Fire up the kiln! CBC and Frantic Films today announced additional details for THE GREAT CANADIAN POTTERY THROW DOWN (8X60), an open-hearted competition series that sees ten talented Canadian potters face each other to be crowned “Canada’s top potter.” Jennifer Robertson, celebrated for her role as Jocelyn Schitt in CBC’s Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning comedy series Schitt’s Creek, and currently starring in Ginny & Georgia, will bring the series to life as host. A talented potter in his own right, Seth Rogen, award-winning actor, producer, director, and co-founder of Houseplant, will serve as a guest judge and an executive producer courtesy of Point Grey Pictures. Rounding out the on-screen team are Vancouver-based, award-winning artist and ceramics instructor Brendan Tang and renowned ceramicist and educator Natalie Waddell from Toronto, who will serve as judges and name Canada’s top potter.
“Shooting this heartfelt reality series in MY hometown, along with Seth in HIS hometown, made the whole experience extra special,” said Robertson. “ I was in total awe every week over what our potters could create in such a short amount of time, and I really gained a newfound appreciation for the art form from the incredible judges (Natalie Waddell, Brendan Tang), the talented potters, and the whole production team. I’m beyond thrilled to be working with Frantic Films and Seth Rogen on The Great Canadian Pottery Throw Down and it was a joy to be a part of!”
“We fell in love with the British version of the series and are thrilled that we captured the same warmth, humour and heart as the original. Our Canadian potters did not disappoint, and their character and creations are truly amazing. Landing two incredible judges, the wonderful Jennifer Robertson – and of course, Vancouver native and worldwide superstar Seth Rogen has made this a dream project.” – Jamie Brown, CEO & Executive Producer – Frantic Films
“Point Grey and I are excited to be part of a fresh series that enables artists to tap into their craftsmanship and express themselves through pottery. As a fellow Vancouver native and potter myself, I am looking forward to seeing incredibly talented artists show their skills this season.” – Seth Rogen, Point Grey Pictures
“Building on CBC’s slate of uniquely Canadian competition series, The Great Canadian Pottery Throw Down invites audiences into the increasingly popular world of pottery where we showcase a group of inspiring creators in pursuit of their personal best,” said Jennifer Dettman, Executive Director of Unscripted Content, CBC. “It has been incredibly rewarding to see the passion that Jennifer, Seth, Brendan, Natalie and the potters bring to this series and we can’t wait for audiences to watch the competition unfold on screen.”
THE GREAT CANADIAN POTTERY THROW DOWN sees 10 amateur potters take on clever challenges to create beautiful pieces inspired by their personal lives and that showcase their skill and passion for clay. Each episode will consist of two creative challenges which test the contestants’ skill and technique, with one ceramicist eliminated by the judges each week.
The Great Pottery Throw Down is a popular original British format originally created and owned by Love Productions, also behind the global smash-hit The Great British Baking Show. The series was filmed this summer in a state-of-the-art studio on Vancouver’s Granville Island under the jurisdiction of ACTRA in Canada. In the U.S., unscripted television is covered under the SAG-AFTRA Network Television Code Agreement which remains unstruck and runs through June 2024. THE GREAT CANADIAN POTTERY THROW DOWN will broadcast in Canada on CBC Gem and CBC TV in Winter 2024.