CBC unveils winter schedule; ‘Book of Negroes’; ‘Schitt’s Creek’ air in January

TORONTO – CBC has unveiled its winter schedule, with anticipated miniseries “The Book of Negroes” and Eugene Levy comedy “Schitt’s Creek” set to premiere in January.

“The Book of Negroes,” based on the award-winning Lawrence Hill novel and starring Aunjanue Ellis, Cuba Gooding Jr. and Lou Gossett Jr., will debut Jan. 7.

Meanwhile “Schitt’s Creek,” which Levy co-wrote with his son Daniel Levy and also stars SCTV alum Catherine O’Hara, will launch with back-to-back episodes on Jan. 13.

The animated tale “Pirate’s Passage,” which stars Donald Sutherland and is about a young Nova Scotia boy who seeks the help of an imaginary pirate to escape a schoolyard bully, will launch on Jan. 4.

“Ascension,” a sci-fi drama starring Tricia Helfer set in 1963 aboard a spaceship sent to populate a new world, will premiere Feb. 9, while Second World War spy thriller “X Company” will launch Feb. 18.

BBC’s “Life Story,” a nature series by David Attenborough, will land on the public broadcaster Jan. 11, and four-part crime drama “Chasing Shadows” will air Mar. 23.

Returning series airing new episodes in the new year include “Murdoch Mysteries,” “Dragons’ Den,” “Heartland,” “22 Minutes,” “The Rick Mercer Report” and “Strange Empire.”