The Toronto Film Festival’s Primetime program has announced the world premieres of several highly anticipated TV series, including Netflix’s “All the Light We Cannot See,” Amazon’s “Expats” starring Nicole Kidman, and Ron Leshem’s Hebrew-language drama “Bad Boy.” These shows will be showcased alongside other international prestige TV series at TIFF, marking a significant step up for the festival’s TV programming.
One of the highlights of the Primetime program is the limited series “All the Light We Cannot See.” Starring Mark Ruffalo and Hugh Laurie, the series is based on the best-selling novel and will be directed by Shawn Levy, known for his work on “Stranger Things.” TIFF will screen the first two episodes of the series, written by Steven Knight, the creator of “Peaky Blinders.”
Another highly anticipated series is Amazon’s “Expats,” directed by Lulu Wang, the director of “The Farewell.” Starring Nicole Kidman and Sarayu Blue, the drama follows a group of close-knit women expatriates in Hong Kong. The Primetime program will also feature first looks at UK Channel Four’s “Alice & Jack,” a romantic comedy starring Domhnall Gleeson and Andrea Riseborough.
Adding to the international lineup is the Israeli crime drama “Bad Boy” from creator Ron Leshem and director Hagar Ben-Asher. Although the series does not currently have U.S. distribution, it will be showcased at TIFF, providing an opportunity for potential buyers to discover this compelling Hebrew-language drama.
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According to Primetime programmer Geoff Macnaughton, North American TV audiences have become more accepting of foreign language subtitles in recent years. This is partly due to the success of series like “Money Heist” and “Call My Agent” on streaming platforms. Macnaughton believes that streamers, who are less risk averse, are more willing to take a chance on international series, leading to a greater variety of content available to audiences.
TIFF is expanding its Primetime program this year to include nine series, up from seven last year, reflecting the growing popularity and demand for serialized storytelling. In addition to showcasing established series, the festival provides a platform for new and emerging talent to gain exposure. Indie TV producers are increasingly looking to premiere their shows at TIFF to capitalize on its reputation and attract financing and distribution opportunities.
Among the notable additions to this year’s Primetime program is Paramount+’s “Bargain,” a Korean battle of survival series set in a dystopian world. Directed by Byun Seung-min, the series follows innocent bystanders trapped in an underground auction house for human organ trafficking during an earthquake. The series, which won the best screenplay prize at Canneseries, promises to be a thrilling and unique viewing experience.
TIFF’s Primetime program will also showcase Canadian talent with world premieres of CBC series “Black Life: Untold Stories” and “Telling Our Story.” “Black Life: Untold Stories” is a docuseries that explores the history of the Black experience in Canada, while “Telling Our Story” focuses on the struggles and revival of the country’s original 11 First Peoples nations. Both series shed light on important and often underrepresented stories.
Rounding out the lineup is the Crave streaming comedy “Brie Mack Gets a Life,” which follows the journey of a 25-year-old Black woman in a predominantly white world. Created by Sasha Leigh Henry, the series introduces Malaika Hennie-Hamadi as the lead character navigating life’s frustrations and hurdles with the help of her invisible hype girl, Black Attack, portrayed by Hannan Younis.
The Toronto Film Festival is scheduled to run from September 7-17, providing a platform for both film and TV premieres. With an expanded Primetime program and a diverse range of international series, the festival continues to be a destination for industry professionals and audiences alike. It is an exciting time for TV storytelling, and TIFF is at the forefront of showcasing the best and most innovative series from around the world.
