As if we needed more bad news in 2022. The unsinkable fifth wave of COVID-19, the Tulum cabochons that tarnish Quebec’s international reputation and our good District 31 adored that will close its police station on April 21 at 7 p.m., after 720 episodes spanning six full seasons.
Posted at 7:16 p.m.
There are therefore only 54 episodes before the investigators of the 31st return badges and weapons. Yes, it is a shock. Because no one could have predicted that this popular soap opera, which marked the history of television here, would disappear at the height of its glory.
Think about it. District 31 captivated 1.6 million viewers, live from Monday to Thursday, for six years, at a time when the digital offer is exploding. It’s a Herculean feat that no other screenwriter will accomplish anytime soon. Chapeau, Luc Dionne, for having created, fed and carried a program that has become a social phenomenon.
In the past two years, District 31 has been a reward – and a solid anchor – for many viewers who have struggled through the pandemic. The virus demolished all our usual landmarks except our District 31, a source of comfort and entertainment that calmed many anxieties.
After this endless writing marathon, “where there was no longer any light at the end of a long tunnel”, the author Luc Dionne, 61, is burnt and very “exhausted”. His body no longer follows. His knee hurts and has difficulty walking. He is running late in the delivery of his texts, a colossal task that eats up all his time, both personally and professionally.
Luc Dionne arrives at the point where he has the impression of repeating himself. The triangulation of the cellphones, the two cameras, one here, the other there, the reading of the rights of the defendants, the troubles of Commander Chiasson (Gildor Roy), the prolific screenwriter did not wish to lay a year too long.
“Better to stop when there’s still time.” I had the impression of having gone to the end of what I wanted to tell, in what this format allowed me, ”explained Luc Dionne by videoconference Tuesday afternoon.
The disappearance of filmmaker Jean-Marc Vallée, 58, who died suddenly on Christmas Day, also shook Luc Dionne. A fatal blow for him. “It’s nice to want to tell the story of life, but to be able to tell it, you have to be able to live it”, explains Luc Dionne, rather zen with his decision to draw a line on District 31, D31 for close friends.
No more question, either, of missing important moments like the birthday of his wife Annie Létourneau, who ensures the continuity and the coherence of the intrigues of District 31. In full party party in L’Isle-aux-Coudres last summer, Luc Dionne had to slip away to write the death of Stéphane Pouliot (Sébastien Delorme). “At 61, it was time to think about the people around me,” he says.
Luc Dionne and producers Fabienne Larouche and Michel Trudeau, from Aetios, went on Tuesday afternoon on the set of District 31, in Saint-Hubert, to announce the disconnection to the team. It was then 2 p.m., at the end of the dinner break. Luc Dionne was crying and was unable to pronounce the fateful words, I am told. He was applauded warmly, with good reason.
Luc Dionne’s many fans will not languish for long. The author develops the annual series DPCP (therefore, 24 one-hour episodes per year) for Radio-Canada, which could hit the air in September 2023. According to my information, DPCP will not keep any link with District 31. So it is not a “spinoff” for prosecutors Sonia Blanchard (Pascale Montpetit) or Kim Lalande (Geneviève Boivin-Roussy).
Producer Fabienne Larouche, who knows a thing or two about writing daily newspapers (Virginia, 30 lives), greeted his keyboard maestro colleague. “Luc did an incredible, fantastic job. He was courageous and persevering. It is a huge pressure. It’s hard physically and mentally. I thought we were going to do four seasons of District 31. We ended up doing six, ”she recalls.
RADIO-CANADA PHOTO
Commander Chiasson, played by Gildor Roy
Looks like the bosses of the old tower don’t realize the disaster that the death of their flagship soap represents. True religion, District 31 is a powerful locomotive for the entire Radio-Canada evening schedule. Internally, we even talk about the effect District 31, which improves the ratings of the following shows. It is a huge loss for the advertising revenue of the crown corporation, for the retention of the public and for the prestige of proclaiming itself number one.
According to Dany Meloul, Director General of Radio-Canada TV, there has always been a daily series for the past 26 years at 7 p.m., and there will be a new one in the fall, that’s for sure. One can imagine that it is the company Aetios, which manufactured Virginia, 30 lives, Clash and District 31, who will inherit this perilous mandate.
Because it’s a huge challenge to develop a daily soap opera in such a short time. You have to find the idea, the authors, the available actors, the technical team and heat the machine to deliver a product at the end of August.
With the announced ends of District 31, Sleepless night, Another story and All the life, the next season promises to be difficult for Radio-Canada, which loses several very busy meetings.
And let’s not forget that TVA has started production of its own daily television series called Indefensible and which will feature none other than Sébastien Delorme, who must now better digest the brutal death of his Poupou. Indefensible will go on the air in September. Filming begins at the end of February.
District 31 has reached all generations thanks to its endearing characters as well as its skillful mix of office teasing and complex inquiries. We will certainly miss the camaraderie that reigned at the station despite all the tragedies that afflicted its police officers.
To borrow a favorite quote from the author Luc Dionne: thank you my boyfriend for all these great stories, are you in charge of the hen to better spread the bad news?