Category: THE DIRECTOR’S CHAIR
Deep impact
In Québécois drama Ravages (Deep Cuts), the murder of an environmental activist leads a lawyer to uncover the controversial dealings of a powerful mining company. DQ digs deeper with director Sophie Deraspe and executive producer Nicola Merola to find out more.
Brief encounters
As Korean legal romance drama Law & The City finds audiences around the world, director Park Seung-woo explains why this isn’t a typical courtroom drama, outlines his approach to filming the drama and reveals which US sitcom proved to be a key inspiration.
Helming Hostage
Isabelle Sieb tells DQ about taking on her first lead director role with Netflix’s Hostage, reuniting with star Suranne Jones and why she didn’t want the political thriller’s camerawork to go “full Blair Witch Project.”
All the Rage
With artistic and storytelling flair, HBO Max’s Furia (Rage) tells the interconnected stories of five women pushed to the edge – and revenge. Creator, writer and director Félix Sabroso opens up about his auteurial voice, the show’s heightened reality and writing for the actors who would lead the series.
Beth foot forward
Writer and director Uzo Oleh takes DQ into the making of Beth, Channel 4’s first digital original drama commissioned for YouTube and its own linear and streaming channels, and outlines how he hopes the show can change audience perceptions of the meaning of ‘digital content.’
Meeting The Danish Woman
Writer-director Benedikt Erlingsson discusses making Icelandic series Danska Konan (The Danish Woman), partnering with “extraordinary talent” Trine Dyrholm as the titular character, and why he didn’t want to Save the Cat.
Reaching Pubertat
With her latest series, director, writer and actor Leticia Dolera blends complex discussions about families, sexual assault and the age of criminality, set against the backdrop of a unique Catalonian tradition. DQ hears all about how she got through Pubertat (Puberty).
Reflecting on rehab
Spanish writer and director Javier Giner speaks to DQ about drawing on his life experiences for Yo, Adicto (I, Addict), the compelling and poignant story of a man who vows to turn his life around after spiralling into addiction.
Peak TV
Jesse Armstrong trades media moguls for tech titans in Mountainhead. The Succession creator tells DQ about this timely, dystopian feature-length drama, reuniting with some familiar faces and directing his first major project.
Face value
As Natasha Lyonne’s human lie detector Charlie returns to solve more mysteries in season two of Poker Face, creator and director Rian Johnson reflects on the success of the ‘how catch ’em’ series and discusses working with many versions of Cynthia Erivo.
Sister act
Director Jonas Geirnaert reflects on blending emotion and humour for road trip drama How to Kill Your Sister, stepping behind the camera and the fresh perspective of Belgian storytelling that brings a surreal or absurd twist to contemporary storytelling.
Ed will roll
Director Ed Bazalgette talks taking up the reins of season two of historical drama Marie Antoinette, blending high drama with soapy character storylines and showcasing the series’ luxurious costumes and locations.
Finding Sanctuary
Spanish sci-fi series Santuario (Sanctuary) deals with contemporary themes in a futuristic world where pregnant women shelter from the planet’s pollution. Director and exec producer Rodrigo Ruiz Gallardón tells DQ how it was made.
Bringing books to life
Ahead of the BAFTA TV Craft Awards, nominated directors Peter Kosminsky and Molly Manners reflect on their respective work behind the camera on BBC historical drama Wolf Hall: The Mirror & The Light and Netflix’s One Day, explaining how the source material for each was brought to the screen.
Into the Otherworld
Anaon director David Hourrègue reflects on making this fantastical French coming-of-age series and working with teenagers again after Skam France, and explains why making the show was the “greatest experience” of his career.
Seeing the Invisible
Writer and director Nicholas Verso opens up about the making of Australian YA drama Invisible Boys and how he wanted to lean on his own experiences to tell the story of four teens coming to terms with their sexuality in a remote coastal town.
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.