Season three of ReGenesis airs on The Movie Network and Movie Central on Sunday with back-to-back episodes, marking the debut of Wendy Crewson as a series regular. Crewson — who despite her impressive and lengthy resume has done little regular TV work — plays a virologist who joins the team of scientists led by Peter Outerbridge. Key members of the team were killed in a lab explosion at the end of last season.

Also new to the Shaftesbury Films series are Geraint Wyn Davies (Slings & Arrows) and Victor Garber (Alias), who will appear in the season’s final episode.

‘They’re all great characters… you want to spend time with them,’ says Shaftesbury CEO Christina Jennings, adding that she hopes to have Crewson, Davies and Garber return in season four, which goes to camera in August.

Directors this season include series regulars John L’Ecuyer (In God’s Country) and Ken Girotti (Law & Order: Criminal Intent), Clement Virgo (Poor Boy’s Game) and newcomer Shawn Alex Thompson (Puppets Who Kill). Veteran writer/producer Tom Chehak (Diagnosis Murder) penned three of the 13 episodes and leads the pack of fourth-season writers, who begin story meetings on Monday, according to Jennings.

Global has given up its second broadcast window to Showcase.

‘When it came to putting the partnership together for season three, Showcase wanted to be a major partner, so they took over Global’s position as a second window broadcaster,’ says Jennings.

ReGenesis is getting a solid promotional push from The Movie Network, which has been actively involved in its marketing since the show’s launch.

‘[We’ve done] everything from testing print and on-air creative concepts in focus groups, to using the cast in original promo shoots, resulting in strong and successful promotional campaigns,’ says Astral Television Networks’ SVP of marketing and sales Domenic Vivolo.

ReGenesis is broadcast in 110 countries worldwide, including Finland’s YLE, Jimmy in Italy, F/X in Latin America and Sony AXN in Central Europe. The third season premieres Sunday at 8 p.m. on TMN/MC.