Aiming high
A walk in the desert marked a turning point for Vertigo Films as it turned its attention to television. DQ hears how the company plans to follow its initial success with historical drama Britannia and buddy cop thriller Bulletproof.
Shooting Bullets
Alan Sim, executive producer of Bullets, explains why this Finnish series is an example of a high-end show that isn’t afraid to take risks to deliver a drama blending political themes, a complex storyline, flawed characters and shocking twists.
Raisin’ the dead
With cancelled comedy-drama Agatha Raisin set to be brought back to life on US streamer Acorn TV, star Ashley Jensen discusses what makes the show special.
Nothing but the truth
Channel 4’s factual one-off The Interrogation of Tony Martin is a groundbreaking film billed as the first verbatim drama. Writer/director David Nath reveals how it was pulled together from real police interview transcripts.
Making Friend
L’Amica Geniale (My Brilliant Friend) is one of the most eagerly awaited dramas of the year. Director Saverio Costanzo tells DQ how he steered the ambitious period drama, based on Elena Ferrante’s novel, for Italian broadcaster Rai and US cable network HBO.
Six of the Best: Oriana Kujawka
The head of series development at Polish broadcaster TVN reveals her top half-dozen dramas, including a childhood favourite, an Israeli thriller and some award-winning US series.
Speaking Frankie
Lauren Lee Smith, the star of period detective series Frankie Drake Mysteries, on starring in the 1920s-set series, the attraction of a female-driven show and why she no longer tunes into dark dramas.
Bi the way
Writer, director and actor Desiree Akhavan speaks to DQ about her Channel 4 and Hulu comedy-drama The Bisexual, revealing why she wanted to make a show that was entertaining but also started a conversation about people seldom seen on screen.
Long haul
International coproductions are nothing new, but as more globally ambitious dramas are emerging, DQ speaks to the producers behind some of these long-distance series to find out how stories spanning multiple countries are made.
Educating on Informer
Informer star Sunetra Sarker and executive producer Nic Brown take DQ behind the scenes of this contemporary thriller about a young man who becomes an informant for a counter-terrorism officer.
Crime drama remixed
The world of organised crime plays out against the pulsating backdrop of Berlin’s club scene in Beat, the fifth German original series from Amazon. Creator and director Marco Kreuzpaintner reveals how he meshed his love of the city with the issue of organ trafficking.
Hearing The Cry
Jenna Coleman, the star of BBC series The Cry, and executive producer Claire Mundell tell DQ about the complex and flawed characters at the heart of the psychological drama and why four-parters are currently in vogue.
