Discovery gears up for a competition series like no other when the all-new Canadian original series, A CUT ABOVE, premieres Monday, August 8 at 10 p.m. ET/ 7 p.m. PT. Also revealed today are the 12 highly skilled carvers who are ready to tackle the ultimate carving competition. The gifted group of chainsaw wielding whizzes from around the world must demonstrate their creativity, strength, and skill, as they turn ordinary logs into extraordinary works of art.
Each one-hour episode of A CUT ABOVE sees the talented carvers compete to win both the Quick and Master Carve challenges while racing against the clock in hopes of avoiding weekly elimination. At the end of the entire competition, the artist who out-carves the rest wins a cash prize and is declared “A Cut Above”.
As previously announced, Golden Globe-nominated actor, Adam Beach, joins as host alongside world-renowned Canadian chainsaw carver Ryan Cook and esteemed sculptor, Katharine Dowson, who bring their combined expertise and artistic prowess as judges.
Andrew Mallon, Age 39 Falls Church, VA
8 Years’ Experience
“Honestly, if I make it through the first round, I’ll win the whole thing.”
Aya Blane, Age 46 Boonville, NY
17 Years’ Experience
“I can’t do anything else. I’m a chainsaw carver.”
Bongo Love, Age 47 Boulder, CO
15 Years’ Experience
“It’s a big canvas. I’m just excited, I can’t wait for the outcome.”
Brigitte Lochhead, Age 40 Vancouver, B.C.
14 Years’ Experience
“Carving brings me joy. Carving with others amplifies that.”
Chris Woods, Age 52 Newport, Wales
22 Years’ Experience
“I like to be energetic in my art – the combination of energy and focus is very meditative for me”
Jesse Toso, Age 46 Vancouver, B.C.
17 Years’ Experience
“I love when the wood tells me what it wants to be.”
Joel Palmer, Age 37 Browns Flat, N.B.
9 Years’ Experience
“Within seconds I can transform the ordinary, into the extraordinary, revealing the hidden surfaces below, with ease.”
John Hayes, Age 49 Waterford, Ireland
7 Years’ Experience
“I’m an ideas man. Lists and details, forget it. But talk to me about an idea, and my brain lights up!”
Junior Henderson, Age 44 Campbell River, B.C.
5 Years’ Experience
“I got into carving because I wanted to be like my Grandfather.”
Ryan Villers, Age 41 Edmonton, Alta.
4 Years’ Experience
“I want to take on as many competitions as possible!”
Sam Bowsher, Age 23 Moffat, Scotland
3 Years’ Experience
“All my idols growing up were chainsaw carvers, starting with my Dad.”
Sylvia Itzen, Age 53 Bucholz, Germany
20 Years’ Experience
“I have both feet on the ground and I know what I want: to be a great carver.”
Each week, viewers can stream new episodes of A CUT ABOVE on CTV.ca and the CTV app, which is also home to behind-the-scenes videos, cast highlights, and more.
