Deep State
Season 1 FOX (*125) 21:00 Drama
Spy thriller Deep State (2018-current) has enough thrills, spills, action, twists and turns to satisfy any TV junkie. And as show creator Matthew Parkhill continues to explain, his cast plays a huge part in the show’s success…(see part 1 of this exclusive interview on p43).
It’s a coup having someone like Joe Dempsie on the show too. Oh I love Joe! Viewers know him best as Gendry on Game Of Thrones (2011-current) but there is so much more to Joe and his acting. He’s been incredible for us in his portrayal. Was Joe’s role as Max’s son Harry written for him specifically? Not at all. Joe came in to read like any audition. I think that we have been very lucky with our cast. They’ve all been fantastic – Lyne Renee (Lisette in period drama Mercy Street, 2016-2017) as Max’s wife Anna, Karima McAdams (Kassia in drama Vikings, 2013-current) as Harry’s co-spy Leyla, Tom Reed (Ahmad in 2012 crime drama NYC 22) as Omar right at the start of the show – they have told our story. You say that Deep State isn’t your typical spy-versus-spy series. It’s not a show like Homeland (2011-current) that is politically aligned. Our theme is brokenness. Max is broken. His father-son-bond with Harry is broken. His relationship with his wife is breaking. There’s spy work, there are car chases and secrets and political influences…but we are separated by our characters and their brokenness. It sounds like season 1 was smooth sailing. [Laughs] TV is tough work at the best of times. We have balanced things – like our budget – and I am hoping that we can all do it again next season.