Articles about France 2
Peste control
After Albert Camus’ seminal 1947 novel La Peste (The Plague) topped reading charts during the pandemic, writer George-Marc Benamou and director Antoine Garceau reveal why they wanted to adapt it for television and how they have updated the story for modern audiences.
Samber alert
Director Jean-Xavier de Lestrade explains how French true crime drama Samber sought to right 30 years of wrongs by giving a voice to the victims of a serial predator.
Into the Vortex
Science-fiction crime drama Vortex – about a police officer attempting to change the past – is the first French series to use virtual production. DQ speaks to Fix Studio VFX producer Cédric Herbet about the demands of using this emerging technology.
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.’
All according to Tran
French screenwriter Quoc Dang Tran discusses his unusual path to working in television, breaking out with horror series Marianne and adapting a Japanese manga for Drops of God.
Sending up Bollywood
The makers of Netflix original Call My Agent Bollywood reveal how they brought this Indian adaptation of French comedy-drama Dix Pour Cent to the screen.
Under the Sun
A new daily drama aims to paint a portrait of modern France. DQ speaks to producer Toma de Matteis about France 2’s scripted series Un si grand soleil (Chronicles of the Sun), which has an initial commission of 235 episodes.
Head case
French crime drama Kepler(s) tackles mental health and the Calais migrant crisis in the story of a police officer secretly struggling with multiple personality disorder who is sent to investigate the murder of a student in the port town. DQ meets the writers and producers.
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.
Gilligan brings cult following to HBO
Breaking Bad’s Vince Gilligan is writing a miniseries about the Jonestown massacre for HBO. There’s also news this week of a boy-band drama from Dick Wolf – involving ex-One Direction pop star Zayn Malik.
Candice Renoir: France does crime drama with a difference
Cécile Bose mixes parenting with police work as the star of French crime drama Candice Renoir. She speaks to DQ about the long-running series as filming for its fifth season gets underway.
CBS in transgender breakthrough
CBS’s new legal drama Doubt will star Katherine Heigl. But it is the casting of transgender actress Laverne Cox in the show that is capturing the headlines.
French drama: Vive la revolution
French drama is evolving at an increasing pace, but while broadcasters and producers are widening their international horizons, the most dramatic changes are taking place at home.
Must-see TV
Andy Fry wonders whether US networks will come looking for Witnesses following its runaway success in France, and examines how Jane the Virgin has seduced viewers and critics alike.