Category: IN FOCUS
Eclectic dreams
The work of renowned author Philip K Dick has inspired a new anthology series heading to Channel 4 in the UK and Amazon. Michael Pickard takes a look at the 10 imaginative stories that make up Electric Dreams.
Clean living
Jason Bateman has money troubles in Netflix original series Ozark, in which he stars as a big-city financial advisor forced to move to the country after upsetting a drug kingpin. But as DQ discovers, it was the opportunity to direct that drew him to the project.
Laying down the law
The true story of a man who survived Auschwitz and went on to build a legal empire is the inspiration for Dutch drama De Maatschap (The Partnership). DQ hears from the writers and producers of the series to find out how they turned this real-life saga into a gripping thriller.
Music man
Composer Michael Price reveals how he created the scores for British detective series Sherlock and Unforgotten and shares his views on the role music plays in television drama.
Identity crisis
Japanese producer Akino Suzuki tells DQ about conspiracy thriller Lost ID, in which an engineer fights to uncover the truth when his identity is erased.
Cleverman smartens up
Ryan Griffen, the creator of Australian sci-fi drama Cleverman, introduces DQ to the show’s second season and a new cast of characters known as the Bindawu.
Casting Guerrilla
Casting director Shaheen Baig and executive producer Katie Swinden tell DQ about tapping a host of British stars to appear in Guerrilla, John Ridley’s six-part study of race relations in 1970s London.
Labour of Love
Friendship turns to romance in Argentinian drama Amar Despues de Amar (Love After Loving) – with devastating consequences. DQ hears more about the series from Telefe content manager Mercedes Reincke.
Down to Business
The property business gets personal in Japanese drama Your Home is My Business. DQ speaks to producer Reina Oda about developing the series, which is being remade in China.
Drama’s new belle époque
French producers Odile McDonald and Valérie Pechels, from Wildcat Productions, discuss their country’s creative liberation in TV drama’s new ‘golden age.’
Crisis management
Japanese producer Takahiro Kasagi tells DQ how two of Japan’s biggest stars teamed up for Kansai TV’s action thriller Crisis.
Sticking to the truth
Dutch drama The Body Collector recalls the real-life account of a journalist attempting to uncover the truth about a war criminal.
France’s finest
From a pair of mystery dramas and the introduction of the ‘female Columbo’ to the story of a film director forced to make a new version of King Kong for a power-mad dictator, French drama is set to enjoy a breakout year. DQ casts its eye over some of the new series coming to the small screen.
Under the influence
As Twin Peaks returns to television after a 26-year absence, DQ explores the wide-reaching impact the series had on the shows and creatives that came after it.
Political animals
Dutch drama Brussel (Brussels) sees the powerful and powerless collide against the backdrop of the city at the heart of the European Union. DQ speaks to the writer, director and producer of this landmark 10-part series.
Fully Loaded
Keshet UK’s head of drama Howard Burch reveals the story behind Channel 4 and AMC comedy-drama Loaded, about four friends who suddenly become millionaires.
Around the block
Mobsters rule a corner of Berlin in German drama 4 Blocks, which has been renewed for a second season before its debut. DQ chats to the team behind the six-part series.
Breaking Bavaria
Rafael Parente and Boris Kunz introduce DQ to Hindafing, a drama set in the fictional Bavarian village where mayor Alfons Zischl battles politicians by day and his inner demons by night.
Belle tolls for TVN
Polish broadcaster TVN made history with Belle Époque, its first ever costume drama. The network’s programming director Edward Miszczak and exec producer Michał Kwieciński tell DQ about bringing this crime-focused period series to screen.
Surface tension
Terror comes to Copenhagen when a group of people are taken hostage aboard a subway train. DQ chats to the creator and producer of Danish drama Gidseltagningen (Below the Surface).