The Next Step (2013 TV series)
The Next Step is a Canadian teen drama series created by Frank Van Keeken. It follows the members of a troupe from the titular dance studio, as they train for and compete in various championships. They deal with rivalries with other dance schools and drama among the team itself. The series is shot in a mockumentary style influenced by reality television. It premiered on Family Channel on March 8, 2013 and has aired on Universal Kids in the United States and CBBC in the United Kingdom, respectively. The series has also spawned digital content, as well as live touring shows featuring its cast members.
| The Next Step | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Genre | Teen drama |
| Created by | Frank Van Keeken |
| Starring | Current and former cast |
| Theme music composer | Grayson Matthews |
| Opening theme | Stand Up by Jessica Lee and Kit Knows |
| Ending theme |
|
| Country of origin | Canada |
| Original language(s) | English |
| No. of seasons | 7 |
| No. of episodes | 198 (list of episodes) |
| Production | |
| Executive producer(s) | |
| Producer(s) |
|
| Production location(s) | Production studio: Filmport Presentation Centre, Toronto[2] Exterior and street shots: Colborne Street Dundas Street Front Street Jarvis Street University Avenue Yonge Street[3] |
| Camera setup | Multi-camera |
| Running time | 22–43 minutes |
| Production company(s) | |
| Distributor | Boat Rocker Rights |
| Release | |
| Original network |
|
| Picture format | |
| Original release | March 8, 2013 – present |
| Chronology | |
| Related shows | Lost & Found Music Studios |
| External links | |
| Website | |
Episodes
| Season | Episodes | Originally released (Can.) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First released | Last released | Network | ||||
| 1 | 30 | 14 | March 8, 2013 | June 7, 2013 | Family Channel | |
| 16 | September 20, 2013 | January 3, 2014 | ||||
| 2 | 34 | 17 | March 7, 2014 | June 6, 2014 | ||
| 17 | September 12, 2014 | January 2, 2015 | ||||
| 3 | 30 | 15 | March 16, 2015 | April 2, 2015 | ||
| 15 | September 11, 2015 | December 11, 2015 | ||||
| 4 | 40 | 20 | February 15, 2016 | June 24, 2016 | ||
| 20 | October 14, 2016 | May 12, 2017 | ||||
| 5 | 20 | 10 | May 26, 2017 | August 11, 2017 | ||
| 10 | October 13, 2017 | December 13, 2017 | ||||
| 6 | 26 | 13 | September 29, 2018 | October 28, 2018 | ||
| 13 | March 2, 2019 | April 7, 2019 | ||||
| Special | 2 | December 21, 2019 | YouTube | |||
| 7 | 24[4] | 11 | April 10, 2020 | June 19, 2020 | CBC Gem | |
| 13 | June 26, 2020 | TBA | ||||
Cast
Production
Development
On February 24, 2012, Family Channel announced that it had ordered 26 half-hour episodes (including S1 and S1.5),[5] and a four episode season finale.[6] Special content was also going to be available, including The Next Step Interactive. Filming began July 19, 2012 in Toronto, Ontario.[7] On April 9, 2013, Family announced that it had renewed the series for a second season.[8]
On May 5, 2014, the series was renewed for a third season, which premiered on March 16, 2015.[9] On April 16, 2015, it was announced that the series would return for a fourth season, which premiered on February 15, 2016.[10] On March 21, 2016, Frank van Keeken announced on Instagram that The Next Step would return for a fifth season, which premiered on May 26, 2017.[11] The series has been renewed for a sixth season of 26 episodes which premiered in Canada on September 29, 2018.[12][13] A 24-episode seventh season premiered on CBC Gem on April 10, 2020, and was preceded with a two-part special in December 2019 on CBBC.[14][15]
Filming
The Next Step is filmed at Filmport Presentation Centre, Toronto.
Exterior and street shots were shot on location in Downtown Toronto. Locations include Dundas Street, Front Street, Jarvis Street, University Avenue, and Yonge Street.
The exterior shots posing as The Next Step studio are from Colborne Street.[16][17]
Broadcast and reception
The series premiere of The Next Step set ratings records for Family, with at least 574,000 viewers on its initial broadcast—which set a record for Family's highest-rated original series premiere.[8] On January 8, 2014, BBC Worldwide licensed the series to several international broadcasters, including ABC Me in Australia, Hulu in the United States, and CBBC in the United Kingdom.[18] In Canada, the show also airs on Vrak in French. In August 2017, the U.S. rights to the series were sold to Universal Kids, with the network also becoming a production partner for the sixth season. Boat Rocker Media, owner of the show's producer, Radical Sheep Productions, cited a reduction in funding for the series from DHX Media (owner of the series' Canadian broadcaster Family) as an impetus for the arrangement.[19]
In July 2020, The Next Step was praised by viewers and the media for airing a same-sex kiss, when characters Cleo (Dani Verayo) and Jude (Molly Saunders) kissed after performing a duet together.[20] This was the first same-sex kiss to be featured in the series, following a gay couple being briefly featured in an episode of the fourth season.[21] The scene also made history as the first same-sex kiss to be aired on CBBC.[22] Eloise Stonborough of LGBT charity Stonewall described the scenes as "an exciting moment for LGBT representation", and praised the series for improving "understanding of what it means to be lesbian" for young viewers of The Next Step.[23]
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award | Category | Recipient | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Shaw Rocket Prize | Children (ages 6-to-12) | The Next Step | Won | [24] |
| 2013 | Digi Awards | Best in Cross-Platform Kids | The Next Step Interactive | Won | [25] |
| 2014 | KidScreen Awards | Best Companion Website | The Next Step Interactive | Nominated | [26][27] |
| 2014 | Canadian Cinema Editors Awards | Best Editing in 1/2 Hour Broadcast Short Form | Jay Prychidny | Won | [28] |
| 2014 | Canadian Screen Awards | Best Children's or Youth Fiction Program or Series | The Next Step | Nominated | [29][30] |
| 2014 | Canadian Screen Awards | Best Direction in a Children's or Youth Program or Series | Episode – "Sabotage" | Nominated | [29][30] |
| 2015 | Canadian Screen Awards | Best Children's or Youth Fiction Program or Series | The Next Step | Nominated | [31] |
| 2015 | Canadian Screen Awards | Best Writing in a Children's or Youth Program or Series | Alejandro Alcoba and Carling Tedesco | Nominated | [31] |
| 2015 | Canadian Screen Awards | Best Performance in a Children's or Youth Program or Series | Brittany Raymond | Nominated | [31] |
| 2015 | British Academy Children's Awards | Kids' Vote | Frank van Keeken | Won | [32] |
| 2016 | British Academy Children's Awards | Kids' Vote | Frank van Keeken | Won | [33] |
| 2016 | Young Artist Awards | Best Performance in a TV Series - Recurring Young Actor (14 - 21) | Myles Erlick | Nominated | [34] |
| 2017 | Canadian Screen Awards | Best Performance in a Children's or Youth Program or Series | Brittany Raymond | Won | [35] |
| 2018 | Canadian Screen Awards | Best Children's or Youth Fiction Program or Series | The Next Step | Nominated | [36] |
| 2018 | Canadian Screen Awards | Best Performance, Children's or Youth | Akiel Julien | Nominated | [36] |
| 2018 | Canadian Screen Awards | Best Writing, Children's or Youth | Rachael Schaefer | Nominated | [36] |
| 2018 | Canadian Screen Awards | Best Direction, Children's or Youth | Derby Crewe | Nominated | [36] |
| 2019 | Canadian Screen Awards | Best Children's or Youth Fiction Program or Series | The Next Step | Nominated | |
| 2019 | Canadian Screen Awards | Best Performance, Children's or Youth | Akiel Julien | Nominated | [37] |
| 2019 | Canadian Screen Awards | Best Writing, Children's or Youth | Karen McClellan | Nominated | [37] |
| 2019 | Canadian Screen Awards | Best Direction in a Children's or Youth Program or Series | Mitchell Ness | Nominated | [37] |
Digital content
The Next Step Interactive
| The Next Step Aftershow | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Genre | Talk show |
| Based on | The Next Step |
| Starring |
|
| Original language(s) | English |
| No. of seasons | 2 |
| No. of episodes | 50 |
| Production | |
| Running time | 1–3 mins |
| Production company(s) | |
| External links | |
| Website | |
The aftershow started when an episode finished.[38] It was approximately 1–3 minutes long, and was hosted by five members: Asha Bromfield, Lovell Adams-Gray, Luke Watters, Kelly McNamee, and Samantha "Sam" Munro.[39] The aftershow talks about The Next Step and breaks down some parts to help the viewer understand storylines.[38][40]
The Next Step: Off Season
Since the fourth season, The Next Step has had an off season, where the events between the end and start of a season are displayed. The off season typically involves hints for the approaching season, as well as introducing new characters.
Tours
Hit The Floor Tour
| Shopping Mall tour by The Next Step | |
 A promotional poster for the Conestoga Mall tour date | |
| Start date | October 19, 2013 |
|---|---|
| End date | October 27, 2013 |
| No. of shows | 9 |
On September 27, 2013, Paul Cormack of Family Channel announced that The Next Step cast would go on a tour. Cormack announced:
"We are always looking for new and exciting ways to connect with our audience on a national level. The Next Step Hit The Floor Tour reaches viewers in their own communities, providing a one-of-a-kind, interactive experience that demonstrates Family Channel's commitment to creating unique opportunities for its fans."
Not all of the cast members were the hosts of the tours. Only Victoria Baldesarra, Lamar Johnson, Isaac Lupien, Jennifer Pappas, Brittany Raymond, and Trevor Tordjman were part of the tour.
Each event consisted of the cast performing in groups, a Q&A period where the audience asks questions, and a session to get freebies for attending the event. The first 200 attendees were given a wristband, which would get them an autograph signed by the hosts.
| Date[43] | City | Country | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 19, 2013 | Oshawa | Canada | Oshawa Centre |
| Toronto | Scarborough Town Centre | ||
| October 20, 2013 | Richmond Hill | Hillcrest Mall | |
| October 21, 2013 | Waterloo | Conestoga Mall | |
| October 22, 2013 | Halifax | Mic Mac Mall | |
| October 24, 2013 | Winnipeg | Kildonan Place | |
| October 25, 2013 | Edmonton | Kingsway Mall | |
| October 26, 2013 | Calgary | The Core | |
| October 27, 2013 | Vancouver | Metrotown |
Due to the attendance numbers at the previous six malls, Family Channel moved the event in the Kingsway Mall from inside to the parking lot.[44]
Wild Rhythm Tour
The cast of The Next Step went on a third tour during 2016. The tour was to visit Canada, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Australia, New Zealand, England and Ireland. This was the first international tour by the cast.
Not all the cast went on the tour; it only included Victoria Baldesarra (Michelle), Trevor Tordjman (James), Jordan Clark (Giselle), Taveeta Szymanowicz (Thalia), Isaac Lupien (Eldon), Lamar Johnson (West), Myles Erlick (Noah), and Briar Nolet (Richelle). Newcomer Isaiah Peck, who was to star as Henry in season 4, also attended the tour. Taveeta Szymanowicz (Thalia) was only on the Canadian tour. Brittany Raymond (Riley) was on the European shows and could not go to the shows in Australia and New Zealand because of a family problem.
Absolute Dance Tour
Nine of the season 6 cast toured Australia, England, the Republic of Ireland, and Scotland, in September, October, and November 2019.
The touring cast were Shelby Bain, Alexandra Chaves,[44] Sage Linder, Liam Mackie, Briar Nolet, Isaiah Peck, Berkeley Ratzlaff, Dylan Ratzlaff, and Noah Zulfikar.[45][46][47]
References
- "Temple Street Productions and Family Channel announce start of principal photography on season two of hit tween drama The Next Step". CNW. July 24, 2013. Archived from the original on December 21, 2013. Retrieved December 4, 2013.
- "Filming Location".
- "Exterior and street locations".
- https://www.cbc.ca/mediacentre/press-release/cbc-adds-more-original-content-for-kids-and-tweens
- Dickson, Jeremy (February 24, 2012). "Family Channel greenlights new Temple Street series". Kidscreen. Retrieved January 15, 2014.
- "The stage is set: The Next Step four-part regionals television event begins December 13 on Family". CNW. December 9, 2013. Archived from the original on January 26, 2014. Retrieved January 24, 2014.
- Ng-See-Quan, Danielle (July 13, 2012). "Production underway on Temple Street's The Next Step". Kidscreen. Retrieved January 15, 2014.
- "The Next Step gets second season from Family Channel". Toronto Star. Retrieved November 6, 2018.
- "Family Channel orders a third season of homegrown hit The Next Step". CNW Newswire. May 5, 2014. Retrieved November 18, 2014.
- Blue Dreamin (February 7, 2016). "The Next Step - Season 4 Trailer" – via YouTube.
- "THE NEXT STEP on Twitter".
- "The Next Step Renewed For Season 6 By Family Channel!". Renew Cancel TV. June 8, 2017. Retrieved July 23, 2017.
- "Mitchell Ness on Instagram: "Aaaaand DONE! Thank you to an amazing cast and crew for a thrilling 4 days of shooting!". Instagram. August 6, 2017. Retrieved August 18, 2017.
- https://www.instagram.com/p/B2VHfminyLy/
- https://www.cbc.ca/mediacentre/press-release/cbc-adds-more-original-content-for-kids-and-tweens
- "The Winner's Story: The Next Step Awaits".
- "Exterior and street shots".
- Vlessing, Etan (January 8, 2014). "Hulu, CBBC Acquire Canadian Scripted Reality Show 'The Next Step'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved November 18, 2014.
- "Why Canada's reputation as a kids' TV production powerhouse is under threat". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved November 6, 2018.
- "CBBC show The Next Step praised by fans for airing first same-sex kiss". Digital Spy. July 23, 2020.
- "Teen drama makes history with tender same-sex dance routine that ends with groundbreaking kiss". PinkNews. July 24, 2020.
- "CBBC's The Next Step's first same-sex kiss!". BBC News. July 25, 2020.
- "CBBC Praised For Showing Its First Teenage Same-Sex Kiss". LADBible. July 24, 2020.
- LaRocque, Jacqueline (November 20, 2013). "Daniel Tiger's Neighbourhood, The Next Step and The Phantoms Win the Prestigious 2013 Shaw Rocket Prize". CNW. Retrieved December 30, 2013.
- "Best in Cross-Platform Kids". nextMedia. p. 2. Archived from the original on November 12, 2013. Retrieved December 30, 2013.
- Getzler, Wendy Goldman (November 20, 2013). "And this year's Kidscreen Awards nominees are..." KidScreen. Retrieved December 30, 2013.
- Getzler, Wendy Goldman (February 11, 2014). "And the 2014 Kidscreen Awards winners are..." KidScreen. Retrieved February 13, 2014.
- "Throw Back Thursday - 2014 CCE Awards - Winners". CCE. Retrieved July 27, 2017.
- "2014 CANADIAN SCREEN AWARDS Television Nominations". Canadian Screen Awards. pp. 4, 18. Retrieved January 13, 2014.
- "2014 CANADIAN SCREEN AWARDS Full Winners List". Canadian Screen Awards. pp. 5, 9. Archived from the original on October 30, 2015. Retrieved May 10, 2014.
- "Canadian Screen Awards Unveil Nominations". The Hollywood Reporter. January 13, 2015.
- "BBC wins at BAFTA Children's 2015 Awards". BBC. Retrieved July 3, 2020.
- "Children's Awards Winners 2016". BAFTA. Retrieved July 3, 2020.
- "Nominations Young Artist Awards". Young Artist Awards. March 13, 2016. Archived from the original on April 24, 2016. Retrieved April 18, 2017.
- Barry Hertz (January 17, 2017). "The Canadian Screen Awards go homegrown-heavy in 2017". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved January 19, 2017.
- "Award Season Begins". Northern Stars. December 13, 2017.
- "Award Season is Upon Us". Northern Stars. December 31, 2018.
- "THE NEXT STEP". CanadaOnScreen.ca. Retrieved December 10, 2013.
- Carpo-Garcia, Kathleen (February 8, 2013). "THE NEXT STEP Coming to Family Channel". TheMagazine.ca. Archived from the original on December 14, 2013. Retrieved December 10, 2013.
- "The Next Step: The Aftershow". Temple Street Productions. Retrieved November 30, 2013.
- "The Next Step Interactive – Secret Location". Retrieved April 4, 2015.
- "Not Available – Family.ca". Retrieved April 4, 2015.
- "Family Channel dances across Canada when The Next Step Hit The Floor Tour begins October 19 – Cast members from The Next Step to visit nine shopping malls across Canada". Newswire.ca. September 30, 2013. Archived from the original on January 15, 2014. Retrieved January 26, 2014.
- "FAMILY CHANNEL'S THE NEXT STEP HIT THE FLOOR TOUR STOP IN EDMONTON: MOVED OUTDOORS TO ACCOMMODATE FANS: FREE MALL TOUR EVENT AT KINGSWAY MALL ON OCTOBER 25 RELOCATED TO PARKING LOT" (PDF). Family Channel. October 23, 2013. Retrieved January 26, 2014.
- "Absolute Dance Tour: Australia tour dates".
- "Absolute Dance Tour: England and Scotland tour dates".
- "Absolute Dance Tour: Republic of Ireland tour date".
