Network: CBC Television Network
Broadcast Run: 1965 to 1969
Broadcast Medium: Television
Aired – Tuesdays 9:00 to 10:00 pm – December 6, 1966 to February 4, 1969.
Repeated Sundays 9:00 to 10:00 pm – spring 1971.
This hour-long drama offered viewers an inside look at the life and times of a Canadian Member of Parliament. It starred Gordon Pinsent as Quentin Durgens in a role so convincing that many viewers thought him as a real M.P. who could solve their own problems. The show was a huge hit as the cameras followed Durgens on location in Ottawa, Toronto and Moose Falls, Ontario, working for his constituents. As the CBC publicity department described it in 1966, “Quentin Durgens brings to life flesh-and-blood individuals, the human conflicts, triumphs and errors behind the scenes in present day Ottawa.” One might consider it a Canadian version of The West Wing, many years earlier. Head writer and creator George Robertson did extensive research and relied upon the advice of real MPs to write authentic stories about the young lawyer and backbench member from Moose Falls.
Creator/Writer: George Robertson.
Series Producer: David Gardiner.
Executive Producer: Ronald Weyman
Principal cast: Gordon Pinsent, as Durgens; Roxana Bond, Leslie Barringer, Nonnie Griffin, Neil Leroy, Don McGill, Ovila Legare, Budd Knapp, Frank Perry, Suzanne Levesque and Cec Linder.
Written by John Corcelli – April, 2002