Disney+ Sets First Canada Originals ‘Knighted’ & ‘I’m Not Coming Back’

Disney+ is getting into the originals game in Canada.

The global streamer has greenlit eight-part comedy Knighted and true crime series I’m Not Coming Back, in a move that will be of huge interest to local producers.

Produced by Heavy Lifting Productions in association with 3 Arts Entertainment, Knighted follows a missing person’s case that spirals into an absurd documentary-style exploration of the sinister secrets lurking beneath the enchanting pageantry of a local medieval dinner theatre.

The series has been developed by exec producer Bruce McCulloch (The Kids in the Hall) alongside the creators Jackson Rowe and Mike Mildon (For Heaven’s Sake) and producers Trevor Rotenberg, Zack Waxenberg and Greg Walter from 3 Arts. 

I’m Not Coming Back comes from Tuck Shop Media and Hodgee Films and follows the story of two armed fugitives who went on a killing spree in the summer of 2019 that turned into one of the largest-scale manhunts in Canadian history.

Per the synopsis: “When national police leads run dry, authorities enlist help from a member of the Fox Lake Cree Nation in a desperate pursuit of justice.” 

The series is from producer Joe Tuck (Running Smoke) and director Brent Hodge (I Am Chris Farley).

“We’re delighted to launch Knighted and I’m Not Coming Back as our first-ever Canadian originals, two series that showcase the incredible range of talent we have here in Canada,” said Paige Murray, Director of Development, Disney+ Canada. “This demonstrates our deep commitment to local content, investing in stories that will resonate with audiences both here in Canada and around the world.”

“I am so happy to be part of the first Canadian series for Disney+, and for viewers to get to know our creators. This is a really fun show, something wholly unique that I have never seen,” said McCulloch of Knighted.

“We’re thrilled to be working with Disney+ on this special project,” added Hodge and Tuck. “For this story, we’re going beyond the headlines of a news sensation that swept the country in 2019. While underpinned by tragedy, this docu-series gives us a chance to cinematically showcase the vastness of Canada from the Pacific Coast to Hudson’s Bay.”

The subject of if or when Disney+ would push into local Canadian originals has been popular among the country’s producers for several years. The streamer launched in the country in 2019, but has until no resisted commissioning from the local production community.

The orders come just over a week since Canada’s government u-turned on plans to increase the set amount global streamers spend on original content from 5% of local revenues to 15%. Prime Minister Mark Carney has insisted the switch had nothing to do with ongoing trade negotiations with Donald Trump’s government.