Category: THE DIRECTOR’S CHAIR
Continental shift
The John Wick movie franchise lands on the small screen with a three-part prequel that explores the origins of the iconic hotel-for-assassins at the centre of the story. Directors Albert Hughes and Charlotte Brändström welcome DQ to The Continental.
Dramatising disaster
Estonia director Måns Mansson tells DQ about his approach to dramatising the true story of a ferry disaster that led to more than 800 deaths and why the project proved to be the biggest challenge of his career.
Following the Money
Award-winning film director Xavier Giannoli discusses his first move into television with French drama D’argent et de sang (Of Money & Blood), a series based on the true story behind one of the biggest financial crimes of all time.
Commanding drama
The Sixth Commandment director Saul Dibb takes DQ inside the making of the “bold and challenging” BBC four-parter, which he describes as an “anti-true crime” drama owing to its focus on the victims at the centre of the real-life story it dramatises.
The beat goes on
As Heartstopper returns for its second season, director Euros Lyn takes DQ behind the scenes of the Netflix comedy-drama, discussing his partnership with creator Alice Oseman, working with the show’s breakout cast and coping with the weight of fan expectation.
Stepping up
With projects underway with Apple TV+, AMC, Gaumont and Bad Robot, Lucía Puenzo is one of the most sought-after creators in the Latin American TV industry. The Argentinian tells DQ why the region is about to take a big international leap with its drama content.
Busfield gets busy
Thirtysomething and The West Wing star Timothy Busfield reveals how he has evolved from acting to directing and producing, discusses his creative partnership with Aaron Sorkin and explains why AI is a problem for the creative arts.
Watch out for Blindspot
Bafta-nominated director Jordan Hogg tells DQ about Channel 5 crime thriller Blindspot, which features a breakout performance from wheelchair user Beth Alsbury and sees ex-EastEnders star Ross Kemp return to acting for the first time in 15 years.
For the love of goddesses
Writing for DQ, director Borys Lankosz reveals why he took a chance to create Polish drama Erinyes, a series based on the crime novels by Marek Krajewski for TVP (Telewizja Polska) and distributor GoQuest Media.
All Change in China
Award-winning film director Dalei Zhang meets DQ to discuss his small-screen series Why Try to Change Me Now, a six-part Chinese project that blends a sweeping intergenerational drama with a crime story and luscious visuals.
Iran in the spotlight
Inspired by Shakespeare, Iranian filmmaker Nima Javidi explores the roles people play in life in his first series, The Actor. He tells DQ about moving to the small screen, the challenge of working with prosthetics and bringing Iranian series to the global stage.
Dr García will see you now
Director Joan Noguera previews Spanish period drama Los pacientes del doctor García (The Patients of Dr García), an adaptation of Almudena Grandes’ sweeping novel involving war criminals and fugitives set between the Second World War and Franco’s Spain.
Birth of an icon
A young French actress’s rapid rise to global superstardom is charted in six-part biopic Bardot. Mother-and-son writing and directing team Danièle Thompson and Christopher Thompson explain why and how they wanted to tell the story of the ‘world’s first influencer.’
Redirecting the future
Unforgotten director Andy Wilson charts the journey to finding the right character and actor to replace Nicola Walker’s departing DCI Cassie Stuart in ITV’s acclaimed cold-case drama.
Chemical reaction
Paramount+ series The Chemistry of Death brings Simon Beckett’s novels about a forensic anthropologist Dr David Hunter to the small screen. Director Richard Clark tells DQ about finding the right formula for filming the rural crime drama across the UK and the freedom he had behind the camera.
Grand designs
Director Kerren Lumer-Klabbers explains how she laid the foundations for her first TV series, Norwegian drama Arkitekten (The Architect), which presents a near-future Oslo where a young woman finds an unusual solution to building new housing.
Deer to his heart
A family is torn apart and secrets are reveals when a criminal matriarch passes away in Finnish drama Poromafia (Reindeer Mafia). Director Mika Kurvinen discusses the influences behind this darkly comedic series and the challenges of filming in Lapland.
Time for action
Hollywood stars Michael Chiklis and Marlee Matlin are best known for their on-screen performances, but crime anthology Accused sees them both step behind the camera. DQ finds out all about their directing ambitions.
Royal flush
Looper, Star Wars and Knives Out director Rian Johnson has teamed up with star Natasha Lyonne for his first television series, Poker Face. He tells DQ about his love of ‘howcatchem’ mysteries and reviving the classic story-of-the-week format for streamer Peacock.
Fantasy politics
Stan & Ollie director Jon S Baird tells DQ about moving into television miniseries with ITV drama Stonehouse, partnering with star Matthew Macfadyen and bringing a heightened tone to this farcical true story.