Category: THE DIRECTOR’S CHAIR
Born again
Rebirth artistic director Gustavo Fernandez breaks down his role on this Brazilian telenovela, his approach to remaking a hugely successful series from the 1990s, and how its themes have been updated for modern audiences.
New Territory
Territory director Greg McLean takes DQ inside Netflix’s Australian drama about the battle for control of the world’s largest cattle station, where he spent its special effects budget and how he was inspired by Top Gun: Maverick.
When Doves fly
Black Doves director Alex Gabassi takes DQ into the world of Joe Barton’s Netflix spy series, discusses partnering with stars Keira Knightley and Ben Whishaw and reveals how he was influenced by neo noirs and screwball comedies.
Off the leash
As detective drama Dalgliesh returns, star Bertie Carvel tells DQ about realising his long-held ambition to direct for the screen in the third season of the Acorn TV and Channel 5 show, which is set in 1979.
Wolf man
Vargasommar (Cry Wolf) director Jesper Ganslandt tells DQ about bringing Hans Rosenfeldt’s novel to television, finding the right tone for this darkly comedic crime thriller and how he was inspired by Steven Spielberg.
Kings of the castle
A decade after its acclaimed first season, BBC historical drama Wolf Hall is back for part two, subtitled The Mirror & The Light. Director Peter Kosminsky explains how the show continues the story of the fateful relationship between Thomas Cromwell and Henry VIII.
Fresh wheat
Generation Z writer-director Ben Wheatley tells DQ about the journey to make his first original television series, his unique approach to filming the six-parter and why the story is more than a zombie horror.
Hagen days
Hagen directors Cyrill Boss and Philipp Stennert take DQ inside this fantasy drama based on a centuries-old saga, discuss producing a film and series simultaneously, and explain why the show is more The Godfather than Game of Thrones.
Snow queen
Filmmaker Amma Asante takes her biggest step into television as the director of Smilla’s Sense of Snow, a six-part crime drama set in a futuristic Copenhagen. She speaks to DQ about how she related to the title character and the demands of making a miniseries.
Lies and loss
Une Amie Dévouée (The Confidante) director Just Philippot explains how this French drama will offer viewers a unique perspective on the aftermath of the terrorist attack on the Bataclan theatre in Paris, almost a decade on from the tragedy.
Spot of bother
Norwegian author Anne Holt’s fictional detective Hanne Wilhelmson comes to the small screen in Blind Spot, a murder-mystery whodunnit set in an isolated mountain hotel. DQ picks up the story with director Erik Skjoldbjærg.
Family ties
With his first television series, Danish director Thomas Vinterberg tackles themes of climate change and immigration with the story of a family forced to flee their home. He opens up about writing and directing Familier som vores (Families Like Ours), how it began as a thought experiment and his interest in the fragility of humanity.
Picture Perfect
The Perfect Couple director Susanne Bier speaks to DQ about reuniting with Nicole Kidman for this Netflix murder mystery, why she wanted to take charge of all six episodes, and the drama’s eye-catching opening title sequence.
Stuck in Middle-earth with Lou
Director Louise Hooper returns from Middle-earth to tell DQ about making season two of Prime Video’s The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, after the series moved from New Zealand to film in the UK for the first time.
Uncovering Secrets
Danish director Kaspar Munk reflects on the changing television landscape that led him to write and direct eight-part drama Secrets, the story of two siblings caught in a spiral of co-dependency and the lies that threaten to tear their seemingly perfect lives apart.
Pride and joy
Stockholm Pride director Māns Nyman speaks to DQ about coming to television for the first time to helm this six-part series, which follows three friends navigating complicated personal lives during the week leading up to the titular Swedish celebration.
Sweet Dreams
As viewers continue to move away from linear TV, what does the future hold for traditional soaps? Director Joan Noguera tells DQ about launching Spanish daily drama Sueños de Libertad (Dreams of Freedom) and why the genre still holds an important position in the television landscape.
River rises
As his journey making outback road trip drama Thou Shalt Not Steal enters its final stages, co-creator and director Dylan River tells DQ about creating a series rooted in his home town, his rules for filmmaking and why storytelling is in his blood.
C*A*U*G*H*T in the act
Australian actor and director Kick Gurry reveals the backstory to his military satire C*A*U*G*H*T, how Hollywood star Sean Penn joined the project and how it comments on contemporary obsession with fame.
Street smarts
Tig Terera, the creator of Australian series Swift Street, reflects on breaking into the television industry with this energetic family crime drama – and explains why writers are ‘cooler’ than directors.