Blackstone (TV series)

Blackstone
GenreCrime drama
Political drama
Created byRon E. Scott
Directed byRon E. Scott
Starring
Country of originCanada
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons5
No. of episodes39
Production
CinematographyAsaf Benny
Running time44 minutes
Production companyPrairie Dog Film + Television
Original release
NetworkAPTN
Showcase
Release25 January 2011 (2011-01-25) –
23 December 2015 (2015-12-23)

Blackstone is a Canadian television series which aired on APTN and Showcase. Written, created, directed, and produced by Canadian producer Ron E. Scott, the series began filming its first season in 2010 in and around Edmonton, Alberta.[1]

The series went on to have five full seasons. Season 5 started production in spring of 2015 and premiered November 3, 2015.[2][3] Season 5 was the final season.[4]

In 2015, Prairie Dog Film + Television announced a deal that had the first and second seasons of the series given a second run on CBC Television as a summer series,[5] as well as making it available for download from iTunes.

Premise

Blackstone follows the lives of Indigenous people living on the fictional Blackstone First Nations reserve, set in Alberta. The story is told from an Indigenous Canadian point of view. The show addresses important issues that Canadian aboriginals face such as racism, poverty, suicide, rape, addiction, alcoholism, drugs, water pollution, education, physical abuse, sexual abuse, child abuse, domestic violence, corruption, politics, crime, Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, and foster care.

Series regulars

  • Carmen Moore as Leona Stoney
  • Eric Schweig as Andy Fraser
  • Michelle Thrush as Gail Stoney
  • Roseanne Supernault as Natalie Stoney (seasons 1-2) (recurring in season 4)
  • Nathaniel Arcand as Victor Merasty (seasons 1-4) (guest in season 5)
  • Gordon Tootoosis as Cecil Delaronde (regular in season 1)
  • Steven Cree Molison as Daryl Fraser (recurring in season 1, regular in seasons 2-5)
  • Andrea Menard as Deborah "Deb"/"Debbie" Fraser (recurring in seasons 1 and 4, regular in seasons 2-3, guest in season 5)
  • Justin Rain as Alan Fraser (Recurring Season 1) (regular in seasons 2-5)
  • Ashley Callingbull as Sheila Delaronde (recurring in seasons 1 and 5, regular in seasons 2-3)
  • Gary Farmer as Ray Delaronde (regular in season 2)
  • Tantoo Cardinal as Wilma Stoney (recurring in season 2, regular in seasons 3-5)
  • Trevor Duplessis as Greg Nepoose (recurring in seasons 1-2, regular in seasons 3-5)
  • Cheri Maracle as Sarah Bull (recurring in season 3, regular in seasons 4-5)
  • Bernard Starlight as David "Jumbo" Tailfeathers (recurring in seasons 1-3, regular in seasons 4-5)
  • Glen Gould as Smokey Stoney (recurring in season 4, regular in season 5)

Full cast

Amenakew family:

  • Cody Bird as Josh Amenakew
  • Tommy J. Mueller as Rick Amenakew

Bull family:

Delaronde family:

Fraser family:

Henry family:

  • Jaren Brandt Bartlett as Alex Henry
  • Swo Wo Gabriel as Tim Henry (Alex's brother)
  • Stanley Isadore as Phil Henry (Alex and Tim's uncle)

Merasty family:

Stoney family:

Tailfeathers family:

  • Bernard Starlight as David "Jumbo" Tailfeathers
  • Julian Black Antelope as Darrien Tailfeathers

Social Workers:

Police:

Lawyer:

  • Ryan Cunningham as Darcy Douglas (Andy Fraser's Lawyer)

Doctors:

Other major characters:

  • Mark Anderako as Walter "Walt" Andrachuck
  • Warren Michael as Leonard "Leo" Morin
  • Morningstar Mercredi as Norma DeLorme
  • Trevor Duplessis as Greg Nepoose (close friend to the Stoney family, Gail's on/off boyfriend)
  • Teneil Whiskyjack as Kyra Amos
  • Star Birdyellowhead as Carla Janvier
  • Amanda McLeod as Chrystal
  • Greg Lawson as Teddy Burton
  • Jim Thorburn as Chris Connor (Leona's ex-boyfriend)
  • Lee Tomaschefski as Angel
  • Darrell Dennis as Clyde Bearspaw
  • Jessica Matten as Gina (Daryl's girlfriend)
  • Christopher Rosamond as Jack

Notable guest stars

Episodes

Season 1 (2011)

No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
11"Future? What Future?"Ron E. ScottGil Cardinal25 January 2011 (2011-01-25)
In the pilot episode, the Blackstone First Nation struggles with the disintegration of the community brought on by members' actions.
22"A New Beginning"Ron E. ScottStory by : Ron E. Scott & Damon Vignale
Teleplay by : Ron E. Scott		1 February 2011 (2011-02-01)
Newly elected Chief Leona Stoney (Carmen Moore) struggles with her role and responsibilities, while Andy Fraser (Eric Schweig) orchestrates the removal and destruction of incriminating files from his tenure as chief.
33"White Bread Red Class"Ron E. ScottStory by : Ron E. Scott & Damon Vignale
Teleplay by : Damon Vignale		8 February 2011 (2011-02-08)
Tensions rise as Leona discovers that significant funds are missing from the band's account and deals with the complications of hiring a white substitute teacher.
44"Suffer The Children"Ron E. ScottStory by : Ron E. Scott & Damon Vignale
Teleplay by : Damon Vignale		15 February 2011 (2011-02-15)
While Blackstone band members air their concerns over her leadership, Leona allows the police to investigate a child-abuse case in the community.
55"Ditch Monkey"Ron E. ScottStory by : Ron E. Scott & Damon Vignale
Teleplay by : Gil Cardinal		22 February 2011 (2011-02-22)
Leona faces both a personal and public crisis when her sister Gail Stoney (Michelle Thrush) is hospitalized because of her acute alcoholism. Andy leads a movement to unseat her as chief.
66"Daddy's Home"Ron E. ScottStory by : Ron E. Scott & Damon Vignale
Teleplay by : Seline Williams		1 March 2011 (2011-03-01)
When Andy successfully coordinates a vote to replace Leona as chief, she moves off Blackstone and pursues the conviction of Phil Henry (Stanley Isadore).
77"Bingo Night"Ron E. ScottStory by : Ron E. Scott & Damon Vignale
Teleplay by : Ron E. Scott		8 March 2011 (2011-03-08)
Leona and members of Blackstone take the stand during the trial of the sexual-abuse case.
88"Push Pull Twist Turn"Ron E. ScottStory by : Ron E. Scott & Damon Vignale
Teleplay by : Damon Vignale		15 March 2011 (2011-03-15)
Andy and brother Daryl (Steven Cree Molison) argue over money while Leona returns to Blackstone as a counselor focused on healing the community.
99"Time's Up"Ron E. ScottRon E. Scott & Damon Vignale22 March 2011 (2011-03-22)
Andy's world starts to unravel when he is forced out of the strip-club expansion. Leona faces opposition from some band members in her new role as counselor at the high school.

Season 2 (2012)

No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
101"Blood is Thicker than Water"Ron E. ScottStory by : Ron E. Scott & Damon Vignale
Teleplay by : Ron E. Scott		11 January 2012 (2012-01-11)
Water problems cause widespread sickness among band members and threaten to expose Andy.
112"By Their Sins"Ron E. ScottStory by : Ron E. Scott & Damon Vignale
Teleplay by : Damon Vignale		18 January 2012 (2012-01-18)
The police arrive on Andy's doorstep with questions about a missing woman, the result of tips from the strip club; meanwhile, Child Services visits Blackstone and removes a young resident.
123"A Girl Walks Into a Bar"Ron E. ScottStory by : Ron E. Scott & Damon Vignale
Teleplay by : Ron E. Scott		25 January 2012 (2012-01-25)
Gail grapples with self-control after an explosive visit to a foster home leaves her furious. Alan (Justin Rain) conceals his new job in the city.
134"50/50"Ron E. ScottStory by : Ron E. Scott & Damon Vignale
Teleplay by : Damon Vignale		1 February 2012 (2012-02-01)
Andy schools Walt Andrachuck (Mark Anderako) on business matters while Gail visits her estranged mother about Leona's illness.
145"Hitchin"Ron E. ScottStory by : Ron E. Scott & Damon Vignale
Teleplay by : Damon Vignale		8 February 2012 (2012-02-08)
Daryl takes matters into his own hands when rumors begin to threaten his business. Tracey has her day in court, but struggles to live up to her promises.
156"Forgiveness"Ron E. ScottStory by : Ron E. Scott & Damon Vignale
Teleplay by : Penny Gummerson		15 February 2012 (2012-02-15)
Alan confronts Andy about his indiscretions and Leona is visited by an unwelcome guest.
167"I'm Not A Racist"Ron E. ScottStory by : Ron E. Scott & Damon Vignale
Teleplay by : Gil Cardinal		22 February 2012 (2012-02-22)
Leona struggles to get media attention for a missing Aboriginal woman, while the dump's excavation moves forward.
178"Human"Ron E. ScottStory by : Ron E. Scott & Damon Vignale
Teleplay by : Damon Vignale		29 February 2012 (2012-02-29)
Andy faces the grim possibility of losing everything after a body is discovered during the excavation of a Blackstone dump.

Season 3 (2013)

No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
181"Some Things Never Change"Ron E. ScottStory by : Ron E. Scott & Damon Vignale
Teleplay by : Ron E. Scott		25 September 2013 (2013-09-25)
Consumed by guilt and worried about self-preservation, Andy starts to lose the stranglehold he has on Blackstone, while Victor (Nathaniel Arcand) tries to position himself as leader of the community.
192""Bull in a China Shop"Ron E. ScottStory by : Ron E. Scott & Damon Vignale
Teleplay by : Damon Vignale		2 October 2013 (2013-10-02)
Tracy's sister Sarah (Cheri Maracle) returns to Blackstone and threatens to take Wendy away from Leona and Gail.
203"Reap What You Sow"Ron E. ScottStory by : Ron E. Scott & Damon Vignale
Teleplay by : Ron E. Scott		9 October 2013 (2013-10-09)
A shooting rocks Blackstone, testing the community's notions of justice, violence, and retribution.
214"Never Gonna Stop"Ron E. ScottStory by : Ron E. Scott & Damon Vignale
Teleplay by : Damon Vignale		16 October 2013 (2013-10-16)
Daryl faces consequences from the Russian mafia, while Gail and Leona receive further threats from Sarah and Darrien, who want custody of Wendy.
225"Still My Kid"Ron E. ScottJason Long, Ron E. Scott & Damon Vignale23 October 2013 (2013-10-23)
A shroud of domestic violence hangs over Blackstone; Debbie (Andrea Menard ) and Alan are lured back into Andy's life.
236"Burn Baby Burn"Ron E. ScottRon E. Scott & Damon Vignale30 October 2013 (2013-10-30)
Andy's business venture fails as the murder case against him tightens; Leona and Gail ask their ailing mother to move back to Blackstone.

Season 4 (2014)

No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
241"Payback's a Bitch"Ron E. ScottRon E. Scott & Damon Vignale11 November 2014 (2014-11-11)
Andy is threatened in prison, while his family struggles to make it without him. Leona counsels Blackstone's young people after the fire, and Gail struggles to cope with the stabbing.
252"Deeper and Deeper"Ron E. ScottRon E. Scott & Damon Vignale18 November 2014 (2014-11-18)
Gail falls deeper into her addiction. Andy continues to feel the pressures of prison life. Daryl's girlfriend takes a bet from Jumbo (Bernard Starlight).
263"Sext Me"Ron E. ScottRon E. Scott & Damon Vignale25 November 2014 (2014-11-25)
Andy finds an unexpected friend among his enemies. Leona urges Stu to investigate a case. Victor seeks a financial opportunity for Blackstone.
274"Truth or Dare"Ron E. ScottRon E. Scott & Damon Vignale2 December 2014 (2014-12-02)
Leona pursues her search for the missing girls. Gail makes a mistake with Wendy that cannot be rectified. Andy comes to the aid of a fellow inmate.
285"Where there's Smoke"Ron E. ScottRon E. Scott & Damon Vignale9 December 2014 (2014-12-09)
Leona, Gail, and Wilma are paid a visit by someone from their past (Glen Gould). Jumbo gets in too deep financially. Victor seeks advice from an unlikely connection.
296"Wolves vs. Sheep"Ron E. ScottRon E. Scott & Damon Vignale16 December 2014 (2014-12-16)
Andy gives Alan advice while Debbie's condition deteriorates. Gail returns home to find Leona full of resentment; Daryl discovers unexpectedly of a betrayal.
307"Discovery"Ron E. ScottRon E. Scott & Damon Vignale23 December 2014 (2014-12-23)
Gail seeks psychological help. Andy and Daryl discover one of their father's secrets. Victor is under pressure from the community to make a decision.
318"There Will Be Blood"Ron E. ScottRon E. Scott & Damon Vignale30 December 2014 (2014-12-30)
The proposal to drill for oil divides Blackstone, but brings the Stoney family together. Victor's integrity is questioned while Andy seeks revenge.

Season 5 (2015)

No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
321"Beginning of the End"Ron E. ScottGil Cardinal3 November 2015 (2015-11-03)
The search continues to find Wendy. Alan suffers after the explosion at the Blockade. Andy works every angle he can think of to avoid going to jail. A major character goes missing.
332"Super Dad"Ron E. ScottRon E. Scott10 November 2015 (2015-11-10)
An attempt to return Wendy to safety goes terribly wrong. Andy shows Hillis he is ready to turn threats into action. Daryl reconnects with an old friend with criminal ties.
343"The Worm Has Turned"Ron E. ScottSusie Maloney and Ron E. Scott17 November 2015 (2015-11-17)
The community mourns a death. Leona considers running for chief. Wilma takes a surprising stand against her daughters and someone from Alan's past pays him a visit.
354"Back in the Saddle"Ron E. ScottMike Gosselin and Ron E. Scott24 November 2015 (2015-11-24)
A clever plan puts Andy in the running for chief. Daryl makes a shady deal to save his business. Wilma's health declines rapidly and Gail finds an outlet in art therapy. Alan struggles to fit in at school, but finds a friend in Sheila.
365"The River's Edge"Ron E. ScottChristina Ray and Ron E. Scott1 December 2015 (2015-12-01)
The community seeks justice after a brutal attack on a Blackstone youth. A backchannel investigation drives an unexpected wedge between Daryl and Jack and puts Gina in danger's way.
376"Retribution"Ron E. ScottRon E. Scott and Damon Vignale8 December 2015 (2015-12-08)
Andy and Daryl seek their own kind of justice. Issues surrounds the care of Smokey's foster kids. Wilma fights to get out of the hospital.
387"Bottle Caps"Ron E. ScottDamon Vignale15 December 2015 (2015-12-15)
Leona, Andy, and Wilma face obstacles in their way in each and every different path they choose to take, which will decide their lives.
398"Flat Line"Ron E. ScottRon E. Scott and Ian Carpenter23 December 2015 (2015-12-23)
Everyone on Blackstone now has to face the future, whether it is a sad or bright one in the series finale. In the end, though, hope can still be seen beyond the horizon.

See also

Accolades

Awards and accolades for Blackstone
Year Award Category Nominee(s) Result
2011 Gemini Awards Best Actress in a Drama Series Michelle Thrush Won
Best Actress in a Drama Series Carmen Moore Nominated
Best Animated Title Design Steve Seeley and Darren Bierman Nominated
Leo Awards Best Screenwriting in a Dramatic Series Damon Vignale Won
Best Dramatic Series Blackstone Nominated
Best Lead Performance by a Male in a Dramatic Series Eric Schweig Nominated
Best Lead Performance by a Female in a Dramatic Series Michelle Thrush Nominated
Carmen Moore Won
2012 Leo Award[6]
Best Dramatic Program Blackstone Won
Best Lead Performance by a Male in a Dramatic Series Steven Cree Molison Won
Best Supporting Performance by a Male in a Dramatic Series Frank Cassini Won
Best Supporting Performance by a Female in a Dramatic Series Tantoo Cardinal Won
Best Lead Performance by a Female in a Dramatic Series Carmen Moore Nominated
Best Screenwriting in a Dramatic Series Damon Vignale Nominated
2013 1st Canadian Screen Awards
Best Actor in a Continuing Leading Dramatic Role Steven Cree Molison Nominated
Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Supporting Role in a Dramatic Program or Series Georgina Lightning Nominated
Best Achievement in Casting Rhonda Fisekci for the episode "Forgiveness" Nominated
2014 2nd Canadian Screen Awards
Best Dramatic Series Blackstone Nominated
Best Writing in a Dramatic Series Damon Vignale and Ron E. Scott Nominated
Best Actress in a Continuing Leading Dramatic Role Michelle Thrush Nominated

References

  1. ^ "TV Series 'major shot in the arm' for Edmonton". CBC News, July 16, 2010.
  2. ^ "The countdown continues..." 28 October 2015. 6 days left until the Final Season of BLACKSTONE premieres Tuesday, November 3 on APTN! — with Cheri Maracle.
  3. ^ "The 5th and Final Season of the Hit Drama Blackstone Premieres on APTN Tues., Nov. 3" (PDF) (Press release). 5 October 2015. Blackstone season five (8 x 60') airs Tuesdays starting November 3 on Aboriginal Peoples Television Network
  4. ^ "APTN's Blackstone Ending After Five Seasons" (PDF). 5 October 2015.
  5. ^ "Award-winning Blackstone Drama Set to Air on CBC, Download from iTunes" Archived 2015-06-23 at the Wayback Machine. Broadcaster, June 9, 2015.
  6. ^ "Leo Awards Official Results" Archived 2012-05-30 at the Wayback Machine.