There’s an appetite for ‘unabashedly Canadian’ TV, Priestley says

By the Editorial Team · Saturday, October 3, 2026

Jason Priestley has launched *Private Eyes West Coast*, a spinoff of the original series set in Victoria, British Columbia, where he also serves as executive producer and director. The show exemplifies the growing trend of Canadian TV embracing regional settings and national identity, reflecting increased international recognition and market expansion, especially in the U.S.

Jason Priestley, the Vancouver-born actor known for his early success in the American television series *Beverly Hills, 90210*, has expressed strong confidence in the global appeal of Canadian television. Having established a significant presence in Canada’s film and television industry as both an actor and director, Priestley highlighted the growing recognition of Canadian productions that celebrate the country’s distinctive locations and cultural identity.

Priestley’s latest project, *Private Eyes West Coast*, debuted on September 30 on Global TV and STACKTV. The series is a spinoff of the original *Private Eyes* (2016-2021), moving the story’s setting from Toronto to Victoria, British Columbia. The show follows the married detective couple Matt Shade (Priestley) and Angie Everett (Cindy Sampson) as they balance family life and their investigative work in the city. Unlike the original series, which focused on the will-they-won’t-they dynamic between the leads, the new iteration explores the complexities of a committed relationship both on and off the clock.

The production prominently features recognizable Victoria landmarks such as the Victoria Butterfly Gardens, the Fairmont Empress hotel, and the Breakwater District. This deliberate use of local geography aligns with a broader trend in Canadian television towards embracing and showcasing specific regional settings rather than obscuring them. Priestley noted that contemporary audiences have become more receptive to authentic portrayals of diverse locales, a shift from earlier shows that often avoided identifying their shooting locations explicitly.

*Private Eyes West Coast* also marks a milestone as the first Canadian spinoff to retain its original leads and the first series greenlit by Corus Entertainment based on one of its own scripted programs. Priestley serves as an executive producer and director on the series, underscoring his multifaceted involvement.

Industry observers have noted an increasing trend among Canadian producers to spotlight regions beyond the traditional production hubs of Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver. Upcoming series like Netflix’s Newfoundland-set *Below* and the Prince Edward Island-based *This Summer Will Be Different* further illustrate this movement toward regional storytelling.

The extension of Canadian programming into the U.S. market continues to gain momentum. In addition to the launch of *Private Eyes West Coast* on The CW, the network is also airing the second season of *Law & Order Toronto: Criminal Intent*. Brad Schwartz, The CW’s president and a former Bell Media executive, has played a significant role in introducing Canadian shows to American audiences, previously championing series such as *Schitt’s Creek* during his tenure at Pop TV.

Priestley emphasized the evolving perception of Canadian content stateside, noting that American broadcasters have historically underestimated their audiences’ interest in foreign productions. He argued that Canadian television no longer needs to downplay its national identity to succeed internationally, citing the original *Private Eyes* series, which was unapologetically Canadian and sold to 180 territories worldwide, as evidence of the country’s expanding cultural footprint.

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