MONTREAL — Calling it the first original dramatic comedy for its French-language Crave service, Bell Media announced today the new series Bon Matin Chuck (Ou l’art de réduire les méfaits) — translated into English, Good Morning Chuck (Or the Art of Reducing Harm).
Filming will begin shortly on the series, which is expected to premiere on Crave in fall 2022, Bell Media says.
The series will be Crave’s first collaboration with screenwriter and director Jean-François Rivard (above, Les Invincibles, Série noire, C’est comme ça que je t’aime).
The comedy drama is co-created with actor Nicolas Pinson, co-writer Émilie Lemay-Perreault and co-director Mathieu Cyr, and features the character Charles (alias Chuck) who is the star host of the morning show Bon matin, un café? (Good morning, a coffee?)
“Loved by the public, Chuck looks like a really good guy. When he found himself on the front page of all the newspapers and gossip magazines after a scandal that involved him, all of Quebec was in shock, but for those close to him, this incident was the straw that broke the camel’s back,” reads an English translation of Bell Media’s press release.
With his reputation destroyed, Chuck retreats to a rehabilitation centre for people suffering from different kinds of addictions, to persuade his spouse, his agent and his public of his (relative) good will, the release says.
“The catch: Chuck doesn’t really think he needs help…He keeps telling anyone who wants to hear it that he’s just a party guy!”
Sophie Parizeau, general manager of fiction at Bell Media, said the originality and style of the Bon Matin Chuck project match perfectly with Crave.
“The creative team will have the leisure to pursue their ideas and build with the spirit, humour and depth that characterize Chuck’s universe. Jean-François’ talent is undeniable and we are very impatient to introduce this major new fiction to our audiences,” Parizeau said in the English translation.
“With this series, I want to tackle a difficult subject that I come across from near and far,” said Rivard. “I want to do it boldly and especially with humour, in order to shed some light on people who suffer from a disease that is too often stigmatized. Addiction has no colour, gender, or social class.”
Bon Matin Chuck (Ou l’art de réduire les méfaits) is produced by Lou Bélanger of St-Laurent TV in collaboration with Bell Media and international distributor Cineflix Media.
For Bell Media’s French press release, please click here.
Image supplied by Bell Media.
