Blackstone (TV series)

Blackstone is a Canadian television series which aired on APTN and Showcase. Written, created, directed, and produced by Canadian producer Ron E. Scott, the series began filming its first season in 2010 in and around Edmonton, Alberta.^[1]

Blackstone
Genre	Crime drama Political drama
Created by	Ron E. Scott
Directed by	Ron E. Scott
Starring	Carmen Moore Eric Schweig Michelle Thrush Roseanne Supernault Nathaniel Arcand Gordon Tootoosis Steven Cree Molison Andrea Menard Justin Rain Ashley Callingbull Gary Farmer Tantoo Cardinal Trevor Duplessis Cheri Maracle Bernard Starlight Glen Gould
Country of origin	Canada
Original language	English
No. of seasons	5
No. of episodes	39
Production
Cinematography	Asaf Benny
Running time	44 minutes
Production company	Prairie Dog Film + Television
Original release
Network	APTN Showcase
Release	25 January 2011 (2011-01-25) – 23 December 2015 (2015-12-23)

The series went on to have five full seasons. Season 5 started production in spring of 2015 and premiered November 3, 2015.^[2][3] Season 5 was the final season.^[4]

In 2015, Prairie Dog Film + Television announced a deal that had the first and second seasons of the series given a second run on CBC Television as a summer series,^[5] as well as making it available for download from iTunes.

Premise

Blackstone follows the lives of Indigenous people living on the fictional Blackstone First Nations reserve, set in Alberta. The story is told from an Indigenous Canadian point of view. The show addresses important issues that Canadian aboriginals face such as racism, poverty, suicide, rape, addiction, alcoholism, drugs, water pollution, education, physical abuse, sexual abuse, child abuse, domestic violence, corruption, politics, crime, Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, and foster care.

Series regulars

• Carmen Moore as Leona Stoney
• Eric Schweig as Andy Fraser
• Michelle Thrush as Gail Stoney
• Roseanne Supernault as Natalie Stoney (seasons 1-2) (recurring in season 4)
• Nathaniel Arcand as Victor Merasty (seasons 1-4) (guest in season 5)
• Gordon Tootoosis as Cecil Delaronde (regular in season 1)
• Steven Cree Molison as Daryl Fraser (recurring in season 1, regular in seasons 2-5)
• Andrea Menard as Deborah "Deb"/"Debbie" Fraser (recurring in seasons 1 and 4, regular in seasons 2-3, guest in season 5)
• Justin Rain as Alan Fraser (Recurring Season 1) (regular in seasons 2-5)
• Ashley Callingbull as Sheila Delaronde (recurring in seasons 1 and 5, regular in seasons 2-3)
• Gary Farmer as Ray Delaronde (regular in season 2)
• Tantoo Cardinal as Wilma Stoney (recurring in season 2, regular in seasons 3-5)
• Trevor Duplessis as Greg Nepoose (recurring in seasons 1-2, regular in seasons 3-5)
• Cheri Maracle as Sarah Bull (recurring in season 3, regular in seasons 4-5)
• Bernard Starlight as David "Jumbo" Tailfeathers (recurring in seasons 1-3, regular in seasons 4-5)
• Glen Gould as Smokey Stoney (recurring in season 4, regular in season 5)

Full cast

Amenakew family:

• Cody Bird as Josh Amenakew
• Tommy J. Mueller as Rick Amenakew

Bull family:

• Cheri Maracle as Sarah Bull
• Georgina Lightning as Tracy Bull
• Miika Bryce Whiskeyjack as Wendy Bull

Delaronde family:

• Ashley Callingbull as Sheila Delaronde
• Gordon Tootoosis as Cecil Delaronde
• Gary Farmer as Ray Delaronde

Fraser family:

• Justin Rain as Alan Fraser
• Eric Schweig as Andy Fraser
• Steven Cree Molison as Daryl Fraser
• Andrea Menard as Deborah "Deb" or "Debbie" Fraser
• Ray G. Thunderchild as Tom Fraser

Henry family:

• Jaren Brandt Bartlett as Alex Henry
• Swo Wo Gabriel as Tim Henry (Alex's brother)
• Stanley Isadore as Phil Henry (Alex and Tim's uncle)

Merasty family:

• Nathaniel Arcand as Victor Merasty
• Quelemia Sparrow (season 1) / Michelle Latimer (season 2) as Gloria Merasty
• Sydney Miles as Victoria Merasty

Stoney family:

• Michelle Thrush as Gail Stoney
• Carmen Moore as Leona Stoney
• Roseanne Supernault as Natalie Stoney
• Tantoo Cardinal as Wilma Stoney
• Glen Gould as Smokey Stoney

Tailfeathers family:

• Bernard Starlight as David "Jumbo" Tailfeathers
• Julian Black Antelope as Darrien Tailfeathers

Social Workers:

• Valerie Planche as Marilyn Cole
• Hiro Kanagawa as Harold

Police:

• Mathew Strongeagle as Stu Nolan
• Vincent Gale as Detective Deacon
• Garry Chalk as Deputy Chief Ken Hillis
• John Cassini as Detective Platt
• Lori Triolo as Detective Hutch

Lawyer:

• Ryan Cunningham as Darcy Douglas (Andy Fraser's Lawyer)

Doctors:

• Cameron Bancroft as Dr. Kurt Ellis
• Jennifer Podemski as Dr. Crowshoe

Other major characters:

• Mark Anderako as Walter "Walt" Andrachuck
• Warren Michael as Leonard "Leo" Morin
• Morningstar Mercredi as Norma DeLorme
• Trevor Duplessis as Greg Nepoose (close friend to the Stoney family, Gail's on/off boyfriend)
• Teneil Whiskyjack as Kyra Amos/Keri
• Star Birdyellowhead as Carla Janvier
• Amanda McLeod as Chrystal
• Greg Lawson as Teddy Burton
• Jim Thorburn as Chris Connor (Leona's ex-boyfriend)
• Lee Tomaschefski as Angel
• Darrell Dennis as Clyde Bearspaw
• Jessica Matten as Gina (Daryl's girlfriend)
• Christopher Rosamond as Jack
• Michael Holden as Momo
• Imajyn Cardinal as Marnie

Notable guest stars

• Brett Dier as Jake (season 2, episode 6: "Forgiveness")
• Mark Meer as Policeman (season 5, episode 2: "Super Dad")
• MacKenzie Porter as Brianne

Episodes

Season 1 (2011)

No. overall	No. in season	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original release date
1	1	"Future? What Future?"	Ron E. Scott	Gil Cardinal	25 January 2011 (2011-01-25)
In the pilot episode, the Blackstone First Nation struggles with the disintegration of the community brought on by members' actions.
2	2	"A New Beginning"	Ron E. Scott	Story by : Ron E. Scott & Damon Vignale Teleplay by : Ron E. Scott	1 February 2011 (2011-02-01)
Newly elected Chief Leona Stoney (Carmen Moore) struggles with her role and responsibilities, while Andy Fraser (Eric Schweig) orchestrates the removal and destruction of incriminating files from his tenure as chief.
3	3	"White Bread Red Class"	Ron E. Scott	Story by : Ron E. Scott & Damon Vignale Teleplay by : Damon Vignale	8 February 2011 (2011-02-08)
Tensions rise as Leona discovers that significant funds are missing from the band's account and deals with the complications of hiring a white substitute teacher.
4	4	"Suffer The Children"	Ron E. Scott	Story by : Ron E. Scott & Damon Vignale Teleplay by : Damon Vignale	15 February 2011 (2011-02-15)
While Blackstone band members air their concerns over her leadership, Leona allows the police to investigate a child-abuse case in the community.
5	5	"Ditch Monkey"	Ron E. Scott	Story by : Ron E. Scott & Damon Vignale Teleplay by : Gil Cardinal	22 February 2011 (2011-02-22)
Leona faces both a personal and public crisis when her sister Gail Stoney (Michelle Thrush) is hospitalized because of her acute alcoholism. Andy leads a movement to unseat her as chief.
6	6	"Daddy's Home"	Ron E. Scott	Story by : Ron E. Scott & Damon Vignale Teleplay by : Seline Williams	1 March 2011 (2011-03-01)
When Andy successfully coordinates a vote to replace Leona as chief, she moves off Blackstone and pursues the conviction of Phil Henry (Stanley Isadore).
7	7	"Bingo Night"	Ron E. Scott	Story by : Ron E. Scott & Damon Vignale Teleplay by : Ron E. Scott	8 March 2011 (2011-03-08)
Leona and members of Blackstone take the stand during the trial of the sexual-abuse case.
8	8	"Push Pull Twist Turn"	Ron E. Scott	Story by : Ron E. Scott & Damon Vignale Teleplay by : Damon Vignale	15 March 2011 (2011-03-15)
Andy and brother Daryl (Steven Cree Molison) argue over money while Leona returns to Blackstone as a counselor focused on healing the community.
9	9	"Time's Up"	Ron E. Scott	Ron E. Scott & Damon Vignale	22 March 2011 (2011-03-22)
Andy's world starts to unravel when he is forced out of the strip-club expansion. Leona faces opposition from some band members in her new role as counselor at the high school.

Season 2 (2012)

No. overall	No. in season	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original release date
10	1	"Blood is Thicker than Water"	Ron E. Scott	Story by : Ron E. Scott & Damon Vignale Teleplay by : Ron E. Scott	11 January 2012 (2012-01-11)
Water problems cause widespread sickness among band members and threaten to expose Andy.
11	2	"By Their Sins"	Ron E. Scott	Story by : Ron E. Scott & Damon Vignale Teleplay by : Damon Vignale	18 January 2012 (2012-01-18)
The police arrive on Andy's doorstep with questions about a missing woman, the result of tips from the strip club; meanwhile, Child Services visits Blackstone and removes a young resident.
12	3	"A Girl Walks Into a Bar"	Ron E. Scott	Story by : Ron E. Scott & Damon Vignale Teleplay by : Ron E. Scott	25 January 2012 (2012-01-25)
Gail grapples with self-control after an explosive visit to a foster home leaves her furious. Alan (Justin Rain) conceals his new job in the city.
13	4	"50/50"	Ron E. Scott	Story by : Ron E. Scott & Damon Vignale Teleplay by : Damon Vignale	1 February 2012 (2012-02-01)
Andy schools Walt Andrachuck (Mark Anderako) on business matters while Gail visits her estranged mother about Leona's illness.
14	5	"Hitchin"	Ron E. Scott	Story by : Ron E. Scott & Damon Vignale Teleplay by : Damon Vignale	8 February 2012 (2012-02-08)
Daryl takes matters into his own hands when rumors begin to threaten his business. Tracey has her day in court, but struggles to live up to her promises.
15	6	"Forgiveness"	Ron E. Scott	Story by : Ron E. Scott & Damon Vignale Teleplay by : Penny Gummerson	15 February 2012 (2012-02-15)
Alan confronts Andy about his indiscretions and Leona is visited by an unwelcome guest.
16	7	"I'm Not A Racist"	Ron E. Scott	Story by : Ron E. Scott & Damon Vignale Teleplay by : Gil Cardinal	22 February 2012 (2012-02-22)
Leona struggles to get media attention for a missing Aboriginal woman, while the dump's excavation moves forward.
17	8	"Human"	Ron E. Scott	Story by : Ron E. Scott & Damon Vignale Teleplay by : Damon Vignale	29 February 2012 (2012-02-29)
Andy faces the grim possibility of losing everything after a body is discovered during the excavation of a Blackstone dump.

Season 3 (2013)

No. overall	No. in season	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original release date
18	1	"Some Things Never Change"	Ron E. Scott	Story by : Ron E. Scott & Damon Vignale Teleplay by : Ron E. Scott	25 September 2013 (2013-09-25)
Consumed by guilt and worried about self-preservation, Andy starts to lose the stranglehold he has on Blackstone, while Victor (Nathaniel Arcand) tries to position himself as leader of the community.
19	2	""Bull in a China Shop"	Ron E. Scott	Story by : Ron E. Scott & Damon Vignale Teleplay by : Damon Vignale	2 October 2013 (2013-10-02)
Tracy's sister Sarah (Cheri Maracle) returns to Blackstone and threatens to take Wendy away from Leona and Gail.
20	3	"Reap What You Sow"	Ron E. Scott	Story by : Ron E. Scott & Damon Vignale Teleplay by : Ron E. Scott	9 October 2013 (2013-10-09)
A shooting rocks Blackstone, testing the community's notions of justice, violence, and retribution.
21	4	"Never Gonna Stop"	Ron E. Scott	Story by : Ron E. Scott & Damon Vignale Teleplay by : Damon Vignale	16 October 2013 (2013-10-16)
Daryl faces consequences from the Russian mafia, while Gail and Leona receive further threats from Sarah and Darrien, who want custody of Wendy.
22	5	"Still My Kid"	Ron E. Scott	Jason Long, Ron E. Scott & Damon Vignale	23 October 2013 (2013-10-23)
A shroud of domestic violence hangs over Blackstone; Debbie (Andrea Menard ) and Alan are lured back into Andy's life.
23	6	"Burn Baby Burn"	Ron E. Scott	Ron E. Scott & Damon Vignale	30 October 2013 (2013-10-30)
Andy's business venture fails as the murder case against him tightens; Leona and Gail ask their ailing mother to move back to Blackstone.

Season 4 (2014)

No. overall	No. in season	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original release date
24	1	"Payback's a Bitch"	Ron E. Scott	Ron E. Scott & Damon Vignale	11 November 2014 (2014-11-11)
Andy is threatened in prison, while his family struggles to make it without him. Leona counsels Blackstone's young people after the fire, and Gail struggles to cope with the stabbing.
25	2	"Deeper and Deeper"	Ron E. Scott	Ron E. Scott & Damon Vignale	18 November 2014 (2014-11-18)
Gail falls deeper into her addiction. Andy continues to feel the pressures of prison life. Daryl's girlfriend takes a bet from Jumbo (Bernard Starlight).
26	3	"Sext Me"	Ron E. Scott	Ron E. Scott & Damon Vignale	25 November 2014 (2014-11-25)
Andy finds an unexpected friend among his enemies. Leona urges Stu to investigate a case. Victor seeks a financial opportunity for Blackstone.
27	4	"Truth or Dare"	Ron E. Scott	Ron E. Scott & Damon Vignale	2 December 2014 (2014-12-02)
Leona pursues her search for the missing girls. Gail makes a mistake with Wendy that cannot be rectified. Andy comes to the aid of a fellow inmate.
28	5	"Where there's Smoke"	Ron E. Scott	Ron E. Scott & Damon Vignale	9 December 2014 (2014-12-09)
Leona, Gail, and Wilma are paid a visit by someone from their past (Glen Gould). Jumbo gets in too deep financially. Victor seeks advice from an unlikely connection.
29	6	"Wolves vs. Sheep"	Ron E. Scott	Ron E. Scott & Damon Vignale	16 December 2014 (2014-12-16)
Andy gives Alan advice while Debbie's condition deteriorates. Gail returns home to find Leona full of resentment; Daryl discovers unexpectedly of a betrayal.
30	7	"Discovery"	Ron E. Scott	Ron E. Scott & Damon Vignale	23 December 2014 (2014-12-23)
Gail seeks psychological help. Andy and Daryl discover one of their father's secrets. Victor is under pressure from the community to make a decision.
31	8	"There Will Be Blood"	Ron E. Scott	Ron E. Scott & Damon Vignale	30 December 2014 (2014-12-30)
The proposal to drill for oil divides Blackstone, but brings the Stoney family together. Victor's integrity is questioned while Andy seeks revenge.

Season 5 (2015)

No. overall	No. in season	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original release date
32	1	"Beginning of the End"	Ron E. Scott	Gil Cardinal	3 November 2015 (2015-11-03)
The search continues to find Wendy. Alan suffers after the explosion at the Blockade. Andy works every angle he can think of to avoid going to jail. A major character goes missing.
33	2	"Super Dad"	Ron E. Scott	Ron E. Scott	10 November 2015 (2015-11-10)
An attempt to return Wendy to safety goes terribly wrong. Andy shows Hillis he is ready to turn threats into action. Daryl reconnects with an old friend with criminal ties.
34	3	"The Worm Has Turned"	Ron E. Scott	Susie Maloney and Ron E. Scott	17 November 2015 (2015-11-17)
The community mourns a death. Leona considers running for chief. Wilma takes a surprising stand against her daughters and someone from Alan's past pays him a visit.
35	4	"Back in the Saddle"	Ron E. Scott	Mike Gosselin and Ron E. Scott	24 November 2015 (2015-11-24)
A clever plan puts Andy in the running for chief. Daryl makes a shady deal to save his business. Wilma's health declines rapidly and Gail finds an outlet in art therapy. Alan struggles to fit in at school, but finds a friend in Sheila.
36	5	"The River's Edge"	Ron E. Scott	Christina Ray and Ron E. Scott	1 December 2015 (2015-12-01)
The community seeks justice after a brutal attack on a Blackstone youth. A backchannel investigation drives an unexpected wedge between Daryl and Jack and puts Gina in danger's way.
37	6	"Retribution"	Ron E. Scott	Ron E. Scott and Damon Vignale	8 December 2015 (2015-12-08)
Andy and Daryl seek their own kind of justice. Issues surrounds the care of Smokey's foster kids. Wilma fights to get out of the hospital.
38	7	"Bottle Caps"	Ron E. Scott	Damon Vignale	15 December 2015 (2015-12-15)
Leona, Andy, and Wilma face obstacles in their way in each and every different path they choose to take, which will decide their lives.
39	8	"Flat Line"	Ron E. Scott	Ron E. Scott and Ian Carpenter	23 December 2015 (2015-12-23)
Everyone on Blackstone now has to face the future, whether it is a sad or bright one in the series finale. In the end, though, hope can still be seen beyond the horizon.

See also

• Television portal
• Canada portal

• Redfern Now an Australian television series with a similar theme

Accolades

Awards and accolades for Blackstone

Year	Award	Category	Nominee(s)	Result
2011	Gemini Awards	Best Actress in a Drama Series	Michelle Thrush	Won
		Best Actress in a Drama Series	Carmen Moore	Nominated
		Best Animated Title Design	Steve Seeley and Darren Bierman	Nominated
	Leo Awards	Best Screenwriting in a Dramatic Series	Damon Vignale	Won
		Best Dramatic Series	Blackstone	Nominated
		Best Lead Performance by a Male in a Dramatic Series	Eric Schweig	Nominated
		Best Lead Performance by a Female in a Dramatic Series	Michelle Thrush	Nominated
			Carmen Moore	Won
2012	Leo Award[6]
		Best Dramatic Program	Blackstone	Won
		Best Lead Performance by a Male in a Dramatic Series	Steven Cree Molison	Won
		Best Supporting Performance by a Male in a Dramatic Series	Frank Cassini	Won
		Best Supporting Performance by a Female in a Dramatic Series	Tantoo Cardinal	Won
		Best Lead Performance by a Female in a Dramatic Series	Carmen Moore	Nominated
		Best Screenwriting in a Dramatic Series	Damon Vignale	Nominated
2013	1st Canadian Screen Awards
		Best Actor in a Continuing Leading Dramatic Role	Steven Cree Molison	Nominated
		Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Supporting Role in a Dramatic Program or Series	Georgina Lightning	Nominated
		Best Achievement in Casting	Rhonda Fisekci for the episode "Forgiveness"	Nominated
2014	2nd Canadian Screen Awards
		Best Dramatic Series	Blackstone	Nominated
		Best Writing in a Dramatic Series	Damon Vignale and Ron E. Scott	Nominated
		Best Actress in a Continuing Leading Dramatic Role	Michelle Thrush	Nominated