Mr. Matthew Almeida reports

CTV INVITES VIEWERS INSIDE HOPE ZION HOSPITAL IN NEW ORIGINAL SPECIAL ETALK PRESENTS: SAVING HOPE, OCTOBER 13

Following the emotionally charged Season 3 start of Saving Hope on BCE Inc.'s CTV, viewers can now get an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at Hope Zion Hospital in the new original special Etalk Presents: Saving Hope, airing Thanksgiving Monday (Oct. 13) at 7 p.m. ET/PT on CTV and CTV GO. Hosted by Etalk co-anchor Tanya Kim, the special includes exclusive interviews with the cast of CTV's hit medical drama as they look back at the current season, and talk about what's to come. Canada's most-watched original drama series, Saving Hope, currently has a season average of 1.4 million viewers.

"It's clear why Saving Hope has developed such a strong and loyal fan base that tunes in to this infectious series each week," said Tanya Kim, co-anchor of Etalk. "The cast's chemistry is palpable and they had me in stitches on set during the entire interview -- such a fun group!"

Series's stars Erica Durance (Dr. Alex Reid), Michael Shanks (Dr. Charlie Harris), Daniel Gillies (Dr. Joel Goran), Julia Taylor Ross (Dr. Maggie Lin) and recurring guest star Stacey Farber (Dr. Sydney Katz), discuss the series's success and their most memorable moments in front of, and behind, the camera. Shot on Saving Hope's Hope Zion Hospital set, the cast also talks about the conversations that happen in the "spirit world," whether or not they really believe in ghosts, and about the strong female roles currently on television. They also discuss which leading man on Saving Hope viewers should root for to win Alex's heart (hashtag TeamCharlie versus hashtag TeamJoel), and much more.

An all-new episode of Saving Hope, entitled "Stand By Me," airs tonight (Thursday, Oct. 9) at 9 p.m. ET/PT on CTV and CTV GO. The episode, directed by series star Mr. Shanks and featuring his wife Lexa Doig (Continuum) in a guest-starring role, sees Alex (Durance) introduced to her "buddy colleague" on her first day back to work since her stabbing.

Viewers can also continue to follow the doctors of Hope Zion Hospital with the exclusive digital companion series -- Saving Hope: Psychic Healing available now on the Saving Hope, Extend and CTV GO websites. The 12-episode digital series (eight currently posted on-line) shares insider revelations about the series' lead characters, especially Alex Reid (Durance), through flash-forwards and flashbacks triggered by readings from the series's sometimes insightful and always entertaining psychic, the great Randall (Peter Keleghan). Fans can also visit the CTV website to catch up on episodes, extended recaps, a comprehensive episode guide, exclusive interviews and much more.

Saving Hope also stars 2013 Canadian Screen Award-winner Wendy Crewson (Revenge), Michelle Nolden (Nikita), Benjamin Ayres (Bitten), Huse Madhavji (Call Me Fitz), Kristopher Turner (The L.A. Complex) and K.C. Collins (RoboCop).

Saving Hope is produced by Ilana C Frank Films Inc. (ICF Films) with Entertainment One (eOne), in association with CTV, with the participation of the Canada Media Fund and the Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit. The series is executive produced by Ilana Frank and David Wellington, John Morayniss (Rogue, Klondike) and Margaret O'Brien (Bitten) for Entertainment One, and Lesley Harrison. Executive producers and showrunners are Morwyn Brebner (Rookie Blue) and Adam Pettle (King). The series was created by Malcolm MacRury (Crash and Burn, Republic of Doyle) and Morwyn Brebner. For Bell Media, Carrie Paupst Shaughnessy is production executive, drama, independent production; Trish Williams is director, drama, independent production; Corrie Coe is senior vice-president, independent production; Mike Cosentino is senior vice-president, programming, CTV Networks; Phil King is president -- CTV, sports and entertainment programming. All distribution rights are handled by eOne.