are writers/showrunners on the eight-part series, with Charles Officer ("21 Thunder", "Ransom") and R.T. Thorne ("Blindspot", "Utopia Falls") set to executive produce and direct. Pinnock and Ramsay are co-executive producers. “Bruce and I have always wanted to showcase the Railway Porters and their families - and the impact they had in Black communities in cities across North America,” said Pinnock. “'The Porter' is more than a healthy dose of history. It’s a bold, sexy, unapologetic look at Black ambition,” added Morais.

"It's a critical time to bring Black stories to our screens, especially those that detail the trials and triumphs of the real women and men who fought for equality before us. We look forward to working with CBC and this strong creative team to bring this story to life," said Devin Griffin, Executive Vice President and General Manager, BET+.

“Led by an extraordinary creative team, 'The Porter' is a vital story highlighting people and events in our history that are long overdue to be told. We are excited to partner with BET+ to bring this series to audiences on both sides of the border,” said Sally Catto, General Manager, Entertainment, Factual and Sports, CBC.

The series is funded with the support of the Canada Media Fund and Manitoba Film & Music, and is distributed internationally by Abacus Media Rights (AMR) and Sphere Distribution. AMR and Sienna Films brokered the partnership with BET+.