Not to be confused with COSMO-SkyMed.
SkyMed
GenreMedical drama
CreatorJulie Puckrin
Starring
CountryCanada
LanguageEnglish
Num seasons4
Num episodes35
Executive producerJulie Puckrin
Editor
  • John Nicholls
  • Teresa Hannigan
  • Stephen Roque
  • Matthew Anas
  • Shelley Therrin
Runtime44 minutes
Company
NetworkCBC
First airedJuly 10, 2022
Last airedMarch 2, 2025
Network 2Paramount+
First aired 2July 22, 2022
Last aired 2present

SkyMed is a Canadian medical drama television series, which premiered on July 10, 2022, on CBC, and July 22, 2022, on Paramount+.[1] The series centres on the nurses and pilots working for an air ambulance service in remote northern Manitoba.[2] The series has been renewed for a second season,[3] which premiered in October 2023.[4] In March 2024, the series was renewed for a third season.[5] In June 2025, the series was renewed for a fourth season, which premiered on May 21, 2026, only on Paramount+.[6][7]

Cast and characters

Main

  • Natasha Calis as Nurse Hayley Roberts, a delivery nurse leaving a secret behind in Toronto.[8]
  • Morgan Holmstrom as Crystal Highway, a Cree/Métis[9] "mama bear" caretaker[8] with a tough-as-nails attitude who is the soul of SkyMed.
  • Aaron Ashmore as Captain William "Wheezer" Heaseman, an experienced pilot, who prefers cargo flights over medivac flights. He is the den dad of the pilots and nurses, dispensing advice and grilled meat in equal measure. He also gets involved with flight nurse Hayley.
  • Praneet Akilla as Jay "Chopper" Chopra, a pilot and engineer who aspires to be an astronaut and faces challenges in his personal relationships.[8]
  • Mercedes Morris as Lexi Martine, an up-and-coming pilot who is often forced to choose between her convictions and her ambitions.
  • Thomas Elms as Captain Milosz Nowak,(seasons 1-3) a pilot and bartender whose tough-love attitude wins him many colleagues but few friends.
  • Kheon Clarke as Tristan Green, (seasons 1-3)an empathic, well-liked flight nurse.
  • Braeden Clarke as Jeremy Wood (seasons 1–2; guest, seasons 3-4), Crystal's ex, North House's resident fixer and smuggler.
  • Aason ‘Ace’ Nadjiwon as Captain Austen Bodie (seasons 1–2; recurring, season 3), a hotshot pilot romantically involved with Hayley.[8]
  • Emilia McCarthy as Madison Van Camp (seasons 1–2; recurring, season 3), a local waitress and bartender involved with Bodie.
  • Rebecca Kwan as Emma Lin (season 1), an upbeat and professional ground nurse at North House First Nation, Crystal and Jeremy's home community.
  • Patrick Kwok-Choon as Dr. Trevor Sung (season 1), an ER physician at the local hospital who is interested in Crystal both personally and professionally.
  • Jeff Teravainen as Chief Pilot Pierce (season 1), SkyMed's commanding officer.
  • Sydney Kuhne as Stef (season 2 – present), a paramedic and Lexi's girlfriend.
  • Nicola Correia-Damude as Chief Nurse Marianne Fereira (season 3), a nurse who and PR expert who comes to head up the SkyMed nurses and runs them strictly.

Recurring

  • Ryan Ali as Reese
  • Matthew Kevin Anderson as Brad Maloney, a loading hand and pilot hopeful with questionable morals.
  • Ryan DeLong as Steve
  • Gino Anania as Devon, Emma's often too-serious fiancée.
  • Sharon Bajer as Denise, Bodie's mom
  • Laura Olafson as Darla
  • Karl Thordarson as Frank
  • Anthony Grant as TJ

Production and development

The show was developed by Julie Puckrin, who drew inspiration from her nurse sister and pilot brother-in-law who worked aboard air ambulances. To help with the stories the writing staff included both Indigenous and queer writers.[10]

The initial season was shot from late August 2021 until mid-January 2022 in Winnipeg and northern Manitoba.[10] A lot of the effects on the show were done on a practical basis rather than using green-screen technology.[8]

Release

The first season was released on-demand in the United States and the United Kingdom by Paramount+ on July 10, 2022,[11] and in New Zealand by TVNZ+ on August 5, 2022.[12] The second season followed on January 11, 2024. The third season was released in Canada on January 5, 2025. Paramount+ released season 3 in the US on May 15, 2025.

References

  1. ^ John Doyle, "Summer TV preview: Easy breezy TV is arriving on your favourite streamers". The Globe and Mail, May 24, 2022.
  2. ^ Denise Petski, "Paramount+ Orders Canadian ‘Skymed’ Series From Piazza Entertainment". Deadline Hollywood, September 16, 2021.
  3. ^ Pinto, Jordan (March 3, 2023). "CBC, Paramount+ renew air ambulance medical drama SkyMed for second season". C21Media. Retrieved March 3, 2023.
  4. ^ Greg David, "CBC sets fall 2023 streaming and broadcast premiere dates for new and returning original series on CBC Gem and CBC Television". TV, eh?, August 24, 2023.
  5. ^ Petski, Denise (March 20, 2024). "Skymed Renewed For Season 3 By Paramount+; Aaron Ashmore Upped To Series Regular, Two More Join Cast". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
  6. ^ Petski, Denise (June 11, 2025). "'SkyMed' Renewed For Season 4 By Paramount+". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 11, 2025.
  7. ^ Whittock, Jesse (April 16, 2026). "SkyMed Season 4 Trailer Takes Flight; Launch Date On Paramount+ Revealed". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 16, 2026.
  8. ^ Volmers, Eric (2022-06-29). "Calgary-raised actor Praneet Akilla flying high as heroic pilot in TV drama SkyMed". Calgary Herald. Retrieved 11 July 2022.
  9. ^ King, Rabdall (2022-07-09). "Medical drama puts local actor in perilous position". Winnipeg Free Press. Retrieved 11 July 2022.
  10. ^ Yeo, Debra (2022-07-10). "In CBC's 'SkyMed,' young pilots and nurses save lives and pursue love in Canada's North". Toronto Star. Retrieved 11 July 2022.
  11. ^ Joe Otterson, "Paramount Plus, CBC Team for Medical Rescue Drama ‘Skymed’". Variety, September 16, 2021.
  12. ^ SkyMed: Season 1 - Where to watch streaming and online in New Zealand. Flicks, August 1, 2022,