US television show Nikita, which stars Maggie Q as the rouge assassin determined to bring down a secret government-funded organisation known as Division, is now into its 2nd season and has been reasonably successful in the US and across Europe. Based on the French film Nikita from 1990, the show is filmed in Toronto, Canada even though the storyline has the main characters living in New York City. It is not uncommon for film and television companies to use Toronto as a stand in for New York. Joining Maggie Q for the 2nd season were actors Lyndsy Fonseca, Shane West, Aaron Stanford, Melinda Clarke and Xander Berkeley.

(CW Network)

In May 2010, Nikita was picked by The CW for the fall 2010–11 season. Initially with a 13-episode order, the series was later picked up for a full season, which would total 22 episodes. The CW aired the series after The Vampire Diaries on Thursday nights during the first season. In May 2011, Nikita was renewed for a second season, and the CW moved Nikita to Friday nights, pairing it with Supernatural, beginning September 23, 2011. The series has earned numerous award nominations this year, in awards such as the American Society of Cinematographers, the People's Choice Awards, the Teen Choice Awards and the 63rd Primetime Emmy Awards.

(CW Network)

(CW Network)

International interest has come from satellite TV station, Living, which secured the rights to air Nikita in the United Kingdom as the centerpiece of the channel's autumn schedule. Living's head of acquisitions Amy Barham said "Nikita is the hottest, most action-packed drama of the season with an amazingly strong female lead that we know will excite and engage Living's audiences this autumn. We're thrilled to be able to bring it exclusively to the channel. In Greece the series airs on Star Channel and in January 2012, Nikita will begin airing on Veronica in the Netherlands.

(CW Network)

(CW Network)

Hollywood has moved north, outsourcing to Canada no fewer than 1,500 film productions. Producers found that Vancouver could double for middle America, Toronto could stand in for New York City and Calgary can pass for the American West. Even though Canada has spectacular views, it's not the production values that film producers go there to find. The lure is, in a single word, money. Additionally, the Canadian government subsidizes costs and offers a rebate on digital effects. Other discounts, rebates, and tax breaks apply.

(Maggie Q and Shane West on set in Toronto)

(Maggie Q and Shane West on set in Toronto)