The L.A. Complex

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title: "The L.A. Complex" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["2010s-canadian-drama-television-series", "2012-canadian-television-series-debuts", "2012-canadian-television-series-endings", "ctv-television-network-original-programming", "the-cw-television-dramas", "canadian-english-language-television-shows", "much-(tv-channel)-original-programming", "television-series-about-actors", "television-series-by-bell-media", "television-series-by-wildbrain", "television-shows-filmed-in-toronto", "television-shows-filmed-in-los-angeles", "television-shows-set-in-los-angeles", "works-about-human-migration"] description: "Canadian drama television series" topic_path: "arts" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_L.A._Complex" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary Canadian drama television series ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox television"]

Field	Value
image	LaComplex.jpg
genre	Drama
creator	Martin Gero
director	{{Plainlist
starring	{{Plainlist
composer	Tim Welch
country	Canada
language	English
num_seasons	2
num_episodes	19
executive_producer	{{Plainlist
producer	{{Plainlist
location	{{Plainlist
runtime	41–44 minutes
company	Epitome Pictures
network	{{Plainlist
first_aired
last_aired
::

| image = LaComplex.jpg | genre = Drama | creator = Martin Gero | director = {{Plainlist|

• Martin Gero
• Stefan Brogren | starring = {{Plainlist|
• Jonathan Patrick Moore
• Joe Dinicol
• Andra Fuller
• Chelan Simmons
• Cassie Steele
• Benjamin Charles Watson
• Jewel Staite
• Dayle McLeod
• Michael Levinson
• Georgina Reilly | composer = Tim Welch | country = Canada | language = English | num_seasons = 2 | num_episodes = 19 | executive_producer = {{Plainlist|
• Martin Gero
• Linda Schuyler
• Stephen Stohn | producer = {{Plainlist|
• Stephanie Williams
• David Lowe | location = {{Plainlist|
• Los Angeles, California
• Toronto, Ontario | camera = | runtime = 41–44 minutes | company = Epitome Pictures | network = {{Plainlist|
• CTV
• MuchMusic | first_aired = | last_aired =

The L.A. Complex (originally Highland Gardens) is a Canadian drama television series that premiered on CTV on January 10, 2012, subsequently airing on MuchMusic. It also began airing in the United States on April 24, 2012, on The CW. The series stars Cassie Steele as Abby Vargas, an aspiring actress who moves to Los Angeles with nothing but her Maple Leafs hockey bag and dreams of being a famous actress. As described in CTV publicity materials, "The L.A. Complex follows the lives of twenty year olds living in the same apartment complex in L.A. trying to make it as actors, dancers, producers and comedians. Relationships begin and end, the need to succeed is tested and all characters are pushed to their breaking points."

On December 3, 2012, it was announced that The L.A. Complex was not renewed for a third season by Much and Bell Media, but with a possibility that the series could be picked up by another network. On December 20, 2012, The CW announced that the series would not be picked up, making it officially canceled.

Cast and characters

Main

• Jonathan Patrick Moore as Connor Lake, a good-looking and successful actor from Australia who suffers from depression and self-harming
• Joe Dinicol as Nick Wagner, a geeky, socially awkward stand-up comedian originally from Calgary
• Andra Fuller as Kaldrick King, real name Sean Dougan, a successful but troubled rapper originally from Oakland, California, who is secretly gay
• Chelan Simmons as Alicia Lowe, an aspiring dancer from Regina who will "do whatever it takes" to make ends meet
• Cassie Steele as Abby Vargas, an accident-prone aspiring actress from Toronto and illegal immigrant
• Benjamin Charles Watson as Tariq Muhammad, an aspiring hip-hop music producer originally from Montreal who works as an intern for Kaldrick King, and eventually becomes his lover
• Jewel Staite as Raquel Westbrook, a 30-year-old cynical, once successful actress from Halifax who fears her career is now over
• Dayle McLeod as Beth Pirelli (season 2), a headstrong teenager from Winnipeg who moves into The Lux with her younger brother Simon, after their father abandons them
• Michael Levinson as Simon Pirelli (season 2), a child actor who moves into The Lux with his older sister Beth
• Georgina Reilly as Sabrina Reynolds (season 2; guest star season 1), a ruthless, LA-born comedian, who shares a rivalry with Nick

Recurring

• Ennis Esmer as Eddie Demir, the landlord and manager of The Lux Motel
• Paul F. Tompkins as himself, a straight-talking comedian
• Dayo Ade as DyNasty, Kaldrick King's primary music producer, who helps cover up his homosexual affairs
• Kristopher Turner and Jordan Johnson-Hinds as Cam Logan and Kevin Rainer, aspiring filmmakers who reside at the Lux and begin a collaboration with Raquel
• Aaron Abrams as Ricky Lloyd, a once successful child actor and recovering drug addict, who makes a sex tape with Alicia to try and revitalise his career
• Ryan Belleville as Scott Cray (season 2), Nick and Sabrina's lecherous, drug-addicted boss
• Brett Dier and Megan Hutchings as Brandon Kelly and Laura Knight (season 2), actors on the Christian show Saving Grace, who engage in a three-way relationship with Abby
• William Stewart as Rook (season 2), Kal's loyal friend, who shoots and kills his rival, Infinite Jest, in the series finale
• Krista Allen as Jennifer Bell (season 2), a successful actress who starts a "show-mance" with Connor to remain relevant in the acting business
• Eugene Clark as Walter Dougan (season 2), Kal's estranged father who runs a halfway house in Downtown Los Angeles for paroled ex-convicts and homeless teenage runaways
• Stephan James as Infinite Jest (season 2), Kaldrick's rapper rival
• Jarod Joseph as Christopher Taylor (season 2), Kaldrick King's openly gay lawyer boyfriend
• Louis Ferreira as Dean Pirelli (season 2), Beth and Simon's estranged father
• Steve Byers as Gray Sanders (season 2), Abby's serviceman boyfriend
• Tori Anderson as Charlotte Lake (season 2), Connor's estranged sister
• Matt Murray as Manny (season 2), Raquel's co-worker at the restaurant, who runs a credit card scam

;Cast notes

Episodes

Season 1 (2012)

::data[format=table] | No. in series | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Canadian viewers | Canadian air date | U.S. air date | U.S. viewers | |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| | EpisodeNumber=1 | EpisodeNumber2=1 | WrittenBy= Martin Gero | DirectedBy= Martin Gero | 2012|1|10}} | AltDate=April 24, 2012 | Title= Down in LA | url=http://www.toronto.com/blog/post/710595--the-brioux-report-big-bang-beats-globes-new-cbc-season-soars |title=The Brioux Report: Big Bang beats Globes; new CBC season soars |last=Brioux |first=Bill |website=Toronto.com |date=January 18, 2012 |access-date=2012-03-19 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120120162126/http://www.toronto.com/blog/post/710595--the-brioux-report-big-bang-beats-globes-new-cbc-season-soars |archive-date=January 20, 2012 }} | url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/04/25/tuesday-final-ratings-the-voice-adjusted-up-fashion-star-adjusted-down/130737/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120427003925/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/04/25/tuesday-final-ratings-the-voice-adjusted-up-fashion-star-adjusted-down/130737/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 27, 2012 |title=Tuesday Final Ratings: 'The Voice' Adjusted Up; 'Fashion Star' Adjusted Down |website=TV by the Numbers|last=Kondolojy|first=Amanda|date=April 25, 2012|access-date=May 1, 2012}} | ::

Season 2 (2012)

Production on the second and final season began in mid-April, and the season premiered in Canada on July 17, 2012. The 13-episode second and final season was simulcast by The CW. Alan Thicke joined the cast as Donald Gallagher, a hot-headed actor-director-producer. Also guest-starring is Louis Ferreira as Beth and Simon's father Dean Pirelli.

::data[format=table] | No. in series | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Canadian viewers | Canadian air date | U.S. air date | U.S. viewers | |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| | EpisodeNumber=7 | EpisodeNumber2=1 | Title= Vacancy | WrittenBy=Martin Gero | DirectedBy=Martin Gero | 2012|7|17}} | AltDate=July 17, 2012 | last=Brioux |first=Bill |user=BillBriouxTV |number=225769467928522753 |title=TUESDAY Night numbers: 88,000 catch return of #TheLAComplex on #MuchMusic; follows #PrettyLittleLiars lead-in (180,000) |date=July 18, 2012 |access-date=12 August 2012}} | url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/07/18/tuesday-final-ratings-hells-kitchen-adjusted-up/141932/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120719041822/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/07/18/tuesday-final-ratings-hells-kitchen-adjusted-up/141932/|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 19, 2012|title=Tuesday Final Ratings: 'Hell's Kitchen' Adjusted Up|last=Kondolojy|first=Amanda|date=July 18, 2012|work=TV by the Numbers|access-date=July 18, 2012}} | ::

Development and production

CTV's parent company, Bell Media, ordered six episodes of the series in August 2011. Shooting and production of the series began in mid-2011, with both Toronto and Los Angeles as primary locations.

Several hours prior to the series premiere, Bell Media announced that The L.A. Complex had been picked up by The CW to air in the United States later in the spring. On March 22, 2012, Bell Media ordered a further 13 episodes to be produced for the first season.

The CW picked up the second season of the show for the network's summer schedule, to begin airing on Tuesday, July 17, 2012. Later, starting on August 27, 2012, the series moved to Mondays 8/7c as a lead-in for repeats of the new season of America's Next Top Model.

Reception

Critical response

The L.A. Complex received mostly positive reviews from critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, the first season has a fresh rating of 100% based on 11 reviews, with a weighted average of 7.22/10. The site's critics consensus reads, "The L.A. Complex appeals with natural, humorous dialogue, and a focus on the real struggles of characters in the entertainment business." On Metacritic, it has a score of 70 out of 100 based on 13 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".

Rob Owen of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette gave the show a positive review stating, "For the type of show it sets out to be, this Complex is surprisingly, well, complex." Alan Sepinwall of HitFix also gave the show a positive review, describing the show as "a primetime soap, but one that's genuinely more interested in what the characters want to do for a living than in who they're sleeping with."

The TVLine team said of The L.A. Complex, "It's like everything you'd want from a CW soap, and it delivers", and added that it contains "TV's most interesting, unexpected romance." Entertainment Weekly gave the show an A− and declared that it was "summer's hidden gem", stating that it was "unexpectedly smart", and that the bad decisions of the characters made it "far more interesting, relatable, and likable than the glambots we normally see on L.A.-set dramas".

In an unfavorable review, Tom Gliatto of People Weekly described the show as a "blah drama about kids living in an LA apartment complex while hustling for big breaks."

Ratings

• The L.A. Complex premiered on January 10, 2012, in Canada. It was previewed on CTV drawing 351,000 viewers as well as 60,000 on its regular channel MuchMusic.
• Episode 2 aired January 17, 2012, on MuchMusic drawing 87,000 viewers.
• Episode 3 aired January 24, 2012, on MuchMusic drawing 40,000 viewers.
• Episode 4 aired January 31, 2012, on MuchMusic drawing 44,000 viewers.
• Episode 5 aired February 7, 2012, on MuchMusic drawing 16,000 viewers.
• Episode 6 (season finale) aired February 14, 2012, on MuchMusic drawing 22,000 viewers.

However, after its initial airing in the United States, the series received the lowest-ever ratings for a broadcast drama series premiere, despite its generally favorable reviews.

Home media

On August 13, 2015, Echo Bridge Entertainment released The L.A. Complex: The Complete Series on DVD in Region 1.

Reboot

On October 3, 2018, it was announced that a reboot of the series was in the works at The CW with original creator Martin Gero and writer Brendan Gall set to executive produce. The "sequel" project, hailing from Gero's production company Quinn's House in association with Warner Bros. Television, is based on the original series, but follows "a new crop of tenants who move into the Luxe hotel in the heart of Hollywood—a ragtag commune of twentysomethings all hustling to make it as actors, dancers, producers or comedians. Relationships rise and fall, beliefs and values are tested, as the drive to succeed pushes all characters to their breaking points." On February 8, 2019, The CW passed on picking up the script to pilot, reportedly due to a "numbers game" between Warner Bros. Television and The CW's other production studio CBS Television Studios. Because The CW is a joint effort between CBS and Warner Bros., the network orders an equal number of pilot episodes from each studio. However, The CW decided to keep the project in the works for the following development cycle. After Gero inked a new development deal with Universal Television in May 2020, moving away from Warner Bros. Television, he confirmed the following month on Instagram that the reboot would not happen.

References

References

1. Seidman, Robert. (January 10, 2012). "The CW Acquires Six-Part Canadian Drama 'The L.A. Complex'".
2. Wild, Diane. (December 8, 2011). "The LA Complex premieres January 10 on MuchMusic and CTV".
3. By, Katie. (December 8, 2011). "CTV to double-debut The L.A. Complex in January".
4. Vlessing, Etan. (December 3, 2012). "'The L.A. Complex' Not Renewed for Third Season by Canada's MuchMusic Channel". [[The Hollywood Reporter]].
5. Vlessing, Etan. (December 20, 2012). "The CW Not Renewing 'The L.A. Complex' for Third Season (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter.
6. Brioux, Bill. (January 18, 2012). "The Brioux Report: Big Bang beats Globes; new CBC season soars".
7. Kondolojy, Amanda. (April 25, 2012). "Tuesday Final Ratings: 'The Voice' Adjusted Up; 'Fashion Star' Adjusted Down".
8. Brioux, Bill. (January 25, 2012). "The Brioux Report: Canadians love hockey, football and The Big Bang Theory".
9. Bibel, Sara. (May 2, 2012). "Tuesday Final Ratings: 'New Girl', 'NCIS', 'Glee', 'Dancing With the Stars', 'Biggest Loser', 'Last Man Standing' Adjusted Up". TV by the Numbers.
10. Brioux, Bill. (February 1, 2012). "The Brioux Report: Big Bang, CSI, All-Star hockey wins week before sweeps".
11. Kondolojy, Amanda. (May 9, 2012). "Tuesday Final Ratings: 'Voice', 'Glee', 'DWTS' + 'NCIS' Adjusted Up; 'LA Complex', + 'Private Practice' Adjusted Down". TV by the Numbers.
12. Brioux, Bill. (February 8, 2012). "The Brioux Report: Canada bowled over by the Super Bowl".
13. Bibel, Sara. (May 16, 2012). "Tuesday Final Ratings: 'NCIS', 'Glee' Adjusted Up". TV by the Numbers.
14. Brioux, Bill. (February 14, 2012). "The Brioux Report: The Grammy Awards hit high ratings note for Global".
15. Kondolojy, Amanda. (May 23, 2012). "Tuesday Final Ratings: 'American Idol', 'DWTS', 'AGT' Adjusted Up, 'Glee' Adjusted Down". TV by the Numbers.
16. Brioux, Bill. (February 23, 2012). "The Brioux Report: Survivor and The Amazing Race roar back in pre-Oscar week".
17. Bibel, Sara. (May 31, 2012). "Tuesday Final Ratings: '48 Hours Mystery' Adjusted Up". TV by the Numbers.
18. (March 28, 2012). "Bell Media Orders 13 Additional Episodes of THE L.A. COMPLEX". [[Bell Media]].
19. (June 28, 2012). "{{sic". Bell Media.
20. Brioux, Bill. (July 18, 2012). "TUESDAY Night numbers: 88,000 catch return of #TheLAComplex on #MuchMusic; follows #PrettyLittleLiars lead-in (180,000)".
21. Kondolojy, Amanda. (July 18, 2012). "Tuesday Final Ratings: 'Hell's Kitchen' Adjusted Up". TV by the Numbers.
22. Bibel, Sara. (July 25, 2012). "Tuesday Final Ratings: 'America's Got Talent' Adjusted Up; 'MasterChef', 'Love In The Wild' Adjusted Down". TV by the Numbers.
23. Kondolojy, Amanda. (August 1, 2012). "Tuesday Final Ratings: 'LA Complex' Adjusted Down + Final Olympics Numbers for Night Four". TV by the Numbers.
24. Bibel, Sara. (August 8, 2012). "Tuesday Final Ratings: 'The L.A. Complex' Adjusted Up & Final Olympics Numbers". TV by the Numbers.
25. Kondolojy, Amanda. (August 15, 2012). "Tuesday Final Ratings: 'America's Got Talent' Adjusted Up". TV by the Numbers.
26. Bibel, Sara. (August 22, 2012). "Tuesday Final Ratings: 'The L.A. Complex' Adjusted Up". TV by the Numbers.
27. Kondolojy, Amanda. (August 28, 2012). "Monday Final Ratings: 'Hotel Hell' & 'Stars Earn Stripes' Adjusted Up; 'Hell's Kitchen' Adjusted Down".
28. Bibel, Sara. (August 28, 2012). "Monday Final Ratings: 'Grimm' Adjusted Up".
29. Kondolojy, Amanda. (September 11, 2012). "Monday Final Ratings: 'The Voice' Adjusted Up + Unscrambled CBS Ratings". TV by the Numbers.
30. Bibel, Sarah. (September 18, 2012). "Monday Final Ratings: 'The Voice' Adjusted Up; 'CMA Music Festival' Adjusted Down". TV by the Numbers.
31. Brioux, Bill. (September 26, 2012). "#TheLAComplex went out with a whimper on #MuchMusic Monday. Last 2 episodes draw 9,000 and 11,000 overnight viewers nationwide".
32. Kondolojy, Amanda. (September 25, 2012). "Monday Final Ratings: 'How I Met Your Mother', 'Mike and Molly', 'Voice', 'Bones' Adjusted Up; 'DWTS', 'Revolution', 'Castle', 'Hawaii Five-0' & 'LA Complex' Adjusted Down".
33. (January 10, 2012). "Bell Media's Original Series 'The L.A. Complex' Acquired by The CW". Broadcaster.
34. Vlessing, Etan. (September 11, 2021). "Bell Media Orders 13 More Episodes of 'The L.A. Complex' (Exclusive)". [[The Hollywood Reporter]].
35. Kondolojy, Amanda. (2012-06-06). "The CW Announces Premiere Dates for 'Oh Sit!', 'The Next: Fame is at Your Doorstep', 'America's Next Top Model', 'The LA Complex' and More".
36. "The L.A. Complex: Season 1 (2012)".
37. "The L.A. Complex – Season 1 Reviews".
38. Owen, Rob. (April 23, 2012). "'L.A. Complex': A better 'Melrose Place'". [[Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]].
39. Sepinwall, Alan. (April 24, 2012). "Review: 'The L.A. Complex' moves from Canada to the CW".
40. (May 25, 2012). "Did ''House'' Guest Surprise? ''Supernatural'' Creep You Out? ''Glee'' Dads Missing? And More TV Qs!".
41. Baldwin, Kristen. (August 31, 2012). "TV: The L.A. Complex".
42. Brioux, Bill. "The Brioux Report: Big Bang beats Globes; new CBC season soars".
43. Brioux, Bill. "The Brioux Report: Canadians love hockey, football and The Big Bang Theory".
44. Brioux, Bill. "The Brioux Report: Big Bang, CSI, All-Star hockey wins week before sweeps".
45. Brioux, Bill. "The Brioux Report: Canada bowled over by the Super Bowl".
46. Brioux, Bill. "The Brioux Report: The Grammy Awards hit high ratings note for Global".
47. Brioux, Bill. "The Brioux Report: Survivor and The Amazing Race roar back in pre-Oscar week".
48. Andreeva, Nellie. (2018-10-03). "'The L.A. Complex' Reboot In Works At the CW From Martin Gero & Brendan Gall". [[Deadline Hollywood]].
49. Andreeva, Nellie. (February 8, 2019). "'The 4400' & 'The L.A. Complex' Reboots And 'Good Christian Bitches' Rolled To Next Season At the CW".
50. Andreeva, Nellie. (2020-05-01). "Martin Gero Inks Overall Deal With Universal Television".
51. Ausiello, Michael. (June 29, 2020). "''L.A. Complex'' Reboot DOA at The CW".

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