New TV comedy series features well-known Maritime talent
The new comedy series “The Trades” features some of the Maritimes' most recognizable stars.
Actor Robb Wells who plays Todd in the series, is best known for his role as Ricky in the “Trailer Park Boys.” He said it was fun to play a character who is different from Ricky.
“I like playing Ricky, but it’s fun to play somebody different too.”
“The Trades” follows employees at a small town oil refinery.
“All the craziness that goes along with those trades, all the pranks that they play on each other,” said Wells.
Wells said he received welding lessons to help with the role.
“I wouldn't say that I’m a great welder, but I do know how to weld a little bit now. So we’re going to make it look as real as possible,” he said.
The cast also includes Jennifer Spence and Anastasia Phillips.
“Chelsea is a very ambitious executive from head office who's come in to try to turn the place around,” said Spence.
“She's resisted it her whole life thinking that her destiny is elsewhere, and she finally decides that she's going to give the trades a go,” said Phillips, who plays as Todd’s sister Audrey.
The show was created by writer and creator Ryan Lindsay, who has spent his entire life around trades workers.
“My brother's a pipe fitter, my other brother is a carpenter. My father was a process operator,” said Lindsay.
Authenticity was extremely important to Lindsay when creating the show.
“I interviewed over 180 trades people in the last four years. So, I feel like a documentarian at this point. A lot of the rumors, pranks, humor, the dialogue, the way they speak to each other.”
Most of “The Trades” was filmed at the Nova Scotia Community College Akerley campus in Dartmouth, N.S.
“The great thing about this location is that there's testing and training scenarios and pipe infrastructure, but there's no actual product in the pipe and product running through. So it's completely safe,” said Lindsay.
“I think anybody in the trades will definitely be able to relate to it because it is so authentic to the actual trades. I think people will relate to the humor, the characters,” said Wells.
The first two episodes of “The Trades” are available now on Crave, with two more episodes releasing each Friday.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6976926.1721883767!/httpImage/image.png_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.png)
LIVE UPDATES Critical infrastructure 'successfully protected': Jasper park officials
Jasper National Park officials in an update said all critical infrastructure in the townsite has been "successfully protected, including the hospital, emergency services building, both elementary and junior/senior schools, activity centre and wastewater treatment plant."
Alberta premier says a third, perhaps half, of all Jasper buildings destroyed by fire
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says early reports indicate a third and perhaps up to half of all buildings in the historic Rocky Mountain resort town of Jasper have burned in a wildfire.
Prince William's 2023 salary revealed in new report
Newly released financial reports show that William, the Prince of Wales, drew a salary of $42.1 million last fiscal year, his first since inheriting the vast and lucrative Duchy of Cornwall.
Tourist suffers 3rd-degree burns to feet after losing flip flops amid soaring temperatures in Death Valley
A tourist was hospitalized after suffering third-degree burns on his feet on Saturday when he lost his flip flops at a national park in California where temperatures soared past 50 C.
'There's mom and dad's house': New video appears to show destruction of Jasper neighbourhood
Video posted to social media on Thursday morning appears to show the charred remains of a Jasper, Alta., neighbourhood.
Former judge with disputed Cree heritage likely has Indigenous DNA: law society
The Law Society of British Columbia says a DNA test shows a former judge and Order of Canada recipient accused of falsely claiming to be Cree "most likely" has Indigenous heritage.
Australian field hockey player opts to amputate part of his finger in order to compete in Paris Olympics
In the run up to the Paris Olympics, athletes have been stepping up their preparations in order to maintain their edge over competitors. But for Australia’s Matt Dawson, those preparations looked a little different this year, with the field hockey player opting to have part of his finger amputated in order to compete in the Games.
Canada to bring home fewest Olympic medals since 2012, according to forecaster
Fewer Canadians are expected to reach the Paris podium than in the previous two Olympic Summer Games, a global data analytics company predicts.
Jennifer Aniston criticizes JD Vance for 'childless cat ladies' remarks: 'I pray that your daughter is fortunate enough to bear children'
Jennifer Aniston is criticizing JD Vance for comments he made in his past about women without children.