American television drama series
Low Winter Sun is an American crime drama television series that aired on AMC from August 11 to October 6, 2013, for one season consisting of ten episodes. The series was developed by Chris Mundy and starred Mark Strong and Lennie James. It is based upon the 2006 British two-part miniseries of the same name which also starred Strong in the same role.[1] Filmed and set in Detroit, Michigan, the series follows detectives Frank Agnew and Joe Geddes after they murder a corrupt cop and attempt to cover it up, and explores organized crime in Detroit. The series received generally mixed reviews and AMC announced in December 2013 that it had canceled the series.[2]
Cast
Main cast
- Mark Strong as Frank Agnew, a Detroit homicide detective who is strait-laced until he believes his girlfriend is brutally murdered
- Lennie James as Joe Geddes, a veteran Detroit homicide detective who appears to operate on both sides of the law
- James Ransone as Damon Callis, a ruthless crime lord destined to be Detroit's reigning mob boss
- Sprague Grayden as Maya Callis, Damon's just-as-ruthless wife, who seeks to expand their drug and prostitution business
- Athena Karkanis as Dani Kahlil, a Detroit homicide detective hoping to help Frank with his loss, but leery of his actions
- Ruben Santiago-Hudson as Charles Dawson, commander of Frank's precinct, who has survived a lot in his 25 years of service, but this recent corruption scandal could shake him
- David Costabile as Simon Boyd, Detroit police detective and member of Internal Affairs
- Billy Lush as Nick Paflas, a combat veteran looking to be Damon's second-in-command
Recurring cast
Production
In October 2011, AMC began developing the series[3] and ordered a pilot in May 2012, with writer Chris Mundy serving as executive producer and showrunner for the series.[4] In August 2012, it was confirmed that Ernest Dickerson would direct the pilot;[5] filming for the pilot began in September 2012 in Detroit.[6] AMC ordered Low Winter Sun to series in December 2012 with a ten-episode order; the series returned to Detroit to film the remaining nine episodes,[7] for which production began in spring 2013.[6] According to Mundy, the state of Michigan approved $7.5 million in incentives for the series' production. Low Winter Sun was reported to create 245 jobs and spend approximately $26 million in the state.[8]
Casting
James Ransone and Mark Strong were cast in July 2012, with Ransone playing Damon Callis, a member of the Detroit organized crime syndicate and Strong reprising his role as detective Frank Agnew, which he played in the original British miniseries.[9] Ruben Santiago-Hudson, Athena Karkanis, and Lennie James were cast in August 2012, with Hudson playing Charles Dawson, the commander of Frank’s precinct, Karkanis playing detective Dani Kahlil, and James playing a cop named Joe Geddes.[10][11] Also in August 2012, Sprague Grayden and David Costabile were cast, with Grayden playing Maya, Damon's wife, and Costabile playing Internal Affairs investigator Simon Boyd.[5] Erika Alexander was cast in September 2012, to play the recurring role of Louise "LC" Cullen, a cop in the precinct.[12]
Episodes
Reception
On the review aggregator website Metacritic, the first season has scored 60 out of 100, based on 27 reviews, indicating "mixed or average reviews".[21] Rotten Tomatoes gave the first season a 41% rating based on 32 reviews, with the critical consensus "Mark Strong makes for a compelling lead, but Low Winter Sun is too serious for its own good, sagging under the weight of its bleak, brooding tone."[22]
Home media releases
The complete series was released on DVD in region 1 on August 12, 2014,[23] and on Blu-ray and DVD in region 2 on October 28, 2013,[24] and in region 4 on December 4, 2013.[25]
References
- ^ "AMC Announces Series Pick-Up, Projects in Development, Overall Deal, Programming Premiere Dates and Series Renewals on Day of Network Upfront" (Press release). AMC. April 17, 2013. Retrieved April 18, 2013.
- ^ Ausiello, Michael (December 6, 2013). "Low Winter Sun Sets at AMC, Low-Rated Drama Cancelled After One Season". TVLine. Retrieved December 6, 2013.
- ^ Goldberg, Lesley; Rose, Lacey (October 13, 2011). "AMC Developing Diamond Drama From Ridley and Tony Scott (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved April 18, 2013.
- ^ "AMC Greenlights Pilots for "Low Winter Sun" and "Untitled LaGravenese & Goldwyn Project"" (Press release). AMC. May 3, 2012. Retrieved April 18, 2013.
- ^ a b Andreeva, Nellie (August 22, 2012). "Sprague Grayden & David Costabile Join AMC Pilot 'Low Winter Sun'". Deadline.com. Retrieved April 18, 2013.
- ^ a b Begnoche, Michelle (February 11, 2013). "AMC's Original Scripted Drama Series Low Winter Sun Approved for Film Incentives". Michigan Film Office. Archived from the original on October 1, 2013. Retrieved April 18, 2013.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (December 14, 2012). "AMC Picks Up 'Low Winter Sun' To Series". Deadline.com. Retrieved April 18, 2013.
- ^ Hinds, Julie (April 22, 2013). "Detroit filming for AMC's 'Low Winter Sun' will put spotlight on city". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (July 25, 2012). "Mark Strong in Talks For Lead in AMC Pilot 'Low Winter Sun', James Ransone Co-Stars". Deadline.com. Retrieved April 18, 2013.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (August 1, 2012). "Duo Cast in AMC Pilot 'Low Winter Sun'; Ernest Dickerson in Negotiations to Direct". Deadline.com. Retrieved April 18, 2013.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (August 14, 2012). "Lennie James, Joe Anderson In AMC Pilots". Deadline.com. Retrieved April 18, 2013.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (September 11, 2012). "'Black Sails', '666 Park Ave' Add To Casts". Deadline.com. Retrieved April 18, 2013.
- ^ Bibel, Sara (August 13, 2013). "Sunday Cable Ratings: 'Breaking Bad' Wins Night, 'True Blood', 'Low Winter Sun', 'Devious Maids', 'Dexter', 'The Newsroom' & More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on August 16, 2013. Retrieved August 13, 2013.
- ^ Kondolojy, Amanda (August 20, 2013). "Sunday Cable Ratings: 'Breaking Bad' Wins Night + 'True Blood', 'Keeping Up With the Kardashians', NASCAR, 'Real Housewives of New Jersey' & More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on August 22, 2013. Retrieved August 20, 2013.
- ^ "Sunday's Cable Ratings: MTV Overshadows Competition with "Video Music Awards"". The Futon Critic. August 27, 2013. Retrieved August 27, 2013.
- ^ Bibel, Sara (September 4, 2013). "Sunday Cable Ratings: 'Breaking Bad' Wins Night, NASCAR, 'Keeping Up With the Kardashians', 'Total Divas', 'Sister Wives' & More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on September 7, 2013. Retrieved September 4, 2013.
- ^ Kondolojy, Amanda (September 10, 2013). "Sunday Cable Ratings: 'Breaking Bad' Wins Night + NFL Countdown 'Dexter', 'Real Housewives of New Jersey' & More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on September 12, 2013. Retrieved September 10, 2013.
- ^ "Sunday's Cable Ratings: "Breaking Bad" Continues Victory March". The Futon Critic. September 17, 2013. Retrieved September 17, 2013.
- ^ Kondolojy, Amanda (September 24, 2013). "Sunday Cable Ratings: 'Breaking Bad' Wins Night + 'Dexter' Series Finale, 'Devious Maids', 'Real Housewives of New Jersey' & More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on September 27, 2013. Retrieved September 24, 2013.
- ^ a b c "Low Winter Sun: Season One Ratings". TV Series Finale. October 8, 2013. Retrieved October 12, 2013.
- ^ "Low Winter Sun: Season 1". Metacritic. Retrieved August 21, 2013.
- ^ "Low Winter Sun: Season 1". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved February 5, 2015.
- ^ "Low Winter Sun (2014)". Amazon. Retrieved July 30, 2014.
- ^ "Low Winter Sun: Season 1 [Blu-ray]". Amazon.co.uk. 28 October 2013. Retrieved July 30, 2014.
- ^ "Low Winter Sun". EzyDVD. Retrieved July 30, 2014.
External links
