Gracepoint Could Be David Tennant's Hugh Laurie Moment, Says FOX Ents Chairman



Gracepoint has been under discussion in FOX TV’s presentation today as part of the TV Critics Association Winter Press Tour 2014, with FOX network entertainment chairman Kevin Reilly sharing some eagerly awaited information about the Broadchurch remake.

FOX originally considered airing the original eight-episode UK version, but as instead elected to make their own version. As Reilly explains, “We really did contemplate it, but I think it would probably be lower-rated, where we could have a really big win with this. As great as Broadchurch is, 99.9 percent of the U.S. public would have never seen that show…[U.S. viewers] would be more comfortable seeing something made for America …” He added that cultural peculiarities in the original may also have turned US viewers away.

The remake was due to be with an all-American cast until David Tennant, star of the original expressed an interest. He will reprise the part of the male lead investigator, now an American detective called Emmett Carver. Kevin Reilly suggested that Gracepoint had the potential to do to great things to David Tennant’s US career: "...his Hugh Laurie moment".

The big question was, of course, how faithful to the original the remake would be, particularly in terms of the ending. Reilly assured viewers that it would be worth watching the new ten-part adaptation. “We have a different ending than they have, so there will be something to stay tuned for with a twist,” he said, however he added that they would not stray too far from the original award-winning story: “I’ve learned the hard way: don’t fix what ain’t broke.”

Gracepoint, like Broadchurch, follows the impact of the shocking murder of a young boy on a sleepy coastal town and the effect on the community of fear, suspicion and press intrusion. Other cast include Anna Gunn, Jacki Weaver, Kevin Zegers and Nick Nolte. Filming starts on 27th January in locations around Canada and California.

Gracepoint is to be produced by Shine America in association with Kudos and Imaginary Friends and is due to air during the 2014-2015 season. The show will be executive-produced by the original series creator, Chris Chibnall, who has also written the opening episode. Other executive producers are Shine America’s Carolyn Bernstein, Kudos’ Jane Featherstone, and Dan Futterman and Anya Epstein, who will also serve as showrunners.


Thanks to The Wrap and EW.com



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