Departure (TV series)
A suspense drama following transport disaster investigations.
Departure is a Canadian suspense drama television series created by Vince Shiao, commissioned by Global and Peacock. Starring Archie Panjabi and Christopher Plummer, it premiered on Universal TV in the United Kingdom on 10 July 2019. The series was nominated for a Canadian Screen Award for Best Dramatic Series in 2021.
Quick Facts
- Genre
- Drama
- Suspense
- Thriller
- Director
- T. J. Scott
- Creator
- Vince Shiao
- Writer
- Vince Shiao
- Malcolm MacRury
- John Krizanc
- Ellen Vanstone
- Stephanie Tracey
- Composer
- Keith Power
- Language
- English
- Seasons
- 3
- Episodes
- 18
Facts from the source article.
Production
Location filming took place in several Ontario cities, including Cambridge, Hamilton, and Toronto, in 2018. Cambridge city hall stood in for Scotland Yard and Cambridge University. In January 2019, filming moved to London, UK. Principal photography was completed in 40 days. The series was renewed for a second season on 11 September 2020, with production already underway by 20 September 2020. Christopher Plummer filmed his scenes from his Connecticut home due to COVID-19 travel restrictions into Canada. Plummer completed his second-season scenes shortly before his death on 5 February 2021, making this his final on-screen performance. Location filming for the second season occurred mostly in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Toronto. Weather was a major story element, as the season involved a ferryboat facing big waves and rain. Streaming moved from Peacock to Global in May 2021.
Episodes
The first season follows the Transport Safety and Investigations Bureau investigating the disappearance of a British passenger plane over the Atlantic Ocean. The second season involves the crash of an automated high-speed train travelling from Toronto to Chicago, leaving multiple deaths. Potential suspects include the train's tech visionary inventor, an anti-technology politician, and an FBI prisoner who disappears after the crash. Kendra's investigation shifts from finding the crash's cause to working with federal agents to capture the fugitive. The third season investigates the sinking of a sea ferry, The Queen of the Narrows, which departs Boston for Newfoundland with nearly 500 passengers. An explosion onboard causes panic as the ferry takes on water and sinks rapidly, resulting in serious loss of life.
Broadcast and release
NBCUniversal pre-bought the series for Universal TV in the UK and Germany, and for 13th Street in several European countries and Africa. Peacock acquired the US rights on 14 July 2020, debuting the series on 17 September 2020. Red Arrow Studios International is the distributor, with Starlings Television managing the Peacock/Universal sale. The first season aired on Universal TV on 10 July 2019, on 5Star on 20 September 2021, and on Sky Witness on 12 October 2021. The second season was released on Peacock on 5 August 2021 and on Sky Witness on 1 November 2021. The third season was released in the UK on 3 October 2022, with Sky Witness airing it from 2 August 2023.
Reception
The Hollywood Reporter noted the series had enticing elements but lacked the execution to be good. Variety praised Panjabi and Plummer in a drama that punches above its weight. The Toronto Star, after viewing the first two episodes, described the action as taut and absorbing. In 2021, the series was nominated for a Canadian Screen Award for Best Dramatic Series. The episode Vanished was nominated for a DGC Craft Award in Best Sound Editing. Christopher Plummer won the 2021 Canadian Screen Award for Best Supporting Actor, Drama. Vesna Svilanovic won the 2021 Canadian Cinema Editors Award for Best Editing in TV Drama. T.J. Scott and Christina Jennings won the 2021 Content Innovation Award for Best Returning Scripted Series.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes of Departure (TV series) are there?
Departure has 18 episodes across 3 seasons.
When did Departure (TV series) first air?
Departure first aired on 8 October 2020.
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