First line | In the skates of a young hockey player

Hockey games. A determined heroine. A story taken from novels loved by young people. With these elements, the new series First line will she be able to charm the teenagers? The reaction of the students who were able to attend the press screening in the company of the actors of the show, last Wednesday, suggests that with this production, ICI Tou.tv Extra will score points with this clientele less fond of French TV. here.

In the large, bright hall of Durocher College in Saint-Lambert, sustained applause is heard. The second episode of the series First line has just ended and we feel that the 60 or so third-grade students gathered had a good time.

“Personally, I loved it,” confirms Justine Leduc when asked for her impressions. By her side, her friends Rosalie Drouin and Anissa Naouai agree with her.

Adaptation of the literary series of the same name, signed by Nadia Lakhdari, First line tells the story of Chloé, a star hockey player who receives an invitation to participate in the selection camp of a bantam AAA… men’s team. Should she accept? Anyone who has seen the posters of the show on which the interpreter of Chloé, Constance Munger, sits in the center of a band of boys understands that she will try her luck.

A recruit

“Girls who play hockey will recognize themselves in Chloé,” believes the 16-year-old actress. She herself has been practicing this sport since she was little. “I’ve never played at a high level, but I’ve played with guys all my life,” she says.

Despite some extra experience, Constance Munger never wanted to be an actress. Why then did you audition for the main role of First line ?

The national sport of Quebec is also the element that brought Jacob Whiteduck-Lavoie (turbulent waters, District 31) to wish to take part in the project. “When I got the audition request for a hockey series, I was so excited, because it was my youth, 3D Pee Wee. I dreamed of shooting a film on the ice, “says the interpreter of Xavier, the player who will try the most to integrate Chloé into the team.

The same cannot be said for each of the Lynx wannabes. Some will multiply the bad shots to discourage “the girl”.

Beyond Hockey

Although hockey is at the heart of First lineviewers don’t have to be fans of the sport to like the show, believes Constance Munger.

An impression confirmed by Anissa Naouai, one of the students with whom The Press discussed. This young dancer recognized herself in the character of Chloé. ” It’s a lot [d’entraînements]. It’s a lot of commitment. Often I miss events, parties. It’s a bit like what happens in the series, ”she underlines.

Her friend Justine Leduc also draws a parallel between her life and that of the young hockey player.

In the series, this mother who dreams of one day seeing her daughter at the Olympics is played by Catherine Proulx-Lemay.

“I found it the fun let it not just be the over-ambitious, aggressive parent. […] There the mother is a little too much, but, at the same time, there is nothing unhealthy. She wants a lot for her daughter, ”says the actress.

According to her, the series aimed at pre-teens and teenagers is likely to bring conversations to homes on ways to reconcile the practice of sport with studies and relationships, as much family and friends as love.

“Also seeing all the discrimination that still exists against girls in men’s sports circles, I hope that will open discussions and that prejudices will perhaps fall,” she adds.

Surprises for readers

Those who have read Nadia Lakhdari’s novels will notice that the relationship between Chloe and her parents is not the same as in the books. On television, the teenager now has a father hen, played by Patrick Drolet.

Are there any other notable changes? “There are a lot of additions,” replies the author, a member of the screenwriting team. If the story of Chloe and Xavier remains the same, that of the other characters has been enhanced in this first season which includes volumes 1, 2 and 3.

“People will recognize the books […]but they are going to have lots of sweets, little surprises, ”summarizes Nadia Lakhdari.

First line, which also stars many young actors, including Iani Bédard, Louka Amadeo Bélanger-Leos, Mathieu Drouin, Dounia Ouirzane, Rosalie Loiselle, as well as Véronique Cloutier’s son, Justin Morissette, will have a second season. Filming will begin in July.

Thirteen episodes of season 1 of First line are currently offered on ICI Tou.tv’s Extra. The following 13 episodes will be added on July 6. The series will be broadcast on ICI Télé in September.