George to direct new series 'The Department'

I thought our boy was supposed to be taking on less projects now that he has children. It sure doesn't look like it, hee hee.

I'm not complaining,  though, for selfish reasons.  I just hope he continues to act once in a while to keep us happy. The directing and producing is nice but I want to see his face. I don't care how old he is!

I think it's quite hard to figure out whether he just wanted to direct, act or support his fewer commitments given their long lead times. Also because he is responsible for Smokehouse too it's hard to figure out timelines for these new productions

I think he's probably taking things one day at a time. If a good project comes his way that he really wants to do, he probably tries to find a way to fit it in.

The kids should be in school pretty soon and Amal can work anywhere and pretty much set her own schedule, so that should free him up to work more.

I really don't think George will ever give up acting .

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Looks like this series is likely to be based in France, which would suit George and family

PAN - There are an awful lot of companies involved in this project. I wonder who decides where they will film and what their criteria are. It isn't as if it's a film that's done in a few weeks. A series can film for months - even years if it's a success. That has to influence location and casting.

Whoever signs on has to be willing to spend a lot of time in France (if that's the location)- maybe for years. Do you think George will stay with the series for years if it's a hit? I'm really surprised he signed on for something that could be such a long term commitment - unless he's really ready to step behind the camera for good.

Looks to me as if this could be filmed anywhere at any time - all the attachments seem to me to be par for the course when you sit in a cinema watching the credits at the end. 

    And he just loves the political!

    I'm going to see if I can find a copy of the original - for all we know if it's like Homeland they could be all over the world and it seems that George has links and experience in a lot of places - look at Nespresso! Smokehouse do those too.

     My only doubt is that if it was a classy French series it's got to top that or be at least as good

PAN - I think location will depend mostly on budget considerations and availability of support crew and production facilities. If it's a limited series it won't matter as much, but if it's going to run for a while they might want a home base for interiors and to avoid transporting crew and equipment as much as possible. Just guessing.

As far as it having to be better than the original, I don't think it applies. How well known is the original outside of France? I'm thinking most people who see this will never have heard of or seen the original series, so they won't be comparing them.

Wow! That looks great! George will have his work cut out for him to make something at least as good as this looks. It also looks fairly expensive to make. Maybe that's why there are so many companies involved in the production. I hope they give him enough money to make a quality product.

(PS - You just gave me something else to binge watch. I'm not sure I should thank you. )

Ha-ha, Lizzy! Have a quick - or slow - stroll round the block to make yourself feel better!!

Actually, that was my plan for today anyway - before I get down to doing all the stuff I've been neglecting all week. I really should thank you, though, because if the series has subtitles like the trailer did it will help me brush up on my French. I haven't used it in ages and I'm really rusty, so...thanks?