| Stories | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Varying anthology |
| Created by | Trent Doss |
| Written by | Trent Doss |
| Directed by | Zora Pitre |
| Country of origin | Canada |
| Original language(s) | English |
| No. of seasons | 2 |
| No. of episodes | 18 (List of episodes) |
| Production | |
| Executive producer(s) | Trent Doss |
| Producer(s) |
Shirl Nielson Mei Huntington Eddie Blakely |
| Running time | 42–84 minutes |
| Production company(s) |
BCN TWO Pictures Z4 (season 2)[1] |
| Distributor | ETV Distribution |
| Broadcast | |
| Original channel | ETV |
| Picture format | HDTV 1080i |
| Audio format | Dolby Digital 5.1 |
| Original run | September 24, 2019 – present |
Stories is a Canadian anthology television series on ETV created by Trent Doss. The series follows a new story every episode, which differ from genres, not limited to drama, mystery, romance, horror and science fiction.[2][3][4][5][6]
The series premiered on September 24, 2019 and become an outbreak hit for the network. Following the conclusion of the first season, the series was reported to be ETV's biggest hit in streaming platforms.[7][8][9][10]
On November 21, 2019, ETV renewed the series for a second season consisting of 10 episodes.[11][12][13] In 2020, Doss stated that the second season would contain less episodes, for budget/creative reasons.[14] It was later confirmed that the second season would not debut in September 2020, but a later date, which was later confirmed to be October 20, 2020.[15][16]
On November 10, 2020, ETV renewed the series for a third season, not specifying how many episodes it would contain.[17][18][19]
Cast and characters
Main |
Guest |
Episodes
All episodes of the series are directed by Zora Pitre and written by Trent Doss.[20][21][22][23][24]
Summary
| Season | Episodes | Originally aired | Viewers (millions) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season premiere | Season finale | ||||||
| 1 | 10 | 5 | September 24, 2019 | October 22, 2019 | 4.03[25] | ||
| 5 | March 10, 2020 | April 7, 2020 | 4.17[26] | ||||
| 2 | 8 | 4 | October 20, 2020 | November 10, 2020 | 4.08[27] | ||
| 4 | April 6, 2021 | April 27, 2021 | 4.48[28] | ||||
Season 1 (2019–20)
| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Genre(s)[29] | Original air date | U.S. viewers (in millions) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part 1 | |||||||
| 1 | 1 | "Lost in the Woods" | Drama • horror • mystery | September 24, 2019 | 3.93[30] | ||
| 2 | 2 | "Apocalyptic Zero" | Dystopia • science fiction | October 1, 2019 | 4.36[31] | ||
| 3 | 3 | "Love in the Afterlife" | Romance • science fiction | October 8, 2019 | 4.07[32] | ||
| 4 | 4 | "Subterranean Cult" | Drama • mystery | October 15, 2019 | 3.82[33] | ||
| 5 | 5 | "Beneath the Night Sky" | Drama • mystery • romance | October 22, 2019 | 3.97[34] | ||
| Part 2 | |||||||
| 6 | 6 | "The Far Away Planet" | Fantasy • science fiction | March 10, 2020 | 4.52[35] | ||
| 7 | 7 | "The Sacred Quest" | Action • adventure | March 17, 2020 | 4.21[36] | ||
| 8 | 8 | "Echoing Comedy" | Comedy • drama | March 24, 2020 | 3.89[37] | ||
| 9 | 9 | "Trickery of Power" | Political drama | March 31, 2020 | 3.94[38] | ||
| 10 | 10 | "Safe and Sound" | Superhero fiction | April 7, 2020 | 4.29[39] | ||
Season 2 (2020)
The premiere episode of the season was released on Now one day prior to the ETV release.[40]
| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Genre(s) | Original air date | U.S. viewers (in millions) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part 1 | |||||||
| 11 | 1 | "The Cruel Patience" | Crime • Pulp noir | October 20, 2020 | 4.59[41] | ||
| 12 | 2 | "Offspring Hooligans" | Teen drama • crime | October 27, 2020 | 4.21[42] | ||
| 13 | 3 | "Glorious Opportunity" | Musical drama | November 3, 2020 | 3.42[43] | ||
| 14 | 4 | "Detonation Prospect" | Science fiction | November 10, 2020 | 4.09[44] | ||
| Part 2 | |||||||
| 15 | 5 | "The Lies Ahead" | Western • crime • drama | April 6, 2021 | 4.39[45] | ||
| 16 | 6 | "Appreciation Zero" | Black comedy | April 13, 2021 | 4.17[46] | ||
| 17 | 7 | "A Medieval Wedding" | Medieval fantasy • Romance | April 20, 2021 | 4.26[47] | ||
| 18 | 8 | "The Last Day on Earth" | Doomsday | April 27, 2021 | 5.11[48] | ||
Production
Development
On July 26, 2018, the series was picked up for 10 episodes in the 2019-2020 television season.[49][50][51] Due to the heavy budget of the series, the season was split into two, with the other half to be aired later in 2020.[52] The sixth and mid-season episode of the series, titled "The Far Away Planet", was confirmed to be of the "highest budget of the series", and was heavily promoted across several platforms.[53][54][55][56]
It was reported in 2020 that the second season would have some new genres, not limited to crime and history.[57][58][59] A sequel for the first season finale, "Safe and Sound", was also widely reported,[60][61][62][63] but subsequently denied by Doss.[64][65] Doss subsequently stated that "no plans had been made to follow up any episodes, and none would be made for the time being."[66]
In early 2020, Doss expressed the possibility of having a half-season mini-series on the show, to consist of 4 or 5 episodes.[67][68][69]
Casting
Spin-off film
On August 13, 2020, ETV ordered a spin-off film of the series to air on the network.[70][71][72] Creator of the series, Doss, stated that "discussions regarding potential films had took place for a few months, and it was decided that a film would be made - but should not be expected for the next few years or so."[73]
Reception
Ratings
The series was picked up by Now for international streaming release,[74][75] with the second season's premiere releasing one day prior to ETV release as a way to promote the platform and the series.[76]
The second season finale drew 5.11 million viewers, a new record for the series.[77] The series became ETV's "it series" having won many awards, high with critics and viewers.[78][79][80] No other series at ETV managed to do such.[81]
Accolades
| Year | Award | Category | Nominee(s) | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | ETV National Awards | Best Television Series | Stories | Nominated |
| Best TV Film | Subterranean Cult | Won | ||
| Lost in the Woods | Nominated | |||
| Best TV Film Actor | Brett Dier | |||
| Best TV Couple | Aislinn Paul and Alden C. Ehrenreich | |||
| Best TV Villain | Travis Fimmel | |||
| People's Choice Awards | Best Television Film | Lost in the Woods |
Critical response
The first season had a rating of 93% on RT, which was followed by the 91% of the second season. In both seasons, critics and audiences mostly agreed with their rating.
Season 1
| Ep. | Rotten Tomatoes ratings[82] | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Critics | Audience | Overall | |
| 1 | 100% | 92% | 96% |
| 2 | 94% | 87% | 91% |
| 3 | 98% | 83% | 91% |
| 4 | 100% | 97% | 99% |
| 5 | 92% | 95% | 94% |
| 6 | 99% | 100% | 100% |
| 7 | 96% | 85% | 91% |
| 8 | 81% | 93% | 87% |
| 9 | 74% | 89% | 82% |
| 10 | 92% | 100% | 96% |
| T | 93% | 92% | 93% |
Season 2
| Ep. | Rotten Tomatoes ratings[83] | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Critics | Audience | Overall | |
| 1 | 87% | 94% | 91% |
| 2 | 84% | 98% | 91% |
| 3 | 67% | 83% | 75% |
| 4 | 95% | 89% | 92% |
| 5 | 97% | 89% | 93% |
| 6 | 91% | 85% | 88% |
| 7 | 92% | 96% | 94% |
| 8 | 98% | 100% | 99% |
| T | 89% | 92% | 91% |
See also
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