klondike - production notes

Co-produced by
Discovery Channel.
Entertainment One
and Nomadic Pictures in
association with Ridley Scott
and Scott Free Television
A 3-Part, 6-Hour Miniseries
Table of Contents
Series Concept ………………………………………….….…...….… Page 3
Short Synopsis …………………………………………..……….…… Page 3
Long Synopsis …………………………………………..……..……… Page 4
EPISODE 1: Logline and full description …………..…………….…. Page 5
EPISODE 2: Logline and full description ……………………...……. Page 9
EPISODE 3: Logline and full description ………………….....……. Page 12
Complete Cast List …………………………………………………… Page 16
Lead Character Descriptions and Cast Bios ………………….…… Page 18
Key Crew List ………………………………………………….……… Page 24
Key Crew Bios ………………………………….....………………….. Page 25
Company Profiles …………………………………………………….. Page 32
###
2
Series Concept
Discovery’s first scripted mini-series is based on Charlotte Gray’s book Gold Diggers: Striking It
Rich in the Klondike. Her tale brings to life the story of six strangers and their collective fight for
survival and wealth in a small, frontier town in the remote Klondike.
Klondike follows the lives of two childhood best friends, Bill Haskell and Byron Epstein, in 1897
as they flock to the gold rush capital in the untamed Yukon Territory. This man-versus-nature tale
places our heroes in a land full of undiscovered wealth, but ravaged by harsh conditions,
unpredictable weather and desperate, dangerous characters including greedy businessmen,
seductive courtesans and native tribes witnessing the destruction of their people and land by
opportunistic entrepreneurs.
Production began in March 2013 under the direction of Simon Cellan Jones (“Generation Kill,”
“Treme”) on location in Alberta, Canada.
The miniseries stars Abbie Cornish, Marton Csokas, Ian Hart, Greg Lawson, Conor Leslie,
Richard Madden, Tim Blake Nelson, Augustus Prew, Johnny Simmons, with Tim Roth and Sam
Shepard.
Klondike is a co-production between Discovery, Entertainment One (eOne), and Nomadic
Pictures, in association with Scott Free Productions. Paul Scheuring is the primary writer and
serves as Executive Producer, along with Ridley Scott and David W. Zucker from Scott Free; as
well as John Morayniss for eOne. Eileen O’Neill and Dolores Gavin will serve as Executive
Producers for Discovery. The miniseries is produced by Chad Oakes and Mike Frislev for
Nomadic Pictures, and by Clara George.
______________________________
Short Synopsis
In 1897, best friends William (Bill) Haskell (Richard Madden) and Byron Epstein (Augustus Prew)
decide to travel to Dawson City in the Yukon, to stake a claim, mine some gold and return home
rich. After a grueling and treacherous journey, the two friends arrive at Dawson City and stake
their claim.
Dawson City is full of thieves and conmen. The Mounties under Superintendent Steele (Marton
Csokas) have just arrived and Father William Judge (Sam Shepard) is trying to open a Catholic
church. The most powerful person in town is entrepreneur Belinda Mulroney (Abbie Cornish), and
her and Bill Haskell are obviously attracted to each other, but are worlds apart it seems.
One night Epstein is murdered, shot from afar by a rifle, and a grieving Haskell has to decide
whether to return to the US or stay and get justice for his late friend. He elects to stay, but the list
of suspects is long. It could be the Count (Tim Roth), who takes what he wants when he wants it,
the local huckster Soapy Smith (Ian Hart), one of the other miners, such as Goodman (Greg
Lawson), who has not had a lot of luck with his claim, or Belinda’s cousin, Joe Meekor (Tim Blake
Nelson), who wants part of Haskell’s claim.
It turns out it is Goodman who killed Epstein, and justice does prevail, though not in the way one
would expect. In the end, Haskell returns home to Vermont, richer and wiser. He leaves a
Dawson City on the decline, for the gold rush has moved on and the city’s brief moment of
prosperity has passed.
______________________________
3
Long Synopsis
In 1897, best friends William (Bill) Haskell (Richard Madden) and Byron Epstein (Augustus Prew)
have just graduated in New York City and after getting a chance tip from an old prospector in a
bar, decide to travel to Dawson City in the Yukon, to stake a claim, mine some gold and return
home as millionaires. After a grueling and treacherous journey, where they survive an avalanche,
foaming rapids and wolves, the pair arrives at Dawson City and stakes their claim. There are
hundreds of others who have arrived from all over for the same reason, including Goodman (Greg
Lawson), an army veteran who has not been having much luck.
One night Epstein is murdered, shot from afar by a rifle, and a grieving Haskell has to decide
whether to return to the United States or stay and get justice for his late friend. He elects to do the
latter, and turns to the newly arrived Mounties, led by Superintendent Steele (Marton Csokas), for
help. Steele arrests two local Tlingit, believing them to be the killers, but as time passes he has
his doubts, though he is under pressure from federal politicians to execute the natives.
Many people come to Dawson City for different reasons. For Belinda Mulroney (Abbie Cornish), it
is the freedom to be an entrepreneur without having to explain why as a woman she would seek
to do that. For the unscrupulous Count (Tim Roth), it is the chance to bully his way into getting
rich in this once lawless land. For author Jack London (Johnny Simmons), it is the first hand
experience he will parlay into books and stories when he returns to the US. For huckster Soapy
Smith (Ian Hart), it is the chance to con the new arrivals out of their money. For the beautiful
Sabine (Conor Leslie), it is the chance to make money in the oldest profession, in a place where
there are few women. And for Father William Judge (Sam Shepard) it is a chance to save souls,
as he plans to open a Catholic parish in downtown Dawson City.
Amidst this array of characters Haskell continues to work his claim, with the help of Joe Meekor
(Tim Blake Nelson), a cousin of Belinda Mulroney, who acquired Epstein’s half of the claim. After
a shaky start the two become friends, and when they do indeed strike a vein of gold it raises
much interest in Dawson City, certainly for the Count, who paid all his money to Mulroney to
acquire her holdings in the town and now cannot afford to pay his henchmen.
An epidemic of typhus has hit Dawson City, and both Father Judge and Belinda Mulroney have
caught it. She will survive, but the priest is getting sicker. Knowing the killer of his friend
confessed to Father Judge, Haskell, now believing the killer is the miner Goodman, asks Judge to
nod if Goodman was the one who confessed. He does, confirming Haskell’s suspicions.
Haskell pursues Goodman on dog sled, but is overtaken by the Count and his men in the middle
of the frozen wilderness. The men take Haskell’s dogs and sled and leave the Count behind with
him, so they can both die in the cold.
They go separate ways in the snow and Haskell is saved by Belinda, who mushes a team of dogs
out and returns him to Dawson City, where he recovers. The Count is not so lucky; he freezes to
death in the winter weather.
Meanwhile, Meekor has tricked the Count’s men into believing there is not much gold at the
claim. The truth is, he hid most of the gold in the bottom of the latrine.
Goodman returns to town, and Haskell and Belinda hold him at gunpoint. When he reaches for
his pistol and raises it to fire at Haskell Belinda Mulroney kills him.
Haskell asks Belinda to come back with him to the US, but she has big dreams for Dawson City and
she decides to stay. Haskell and Meekor leave for the US, but only Haskell makes it, as Meekor
tragically drowns when he falls through the ice. He and his gold sink to the bottom and are never
found.
Haskell makes it back to the US a wiser man, while the gold rush dries up in Dawson Creek.
Everyone is now going to Nome, Alaska to seek their fortune.
4
Klondike EPISODE 1
LOGLINE - Having just graduated, two friends travel thousands of miles to Dawson City in the
summer of 1897, to strike it rich by finding gold in the Klondike.
______________________________
In the middle of wilderness a near frozen Bill Haskell - who may or may not be dead - lies on a flat
snow covered surface in the bitter freezing temperatures. We hear Haskell say, "You're looking at
a rich man. I wasn't that once."
We flash back to New York City, May 1, 1897. It is the graduation ceremony for Haskell, who sits
beside an empty space where his best friend, Byron Epstein should be. As the Dean advises the
graduates to follow the words of Emerson and "Do not follow where the path may lead. Go
instead where there is no path and leave a trail," Haskell on a hunch goes to a gambling den in
Chinatown and finds Epstein in the middle of a very bad situation; he owes a lot of money and
when asked to make good on it admits he has nothing in his pockets, only a "head full of hope."
As the boss of the gambling den asks ominously for a knife, the two friends flip a table and flee
out a back exit and are able to make their escape.
They board a train heading west, and discover that between them they have a grand total of
$750. Not much, but as Epstein says, "It makes the story more beautiful. When we are
millionaires we can say we started with nothing."
Uncertain of where to go or how they are to amass their fortune, chance finds them sitting at a
bar discussing what path they should follow, when an old man - Beckett - at the end of the bar
sends drinks their way. As they go down to thank him he produces a nugget of gold and tells
them to blaze their trail in the Yukon. The young men now know what they are going to do.
5
In six weeks they travel 4,650 miles to Dyea, Southern Alaska. There they buy supplies and join
the lineup of fellow hopefuls who have gathered from all over North America in the hopes of
striking it rich.
They join a long line that slowly trudges through the deep snow of Chilkoot Pass towards their
uncertain future. Ten days later, on June 27, a loud thunderous sound is heard as from above
tons of snow fall on the would-be miners as a massive avalanche crashes down upon them.
Scrambling for his life, Haskell is able to avoid the tons of snow and rocks by crouching behind a
large boulder.
Eventually the snow settles and the avalanche is no more, and the hundreds of people who were
in the line ascending the mountain are gone, including his friend Byron Epstein. Haskell yells out
for him and sifts through the snow, the debris and the bodies and is able to locate Epstein, who is
alive. Together, as dawn arrives, they see the devastation the avalanche has brought. Walking
among the frozen corpses and grieving friends and relatives, they locate their kit and continue
upwards through the pass.
On July 2nd they reach Bennett Lake and the only snow is on the mountains on the horizon. After
all, we are ten days into summer.
Epstein is easily the less responsible of the two when it comes to money and so when, instead of
cheaply building their own boat, Epstein pays $80 for a boat they can travel down the Yukon
River in. An angry Haskell asks his friend for the remaining money, which he tucks away in his
clothing where Epstein cannot spend it.
The two prospective prospectors leave Bennett Lake, after having met Sabine, a beautiful woman
who tells them she is also going to Dawson City to make her fortune. They also meet Soapy
Smith, who tries to sell them fake deeds. Not as gullible as they are green, they send him away.
Paddling down the Yukon River, all is fine until the two young men encounter rapids, where
Haskell finds himself overboard and in the cold rushing waters of the river, which dislodges the
money he received from Epstein. He pulls himself to shore and starts to walk downstream
through the woods when he is surrounded by a pack of wolves. Frightened, he runs away, only to
be pursued by one.
After a short while Haskell falls down and just as the pursuing wolf is about to pounce a single
gunshot rings out and suddenly the wolf is dead. Haskell looks around and sees Father Judge, a
man of the cloth who Haskell and Epstein had met earlier in Dyea.
Telling Judge he doesn't know how he can repay him. Judge tells him to visit him in his chapel
when he reaches Dawson City.
Haskell goes down to the river, where a thrilled Epstein is waiting, fearing his friend might have
drowned. The two continue down the Yukon River, and on July 7, 1897 they make it to Dawson
City, a bustling centre of activity. As the lads walk through the mud of the downtown street
Belinda Mulroney, arguably the most powerful person in Dawson City, looks down at them and at
all the other new arrivals.
In a saloon in Belinda Mulroney’s hotel Haskell and Epstein meet Jack London, who describes
the city as a walking, talking novel. London points out a prospector who is "dumber than a crate
of turnips" who stumbled onto a huge claim and is worth half a million in nuggets. Then London
points out the Count, who has been trying assortments of claims for six years and has only mud
to show for it.
After advising Haskell and Epstein where the best spot to stake a claim is (Bonanza), he leads
them upstairs where a rich prospector has a girl in a tub of champagne. They follow and we find
out the naked girl is Sabine, who we had met earlier.
6
Back down in the saloon, after Epstein leaves with a girl he had been exchanging glances with all
night, Belinda introduces herself to Bill Haskell. She tells him that gold is a whore just like the
women prostituting themselves. Once she finds that Haskell is there to look for gold and is not
going to be a threat to her business enterprises in the city she tells him that they might just be
friends. Their conversation is interrupted by a gunshot, as the boyfriend of the whore Epstein had
been with is not exactly pleased. Epstein and Haskell run out in the street where the boyfriend
freezes them in their tracks with a second rifle shot in the air. He threatens to kill Epstein when
Father Judge appears. His presence makes the boyfriend back off.
"That's twice you've saved us," Haskell says to Father Judge who replies, "Well, saving a man's
hide isn't saving him."
The two men head up to Bonanza, where they stake a claim near one run by Goodman, a war
veteran who is keeping an eye on all newcomers. Haskell registers the claim while Epstein
purchases a burro to assist them in their efforts. Fortunately for the pair Epstein had not
surrendered all of the money to Haskell. As they dig and set up their land, preparing to see if it
holds gold or not, Haskell notices Indians - the neighboring Tlingit - looking down on them.
It is tough laborious work in the rain, but Haskell and Epstein are making progress and together
they are still following their dream of striking it rich.
One night Haskell is looking at the northern lights when a shot rings out. Epstein has been fatally
wounded and there is nothing his friend can do. Haskell runs into his tent and grabs his gun, but
there is no one near him except his dead friend.
Haskell brings Epstein’s body into Dawson City. He walks into the saloon and asks the bartender,
Joe Meekor, where the law is. He is told there is no law. Stating his intent to return to the
southern states with his friend's body, Soapy Smith makes him an offer for his claim. Haskell
refuses, stating his is not leaving Dawson until his friend gets justice.
Haskell asks Father Judge to say some words over Epstein's body. Just as he is about to do so,
Haskell searches his friend's pockets for proof of his claim, which isn't on his person. Haskell
hurries back to their tent on the site and frantically looks for the piece of paper which he cannot
find. Outside the tent Joe Meekor is waiting to speak with Haskell. It turns out Epstein put up his
half of the claim as collateral on a loan and that Meekor's boss, Belinda Mulroney now owns the
half of the claim and therefore is now Haskell's partner in the stake.
Haskell learns that Soapy is running odds on whether he will sell his half of the claim and return
to the lower 45, or stay on. He meets with Belinda and learns she is planning on building the
Fairview, the largest grandest hotel America's ever seen; right in Dawson City. When Haskell
leaves Belinda realizes that even he himself doesn't know if he is staying or leaving.
Meanwhile, Father Judge gets a visit at night from the Count, who tells him his dry goods store,
the building that Judge is converting into a church is prime real estate, and he desires it. He gives
the preacher one day to vacate the building.
At night Haskell is approached by a woman at his tent, who offers him a warm meal at her place.
There he meets a few other miners, including Goodman. He also learns that the following day
Dawson City will no longer be lawless, for the Mounties are coming.
In the morning the Mounties do indeed arrive, led by Superintendent Steele. Haskell meets with
Steele to report Epstein’s murder, and Steele tells him that it was likely the local Indians, the
Tlingit who killed his friend.
Together with Jack London, William Haskell walks deep into the woods and meets with the elders
of the Tlingit, who say emphatically that they did not kill Epstein.
7
Haskell returns to town and is the sole attendee at Epstein's service, when the Count enters
Father William Judge's building and subtly threatens Judge, offering to help him move out so he
can take over the building. Before the battle of words can escalate Belinda Mulroney walks in with
her gun drawn and orders the Count out. He leaves, but not before saying he will indeed own the
store. Judge thanks Belinda who calmly informs him that she too has designs on the property,
and once he vacates it will be she, not the Count who will become its new owner.
Haskell returns to his claim where he is told the Mounties arrested the two Tlingit who killed
Epstein. Haskell looks like he does not know what to believe. Soapy Smith appears, once again
offering the $100 for his claim. He tells Haskell the offer is good as long as he doesn't break
ground with his shovel. In defiance, Haskell picks up his shovel and plunges the blade into the
ground. A resigned Smith leaves.
Meanwhile in Dawson City, also in defiance, Father Judge climbs a ladder at night in the pouring
rain and - as the Count watches from across the street - erects a cross atop his building. It is not
a dry goods store any longer. It is now his church.
###
8
Klondike EPISODE 2
LOGLINE: Still determined to find out who killed his friend, Haskell continues to work his claim,
as Belinda and the Count escalate their battle to control business in Dawson City.
______________________________
It is now October in the Klondike.
Soapy Smith is offering $50 to take anyone's claim off their hands. A true opportunist, he tries to
frighten the stakeholders by pointing out that disease - typhus - is a real threat to their well being
as are the native Tlingit, two of whom have been arrested for murdering Bill Haskell's partner and
friend, Byron Epstein.
Again Soapy Smith offers $50 to Haskell and Joe Meekor, who represents Belinda Mulroney's
half of the claim. They both tell Smith that they are not interested. He moves on, but Meekor is
coughing a lot now, and Haskell - concerned that it is typhus - tells Meekor he had better get back
to town and have it looked at. Meekor agrees.
In Dawson City, Father William Judge is looking after several infirmed in his church. Dawson City
has no hospital and again the Count drops by, reminding Judge that he will have him and his sick
citizens removed, asking "Do you really think your Lord is going to protect you; that he's going to
save you from this nasty disease?"
After Meekor correctly observes that they are going to need more wood to prevent their mine from
collapsing in on itself, Haskell meets with Belinda Mulroney and asks her for two cords of wood to
9
help. She at first refuses, telling Haskell she has no interest in mining and that she only picked up
half of the claim for Meekor, who is her cousin. When Haskell offers his half to secure the wood
she agrees, but demands results within a week, or else she will sell the entire stake.
The Count is confronted by Superintendent Steele, who warns him against threatening Father
Judge. He tells the Count that the Mounties have to be selective about where to allot their
resources, but that the church is very high on the list.
William Haskell confronts the old Tlingit who is accused of killing Epstein, and notices his hand
has a broken trigger finger. For Haskell this adds more doubt as to whether or not the murderer is
actually these natives behind bars.
Belinda Mulroney becomes aware that the Count has bought up all the land where the cemetery
stands, and she realizes he is planning to move the downtown to higher ground, away from the
mud hole where it currently stands. That night in the saloon of her hotel the Count publicly
humiliates Sabine by throwing money at her and asking her to strip in the muddy street in front of
everyone. Belinda steps in and stops the public display by paying Sabine more money. Instead of
being appreciative, Sabine calls Belinda a righteous rich bitch, saying she needs the money the
men offer her. Belinda says to her that integrity is "worth a whole lot more than all the gold in this
God damn frozen shitbox."
Mulroney takes Sabine and turns her over to Father Judge, asking him, "God may be a fairy tale,
but the fear of God ain't. You put that in her."
Superintendent Steele is visited by Cavendish, the Deputy Minister of the Interior, who has
traveled all the way from Ottawa to tell Steele that the Government is trying to encourage
business in the Yukon, and business is uneasy because of rumors that the natives are restless.
Referring to the imprisoned Tlingit he tells Steele, "If they are killers they need to die." When
Steele agrees, but tells the Cavendish he is not 100% certain they are the killers he is told "Then
get 100% certain."
In town the war between the Count and Belinda Mulroney escalates when they try to outbid each
other for a shopkeeper's store. The Count bids an outrageous sum of two thousand dollars, which
Mulroney cannot match, and then she watches as the Count kills the shopkeeper in cold blood as
soon as he has signed the deed to the shop over to the Count. As he walks out Mulroney realizes
she cannot match his ruthlessness.
In an effort to convince himself that the Tlingit he has in prison killed Epstein, Superintendent
Steele asks the elder prisoner to shoot at a target. With his lame hand he is incapable. This only
adds to Steele’s conviction that he has imprisoned two innocent men.
Haskell is down to his last pieces of firewood. Meekor visits his cousin - Belinda Mulroney - and
convinces her that Haskell is a good man and she should let him have more wood. Convinced,
she personally delivers it to their claim. When her horses get spooked and her wagon crashes
she is forced to spend the night with Haskell. As much as she tries, she can't deny her attraction
to him, and they wind up making love, with her warning him, "If you say a word of this to anyone,
I'll deny it."
The next day Mulroney returns to Dawson City where she is forced into selling Meekor and
Haskell's claim to Soapy Smith, because she desperately needs the money. Smith goes up to the
claim to discover that just at the last moment - for they had until the end of the day to purchase it
back - Haskell has discovered a vein of gold, enough to prevent Smith from acquiring the claim.
Father Judge hears a confession from a man who claims to have killed Epstein. Accompanied by
Sabine he visits Superintendent Steel, Deputy Minister Cavendish and the Mounties and he tells them
10
that the imprisoned men are innocent. Cavendish openly mocks Father Judge; his mind is already
made up and he wants the two prisoners hanged.
Haskell and Meekor are inside their mine, collecting gold nuggets, when someone outside bludgeons
a support at the entrance, causing a cave in, trapping both men inside.
Other miners help dig both men out. Meekor's arm is broken, but otherwise he is okay. Haskell visits
Superintendent Steele and tells him that whoever caved in the entrance to the mine must be the same
person who killed Epstein. Steele tells him about the confession Father Judge heard. Both men visit
the priest who refuses to divulge information about someone who confesses, but he does say that the
confessor was not Tlingit.
Meanwhile, an ill Belinda Mulroney sees the Count, and appears reluctantly to agree to sell him all of
her land holdings in Dawson City for six thousand dollars. She visits him at night and signs over her
property for the money. Walking out into the street with the case of bills in her hand she drops to her
knees, weak from the typhus that she has contracted, saying, "It worked. It worked!" What she has
done is taken all the cash the Count had on hand, and now he cannot pay his minions.
At the claim, Haskell is guarding it by himself, when Jack London comes by to tell Haskell that Belinda
is in Father Judge's place and she is ill. He offers to guard the claim to allow Haskell to go into
Dawson City and see her.
At her bedside Haskell talks to Belinda, who is very ill. Joe Meekor, sitting nearby, says, "She'll pull
through; she's tough as rubber."
Haskell says that he is buying a ticket for Meekor on the last boat leaving before the winter weather
prevents travel in and out of the city. Meekor refuses to go unless Haskell comes with him. Lying, he
tells him he will buy tickets for both of them.
However, Haskell still has avenging Epstein's murder on his mind. It would just be a matter of time.
After tucking the ticket inside Meekor's coat, Haskell sleeps on the floor of Father Judge's church
turned infirmary. Sabine wakes him up with the good news that Belinda Mulroney's fever has broken
and it does look as if she'll make it.
Haskell returns to his claim where Jack London says goodbye to him. He intends to be on that last
boat leaving, saying he has collected a lot of stories, but they are no good unless people can hear
them. As he leaves Haskell yells after him to “Put me in one of them.”
Goodman drops by Haskell's claim, and tells him that he was robbed of some gold flakes, probably by
the same person who killed Epstein and tried to kill Haskell and Meekor.
They decide to watch together from a distance in the hopes that whoever it is returns and thinks the
claim is unoccupied. When Haskell sees a man enter his claim he confronts him at gunpoint and asks
if he was the one who killed Epstein. The man confesses he was looking to steal something to feed
his family, but swore he had never killed anyone. Unconvinced, Haskell marches the man to the docks
as the last boat leaving for the year is loading. Father Judge is sitting on the dock.
The priest tells Haskell that the man he brought with him is not the killer who confessed. Haskell
releases the man and then sees Meekor, who refused to board the last boat without Haskell. "Who's
going to save that arm?" Haskell asks Meekor who replies to Haskell, "Who's going to save you?"
As the two men return to the claim we see the back of the man who confessed Epstein's murder to
Father Judge. He is wearing the same distinctive hat with a red band that he was wearing when he
saw the priest. He turns around as we learn who the killer is - Goodman!
###
11
Klondike EPISODE 3
LOGLINE: Having discovered gold on his claim, William Haskell soon decides to leave Dawson
City, but not before he has avenged the murder of his friend.
______________________________
It is the winter of 1897 and there is no escaping Dawson City for all those who are staying behind,
electing to not take the last ferry means surviving in a most inhospitable environment.
Bill Haskell and Joe Meekor are two who have elected to do that, pulling flakes and nuggets of
gold from their claim. The two men talk about what they will do with their riches when they return
home. Haskell says he will purchase 100 acres of land in Vermont. Meekor would like to
purchase an orange. Both men are hungry; they have riches in gold but they are unable to
purchase any decent food.
Goodman, who we now know was the murderer of Haskell's partner Epstein, also has stayed to
work his nearby claim, and when he overhears the two men discussing food, offers to take
Haskell to a nearby spot where they can hunt elk. Haskell and Goodman depart into the
wilderness, leaving Meekor to watch over the claim.
Haskell and Goodman hike to a frozen lake and wait for an elk to show up. Goodman discusses
being a marksman in the army and how he lost his thumb (shot in Buenos Aires) and he tells
Haskell that from the sound of the gunshot when Epstein was killed he guessed it was a 45 or 50
caliber rifle, fired from a distance. Goodman makes a point of stressing that his rifle is 30 calibers,
but suddenly Haskell realizes without saying anything that Goodman is an obvious choice to have
killed Epstein. Goodman walks behind Haskell, slowly takes aim and fells an elk with one shot.
12
In Father Judge's church in Dawson City, a recovered Belinda is getting dressed and preparing to
leave as Bill Haskell walks in. Sabine tells Haskell it is not a good time to see Judge, as he is getting
sick. Judge tells Sabine to get some whiskey and he sits across from Haskell, who asks if it was
Goodman who confessed to killing Epstein. Judge says he will not answer and Haskell tells him he
doesn't have to speak; he can just nod. After a moment of deliberation Father Judge nods, confirming
Haskell’s suspicions.
As Haskell rises to leave Judge warns him, "You kill another, you kill yourself. You become a ghost."
Haskell leaves with Belinda, who tells him she can tell from the look on his face she knows what he is
going to do. She tells him she doesn't want to see him again, "Not with that look on your face." As she
walks away and leaves him in the street, he spies a solitary orange in the window of a shop. It reminds
him of Meekor, who only wanted an orange. The price on the orange read, "$100.00."
Alone now in his church and worsening daily from typhus, Father Judge gets a visit from the Count,
who takes credit for the typhus that will soon kill him. If there is a God he should strike him dead, he
argues. Raising his arms and looking skyward he waits and then says to Judge as he walks out,
"There is only this life.”
At night Belinda Mulroney visits the construction site of her Fairview hotel and sees there is no work
going on. She is told the Count's men are leaning on the workers and they are afraid to continue
construction. She boldly walks up to one of the Count's main henchmen - Sundown - and offers him
money to work for her instead. He tells her that the Count is someone you don't change jobs on and
that the only way it will happen is if the Count is dead. Mulroney says she will not pay for murder, to
which Sundown replies, "Yukon gets to all of us sooner or later, Lady. What do you say?"
Meanwhile, Superintendent Steele is ordered to hang the Tlingit accused of killing Epstein. He is
instructed by Deputy Minister Cavendish that he has two days to do so.
In the saloon, the Count is eating a steak while his henchmen, who have not been paid for a while
now, watch. One of them complains and the Count stabs him to death in front of the others. He then
suggests if they are in need of payment they could visit the miners who have successful claims, such
as Bill Haskell.
Back at their claim, Haskell tells Meekor if anything should happen to him Meekor can have his half of
the claim. He then goes to Goodman's cabin where he discovers the hidden rifle that Goodman used
to kill Epstein. Goodman arrives and escapes, but not before setting the cabin on fire with Haskell
inside. Haskell is able to escape through a window and then goes searching for Goodman, who is
now somewhere in the wilderness.
The Count's henchmen discover that Haskell has gone out after Goodman and report this to the
Count.
Superintendent Steele tells Deputy Minister Cavendish that he can go ahead and strip him of his
uniform, but he will not be a part of murder, which is what hanging the Tlingit prisoners would be.
At night a party of Tlingit enters the Mounties jail, kill some guards, along with Soapy Smith and,
having freed the two prisoners, disappear with them into the forest.
In the morning, Bill Haskell, with a team of dogs and a sled, is on the surface of a frozen lake in the
mountains, screaming for Goodman to come face him man to man. Instead, he sees the Count and
his men, who catch up to him. On the Count's command hey take Haskell's dog team and his sled but
when the Count orders them to kill Haskell they instead take off with all the dogs and sleds, leaving
the Count and Haskell alone on the frozen ice. It seems you can only order and bully men for so long
without paying them.
"Well this is a bit of a predicament," the Count says.
13
"Come near me and I'll kill you," Haskell replies as he walks away from the Count, who follows him at
a distance until he determines they are walking away from Dawson City. Against Haskell's advice,
which is to walk through the forest to avoid the bitter wind chill, the Count turns back. Soon he is
crouched in the snow, trying unsuccessfully to light a fire with the few matches he has.
Not that far away, Bill Haskell collapses in the snow, unaware that Belinda has left Dawson City with a
dog team and is looking for him.
Exhausted and lying on the ice, slowing waiting to die, this is the William Haskell the very first time we
saw him, who said, "You're looking at a rich man. I wasn't that once."
Suddenly across the ice he sees Mounties on horseback, led by Superintendent Steele, chasing one
of the Tlingit who attacked and killed his men. Haskell tries to get their attention, but they are too far
away to hear or see him. They leave, having shot the Tlingit. Haskell walks up to the body and
removes the coat in an effort to help against the elements. It is then he sees Belinda, driving her dog
team towards him. She puts him in the sled and mushes back towards Dawson City.
At the claim, Sundown and the Count's other ex-henchmen have returned from where they
abandoned the Count and Haskell, and they knock Meekor unconscious, demanding to know where
the gold is.
Superintendent Steele and his Mounties find the Tlingit who freed the prisoners and after an exchange
of gunfire capture the leader.
Belinda Mulroney brings Haskell back to the hotel and has him put in a tub, filled with as much hot
water as can be found. She lies on top of him to add her warmth to him.
At the claim, Sundown threatens Meekor at gunpoint, but Meekor insists there is no gold there.
Belinda gets word that Goodman has returned and is in one of the rooms. Taking her gun, she goes
to face him. Haskell follows and after a shootout both he and Belinda each have a gun pointed at
Goodman, who tells Haskell to go ahead and shoot him. Haskell says there will be no killing tonight.
Goodman reaches for his gun and points it at Haskell, but before he can pull the trigger Belinda
Mulroney shoots Goodman dead.
Haskell returns to the claim to find Meekor beaten up and to learn that Sundown left with some of the
gold, but nowhere near all of it. Seems Meekor had the foresight to hide several bars in the waste pit
under the latrine, where Sundown and his henchmen never thought - nor wanted - to look.
Meekor and Haskell have had enough of Dawson City, and decide to travel overland back to the
southern 45; home for Haskell and a place where Meekor can get his oranges.
In a public execution on the main street of Dawson City Superintendent Steele hangs the Tlingit who
killed his men.
Haskell tries unsuccessfully to get Belinda to leave with him and Meekor. She says there's nowhere in
the States for a woman like her. She couldn't be a midwife or a maid after what she has achieved in
Dawson City. Haskell leaves her standing alone, by herself.
Haskell says goodbye to Father Judge and asks Sabine to take good care of him.
As Haskell and Meekor are about to mush their dogs and sled out of Dawson City for good, they see
the frozen body of the Count dragged in. Unlike Haskell, no one cared to save him.
The pair make it out across the wilderness, but tragically Meekor slips through a hole in the ice and
drowns, sinking to the bottom with his bars of gold.
Belinda Mulroney finishes the Fairview Hotel, but the gold rush has ended in Dawson City. Everyone
now is seeking their fortune in Nome, Alaska. That too shall pass.
14
When we last see Bill Haskell he is on his acreage, where he now has groves of orange trees. He
looks happy; certainly at least content.
In voiceover he asks, "The question is, does the struggle and the hardship make us better, give us
strength, the right priorities, or does it leave us scarred? And from those scars, from those dead
landscapes within, can good things once again grow? In the end, the answer is 'yes'. From dead lands
new things can grow. Things like wisdom. And the simplicity of the world, of a man's needs. Cause the
truth is, you don't need anything, except maybe hope."
We then learn through title cards what became of everyone:
*
Father William Judge died from typhus and remains buried in Dawson City to this day.
*
Joe Meekor's remains were never recovered. Nor was his gold.
*
Jack London went onto world-wide literary fame. He died at age 40, in 1916.
*
Sam Steele served with distinction in World War I after his time in the Klondike. He was
knighted for his service in 1918.
*
Belinda Mulroney went broke with the end of the Gold Rush. But once again made a fortune
when she moved to Fairbanks in 1905 and established a bank. She died largely penniless in
Yakima, Washington in 1967.
*
Bill Haskell went on to write a bestselling account of his time in the Klondike: "Two Years in
the Klondike & the Alaskan Gold Fields."
###
.
15
KLONDIKE: THE FULL CAST
Bill Haskell …………..…….………………………………...……….………….. RICHARD MADDEN
Belinda Mulroney …………………………..…………………..……………………. ABBIE CORNISH
Father Judge………………………………………………….……......…….……………. SAM SHEPARD
The Count ……….…….…………………………………..……………….…………………... TIM ROTH
Superintendent Steele ………….………..………..………..…..………..………... MARTON CSOKAS
Soapy Smith ……..……………….……………………………….……………..………….... IAN HART
Goodman ……..……………………………..……………….……………..………..….... GREG LAWSON
Joe Meekor ……………………………….…………………….……….………….. TIM BLAKE NELSON
Jack London ………………………..………………………………….….……….. JOHNNY SIMMONS
Byron Epstein ……………………...……...………….…………..……………….... AUGUSTUS PREW
Sabine ………………………………………….…………………….…………….…. CONOR LESLIE
Cheyeho ……………………………………………………………………....… MICHAEL GREYEYES
Gorna ………………..….……………………………………....……….……….……… MARILYN NORRY
Shopkeeper Stan ………………………………………………..……………………….. ANDY CURTIS
Hotel Clerk ………………..……………………………………………………….. TERRY LAWRENCE
Sundown ……………..……..……………...………………….………………….. RONALD SELMOUR
Cavendesh……………...…………………………………………..…………..….. BRIAN MARKINSON
Orator………………………….………………………………………………………….... JAMES HOPKIN
Student ……….……………………………………...………..……………….... ANDREW McKENZIE
Chinese Dealer………..…………….……………………….…………………………………… CHRIS YEE
Mr. Night………..…………..…………………………..…….…………………………….. JOHNNY MAH
Heckler………………………..…………………………….………….….…………….. CHRIS IPPOLITO
Heckler #2………..……………………………………….…………………….…………….. SEAN HOY
Bartender (Colorado Springs)…………………...………………..…………….. CHRISTOPHER CLARE
Beckett………………………………….…………………………..…………….. NICHOLAS CAMPBELL
Petro…………………………………………………………………….. CALEB ELLSWORTH-CLARK
McDonald …………………………….…….……..…………………..……………….... LARRY REESE
Realtor……………………………………..…………………………..……………….... DAVID TRIMBLE
Krueger……………….…………….……………..……………………..…………….... GRAEME BLACK
Zuck ………………………..…………..………..…………………………………….... ALEJANDRO RAE
Vendor (Dyea) ………..….........……..………..…………………..………….. DIEGO DIABLO DEL MAR
Half-mad Miner …………………….…………………..………………………...…..…….. RANDY BIRCH
Boatseller ……………………………….…………………..….…………………….….. REID SPENCER
Courtesan …...………………………………..………….………………………. MIKAELA COCHRANE
Swiftwater Bill …......……………..…….………….……………………………. COLIN CUNNINGHAM
Tolstoy ……..……….…………………...……...……………………………………. SORIN MIHAILOVICI
Bar Patron………………………….………………..……………...…………….….………. ADAM JACK
Bartender #2.……...…………….………………………………………………..……… BILL BAKSA
Mortician …….……………………….………………………...…………..……………. FRED HILLYER
Booted Miner …………………………...…………………………………..……………. IAN KILBURN
Grizzled Miner……….……...……………..………………….……………….... MICHAEL SHEPHERD
Bystander ……………..……………………………………………………………………. CHRIS KELLY
Tlingit Woman ……………...………….……………………….……………….……… DINAH GASTON
Older Tlingit Hunter ……………..……………….…………….…………..……… LEONARD GEORGE
Younger Tlingit………………………………………..…………..……………………. WADE LAMEMAN
Dentist…………………………………………………..…….……..……………………. CHRIS ENRIGHT
Hush .……………...………………….……….……..…………………………. DUSTIN MACDOUGALL
Hush’s Wife …………….……………..………………………..….…………………. SHARILYN POOLE
Frank ………….……………………………………………..……………… CHRISTOPHER AUSTMAN
Gugan ………..…………………………..….……………………………………...………. CODY BIRD
Young Mountie …………………………………………………………….………… JUSTIN BRUNELLE
Card Playing Mountie ………..………….……………………………….…………………….. NEIL WEBB
16
Dan Condon …….………………..…..…….…………………………………..………. ADRIAN HOUGH
Sundown’s Scumbag #1 …….………..……….…………………………………………. CLIFF LIKNES
Sundown’s Scumbag #3………………….…...……...…………..……………….... JOEL JACKSHAW
Foley …………………………………….………..…………………………………. MITCHELL VERIGIN
Miner #1 ………..………..……………………………....…………………….……… STAFFORD PERRY
Reporter #1 …….……………..…….…………………….……….………..……………. SCOTT McADAM
Reporter #2 ……………….…………………………………………………………. VICTOR ATELEVICH
Mill Worker………………….………….……...……..………..………………….... GERRICK WINSTON
Patron ………………………………………………………….............…………………. BRIAN MARTELL
Ed the Miner ……..…….……………...…………………………………..……………. ADRIAN YOUNG
Woman …………………...….………………………………………………………. VANESSA HOLMES
First Mate………………………..………………...…………..…………………….... ROHAN CAMPBELL
Miner #5 ………………………..…..…………………….……………………………. DAVID VAN BELLE
Boy .………………………..…………...……………………..……………. CHRISTIAN LAURIAN KERR
Maid Mary …………………………………..…………………………………………. SOPHIA LAUCHLIN
Mountie…………………………………..………..…...…………....…………………….... JAKE CHURCH
Courtesan #2 ………………………………………..…….……………………………. SARAH TROYER
Soapy’s Tlingit Girl ………..……………….….……………..……….… SHAYLA JADE STONECHILD
Saloon Singer ………………………………….……….…………..…………………. PAM CRAWFORD
Stunt Coordinator ………..………..………………………......……….….………….……… GUY BEWS
Stunt Double Bill …………..……………………………………………….……..……… LEIF HAVDALE
Stunt Double Bill (Wolf) ……….….………………………………….…….………… LUKE THIERRIEN
Stunt Double Belinda ………………..….…………………………..……….………….. SALLY BISHOP
Stunt Double Father Judge …………………………………………………..……………. JACOP RUPP
Stunt Double Father Steele …….………………………………...………………. BRENT WOOLSEY
Stunt Double Goodman………………............……...…………….……………….... MIKE MITCHELL
Stunt Double Meekor …………….………………..……………………………………. DAN PELCHAT
Stunt Double Epstein …..…………………..…...………..…….…………….……… ELI ZAGOUDAKIS
Stunt Double Cheyeho ………….…………..…………………..……..……………. TIM BRUISED HEAD
Chilkoot Climber #1 …………………………..………………….……………. CHRISTIAN FRASER
Chilkoot Climber #2…….………….……...……..………..……………………….... GREG SCHLOSSER
Chilkoot Climber #3……….………………….………….…………...………………. DENTON EDGE
Chilkoot Climber #4 ………….…….……………......………………....……………. SALLY BISHOP
Chilkoot Climber #5 …………………………………………………………………. BRENT WOOLSEY
Stunt Mountie #1……….…………………………...……………..……………….... CHAD COSGRAVE
Stunt Mountie #2 ………..…………………..…………………………………………. SHANE POLLITT
Stunt Mountie #3 .……………………………..……………………..……………. TRISTIN WOOLSEY
Stunt Double Gugan ……….…………………….…………………………………. DILLON MEGUINIS
Stunt Tlingit Warrior #1……………..…………..………………….………….... EUGENE BRAVE ROCK
Stunt Tlingit Warrior #2 ……………….………………………………….…. WRIGHT BRUISED HEAD
Stunt Double Blind Driver …………………...…………..….…………………….……… JOHN SCOTT
Stunt Pallbearer #1 ……………………..……..…………………………………... DUANE DICKINSON
Stunt Pallbearer #2 ………..………..…………….....…….……………….………….… DUSTY BEWS
Stunt Pallbearer #3 ……...…………………….…….……………….………..…..……… PETER BEWS
Stunt Pallbearer #4 ………….......…………………..……...…….……………….……… ADRIAN YOUNG
###
17
KLONDIKE: THE LEAD CHARACTERS & CAST BIOS
Bill Haskell (RICHARD MADDEN)
Initially intent upon carving out a place in the world for himself, Bill Haskell is the consummate
youthful ambitious idealist. He seeks experience and fortune, yet in going to the Klondike he
learns hard and fast lessons about the world, including the dog eat dog world of men.
Madden grew up in Elderslie, Scotland. At the age of 11, he joined Paisley Arts Centre's youth
theatre program. He was soon cast as young Andy in the film adaptation of Iain Banks's
"Complicity," followed by his being cast in a lead role as Sebastian in the television series "Barmy
Aunt Boomerang," for which he filmed 6 episodes which aired from 1999 until 2000. He
graduated from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in 2007.
While at RSAMD he worked with the Arches and Glasgow Repertory Company, followed by
Franz Xavier Kroetz's play "Tom Fool" at the Citizens' Theatre. It was so well received that it
transferred to London, where Madden was spotted by a team from the Globe Theatre. In his final
year with RSAMD he was cast as Romeo in a production of Romeo and Juliet at the Globe
Theatre which, after a run in London, toured in open-air stages during the summer of 2007. He
also played Callum McGregor in the stage production of Malorie Blackman's "Noughts and
Crosses" in 2008.
He later gained the lead role of Dean McKenzie in the 2009 BBC series "Hope Springs," followed
by his roles as Ripley in the 2010 film "Chatroom," and as Theatre of Hate singer Kirk Brandon in
the 2010 film "Worried About The Boy." Between 2011 and 2013, he starred as Robb Stark in the
HBO series "Game of Thrones," the Channel 4 series "Sirens" and in the BBC series "Birdsong."
In May 2013, Madden was chosen to portray Prince Charming in the live action Disney film
"Cinderella," to be directed by Kenneth Branagh.
Belinda Mulroney (ABBIE CORNISH)
Being a woman in Dawson City in the late 1800s is no easy feat. Being arguably the most
powerful person in Dawson City is another thing entirely. She has achieved that status through
cutthroat opportunism and by playing hardball. She has money and she knows people that will do
what she needs done to further her agenda.
Abbie Cornish began modeling and acting at the age of 13. Native to Australia, Cornish was
awarded the Australian Film Institute Young Actor's Award for her role in the ABC's television
show "Wildside" and was offered her first role in a feature film, "The Monkey's Mask."
In 2004, she appeared in the award-winning short film "Everything Goes" with Hugo Weaving.
Cornish received the Australian Film Institute Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role, Best
Actress at the FCCA and IF Awards and Best Breakthrough Performance at the 2005 Miami
International Film Festival for her role in "Somersault." Cornish received critical acclaim for her
role in the 2006 feature "Candy," opposite Heath Ledger. She then starred in "A Good Year,"
"Elizabeth: The Golden Age," and Kimberly Peirce's "Stop-Loss." In 2011 Cornish starred in three
features; opposite Bradley Cooper in "Limitless," the film adaptation of the novel The Dark Fields,
as the lead role of Wally in Madonna's film "W.E.," about Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson, and as
Sweet Pea in Zack Snyder's critically acclaimed "Sucker Punch."
In 2012 she garnered rave reviews starring in the independent film "The Girl," which premiered at
the Tribeca Film Festival. She also starred alongside Woody Harrelson, Sam Rockwell and Colin
Farrell in Martin Donagh's "Seven Psychopaths." Soon Cornish will be seen as Clara Murphy the wife of protagonist Alex Murphy - in the action sci-fi thriller, "Robocop."
18
Father Judge (SAM SHEPARD)
Judge has arrived in Dawson City with a burning ambition equal to the rest of the miners, only his
is not a quest for gold; it is a quest for souls. Knowing the greed and licentiousness that dwells in
such places, he goes initially with the belief that it is in the Klondike where he will find men in the
most need of salvation.
Sam Shepard is an American playwright, actor, and television and film director. He is the author
of several books of short stories, essays, and memoirs, and received the Pulitzer Prize for Drama
in 1979 for his play "Buried Child." Shepard was nominated for an Academy Award for Best
Supporting Actor for his portrayal of pilot Chuck Yeager in "The Right Stuff." He received the
PEN/Laura Pels International Foundation for Theater Award as a master American dramatist in
2009.
Shepard began his acting career in earnest when he was cast as the land baron in Terrence
Malick's "Days of Heaven," opposite Richard Gere and Brooke Adams. This led to other film
roles, most notably his portrayal of Chuck Yeager in "The Right Stuff," earning him an Academy
Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. By 1986, one of his plays, "Fool for Love," was
being made into a film directed by Robert Altman; his play "A Lie of the Mind" was Off-Broadway
with an all-star cast including Harvey Keitel and Geraldine Page.
Throughout the years, Shepard has done a considerable amount of teaching on writing plays and
other aspects of theatre. His classes and seminars have occurred at various theatre workshops,
festivals, and universities.
Shepard was elected to The American Academy of Arts and Letters in 1986. He was elected a
Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1986.
In 2001, Shepard had a notable role of General William F. Garrison in the box office hit "Black
Hawk Down," directed by Ridley Scott. Although he was cast in a supporting role, it reinvigorated
interest in Shepard among the public and critics alike.
He performed Spalding Gray's final monologue "Life Interrupted" for its audio release in 2006.
Other notable films Shepard has appeared in recently include "The Notebook," Walker Payne,"
"Charlotte's Web" (as the narrator), "The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert
Ford," "Inhale," "Blackthorn" and "Safe House." More recently he appeared in Andrew Dominik's
"Killing them Softly," as Matthew McConaughey's father in Jeff Nichol's "Mud," and alongside
Meryl Streep, Julia Roberts Ewan McGregor and Chris Cooper in John Wells' "August: Osage
County."
The Count (TIM ROTH)
Morally bankrupt and driven solely by greed and a burning desire to be wealthy, the Count has
little in the way of conscience. He employs those who can further his travels along the road
towards wealth, but he has no allegiance to anyone other than himself. Dawson City is woefully
low when it comes to law enforcement; the perfect atmosphere where someone like the Count
can thrive.
London born Tim Roth made his acting debut playing a white power skinhead in the 1983
television movie, "Made in Britain." In contrast, Roth played a desperately shy and introverted
character in the 1983 Mike Leigh film, "Meantime." In 1984, he played an apprentice hitman in
Stephen Frears' "The Hit," alongside Terence Stamp and John Hurt, earning an Evening
Standard Award for Most Promising Newcomer. He appeared in several other films towards the
19
end of the decade and in 1989 he had a supporting role in Peter Greenaway's "The Cook, the
Thief, His Wife & Her Lover." In 1990, he started to gain international attention with starring roles
as Vincent van Gogh in Robert Altman's "Vincent & Theo" and as Guildenstern in Tom Stoppard's
"Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead."
Roth was cast as Mr. Orange in Quentin Tarantino's 1992 ensemble piece "Reservoir Dogs,"
paving the way for more work in Hollywood. In 1994, Tarantino cast him as a robber in the
acclaimed "Pulp Fiction." They also collaborated in the 1995 film "Four Rooms." His role as
Archibald Cunningham opposite Liam Neeson in "Rob Roy" garnered him an Academy Award
nomination for Best Supporting Actor, a Golden Globe nomination and also won him a BAFTA
Award.
In 1996 he starred with Drew Barrymore in Woody Allen's musical comedy "Everyone Says I Love
You." He made his debut as a director in 1999 with "The War Zone," a film version of Alexander
Stuart's novel. In 2001, he portrayed General Thade in Tim Burton's "Planet of the Apes." He
appeared in Francis Ford Coppola's "Youth Without Youth" and Michael Haneke's "Funny
Games," then starred opposite Edward Norton "The Incredible Hulk" as Emil Blonsky.
From 2009 to 2011, he starred in a FOX series called "Lie To Me." He played Dr. Cal Lightman,
an expert on body language who assists local and federal law organizations in the investigations
of crimes.
He was the President of the Un Certain Regard section Jury at the 2012 Cannes Film Festival.
Recent films Roth has appeared in include "Arbitrage," alongside Richard Gere, "Broken," with
Cillian Murphy and in Craig Viveiros' "The Liability."
Superintendent Steele (MARTON CSOKAS)
An honorable company man, with the company being the Canadian government who has
assigned him to maintain the peace and order of the area, Steele learns early on that he does not
have the resources to properly do his job, so he manages things by the letter of the law until he is
forced to question what his role in Dawson City exactly is.
Marton Csokas was born in Invercargill, New Zealand and grew up in Sydney, Australia, but
returned to New Zealand where he studied art history and American literature at the University of
Canterbury before switching to drama school in Wellington.
Csokas co-founded a theatre company and acted in short films, including Harry Sinclair's "Casual
Sex," and starring roles in Scott Reynolds pieces "The M1nute" and "A Game with No Rules."
In 1993 he joined the cast for the second season of "Shortland Street." By 1995 he was in
demand with various roles on stage, in television and in features. In 1997 he was nominated for
best supporting actor at the NZ Film Awards for his turn in the Croatian-Māori romance "Broken
English," which won rave reviews when it played in the United States. The same year, Csokas
played Xena's warlord ex-lover Borias in three episodes of "Xena: Warrior Princess," a role he
would fitfully reprise until 2001.
Come the turn of the millennium, Csokas returned to New Zealand to appear in coming of age
story "Rain," playing a charismatic older photographer who wins the attention of the film's central
teenage character. Csokas also took a small role as elf lord Celeborn in the Lord of the Rings
trilogy.
Since Rain, Csokas has worked largely overseas. He made his American debut in 2002 in the
action feature "xXx," playing the Russian anarchist villain. Csokas played an impassioned inmate
in the British-made Asylum, alongside Natasha Richardson, and then joined fellow Kiwi export
Karl Urban as one of the pursuers in "The Bourne Supremacy."
20
In 2004 Csokas appeared in the Ridley Scott epic, "Kingdom of Heaven." In 2005 he played
romantic lead Trevor Goodchild to an injured Charlize Theron in "Aeon Flux."
Another notable appearance was in The 2007 Australian drama "Romulus, My Father," which
won Csokas a best supporting actor nod at the AFI Awards, and another from the Film Critics'
Circle of Australia. He played the best friend of the Romanian immigrant title character, who is
struggling to raise a family in 50s-era Victoria.
Csokas concentrated on theatre roles in Australia for a couple of years before returning to the big
screen in 2010, to play the French speaking partner of Sophie Marceau in "The Age of Reason."
He also joined Charlotte Gainsbourg for the Cannes-chosen feature "The Tree" and had a small
role in Tim Burton's "Alice in Wonderland."
Recent features Csokas has appeared in include "Dream House," "Abraham Lincoln: Vampire
Hunter" and "Pawn," and he has a regular role as Jimmy Laszlo in the television series "Rogue."
Soapy Smith (IAN HART)
Not overly bright, but convinced that he can be a major player, Soapy Smith is always trying to
work the latest scam. One can't help but like him, despite his huckster nature, but he is woefully
incapable of trying to swindle people far smarter than him; unfortunately that would be most
people.
Ian Hart was born in Liverpool, Merseyside. He attended the Cardinal Allen Grammar School and
was in his teens a member of the Everyman Youth Theatre before studying drama at the nowdefunct Mabel Fletcher College of Music and Drama in Liverpool. He then moved on and started
acting in 1980.
From 1988 to 1991, Hart studied video production at South Mersey College (now part of Liverpool
Community College). He portrayed an International Brigade volunteer in the Spanish Civil War in
"Land and Freedom," an unemployed Liverpool shipyard worker in "Liam" and he played
Professor Quirrell in "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone." Hart has played John Lennon
three times — in The Hours and Times (1991), in Backbeat (1994) and in Snodgrass (2013) —
and has also played Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in "Finding Neverland."
On television, he played Doyle's creation Dr. Watson in two Sherlock Holmes television movies,
"The Hound of the Baskervilles" and "Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Silk Stocking." He also
played schizophrenic paparazzo Don Konkey in the FX series "Dirt" in 2007 and 2008. In 2009 he
played Tom Ripley in BBC Radio Four's adaptations of all five of Patricia Highsmith's "Ripliad" series.
Hart memorably played Adolf Hitler in the BBC television movie "The Man Who Crossed Hitler,"
and has recently appeared in high profile television series in the U.S., including "Luck," alongside
Dustin Hoffman, "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." and as Buddy Wilson in "Rogue."
Joe Meekor (TIM BLAKE NELSON)
Initially the barkeep at Belinda's saloon, Joe Meekor will become Haskell's partner before long.
He is likeable, but not overly bright. However, he is steady and loyal, although it takes a while for
Haskell to realize that Meekor's unflagging loyalty is genuine.
Tim Blake Nelson is an American director, writer, and actor who has appeared in film and
television as well as on stage. He had a featured role as Delmar in the film "O Brother, Where Art
Thou?." According to directors Joel and Ethan Coen, he was the only one in the cast or crew who
had read Homer's Odyssey, a work upon which the film is loosely based. He played Samuel
Sterns in the 2008 film The Incredible Hulk.
21
He narrated the 2001 audiobook "At the Altar of Speed: The Fast Life and Tragic Death of Dale
Earnhardt, Sr." He has appeared on stage extensively off Broadway in New York at various
venues, including Manhattan Theater Club, Playwrights Horizons, Manhattan Class Company,
Soho Repertory Theater, New York Theater Workshop, and Central Park's Open Air Theater in
the Shakespeare plays Richard III, Troilus and Cressida, and A Midsummer Night's Dream.
He has directed film versions of his plays "The Grey Zone" and "Eye of God," as well as writing
and directing two original screenplays: 1998's "Kansas" and "Leaves of Grass." He is also the
director of "O," based on William Shakespeare's play Othello and set in a modern-day high
school.
Other notable films Nelson has appeared in include, "Donnie Brasco," "The Thin Red Line,"
"Cherish," "Minority Report," "Holes," "Meet the Fockers," "Syriana," "Fido," as Richard Schell in
"Lincoln" and in James Franco's "As I lay Dying."
Nelson is on the Board of Directors for The Actors Center in New York City, as well as the Soho
Rep Theatre.
Goodman (GREG LAWSON)
An affable war veteran who is working a claim not far from Bill's. Not unlike Haskell, he has a
desire to find meaning by getting out into the world and finding a place for one's self. He is
likeable, as gruff as he may be.
Greg Lawson was born in Toronto but has called Alberta home for the past two decades. He has
recurring roles in two popular Canadian television series, "Heartland," as Clint Riley, and
"Blackstone." as Teddy Burton.
On television Lawson has appeared in the past on various series, including, "Wild Roses," "Tom
Stone," "Jake and the Kid" and Lonesome Dove: The Series." Television movies he has
appeared in include, "In Cold Blood," "The Death and Life of Nancy Eaton," "Burn: The Robert
Wraight Story," "Hollywood Wives: The New Generation," "Dawn Anna," "Carolina Moon" and
"The Legend of Butch and Sundance."
Significant mini-series Lawson has had roles in include the Emmy winning "Broken Trail," "Into
the West," and the BBC miniseries "Burn Up."
Also a stage actor, Lawson's credits include several seasons with the Stratford Festival Acting
Company where he was the recipient of two consecutive Tyrone Guthrie Awards.
Lawson also has a role in the current serial horror feature "Haunting Melissa," which is only being
distributed through iPad and iPhone and changes each time a viewer watches it.
Jack London (JOHNNY SIMMONS)
The author, journalist and social activist Jack London was a pioneer in commercial magazine
fiction and obtained worldwide celebrity and a fortune from his fiction alone. His stay in Dawson
City resulted in "Call of the Wild" and "White Fang," but took a heavy toll on him.
Johnny Simmons was born in Montgomery, Alabama, and was raised in Dallas, Texas, where he
attended Nathan Adams Elementary and T. C. Marsh Middle School. He is a 2005 graduate of W.
T. White High School.
After moving to Los Angeles, Simmons landed his first role in the feature film "Evan Almighty," in
which he plays Dylan Baxter, opposite Steve Carell and Lauren Graham. This led to a series of
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roles in films such as "Boogeyman 2," "The Greatest," "Jennifer's Body," "Scott Pilgrim vs. the
World" and "21 Jump Street." In 2012, he co-starred with Logan Lerman, Emma Watson, and
Ezra Miller in the teen drama "The Perks of Being a Wallflower."
He will be seen in the upcoming comedy feature, "Frank and Cindy," alongside Rene Russo and
Oliver Platt.
Johnny is a relative of United States Founding Father Patrick Henry and a third cousin of
Confederate General Robert Edward Lee.
Byron Epstein (AUGUSTUS PREW)
Byron Epstein had an influence on his good friend Bill Haskell. With a cavalier, devil-may-care
attitude, and a love of adventure, it is doubtful Bill would have gone to the Yukon without the
prompting of his friend Byron.
Augustus Prew was born in Hammersmith, London, England, where he later attended Latymer
Upper School. Since 2001, Prew has appeared in a wide array of television and film productions.
He has a reputation for being somewhat of a chameleon as he completely transforms himself into
the roles he tackles, most notably as Prince Alfonso in the television series, "The Borgias."
His screen début was in 2001 as a child actor appearing as Drew Jessup in episodes of the
television series "24Seven." This was followed by his film début appearing as Ali in the Hugh
Grant film "About a Boy."
Since then, he has appeared in the television series, "Spooks," "The Time of Your Life," "Silent
Witness" and "The Village." Feature films Prew has appeared in include, "The Secret of
Moonacre," "Charlie St. Cloud," "Sophie," "Hated," "Animals," "Copperhead" and as Todd the Ass
Kicker in "Kick-Ass 2."
Sabine (CONOR LESLIE)
Strikingly beautiful, Sabine comes to Dawson City thinking she can make a quick killing as a
courtesan. When that doesn't come to pass her world darkens quickly, until an unlikely player Belinda - intercedes.
Conor Leslie’s acting career began at the tender age of two when her mother spied her emulating
everyone from family members to her favorite animated Disney characters. Raised in a small
suburban town outside of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, she moved with her mother and two
younger brother’s to New Jersey where she began working in national commercials at 13 in New
York City. She began acting professionally at the age of fifteen, landing her first pilot M.O.N.Y for
ABC directed by Spike Lee.
Being a conscientious student and managing career and school simultaneously she decided to
graduate high school a year early to pursue her acting career full time the age of eighteen.
Conor has remained busy booking independent films and several guest spots on shows such
as “Law & Order,” “Revenge” and “Rizzoli and Isles,” to name a few, and a series regular role in
the pilot “Widow Detective” for CBS. Shortly after wrapping the independent film “Parts per Billion”
opposite Rosario Dawson, Gena Rowlands, Frank Langella & Josh Hartnett, she landed the role
of "Sabine" in “Klondike.”
While acting is her first passion, her love of the arts is exhibited through her hobbies of writing
and photography with the intention of one day delving further into all areas of filmmaking.
###
23
KLONDIKE: KEY CREW
Directed by …………..…….………………………………...……….………….. SIMON CELLAN JONES
Executive Producer ………………………….…..…………………..……………………. RIDLEY SCOTT
Executive Producer …………………………………….……......…….……………. DAVID W. ZUCKER
Executive Producer ……….…….…………………..…………….…………………... DOLORES GAVIN
Executive Producer ………….………..…..………..………..…..………..………... EILEEN O’NEILL
Executive Producer ……..……………….……………….……………..………….... JOHN MORAYNISS
Executive Producer ……..…………………..………………………..………..….... PAUL T. SCHEURING
Produced by ……………………………….…………………………….……….………….. CHAD OAKES
Produced by ………………………..………………………………………….….……….. MIKE FRISLEV
Produced by ……………………...…………...………….………..…..……………….... CLARA GEORGE
Based on the book, “GOLD DIGGERS” by ………….……....…….…………….…. CHARLOTTE GRAY
Part 1 Teleplay by ……………………………………………………………....… PAUL T. SCHEURING
Part 2 Teleplay by ………………………………….……… JOSH GOLDIN & RACHEL ABRAMOWITZ
Part 3 Teleplay by …………………………………………...…………………….. PAUL T. SCHEURING
Part 4 Teleplay by …………..………….………………….. JOSH GOLDIN & RACHEL ABRAMOWITZ
Part 5 Teleplay by ……...………………………………….. JOSH GOLDIN & RACHEL ABRAMOWITZ
Part 6 Teleplay by………………………………………………………………… PAUL T. SCHEURING
Director of Photography ……….………………………...………..……………….... MIKE ELEY, B.S.C.
Production Designer………..…………………………….…………………………………… KEN REMPEL
Costume Designer………..…………..…………………………..…………………….. JOANNE HANSEN
Editor, Episodes 1 and 3……………………………….……………..….….…………….. ORAL OTTEY
Editor, Episode 2…..……………………………….…………………….. KRISTINA HETHERINGTON
Music by………………...……………………………………………..…………….. ADRIAN JOHNSTON
Line Producer………………………….…………………………..……………….………….. ERIN SMITH
Consulting producers……………………………….…….. JOSH GOLDIN & RACHEL ABRAMOWITZ
Co-Producer …………………………….….…………………..……………….... CLAYTON KRUEGER
Post Production Supervisor……………..…………………………..……………….... SARAH PARFITT
Casting by……………….…………….…………..……………………..…………….... MARK SAKS, CSA
Canadian Casting by…………………………….... RHONDA FISEKCI, CSA & CANDICE ELZINGA
Production Manager ….….........……..………..…………………..…………….. PETROS DANABASSIS
First Assistant Director ………………………..………………………...…..…….. DAVID McLENNAN
Second Assistant Director …………….………………….…………………….….. MARTIN PEDERSEN
###
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KLONDIKE: Key Crew Bios
Director - SIMON CELLAN JONES
Simon Cellan Jones began his career as a production assistant in the mid-1980s, working on
series such as "Edge of Darkness." By the late 1980s he had worked his way up to become a
director, and he gained credits on some of the most acclaimed British television productions of
the 1990s. These included episodes of "Cracker" (1993) and "Our Friends in the North" (1996).
He was nominated as the Best Newcomer at the British Academy Film Awards for his first feature
film "Some Voices" (2000), which starred Daniel Craig and Kelly Macdonald. Other television
credits have included BBC One's "Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Silk Stocking" (2004)
and More 4's "The Trial of Tony Blair" (2007). In 2008 he directed three episodes of the television
miniseries "Generation Kill."
Recently Cellan Jones has directed episodes of "The Borgias," "How to Make it in America," "The
Politician's Husband" and "Magic City." He also directed one episode of "Boardwalk Empire."
Executive Producer - RIDLEY SCOTT
Renowned Academy Award-nominated director Ridley Scott has been honored with Academy
Award nominations for Best Director for his work on "Black Hawk Down," "Gladiator," and
"Thelma & Louise." All three films also earned him DGA Award nominations. Scott recently
released "The Counselor," written by Cormac McCarthy and starring Michael Fassbender, Brad
Pitt, Cameron Diaz, and Javier Bardem.
Scott has garnered multiple nominations over his illustrious career. In addition to his Academy
Award and DGA nominations, he also earned a Golden Globe nomination for Best Director for
"American Gangster," starring Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe. As he also served as a
producer on the true-life drama, Scott received a BAFTA nomination for Best Film. Scott also
received Golden Globe and BAFTA nominations for Best Director for his epic "Gladiator." The film
won the Academy Award, Golden Globe, and BAFTA awards for Best Picture.
In 1977, Scott made his feature film directorial debut with "The Duellists," for which he won the
Best First Film Award at the Cannes Film Festival. He followed with the blockbuster sciencefiction thriller "Alien," which catapulted Sigourney Weaver to stardom and launched a successful
franchise. In 1982, Scott directed the landmark film "Blade Runner," starring Harrison Ford.
Considered a science-fiction classic, the futuristic thriller was added to the U.S. Library of
Congress’ National Film Registry in 1993, and a director’s cut of "Blade Runner" was released to
renewed acclaim in 1993 and again in 2007.
Scott’s additional film directing credits include "Legend," starring Tom Cruise; "Someone to Watch
Over Me"; "Black Rain," starring Michael Douglas and Andy Garcia; "1492: Conquest of
Paradise"; "White Squall," starring Jeff Bridges; "G.I. Jane," starring Demi Moore and Viggo
Mortensen; "Hannibal," starring Anthony Hopkins and Julianne Moore; "Body of Lies," starring
Russell Crowe and Leonardo DiCaprio; "A Good Year," starring Russell Crowe and Albert Finney;
the epic "Kingdom of Heaven," with Orlando Bloom and Jeremy Irons; "Matchstick Men," starring
Nicolas Cage and Sam Rockwell; and the acclaimed hit "Prometheus" starring Michael
Fassbender, Noomi Rapace and Charlize Theron. Scott also directed the hit version of the
timeless tale of "Robin Hood" marking his fifth collaboration with title star Russell Crowe.
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Ridley and his brother Tony formed commercial and advertising production company RSA in
1967. RSA has an established reputation for creating innovating and groundbreaking
commercials for some of the world's most recognized corporate brands. In 1995, Ridley and
Tony formed the film and television production company Scott Free.
In television, he also executive produces the Emmy, Peabody, and Golden Globe winning hit TV
show "The Good Wife" for CBS, as well as the hit long-running series "Numbers," which ran for
six seasons also on CBS. In addition, Ridley served as executive producer on the company’s
long-form projects including the Starz miniseries "The Pillars of The Earth"; the A&E miniseries
"The Andromeda Strain"; the TNT miniseries "The Company"; and the award-winning HBO
movies "RKO 281," "The Gathering Storm" and "Into the Storm."
In 2003, Scott was awarded a knighthood from the Order of the British Empire in recognition of
his contributions to the arts.
Executive Producer – DAVID W. ZUCKER
David W. Zucker is President of Television for Scott Free, and Executive Producer of the Emmy
and Golden Globe-nominated, Peabody-acclaimed drama, "The Good Wife," now in its fifth year,
as well as the crime series, "NUMB3RS," which ran for six successful seasons on CBS.
During his tenure, Scott Free has produced a steady stream of acclaimed programs including
STARZ’s eight-hour limited series, Ken Follett’s "The Pillars of the Earth," an Emmy and Golden
Globe nominee, starring Ian McShane, Rufus Sewell and Donald Sutherland; and the subsequent
"World Without End," featuring Cynthia Nixon and Ben Chaplin for Reelz; HBO’s "Into the Storm,"
an Emmy nominee and sequel to the Emmy-winning telefilm, "The Gathering Storm"; for A&E, the
Emmy-nominated mini-series, Michael Crichton’s "The Andromeda Strain," starring Benjamin
Bratt; and Robin Cook’s medical thriller "Coma," with Geena Davis, James Woods, Richard
Dreyfus and Ellen Burstyn. TNT’s epic six-hour spy thriller, "The Company," was a Golden Globe
nominee, with Michael Keaton and Alfred Molina.
In the non-fiction arena, two landmark broadcasts in 2013, adaptations of Bill O’Reilly’s books
"Killing Kennedy" and "Killing Lincoln" both delivered record ratings for National Geographic
channel, while the documentary series, "Crimes of the Century" was featured on CNN. Also
notable was the Emmy-winning documentary special, "Gettysburg," which was produced for the
History Channel.
Targeted development for 2014 includes the film event, "Reykjavik," with Oscar winner Michael
Douglas, dramatizing the famous Cold War encounter between Reagan and Gorbachev, miniseries "Killing Jesus" for National Geographic channel, and "Robert the Bruce" for Discovery,
along with a full pilot slate at AMC: "The Terror," "Galyntine" and "Raiders," among many others.
Prior to joining Scott Free, Zucker worked as a Story Editor on the CBS series "Judging Amy" and
wrote pilot scripts for CBS and ABC, as well as various stage plays. Zucker also served as Vice
President of Drama Series for CBS, and Vice President of Drama Series & Current Programs at
Warner Bros. TV, overseeing such shows as "E.R." and "Murphy Brown."
Executive Producer – DOLORES GAVIN
Dolores Gavin is Executive Vice President of Development and Production, East for Discovery
Channel. In this capacity she oversees all aspects of Discovery Channel development and
programming that originate from the network’s east coast headquarters in Silver Spring. Gavin
also spearheads all scripted programming, oversees development and production strategy, and
works closely with the creative community to deliver the highest quality non-fiction content for
Discovery’s flagship network. She reports to Eileen O’Neill, Group President Discovery and TLC
Networks.
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Gavin earlier served as Senior Vice President of Development and Production for Discovery
Channel and developed such #1 series as, "Bering Sea Gold," "Amish Mafia," "Moonshiners" and
"Sons of Guns," the last three of which she also served as Executive Producer. Additionally she
developed "Klondike," the network’s first mini-series.
Since joining Discovery Channel in February 2010, Gavin’s team also launched both "Flying Wild
Alaska" and Discovery's #1 series, "Gold Rush."
Before joining Discovery, Gavin served as Vice President of Development and Programming at
History Channel. In that role, she oversaw a team of programmers responsible for many of the
network's most successful series and specials. Gavin developed and supervised several hit
series including "Ax Men," "Cities of the Underworld" and "Ice Road Truckers," one of the highest
rated series in network history, in addition to developing Swamp People. In 2005, Gavin
developed and supervised "Rome: Engineering an Empire," which earned two Primetime Emmy
awards for Outstanding Non-Fiction Special and Outstanding Editing.
Gavin is the recipient of five Cine Awards, and was also nominated for a Primetime Emmy in
2003 for the documentary "The Day the Towers Fell." Her programs have earned over twenty
Emmy nominations in various categories. In 2008, Gavin earned her second Emmy for the
special, "A Distant Shore: African Americans of D-Day." She began her career at DreamWorks
SKG in Los Angeles, where she worked as a Coordinator in the Feature Development Division as
well as a Supervisor in DreamWorks' Animation Division.
She is a graduate of Franklin & Marshall College and received a Graduate Certificate from The
New School.
Executive Producer – EILEEN O’NEILL
As Group President for Discovery, TLC and Discovery Fit & Health Networks Eileen O’Neill
oversees the strategic direction at these channels, including development, programming,
production, digital media, marketing, research and communications. She interfaces with ad and
affiliate sales to further increase the value of the brands and aims to create a unique environment
for advertisers, operators and viewers.
In O’Neill’s first year leading Discovery Channel in 2011, Discovery had several new hit series in
2011, including "Sons of Guns" and "Moonshiners." Premieres of the hit series "Gold Rush" were
the #1 non-sports program in all of television on Fridays among men 25-54 and 18-49. Longrunning Discovery series also saw increased success, including "Deadliest Catch," "Dual
Survival" and "American Chopper: Senior vs Junior."
Throughout her time at Discovery, O’Neill has contributed to the success of live events and
specials including "American Chopper Live," "Killing Bin Laden," and "The Rising: Rebuilding
Ground Zero." 2011 also marked the launch of "Curiosity," a landmark multi-platform series that
aims to answer the most fundamental questions facing the world today.
Most recently, O’Neill expanded her live events portfolio to include 2013’s "Skywire Live with Nik
Wallenda." With 13 million viewers tuning in to watch the Grand Canyon crossing which marked
Discovery’s highest-rated live event ever and was the network’s top-rated special in 13 years.
2013 also marked the 26th anniversary of the fan-favorite "Shark Week," and O’Neill was
instrumental in the launch of the wildly successful new series "Naked and Afraid."
Since joining TLC in 2008, O’Neill has nurtured the development of a bi-coastal team dedicated to
creating authentic non-scripted programming. Most recently O’Neill oversaw the groundbreaking
series "All-American Muslim." In addition, under her leadership the network also saw the
launches of: "Extreme Couponing," "NY Ink," "Four Weddings," "Long Island Medium" and "Sister
Wives." In 2010 TLC saw unprecedented audience numbers with "Sarah Palin's Alaska," "Jon &
Kate Plus 8" and "Big Changes."
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O’Neill has received several honors, including: Hollywood Reporter’s 2012 ‘Reality Power’ list
(listed at #11) and 2011 Power 100 Women in Entertainment (listed at 22); Vanity Fair featured
her as an influential woman in cable; Elle Magazine featured her as a Hollywood power player;
named ‘The Fixer’ on the 2009 Cable Fax 100 (listed at 57); named by Multichannel News as a
‘Wonder Woman’; named as one of the 30 women on TV Week’s 2008 ‘Driving Force in
Television’ list; honored at her Alma Mater, Bowling Green State University at the centennial
celebration as one of the 100 most prominent graduates.
Prior to TLC, O’Neill served as President of Planet Green, launching the first-ever 24-hour
television network dedicated solely to green lifestyle programming. She also served as executive
vice president and general manager of Discovery Health Channel and FitTV, overseeing the
development and execution of programming and production strategies for both networks.
O’Neill’s commitment to producing ‘TV That Matters’ - programming designed to educate,
entertain and make an impact on viewers’ lives - is evidenced in the network’s brand-extending
annual initiatives. These include "National Body Challenge," which in five years has helped
Americans lose nearly 500 tons, and "Birth Day Live!" which has seen more than 90 babies born
live on TV over four years. In addition, O’Neill made Discovery Health Channel an information
resource to raise awareness about the importance of organ donation.
O’Neill, a 20-year Discovery veteran, previously served as director of scheduling for Travel
Channel, which was acquired by Discovery Communications in 1997. Before that position, O’Neill
served as Discovery Communications’ director of business affairs, responsible for all contract
negotiations concerning co-productions, commissioned programming and original work for
Discovery Channel, TLC and Animal Planet. She served in this capacity for four years, working
with such partners as the BBC, Warner Brothers and LMNO Productions.
O’Neill describes herself as ‘homegrown talent,’ having started at Discovery Communications as
an unpaid intern while earning a graduate degree in popular culture from Bowling Green State
University in Ohio. Having successfully developed a programming library that earned the respect
of her professional mentors, she was hired by DCI’s networks operation department immediately
upon graduation.
Executive Producer – JOHN MORAYNISS
John Morayniss is the CEO of Entertainment One Television. He oversees all aspects of eOne
Television’s day to day activities which encompasses the development, production, licensing,
financing and worldwide distribution of live action drama and comedy series, reality and
documentary series, television movies and mini-series, prime time animation and family
programming. He also oversees the strategic growth of eOne’s television business and serves as
an executive producer on many of eOne’s productions.
Prior to eOne Television (and its predecessor company, Blueprint Entertainment, where John
held the position of CEO), Morayniss was head of television at Alliance Atlantis where he
oversaw all development, production and co-production activities for the television division,
including the mega-hit series franchise, "CSI." Morayniss’ most recent executive producer credits
include "Rookie Blue" (ABC, Global and Universal Networks International), "Haven" (Syfy, Global
and Universal Networks International), "Saving Hope" (CTV), "Call Me Fitz" (DIRECTV, HBO
Canada) and "Rogue" (DIRECTV, The Movie Network, Movie Central). In addition, eOne is the
studio behind "Hell on Wheels" (AMC), and is the international distributor of "The Walking Dead"
(AMC).
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Producers – CHAD OAKES & MIKE FRISLEV
Chad Oakes and Mike Frislev founded Nomadic Pictures in 1995. As Co-Chairmen of Nomadic,
they have produced, financed and/or co-financed over fifty-three (53) film and television projects.
Their feature film debut, “Hugo Pool” (Sean Penn, Robert Downey Jr.), was the audience favorite
at the 1997 Sundance Film Festival. Since then, Nomadic has produced over $450 million in
movies-of-the-week, miniseries, TV series and feature film projects in Canada, U.S. and Europe.
In addition to their twenty-one Emmy nominations and countless awards, Oakes and Frislev won
three Daytime Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Children’s/Youth/Family Special for “The
Incredible Mrs. Ritchie” (Showtime 2004). In 2005 Nomadic Co-Produced AMC’s first Scripted
Original mini-series, “Broken Trail” (Robert Duvall, Thomas Haden Church), which went on to win
four Primetime Emmy Awards, including Best Mini-Series for Nomadic.
Director of Photography - MIKE ELEY, B.S.C.
Mike Eley started his career in documentaries working on films in the UK for both the BBC and
Channel Four. Following a move into features and television drama he worked on Ken Loach’s
"The Navigators" and then in 2002, he shot the documentary feature, "Touching the Void," with
Kevin MacDonald, (for which he won a BIFA Award for Best Technical Achievement).
Eley has collaborated many times with director Susanna White, most notably on "Jane Eyre" for
the BBC (an Emmy nomination and RTS Award for Best Cinematography) and also as 2nd Unit
Director / DOP on "Generation Kill" for HBO.
In 2007 Eley worked on "Grey Gardens" with director Michael Sucsy, earning him a second
Emmy nomination, and in 2009 he re-teamed with Susanna White for the feature film "Nanny
McPhee & the Big Bang."
Recently, Eley has shot "Parade's End" for BBC/HBO as well as the Kevin Macdonald featuredoc "Marley." His latest project is the feature "The Selfish Giant," directed by Clio Barnard, and
the documentary, "Fire in the Night." directed by Anthony Wonke.
Production Designer - KEN REMPEL
Ken Rempel is a Calgary-based production designer and art director, known for "The Claim"
(2000), "Resurrecting the Champ" (2007),"The War Bride" (2001) and the multiple Emmy Award
winning miniseries "Broken Trail" (2006).
Rempel claims his earliest experiments with design were to follow his imagination and build
things with Cheerio boxes, popsicle sticks, and scotch tape. He graduated to Lego and then on to
any materials I could find around his family's farm. Rempel's high school had a strong drama
program and once he discovered live theatre he was hooked. In 1986 he graduated with a
diploma in Technical Theatre from Grant MacEwan Community College. From there, he entered
directly into the very vibrant community of live theatre in Edmonton, Alberta. By 1990 he was
employed at ITV in Edmonton, and in 1991 had my first Production Design credit on a feature
film. Since then he has worked on dozens of productions.
Having someone from Alberta who knows the rugged landscape and its climate really helps
productions Rempel works on. He, along with his team was able to transform an old western town
site that had been used for "Lonesome Dove the Series" into Dawson City of the late 19th
century. Immediately upon wrap Rempel was at it again, transforming the entire town set once
again into Kansas from the mid 1800s for "Forsaken," a feature starring Donald Sutherland,
Kiefer Sutherland and Demi Moore.
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Exec. Producer, Teleplay writer of Parts 1, 3 and 6 - PAUL T. SCHEURING
Paul T. Scheuring is an American screenwriter and director for films and television shows. His
work includes the 2003 film "A Man Apart" and the creation of the television drama "Prison
Break," for which he also served as executive producer and head writer.
Scheuring was born in Aurora, Illinois. Before his success, he had attended the UCLA School of
Theater Film and Television.
After working on "36K" in 2000 and "A Man Apart" in 2003, Scheuring made his first attempt to be
a television show writer. Having written a miniseries screenplay called Prison Break, he
approached the Fox network with the script but was turned down due to its unconventional
storyline. However, in 2004 after the successful premiere of "Lost," Fox green lit "Prison Break"
and the first episode was aired approximately twenty months after Scheuring had written the
script. The series proceeded to win the 2006 People's Choice Award for Favorite New TV Drama
and was nominated for Best Drama Television Series at the 2006 Golden Globe Awards. "Prison
Break" was picked up by Fox for three more seasons.
Scheuring's recent credits include the feature "The Experiment," starring Adrien Brody and Forest
Whitaker, and nineteen episodes of "Zero Hour," starring Anthony Edwards, Carmen Ejogo and
Scott Michael Foster.
Teleplay writers of Parts 2, 4 and 5 - JOSH GOLDIN & RACHEL ABRAMOWITZ
Josh Goldin was born and raised in New York City. He graduated from Columbia College, earning
a B.A. in English Literature and received his M.F.A. at Columbia Film School.
For several years, he collaborated with his brother Daniel Goldin on screenplays for the studios,
working on such hits as "Darkman" and "Night At The Museum." His first solo project "From The
Life Of Abe Brennan" was selected for the Sundance Director’s Lab.
Goldin alternated between writing character based dramas and comedies, and writing pilots for
cable TV. In 2008, he wrote and directed the feature length comedic drama "Wonderful World,"
starring Matthew Broderick and Sanaa Lathan.
Rachel Abramowitz was a movie writer at the Los Angeles Times for nine years. Her first
produced screenplay was the 2010 television movie "One Angry Juror," starring Jessica Capshaw
and Jeremy Ratchford.
With her husband Josh Goldin she wrote the television movie "Outlaw Country," a crime thriller
and family drama set in Nashville starring Mary Steenburgen and Luke Grimes. The movie aired
on the FX channel.
Costume Designer - JOANNE HANSEN
Joanne Hansen is one of Canada's top costume designers. This year she won the Best Costume
Design Award at the inaugural Canadian Screen Awards for her work on "Bomb Girls." Other
television series she has been the costume designer on includes the current season of
"Warehouse 13," "Angela's Eyes," "Honey I Shrunk the Kids" and "Jake and the Kid."
She is no stranger to western period projects, having costume designed the feature "The Claim"
and the television movies "Ebenezer" and "Johnson County War."
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Editor: Episodes 1 & 3 - ORAL OTTEY
For over two decades Oral Ottey has been in demand as an editor, having worked on the
television movie "28 Up" and the television series "The Return of Sherlock Holmes" early in his
career.
Other notable projects Ottey has worked on include six episodes of the television series
"Cracker." For work on the series Ottey won the Royal Television Society (UK)'Best Tape and
Film Editing' award in 1994. The same year Ottey was nominated for a BAFTA Award for 'Best
Film or Video Editor', as well as a Cable Ace Award. He also received a BAFTA nomination for
'Best Film or Video Editor (Fiction)' for his work on the 1991 miniseries "G.B.H."
Ottey has been nominated twice for Primetime Emmy awards. The first was in 2009 for the
television miniseries "Generation Kill," which saw him nominated for the 'Outstanding Single
Camera Picture Editing for a Miniseries or a Movie.' And this year he was nominated in the
category of 'Outstanding Single Camera Picture Editing for a Drama Series,' for his work on
HBO's Game of Thrones.
Besides "Game of Thrones," recent programs which Ottey has edited include the television
miniseries "Homefront," two episodes of "Death in Paradise" and four episodes of the television
series "Accused."
Editor: Episode 2 - KRISTINA HETHERINGTON
Kristina Hetherington started her editing career as a trainee in a film cutting room syncing up and
filing trims on Arena Documentaries. After a year she joined the BBC and worked on "The
Monocled Mutineer" and "The Singing Detective;" since then she has continued in Film and
television drama.
After assisting Robin Sales for many years I\Hetherington branched out as an editor in her own
right. She started editing short films including "Is It The Design On The Wrapper", which won the
short film award in Cannes.
Since becoming an editor she has worked on a number of critically acclaimed and BAFTA
winning projects, including "Wallander," "Much Ado About Nothing" and "Summer." In 2010
Hetherington won the BAFTA for 'Best Editing: Fiction Entertainment,' for the Channel 4
production "Mo."
Recently Hetherington has been listed in Broadcast as one of the top 50 women in film and
television.
Composer - ADRIAN JOHNSTON
Adrian Johnston is an Emmy and BAFTA Award winning musician and film and television
composer.
Born in Cumbria, England, Johnston attended Edinburgh University. He has been a drummer in
various bands including Moles for Breakfast, The Waterboys and The Mike Flowers Pops. During
his twenties, he traveled the world providing music accompaniment to silent films at film festivals.
He later scored productions for the Royal National Theatre and the Royal Shakespeare
Company.
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Johnston's first film score was for the 1996 Thomas Hardy adaptation "Jude." He has also
composed original scores for the 2007 film about Jane Austen, "Becoming Jane" and the 2008
adaptation of Evelyn Waugh's "Brideshead Revisited." In 2008, he was awarded a BAFTA for the
score of the BBC film "Capturing Mary." He has also been nominated five other times for Best
Original Television Music.
Johnston's score for Charles Sturridge's mini-series "Shackleton" won him a 2002 Primetime
Emmy, for Outstanding Music Composition for a Miniseries, Movie or a Special. In 2009 he
scored the British science-fiction procedural television series "Paradox." He also composed the
theme music for the BBC detective series "Zen" and the World War II drama "The Sinking of the
Laconia."
Johnston composed the score for Stephen Poliakoff's acclaimed 2013 TV series "Dancing on the
Edge," as well as the television series "The Tunnel," "The Politician's Husband" and "White Heat."
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KLONDIKE: Company Profiles
About Discovery Communications
Discovery Communications (Nasdaq: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK) is the world's #1 nonfiction media
company reaching more than 1.7 billion cumulative subscribers in 209 countries and territories.
Discovery is dedicated to satisfying curiosity through more than 147 worldwide television
networks, led by Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet, Science and Investigation Discovery,
as well as US joint venture networks OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network, The Hub and 3net, the first
24-hour 3D network. Discovery also is a leading provider of educational products and services to
schools and owns and operates a diversified portfolio of digital media services, including
Revision3. For more information, please visit www.discoverycommunications.com.
About Entertainment One
Entertainment One Ltd. (LSE:ETO) is an international entertainment company that specializes in
the acquisition, production and distribution of film and television content. The company’s
comprehensive network extends around the globe including Canada, the U.S., the UK, Ireland,
Spain, Benelux, France, Germany, Scandinavia, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and South
Korea. Through established Entertainment and Distribution divisions, the company provides
extensive expertise in film distribution, television and music production, family programming and
merchandising and licensing. Its current rights library is exploited across all media formats and
includes more than 35,000 film and television titles, 2,700 hours of television programming and
45,000 music tracks.
About Nomadic Pictures
Nomadic Pictures is a Calgary based production Company developing, financing and producing
features, MOW’s and TV series. In 18 years, Nomadic has produced over 53 projects and
remains one of the most active production companies in Canada. In 2004, Nomadic won three
Daytime Emmy Awards for “The Incredible Mrs. Ritchie” starring James Caan, Kevin Zegers and
Gena Rowlands. In 2005 Nomadic Co-Produced AMC’s first scripted Original Mini-series, “Broken
Trail” (Robert Duvall, Thomas Haden Church), which went on to win four Primetime Emmy
Awards, including Best Mini-Series for Nomadic.
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About Scott Free
Scott Free Productions was formed in 1995 and is the film and television production vehicle of
acclaimed film directors and brothers Ridley and Tony Scott. Scott Free Television produces the
Emmy and Golden Globe-nominated, Peabody-acclaimed drama “The Good Wife,” which is
currently in it's fifth season on CBS.
Currently in development, Scott Free has re-teamed with Discovery on “The Untitled William
Wallace and Robert The Bruce Project” based on the successful books of Nigel Tranter, the
series will chronicle the pair’s bloody and violent campaign for Scotland’s independence.
Additionally, AMC and Scott Free Productions announced that they are developing several series
together: “The Terror," with writer and co-executive producer David Kajganich based on the 2007
best-selling novel by Dan Simmons; the "Untitled Cahill/Nicotero/Scott Free Project” from
executive producer and writer Jason Cahill (“Fringe”, “Sopranos”) and executive producer and
Emmy Award winning prosthetic makeup artist Greg Nicotero (“The Walking Dead”), a one-hour
futuristic, dystopian, sci-fi saga; and “Raiders” from executive producer and writer Evan Wright
(“Generation Kill”) a one-hour WWII drama about a rogue U.S. Navy commander who leads an
unconventional warfare unit into the heart of Africa on a mission that will bend the arc of history.
In the non-fiction realm, Scott Free is producing an untitled verite documentary series that follows
people in the last days of their lives for National Geographic Channel. Scott Free most recently
produced the ratings hit "Killing Kennedy," starring Rob Lowe, for National Geographic bringing in
almost 3.4 million viewers. This is their second project based on Bill O'Reilly's bestseller, for
National Geographic. The first, "Killing Lincoln," was also a ratings hit with 3.3 million viewers,
and Scott Free will also produce a third, "Killing Jesus." In addition they produced CNN’s “Crimes
of the Century,” and the epic Emmy-winning documentary “Gettysburg” for the History Channel.
Scott Free has offices in Los Angeles and London in conjunction with RSA Films, one of the
world’s largest and most successful commercial production houses.
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