The Department is based on the French smash-hit TV show Le Bureau des Legendes and is being spun up by Showtime/MTV Entertainment Studios in conjunction with 101 Studios. The show landed a straight-to-series order a year ago for Paramount+.
The original was a spy thriller from 2015 and based around the division of France’s external security service responsible for training and handling deep-cover agents over the course of long-term missions. Living under false identities for years, these agents’ missions are to identify and recruit good intelligence sources.
When it was announced, Chris McCarthy, president and CEO of Showtime and Paramount Media, said:
“The Department, based on the riveting and brilliant series The Bureau, will follow in the great tradition of Homeland, one of the most successful and brand-defining shows at Showtime. Just as Homeland elevated global espionage to new heights, The Department will take viewers even deeper into a world of intrigue and subterfuge with complicated characters who struggle with their own demons as they fight existential threats to the nation and the world.”
When The Department was first announced, George Clooney was unveiled as director alongside his producing partner Grant Heslov. Clooney and Heslov will remain as producers, but Clooney has passed directing duties to Atonement and Darkest Hour director Joe Wright.
Additionally, Jez and John-Henry Butterworth (Ford v. Ferrari, Edge of Tomorrow) have been hired to write all ten installments.
Check back every day for movie news and reviews at the Last Movie Outpost
