EXCLUSIVE: Canadian actress Samora Smallwood has launched her own production company, Hold One Entertainment. The indie debuts with a greenlight from Bell Fibe’s streaming channel TV1, a rom-com series called Coming Home.
Smallwood will star and make her directorial debut in the show, which is billed as an adult coming-of-age story “that explores the humorous and poignant realities of returning to one’s roots while striving to build a future in the art.” Inspired by Smallwood’s personal experiences, it will explore the spaces between her small hometown and Hollywood.
Cast also includes Robert Ifedi (Madam CJ Walker, What We Do in the Shadows), Tommy James Murphy (Last Resort), Kevin Hanchard (Hudson & Rex, Orphan Black), Karen LeBlanc (Ginny & Georgia, Lovecraft Country) and Paula Brancati (Slasher, Degrassi: The Next Generation).
Filming will begin in the fall in Grimsby, Ontario and the Greater Toronto Area. Hold One produces alongside Kalkaden Productions and RavinMurph Pictures.
“Coming Home is about the journey to reconnect with our authentic voice, reclaim our self-worth, and get back up when life knocks us down,” said Smallwood. “It’s a blend of humor and heartfelt moments, rooted in authenticity like all of my favorite romantic comedies that center strong, vulnerable women at the center of the story. Coming Home is designed to uplift and inspire.”
Hold One is building a slate of film and TV projects that are centered on themes of redemption, empowerment and human connection. The production house also debuts with a development deal with Amos Adetuyi’s Circle Blue Entertainment, which was behind CBC drama Diggstown and features such as The Boathouse and Orah.
Smallwood won a Canadian Screen Award for her role in Lifetime telemovie Death She Wrote and is currently appearing in Hallmark Channel’s The Way Home. Recent roles have include Apple TV+ shows The Big Cigar and Circuit Breakers and OWN’s soap The Kings of Napa, and she is co-starring in another TV1 show, Disrepair opposite Matthew Sauvé and Tommy James Murphy. She has also appeared in Star Trek: Discovery, Good Witch and Murdoch Mysteries among other credits.
Smallwood is represented by Amanda Rosenthal Talent and Hayes Robbins of Goodman, Genow, Schenkman, Smelkinson & Christopher.