Gracepoint: Discussion Thread

[Toups]

Gracepoint: Discussion Thread

GRACEPOINT - When a young boy is found dead on an idyllic beach, a major police investigation gets underway in the small California seaside town where the tragedy occurred. Soon deemed a homicide, the case sparks a media frenzy, which throws the boy’s family into further turmoil and upends the lives of all of the town’s residents. Welcome to GRACEPOINT, a new 10-episode mystery event series based on “Broadchurch,” the U.K.’s critically acclaimed hit crime drama. GRACEPOINT is an expansion of the original series, introducing new characters, identifying new suspects and threading new storylines through the gripping narrative. Leading the investigation is Detective EMMETT CARVER (David Tennant, “Broadchurch,” “Dr. Who”), who has just arrived in Gracepoint to fill a high position in the town’s police force. That job previously had been promised to Detective ELLIE MILLER (Emmy Award winner Anna Gunn, “Breaking Bad”), who, in light of the tragedy, must put any resentment aside and work the case with her prickly new boss. Det. Miller must break the news to her doting husband, JOE (Josh Hamilton, “American Horror Story”) and her son, TOM (newcomer Jack Irvine), who was the best friend of the murder victim, DANNY SOLANO (Nikolas Filipovic, “Falling Skies”). Danny is survived by his grieving parents, MARK (Michael Peña, “End of Watch”) and BETH SOLANO (Virginia Kull, “Boardwalk Empire”), and his rebellious older sister, CHLOE (newcomer Madalyn Horcher), who has an older boyfriend, DEAN IVERSON (Kendrick Sampson, “The Vampire Diaries”), unbeknownst to her parents. All of Gracepoint is pulled into the investigation, including JACK REINHOLD (Emmy Award nominee and Golden Globe Award winner Nick Nolte, “Luck”), a private man who runs the kayak rental service on the beach, as well as the local wildlife observation program, for which Danny volunteered. SUSAN WRIGHT (Academy Award and Golden Globe Award nominee Jacki Weaver, “Silver Linings Playbook”), a mysterious woman, lives in the RV park near the coast, with her dog. The town’s minister, PAUL COATES (Kevin Rankin, “Justified”), becomes the de facto spokesperson for the community as the media descends on Gracepoint. Danny’s death also impacts tourism, with the decline in visitors felt most harshly by hotel owner GEMMA FISHER (Sarah-Jane Potts, “Kinky Boots,”), a vivacious Brit with secrets of her own. Also touched by Danny’s death is Mark’s apprentice at his plumbing company, VINCE NOVIK (Stephen Louis Grush, “Lucky 7”). The investigation is followed closely by the town’s local newspaper reporter, OWEN BURKE (Kevin Zegers, “Transamerica”), who is Det. Miller’s nephew. Owen’s ambition is fueled by San Francisco Globe reporter RENEE CLEMONS (Jessica Lucas, “Cloverfield”), who has a history with Detective Carver and sets up camp in Gracepoint to cover the case. The riveting crime series carves a powerfully dark wake through the town of Gracepoint with a startling conclusion, as the detectives piece together what happened on the night of Danny’s death.

Produced by Shine America in association with Kudos and Imaginary Friends, GRACEPOINT is executive-produced by Anya Epstein (“In Treatment,” “Homicide”); Dan Futterman (“Capote,” “In Treatment”); the original series’ creator, Chris Chibnall (“Dr. Who,” “Camelot”); Kudos’ Jane Featherstone (“The Hour,” “Utopia”), John Goldwyn (“Dexter”); and Shine America’s Carolyn Bernstein (“The Bridge”). Futterman and Epstein serve as showrunners. Chibnall wrote the premiere episode, and James Strong (“Broadchurch,” “Downton Abbey”) directed.

[wingwalker]

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[Faulkner]

Wow, they've changed nothing from Broadchurch except the actors. The locations, the sets, even exact shots, look the same. Dialogue is the same. I know Chris Chibnall (who wrote and created Broadchurch) wrote the pilot for this, but still. Gonna be hard to top the original.

[wingwalker]

I've never seen the original, but this one looks really good. I'm excited for it.

[Chris B]

This looks EXCELLENT! I just watched the first episode of the UK version and it IS a great show! I want to watch all 8 episodes right now lol. I hope the US version is as good.

[rhinohide]

Broadchurch was excellent. And isn't the detective played by the same actor? I agree. I think it will be very hard to top Broadchurch.

I'm predisposed to prefer British Crime Drama. They're just much grittier IMO without being so sensationalistic.

[EricMontreal22]

The accent sounds so off--not just cuz he's doing an American accent, either. So much of the dialogue is the same, though apparently the killer will be different (which isn't too surprising since I think the complex themes the original reveal showed would be too much for US Network TV.)

The show was entirely filmed here in Victoria--it just stopped last weekend actually (look for me in several walk on roles!) so it's fun seeing the city--especially the neighbourhood Ilive in right by the beach where the body is found (though they used a filter to make it look less sunny lol.) So I'll watch. but yeah...

And yes the UK one is brilliant--and with Charlotte Rampling in the second season--wow I can't wait.

[Faulkner]

David Tennant (a.k.a. the Tenth Doctor on Doctor Who) is playing the lead detective in both series. I dunno, they should have changed the show more, but I suppose they're assuming most Americans won't have seen the original.

[Faulkner]

And Marianne Jean-Baptiste and Eve Myles from Torchwood and James D'Arcy. That's an amazing cast.

[gladiator in flip flops]

This show is the only one that I seem to be interested in this fall.

Gracepoint reminds me of "Twin Peaks", the 1990 ABC drama.

I love that it will be ten episodes and must watch when it premiers.

And of course come back here and discuss.

~Milo

[slick jones]

I was really impressed with this premiere. Great casting, and I started liking Kevin Zegers on Titans.

[gladiator in flip flops]

I was going to watch this show. Then I heard about the original Broadchurch. And now I don't want to watch this.

I heard the original is great.

I am not a fan of remakes.

Now I want to go find the original.

No longer interested in "Gracepoint".

~Milo