Clive Owen-Starring Crime Drama ‘Monsieur Spade’ Acquired for International Distribution Ahead of EFM by Fifth Season (EXCLUSIVE)

Naman Ramachandran
·3 min read
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Film and TV studio Fifth Season has secured international distribution rights to “Monsieur Spade,” the crime drama series starring and executive produced by Clive Owen.

Fifth Season will represent the title at the upcoming Berlin European Film Market.

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The six-episode series is based on Dashiell Hammett’s hard-boiled private detective Sam Spade, the protagonist of 1930 novel “The Maltese Falcon,” adapted several times for the screen, most notably in 1941 by John Huston with Humphrey Bogart as the sleuth.

In the series, the year is 1963, and legendary detective Spade (Owen) is enjoying retirement in the South of France. Spade’s life in Bozouls is peaceful and quiet, but the rumoured return of his old adversary will change everything. Six beloved nuns have been brutally murdered, and as the town grieves, secrets emerge and new leads are established. Spade learns the murders are connected to a mysterious child, who is believed to possess great powers.

“Monsieur Spade” is co-created, written and executive produced by Emmy winners Scott Frank (“The Queen’s Gambit”), who also serves as director, and Tom Fontana (“City on a Hill”). Barry Levinson, Teddy Schwarzman, Michael Heimler, Owen, Caroline Benjo, Barbara Letellier, Simon Arnal, Carole Scotta, Carlo Martinelli and David Helpern also serve as executive producers.

The series is produced by Black Bear, which also served as the studio, in conjunction with the Dashiell Hammett Estate, and co-produced by Haut et Court TV (“The Returned,” “No Man’s Land”), which also handled local production services in France, and Canal+. It premiered on AMC, AMC+ and Acorn TV in the U.S. on Jan. 14.

Owen is a Golden Globe, SAG and BAFTA winner whose credits include “Closer,” “Children of Men,” “The Knick” and “Gosford Park.” The cast also includes Cara Bossom (“Radioactive”), Denis Ménochet (“Inglourious Basterds”), Louise Bourgoin (“The Romanoffs”), Chiara Mastroianni (“On a Magical Night”), Stanley Weber (“Outlander”), Matthew Beard (“The Imitation Game”), Jonathan Zaccaï (“Robin Hood”) and Rebecca Root (“The Queen’s Gambit”). Guest stars include Emmy, Golden Globe and SAG winner Alfre Woodard (“Salem’s Lot,” “The Book of Clarence”) and Dean Winters (“Lost Girls,” “John Wick”).

The Variety review described the series as a “compact crime yarn that does right by both its setting and its predecessors.”

Liz Tang, executive director of acquisitions at Fifth Season, said: “Thrilling murder mysteries, particularly those inspired by iconic IP such as this, continue to have significant global appeal. ‘Monsieur Spade’ has all the ingredients buyers and viewers will love – intriguing characters, a stunning locale, sharply written plotlines and plenty of twists and turns. The series is brimming with top-class talent, both in front of and behind the camera, including Scott Frank, Tom Fontana, and of course, the legendary Clive Owen. ‘Monsieur Spade’ is already proving to be a strong performer for AMC domestically, delivering across both linear and streaming, and receiving much-deserved critical acclaim. We’re delighted to be working with the brilliant teams at Black Bear and Haut et Court TV to bring this fresh take on the eminent, hard-boiled detective from ‘The Maltese Falcon’ fame to audiences worldwide.”

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