Allan Hawco discusses his new show ‘Saint-Pierre’ and its fresh approach to the police procedural genre
St. Pierre: Allan Hawco is a big name in Canadian TV, especially known for co-creating and starring in Republic of Doyle. His latest project, Saint-Pierre, is a fresh take on the police procedural genre, set on the French island it’s named after. The show features French actor Joséphine Jobert alongside Hawco.
In Saint-Pierre, Hawco plays Inspector Donny “Fitz” Fitzpatrick. After getting too close to a scandal involving the province’s premier, he’s sent to the island to work with Deputy Chief Geneviève “Arch” Archambault, played by Jobert. Each episode has them tackling different cases while Fitz struggles to fit in and misses his home in Newfoundland.
During the Canadian premiere in Toronto, Hawco shared his vision for the show. He wanted to create something new and exciting, steering clear of simply replicating Republic of Doyle. He felt the pressure to innovate in a genre that often feels repetitive.
Hawco mentioned, “I didn’t want to just do a police version of Republic of Doyle.” He recognized that while many stories are retold, there’s a craving for fresh perspectives within familiar structures.
From the start, the show sets a unique tone, especially with Fitz’s dramatic entrance into the hospital. The chemistry between Fitz and Arch is quickly established, making it clear that their partnership will be central to the series.
Jobert, who plays Arch, was drawn to the show partly because of the stunning setting. She admitted she didn’t know much about Saint-Pierre before joining but now sees it as a character in its own right. The beautiful scenery adds depth to the story, and she hopes it inspires viewers to visit the island.
However, filming in a small community comes with challenges. Hawco is aware of the disruptions it can cause and strives to minimize the impact on locals. He appreciates how accommodating the community has been, with many residents even volunteering to help out.
As for the future of Saint-Pierre, Jobert is eager for a second season. She wants to explore her character more deeply, hoping to show a more vulnerable side. Hawco confirmed they’re already working on ideas for Season 2, aiming to build on what they started.
He’s excited about the potential directions the story could take, emphasizing the importance of crafting unexpected twists that keep the audience guessing. It’s clear that both Hawco and Jobert are passionate about bringing more to this intriguing series.
