The breakaway is entering its seventh and final season, which means that after years of small, medium, big and huge drama, the characters of the popular soap opera will finally enjoy a moment of respite… Just like the author, Mylène Chollet. “The last few years have been tough. »
Posted at 8:00 a.m.
In an interview, the screenwriter recalls that she took the reins of The breakaway in 2020, when a certain coronavirus shook the entire planet. She succeeded Michelle Allen, the main author of the first four seasons.
Under his direction, The breakaway became the first Quebec series to integrate COVID-19 into its episodes, the result of rewriting work. Distancing, masks, disinfectant at the entrance to the center for young offenders, conversion of the inn into a sandwich counter… The pandemic also hit Sainte-Alice-de-Rimouski.
PHOTO YAN T, PROVIDED BY AMALGA
Chantal Fontaine (Gisèle Bayeur) during the filming of The breakaway
“The fifth season was very trying. The sixth was too. We expected it to be less so, but no. »
Another wave came to disrupt filming. Filming in a pandemic with so many characters is complicated, especially with 24 episodes per year. I’m tired.
Mylène Chollet, the author of The breakaway
“I love my job, continues Mylène Chollet. It’s a huge privilege to tell this story to over a million people every week. But there is wear. As said [l’auteur de District 31] Luc Dionne: “To tell life, you have to live it a little.” And for three years, we haven’t stopped. »
What happened ?
When The breakaway will return to the TVA grid this week, the action will resume three months after the appalling spring discovery. Let’s remember that in the last episode, the police spotted the hiding place of guru Jean-Simon (Steve Gagnon), where several lifeless bodies lay. Are Jade (Charlotte Aubin) and Joëlle (Laurie Babin) part of the group? What happened ?
A start of response will be offered on Monday. Mylène Chollet promises to clarify the situation during the following episodes.
“We are interested in the aftermath. How do you recover from such an event? As an individual, but also as a community. Survivors will have to face the judgment of others. How do you come back from an experience like that? Some will have sequels, others will be propelled towards something luminous. It brings up some very interesting thoughts. »
In addition to the other intrigues left hanging (Josephine’s setbacks, Sandrine’s pregnancy), this start of the season marks the arrival of the Champoux clan, a family made up of a destitute mother (Sonia Vachon), an alcoholic father (Stéphane Breton) and a reclusive teenager looking like a time bomb (Mathéo Piccinin-Savard).
PHOTO ERIC MYRE, PROVIDED BY AMALGA
Mathéo Piccinin-Savard (Jacob Champoux) in The breakaway
Over the following weeks, new actors will swell the credits of the show, starting with Émile Schneider (Turn, Maria Chapdelaine), Karine Gonthier-Hyndman (Between two sheets) and Léa-Kim Lafrance-Leroux (The world of Gabrielle Roy).
The strength of The breakaway, it’s its cast, its characters. These are characters who come back from afar and with whom people identify a lot.
Mylène Chollet, the author of The breakaway
Produced by Amalga (Brittle, Lights), this final season will also mark the return of familiar faces, such as Martine, played by Sophie Bourgeois. Absent for two years, Claudie’s mother (Kelly Depeault) would have “evolved” since her departure. “She has not lost her claws, but let’s say she will use them to do good,” says Mylène Chollet.
As for Noémie (Anick Lemay), exiled in Costa Rica, she will soon find her family, promises the screenwriter.
And for those who wanted a momentary return of the other sister Francoeur, stop harboring false hopes. Brigitte, whom Julie Perreault defended for four years, will remain offshore, certifies Mylène Chollet.
A “big responsibility”
The breakaway continues to enjoy great success. Last season, it attracted an average of 1,154,000 viewers each week, for a market share of 30%, according to confirmed data from Numéris. His official Facebook page brings together more than 80,000 followers, who regularly comment on his intrigues.
Faced with such statistics, we understand why Mylène Chollet speaks of “big responsibility” when she discusses the screenplay choices she will make in the months to come.
On the one hand, we want to please the public, but on the other hand, we want to be consistent with our history. We want everything to go well for everyone, but The breakawaythat’s a lot of drama.
Mylène Chollet, the author of The breakaway
” It’s not sunshine and lollipops [le ciel est bleu, les oiseaux gazouillent] “, indicates the scriptwriter, who has just finished writing the 16e episode.
The shootings of The breakaway will be in full swing until December. TVA plans to broadcast its grand finale in the spring. Mylène Chollet intends to take a (small) break, just to rest her pen. She then plans to dive into writing a new annual series.
“My mother watched ladies of hearts. It’s a huge thrill to write a series like that,” she said.
“I am very proud of everything we have done with The breakaway during the last years. We address social themes that no other series addresses. We receive emails from very touching people. This is our real salary. It is extremely valuable. »
The breakaway is broadcast on TVA on Mondays at 8 p.m.