Viv is also back for season 2 of BBC America’s ‘Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency’, and currently filming his role as Fincher Garland on Hallmark Channel’s new ‘Hailey Dean Mystery’

With over a hundred roles in film and television productions to his name, spanning an impressive 20-year career in acting, Viv Leacock is busier than ever. We’re just starting 2017, and already this year Viv has roles in four TV shows, including: ABC’s Epic Mini-Series ‘When We Rise’, the second season of BBC America’s ‘Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency’, Hallmark Channel’s new ‘Hailey Dean Mystery’, and AT&T Audience’s new series ‘Loudermilk’.

First up on the small screen, Viv is part of an ensemble cast in the epic mini-series on ABC TV, ‘When We Rise’, premiering on February 27^th. The series, written and created by Academy Award-winning screenwriter Dustin Lance Black, follows the struggles of LGBT men and women pioneering one of the final legs of the U.S. civil rights movement. Viv plays a father whose daughter writes a poignant letter to President Obama in the Friday, March 3^rd episode. ‘When We Rise’ stars Guy Pearce, Mary-Louise Parker, Rachel Griffiths, Michael K. Williams and Ivory Aquino.

Now in production, Viv is back in his role of ‘Fincher Garland’, an investigator for Atlanta’s D. A., as well as a work husband and sometimes bodyguard for Hailey Dean (Kellie Martin) in Hallmark Channel’s “Hailey Dean Mystery”. The movie follows former prosecutor-turned-therapist Hailey Dean, who is a powerhouse, Mensa bright, and acutely observant.

The overwhelming success of ‘Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency’ has the series back in production this spring for season two. Created by Max Landis and airing on BBC America and Netflix, Viv’s role of ‘Gripps’ is the most fun he has ever on screen. Gripps is part of a group of supernatural beings called ‘The Rowdy 3’ – all four of them – composed of the aloof Martin (Michael Eklund), the manic Vogel (Osric Chau), the ever-stoic Gripps, and the deranged Cross (Zak Santiago), as vampires.  Not the night walking bloodsucking kind, but rather something much stranger…if that’s possible. They feed on emotion and the electrical energy of the human mind, which they extract in blasts of crackling electricity.  Ex-test subjects, the Rowdy 3 have tried to make a life for themselves out in the real world, forever hunting Dirk Gently; deliberately entering his life in moments where it will cause him the most emotional terror. The Rowdy 3 has garnered their own fan club, as viewers love the combination of the four talented actors.

In the early 90’s, Viv’s first love was stand-up comedy. Viv credits being an actor to his brother Richard Leacock (Doc, Lake Placid, Saving God) as the reason he is in the entertainment industry. Acting came to him in 1997 just after his mother passed away. Although Viv hasn’t had any formal training, in addition to his brother, he also credits Mark Brandon, Jeff Seymour and Ben Ratner for being instrumental in helping him find his way as an actor.

It is his role as T. J. in the feature film ‘I Spy’ (2002) with Eddie Murphy that paved his way. Eddie Murphy had to approve Viv in his role of T. J., one of Kelly Robinson’s (Murphy) entourage. Eddie’s first words to Viv were “You’re really funny man!” Something that Viv still treasures today. Growing up, Eddie Murphy was his idol, so working along side him was an amazing experience.

Other memorable roles in feature films include the comedy ‘Intern Academy’ (2004) starring Dave Thomas of SCTV fame, Dan Aykroyd, and Dave Foley. In 2010, he was nominated for a Leo Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in ‘The Thaw’, starring Val Kilmer. In 2013, Viv appeared in the award-winning feature ‘Becoming Redwood’ and the film festival gem ‘Dark Harvest’ (2016), starring Cheech Marie, James Hutson and Hugh Dillon. Another TV Role that had great impact on Viv was his role in ‘On The Farm’ (2016).

Although he has built a successful acting career, it is his family life with his wife Divina, and their three children, Vienna, 10, Lennox, 9 and Elias, 6, that Viv cherishes the most. Viv currently resides with his family in Vancouver.

For more information and interviews please contact:
Lesley Diana | Lesley@thepromotionpeople.ca | 604-726-5575

Social Media Handles

Twitter: @VivLeacock
Instagram: @VivLeacock
Facebook: VivLeacock
IMDb: Viv Leacock, Frequency, Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency, When We Rise

The Promotion People

Website: thepromotionpeople.ca
Twitter: @PromotionPeople
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Instagram: @thepromotionpeople

With over ninety roles in film and television productions Viv Leacock has a busy fall season ahead on three TV shows that include BBC America’s “Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency”, Hallmark Channel’s “Hailey Dean Mystery: Murder with Love”, and the CW’s new series “Frequency”. Then following up in January 2017 on ABC TV Viv is part of an ensemble cast in the TV series “When We Rise”.

On the much anticipated “Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency”, created by Max Landis, premiering on BBC America and AMC on October 22^nd, Viv takes on the role of ‘Gripps’, part of a group of supernatural beings called ‘The Rowdy 3’ – all four of them – composed of the aloof Martin (Michael Eklund), the manic Vogel (Osric Chau), the ever-stoic Gripps (Viv Leacock) and the deranged Cross (Zak Santiago), are vampires.  Not the night walking bloodsucking kind, but rather something much stranger…if that’s possible. They feed on emotion and the electrical energy of the human mind, which they extract in blasts of crackling electricity.  Ex-test subjects, the Rowdy 3 have tried to make a life for themselves out in the real world, forever hunting Dirk Gently; deliberately entering his life in moments where it will cause him the most emotional terror.

A four-member clan of ‘energy vampires’, Gripps showcases his dominance and strength. “Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency” centers on the titular holistic detective (Samuel Barnett) who investigates cases involving the supernatural alongside his reluctant sidekick, Todd (Elijah Wood). Based on the ‘Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency’ novel series, written by Douglas Adams and published by Simon and Schuster in 1987. http://www.bbcamerica.com/shows/dirk-gentlys-holistic-detective-agency/cast-crew/the-rowdy-3

On October 23^rd on the Hallmark Channel’s “Hailey Dean Mystery: Murder with Love” he plays ‘Fincher Garland’, an investigator for Altanta’s D. A. a work husband and sometimes bodyguard for Hailey Dean (Kellie Martin). Former prosecutor-turned-therapist Hailey Dean is a powerhouse, Mensa bright, and acutely observant. During a tragic week, one of her patients loses her parents to separate fatal accidents along with millions of dollars that has seemingly vanished into thin air. When the police begin to question Hailey’s patient, she knows she is innocent. But who is the culprit?

CW’s series “Frequency” follows a police detective, Raimy Sullivan (Peyton List) who discovers that in 2016 she is able to speak via a ham radio with her estranged father; Frank Sullivan (Riley Smith), a detective who died in 1996. The two must work together to change the history of tragic events to come while also getting the chance to heal their complicated relationship. Viv plays ‘Chester’ a dirty cop with a guilty conscience who is a reluctant co-conspirator.

Set to air in January 2017, Viv is part of an ensemble cast on the ABC TV series “When We Rise” an upcoming ABC TV series written, created and directed by Dustin Lance Black and starring Guy Pearce, Mary-Louise Parker and Rachel Griffin. It chronicles the personal and political struggles, set-backs and triumphs of a diverse family of LGBT men and women who helped pioneer one of the last legs of the US Civil Rights movement from its turbulent infancy in the 20^th century to the once unfathomable successes of today. Viv plays a father whose daughter writes a poignant letter to President Obama.

In the early 90’s his first love was Stand Up Comedy. Viv credits being an actor to his brother Richard Leacock (Doc, Lake Placid, Saving God) as the reason he is in the entertainment industry. He wouldn’t be here without him. Acting came to him in 1997 just after his mother passed away. Although Viv hasn’t had any formal training, in addition to his brother, he also credits Mark Brandon, Jeff Seymour and Ben Ratner for being instrumental in helping him find his way as an actor.

It is his role as ‘T. J.’ in the feature film “I Spy”(2002) with Eddie Murphy that paved his way. Eddie Murphy had to approve Viv in his role of T. J., one of Kelly Robinson’s (Murphy) entourage. Eddie’s first words to Viv were “You’re really funny man!” Something that Viv still treasures today. Growing up, Eddie Murphy was his idol, so working along side him was an amazing experience. Both he and his brother booked supporting leads, but Richard’s TV schedule prevented him from doing the role but the fact that they booked it together meant a lot to both of them.   They did have the opportunity to work together on TV series “Doc” with Richard starring in a lead role.

Other memorable roles in feature films include the comedy “Intern Academy” (2004) starring Dave Thomas of SCTV fame, Dan Aykroyd, Dave Foley, Matt Frewer and Maury Chaykin. In 2010 he was nominated for a Leo Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in “The Thaw” starring Val Kilmer. Viv plays Bart, a helicopter pilot that will do anything to save everyone.

Currently on the film festival circuit “Dark Harvest”(2016) is screening to rave reviews. The film stars Cheech Marin, James Hutson, Hugh Dillon and Alan J. Pederson, Viv plays Earl Freeman, a partner in a Grow Op, with dreams of getting out alive. In the Award Winning feature “Becoming Redwood” (2013) Redwood Forrest Hanson dreams that if he can beat Jack Nicklaus at the 1975 Masters of golf, he’ll reunite his parents forever. Starring Chad Willett, Ryan Grantham, Jennifer Copping and Derek Hamilton Viv plays Ruben Malone a figment of Redwood’s (Grantham) imagination that is literally the voice in his head.

“On The Farm” (2016) is a TV Movie that hit Viv hard, as he was a close friend with one of Robert “Willie” Pickton’s victims. He plays Sgt. Sarin, the forensic investigator that was instrumental in the DNA finds that put Pickton away. The character was an amalgamation of a few different real life officers and ironically would have been the person responsible for identifying his friend’s DNA remains.

Although he has a successful acting career it is his family life with his wife Divina, and their three children, Vienna 10, Lennox 8 and Elias 6, that Viv cherishes the most. He claims it is his reason for being. He credits his wife for taking care of them and his kids for keeping him fit. Viv currently resides with his family in Vancouver.

For more information and interviews please contact:
Lesley Diana | Lesley@thepromotionpeople.ca | 604-726-5575

Social Media Handles

Twitter: @VivLeacock
Instagram: @VivLeacock
Facebook: VivLeacock
IMDb: Viv Leacock, Frequency, Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency

http://www.hallmarkmoviesandmysteries.com/hailey-dean-mystery-murder-with-love

The Promotion People

Website: thepromotionpeople.ca
Twitter: @PromotionPeople
Facebook: The Promotion People
Instagram: @thepromotionpeople