Worried text, received from an esteemed colleague and friend, Wednesday morning: “Coudonc, are you closing District 31 “?
The same panic in my father’s voice at the end of the line: “For real, if they get rid of Commander Chiasson, I’m sure I’ll pick up. ”
Fans of the Radio-Canada police drama have been living in constant anxiety since the assassination of Stéphane “Poupou” Pouliot (Sébastien Delorme) and the announcement of violent electroshocks to come in the intrigues by producer Fabienne Larouche. No character – even the pivots – seems safe from going to join Gabrielle Simard (Geneviève Brouillette) at her ATM in Barbados.
Dear addicts to District 31, and I include myself in the lot, do not panic. Luc Dionne does not orchestrate the resignation of Daniel Chiasson (Gildor Roy), even if our favorite commander is currently struggling. Also, Detective Sergeant Bruno Gagné (Michel Charette) will return to his office in the second week of January after his rehab.
Do not stress either with the dismantling plans of the 31 devised by chef Carl St-Denis (Hugo Dubé), which will not materialize anytime soon.
To summarize quickly, quickly: District 31 does not prepare its final exit from our screens. It pays too much as a show. Paying for Radio-Canada, for the actors, for the producers, for the author and for us, apostles of kratom and Pez distributors.
The fears of viewers about the future of Commander Chiasson make the screenwriter Luc Dionne laugh. “My job is to create reactions. I do this on purpose to provoke things. When I attack characters that the fans love, they threaten to go away, they have been telling me for six years: “I won’t look at you anymore, it’s over, I give up”. But it has the opposite effect and people come back the next day. For Daniel Chiasson, what interests me is to show how he is going to get by, ”explains Luc Dionne, a smile in his voice.
PHOTO ALAIN ROBERGE, ARCHIVES THE PRESS
Luc Dionne, screenwriter of the series District 31
The spine of District 31, it’s Daniel Chiasson. It is this beefy – and non-unionized – cop who binds the team together and serves as a replacement father for many police officers. Luc Dionne will never rule out such a gifted actor in the credits.
Commander Chiasson clashes with the zealous patroller Hugo Simard (Alex Godbout), Gabrielle’s little cousin, who drags him along in ethics. And the pugnacious Mélissa Corbeil (Brigitte Paquette) does not miss one to try to crucify her sworn enemy.
“In real life, the Bureau of Independent Investigations [BEI] really works like that. They never let go ”, specifies Luc Dionne.
Let’s talk about poor Bruno Gagné now. Initially, Detective Sergeant Gagné had to leave (temporarily) the popular soap opera in the same week Poupou fell under the bullets. Reason: the actor Michel Charette began filming the comedy Happiness by François Avard for the TVA network.
But the production of Happiness, also headed by Fabienne Larouche, was shifted and Michel Charette was able to stay a few more weeks at the 31st, hence Bruno Gagné’s long descent into hell in depression, drink and pills. “We therefore kept Bruno a little longer than what was initially planned”, specifies Luc Dionne.
The 1000 dollar question: why did Lieutenant Mélanie Charron (Ève Landry) or Commander Chiasson not suspend Bruno Gagné more quickly, when he reeked of alcohol? Because he did not commit serious fault, answers Luc Dionne. “Bruno was going to drink in the toilet or in his car. No one saw him do it. A boss cannot fire a union member on suspicion, ”continues the prolific screenwriter of District 31.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY RADIO-CANADA
The new lieutenant of the 31st, Mélanie Charron (Ève Landry)
About the authoritarian Mélanie Charron, who took over from Gabrielle Simard in the double-door office, she had to be very different from her predecessor. “Mélanie does the housework, she will end up falling into the gang like the others. The stupid look suits him well! Contrasts always pay off in District 31, “, recalls Luc Dionne.
And does Mélanie Charron like women, as many viewers assume? The author Luc Dionne will not venture, for the moment, in the personal life of his new recruit.
“I don’t think it matters. I would have the impression of stepping back 50 years by talking about Mélanie’s sexual orientation. If ever this information were to come out, it would be done in a very mundane fashion. Like: my girlfriend and I went to a cabin this weekend. I could also address this subject by Manu [Sébastien Huberdeau]. But I don’t feel the need to reveal sexual orientations. In District 31, I’m a lot more concerned about pedophilia and violence, ”says Luc Dionne in a long interview with Press.
Notice to salon detectives: Luc Dionne always punctuates his episodes with subtle clues about the intrigues to come. Keep an eye out… and the good one!
“It’s true, I plant a lot of small things. Viewers forgot about the burnt guy from the start of the season. Not me. This is not the end of the story. All I have sown, I tell you, is candy, ”says Luc Dionne.
As long as it is convenience store candies, and not those sold by Cédric Doucet (William Lapierre), I buy. All cargo.