NBC to air Canadian show 'The Listener'

BURBANK, Calif., Feb. 4 (UPI) -- NBC has announced it picked up "The Listener," a new original drama -- about a paranormal paramedic -- produced by Toronto's Shaftesbury Films.

The Toronto-set series is in pre-production with shooting scheduled to begin in spring.

NBC said it has ordered 13 episodes of the one-hour drama series, which was green-lit by CTV, Canada's largest private broadcaster, in December.

"The Listener" is about a young paramedic, played by Craig Olejnik, who has the power to read people's thoughts and act on them.

"This deal is another example of us reaching out to the international community to find innovative and interesting programming. We are thrilled to have partners like CTV and Shaftesbury Films," NBC Entertainment's Teri Weinberg said in a statement. "'The Listener' is an intriguing series that fits squarely in our brand and we're excited NBC can bring it to the American audience."

"We're delighted that 'The Listener' will broadcast on NBC in the U.S. and on CTV in Canada," said Christina Jennings, chairman and CEO of Shaftesbury Films. "There seems to be a new pattern emerging at American TV networks, which have lately become more open to working with production companies outside the U.S."