Former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is entering the entertainment industry with a new production company, Hope & Hard Work, launched alongside his former chief of staff Katie Telford.
The Toronto-based company will develop scripted and unscripted projects across television, film, audio and live entertainment, with several titles already in development.
What Is Justin Trudeau’s New Production Company?
Hope & Hard Work is being established as a Canadian production and entertainment venture focused on stories with international appeal.
Its initial development slate covers a wide range of genres, including comedy, mystery, romance and political drama. The company has already begun working with writers, producers and other creative partners across North America.
One of the projects is Detective Aunty, a mystery drama based on Uzma Jalaluddin’s novel. The story follows a widowed South Asian mother who returns to Toronto after her daughter is accused of murder and attempts to uncover the truth.
Which TV Shows Are in Development?
The company’s slate also includes Closer By Sea, a coming-of-age story set within a small island community, and Le Collège, which takes place at an elite Montreal private school.
Other projects include Power Moves, a romantic comedy centred on political media rivals, and Backchannels, a drama about a new chief of staff navigating the world of political power.
Hope & Hard Work is also expanding into non-fiction through a partnership with Canadian media company Earth Tones. The collaboration will focus on documentaries and docuseries, with Take a Hike! and North Country currently in development.
Why Is Justin Trudeau Moving Into Entertainment?
Justin Trudeau and Telford say the company’s goal is to develop stories that encourage empathy and offer audiences perspectives beyond their own experiences.
With its first projects already underway, Hope & Hard Work marks Trudeau’s latest move into a new phase of his career following his time in Canadian politics. The company is now positioning itself as a Canadian creative venture with ambitions to develop projects for audiences both at home and internationally.
