CTV has ordered the six-part, one-hour drama series Cardinal (working title), from Sienna Films and Entertainment One.

The series is an adaptation of Forty Words for Sorrow, the first book in Giles Blunt’s crime novel series John Cardinal Mysteries. Cardinal marks the first time CTV has commissioned an adaptation of a novel. Production is set to start in February 2016, and is currently set to premiere on CTV as part of its 2016/2017 schedule.

The series follows detective John Cardinal as he attempts to discovered what happened to Katie Pine, a 13-year-old girl whose body is discovered at the shafthead of an abandoned mine. The series was developed for television by Aubrey Nealon (Saving Hope, Orphan Black), who also serves as executive producer and showrunner on the show. Julia Sereny and Jennifer Kawaja of Sienna Films also serve as executive producers. Casting details will be announced at a later date.

Entertainment One will handle the international distribution of the show, and Super Ecran has commissioned the series for French language broadcast. Cardinal received financial support from the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation, the Canada Media Fund, the Cogeco Production Program and federal and provincial tax credits.

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