Pier pressure
Alex Pina and Esther Martinez Lobato, the creators of Spanish mystery La Embarcadero (The Pier), discuss making the series – their follow-up to 2017 breakout hit La Casa de Papel (Money Heist).
The royal treatment
Showrunners Emma Frost and Matthew Graham explore the early life of Catherine of Aragon, Henry VIII’s first wife, in historical drama The Spanish Princess. They reveal how the future queen caused a stir in Tudor England and the drama’s parallels with Breaking Bad.
The talking dead
French crime procedural Balthazar introduces a forensic pathologist with an unusual talent. DQ hears more about the six-part drama from producer Stephane Marsil and co-writer Clothilde Jamin.
The Verge of success
Three friends find their lives are moving backwards in Women on the Verge, a comedy-drama based on Lorna Martin’s bestselling autobiography. DQ speaks to Martin and producer Gavin O’Grady about making the six-part series for UKTV’s W and RTÉ in Ireland.
Going Straight
A mother attempts to leave her criminal past behind by moving to the other side of the world in eight-part drama Straight Forward. But was this Denmark-New Zealand copro as simple as its title? Executive producer Philly de Lacey and director Charlie Haskell explain.
Back on the Block
As German gangster drama 4 Blocks returns for a second season, DQ visits the Neukolln district of Berlin, where the series is set, to met the cast and creative team behind the show.
Coming up roses
Lost and Person of Interest star Michael Emerson swaps science fiction for the Middle Ages with a starring role in The Name of the Rose. He tells DQ why the part was a dream come true.
Ready to Rook
The supernatural and spy genres fuse together in The Rook, an adaptation of Daniel O’Malley’s novel about a shadowy London agency and a woman suffering total amnesia, set in a world where people have peculiar abilities. Executive producer Stephen Garrett reveals all.
The Lynč effect
What started as a teaching exercise became a landmark coproduction between Czech Television and Arte in the shape of drama series Lynč (The Lynching). DQ speaks to showrunner Harold Apter about creating the Czech show and bringing the US creative process to Europe.
Horrible histories
Eric Khoo, showrunner and director of HBO Asia’s Folklore, reveals how he drew on the region’s myths and legends to create the ambitious horror anthology series.
Class act
Rick Remender, creator and executive producer of Syfy horror-action series Deadly Class, talks about bringing new, often riskier ideas to television and the appeal of adapting his own comic book for television.
Baby blues
New parents Jenna Coleman and Ewen Leslie face unthinkable tragedy in four-part BBC psychological drama The Cry – but is all as it seems? Leslie, director Glendyn Ivin and executive producer Claire Mundell reveal the makings of this emotionally complex miniseries.
