Saint-Pierre Review: Allan Hawco in CBC’s New Crime Drama Set
Have you ever heard of Saint-Pierre? If you’re like me, you probably didn’t know that a French archipelago is just a 1.5-hour ferry ride from Fortune, Newfoundland and Labrador. Yes, technically, you can travel from Canada to a French island in under two hours by ferry! After watching the first episode of Saint-Pierre, now airing on CBC and streaming on CBC Gem, I’m definitely planning to be on that ferry.
I was invited to attend a private screening of this new CBC show starring Allan Hawco (famous for his leading role in Republic of Doyle who plays Fitz, a Royal Newfoundland Constabulary inspector reassigned to work with the Saint-Pierre police after, well… arresting the premier. The reasons for his reassignment are layered and intriguing, but the show doesn’t give away too much, ensuring you’ll want to come back for more each week. Hawco discovered Saint-Pierre while on a scouting trip for a show he is an executive producer on, Son of a Critch and realized the set of islands would make a PERFECT location for a new show.
First off, the cinematography is stunning. The show gives you a fantastic view of this European colony, showcasing its brightly colored buildings, cobblestone streets, and quaint cafés through wide drone shots that capture the island’s unique charm.
Joining Hawco as co-lead is Joséphine Jobert, who plays Deputy Chief Genevieve “Arch” Archembault, a no-nonsense, hardened officer who will undoubtedly soften a bit as the season progresses and her partnership with Fitz develops.
The first episode of any show is always tricky. It needs to set up the entire season, introduce characters, and create enough conflict to keep viewers coming back, all in under an hour. Saint-Pierre does jump around a bit to give the audience what they need to know, but it left me curious enough to tune in for the second episode. Based on certain plot points in Episode 1, we will be dealing with a lot of smuggling, organized crime, murder, and deception. A lot for such a small island.
Saint-Pierre shows great promise as an entertaining watch, especially on CBC Gem. Hawco and Jobert have fantastic on-screen chemistry, which will only deepen as the season unfolds. I’m especially intrigued by how the organized crime plotline will develop and can’t wait to see more of this beautiful island come to life on screen.
Watch the trailer for Saint-Pierre below
Saint-Pierre premieres on Monday, Jan. 6 at 9/8c on CBC and CBC Gem.
[Review by Shan Fernando]