After District 31, place for Dumas | La Presse

The Press visited the set of the next TV intrigue by Luc Dionne

The craze for Dumasthe new series by author Luc Dionne, is undeniable. On Tuesday, in the middle of the summer holidays, nearly 40 journalists and photographers traveled to Brossard to visit his set. As far as I can remember, no film shoot had managed to attract such a media crowd since… District 31.

This high turnout seemed to have surprised Fabienne Larouche. “I thought our set was quite big, but with all these people, it seems small,” said the producer, as we tried to get closer to the action, on the third floor of an office tower on Taschereau Boulevard.

This hustle and bustle was predictable. Next fall, Dumas will mark Dionne’s return to the small screen, two years after the end of the adventures of Commander Chiasson’s detective sergeants.

Speaking of the famous policeman, his interpreter, Gildor Roy, plays the title role in Dumas. But according to each person interviewed, the two heroes are radically different. “Jean Dumas has nothing to do with Chiasson,” insists Luc Dionne. “People will realize that pretty quickly. Dumas has a stupid look, he’s not a smart guy. He’s too brilliant, too fast for everyone.”

Gildor Roy uses less extreme terms to describe his new alter ego. “He is someone who is gifted with immense talent at work, but who should have taken much more time to develop his talent as a father.”

Guaranteed twists and turns

The new annual series (24 one-hour episodes per season) from ICI Télé will immerse us in the world of private investigation firms, these detective firms hired to conduct all sorts of investigations, both minor and ambitious: marital infidelity, drug trafficking within a company, industrial espionage, hostage release, etc. In addition to Jean Dumas, who runs Intelco, we will meet his ex-wife (Isabel Richer), his children (Jason Roy Léveillée, Jade Charbonneau and Lili Francke-Robitaille), his director of investigations (Vincent Leclerc), his director of specialized services (Marie-Lyne Joncas), his rivals from a competing firm (Catherine-Anne Toupin and Laurent Lucas), etc.

As if there weren’t enough expectations, Gildor Roy ups the ante in an interview, talking about a series full of twists and turns.

For André Béraud, first director, dramatic broadcasts and feature films, at Radio-Canada, the buzz surrounding Dumas is deserved. “Luke reaps what he sows. Aetios [la maison de production dirigée par Fabienne Larouche et Michel Trudeau] reap what they sow. And we too, at Radio-Canada, to a certain extent, reap what we sow. We work so hard, thank God it’s noticed!”

“Happy” start

The filming of Dumas began in the spring in Montreal. They will be in full swing until next Wednesday, before being suspended for a few weeks. The actors will return to service in September, for two additional months.

The team operates in Montreal (downtown, Hochelaga-Maisonneuve, Rosemont) as well as in Brossard and Longueuil.

According to director Stéphan Beaudoin, the production of the first block went smoothly.

” I have left Classified Secret, The blue Hour, Amber Alert… Every time we start a project, it’s always full of challenges: casting challenges, logistical challenges, technical challenges… For Dumasthe stars seem to be aligned. It’s a happy start. Touch wood, things are going very well. We’ve been excited since day 1.”

Fabienne Larouche shares Stéphan Beaudoin’s enthusiasm. After watching the edits of the first three episodes, the producer is convinced she has a new success on her hands. The pressure is strong, but stimulating, she insists. And after all these years, the excitement of getting a project off the ground remains intact.

“I don’t do drugs, I don’t drink, I don’t smoke. But starting a series is ecstatic. Creation is a great drug. It’s exciting. That’s why I’m still here.”