Fortunate Son is a Canadian espionage drama television series, which premiered January 8, 2020 on CBC Television.[1] The show is loosely based on the experiences of Mary Cox, the mother of co-executive producer Tom Cox, who helped American draft dodgers cross the border into Canada during the Vietnam War.[2]
| Fortunate Son | |
|---|---|
| Genre | |
| Written by | Andrew Wreggitt Jennica Harper |
| Directed by | Stefan Schwartz Ken Girotti |
| Starring | |
| Country of origin | Canada |
| Original language | English |
| No. of seasons | 1 |
| No. of episodes | 8 (list of episodes) |
| Production | |
| Executive producers |
|
| Producers | Brian Dennis Jessalyn Dennis |
| Production companies | Universal International Studios Lark Productions SEVEN24 Films |
| Original release | |
| Network | CBC |
| Release | January 8 – February 26, 2020 |
The show takes its name from the 1969 Creedence Clearwater Revival protest song "Fortunate Son".
Premise
editSet in 1968, the show centres on Ruby Howard, an American expatriate living in British Columbia with her family involved in antiwar activism who is asked to help troubled American Travis Hunter cross the border into Canada in order to dodge the Vietnam War draft. Meanwhile, CIA handler Vern Lang is setting up a complex operation in order to infiltrate the peace movements on both the American and Canadian sides of the border in an effort to stop draft evasion.[2]
Cast
edit- Kari Matchett as Ruby Howard, an American expat antiwar activist[1]
- Stephen Moyer as Vern Lang, a CIA handler[1]
- Darren Mann as Travis Hunter, an American draft-dodger[1]
- Rick Roberts as Ted, Ruby's husband[1]
- Kacey Rohl as Ellen, Ruby's daughter[1]
- Alex Nachi as Ralph, Ruby's son[1]
- Patrick Gallagher[3]
- Ty Olsson[3]
- Zoé De Grand Maison[3]
Production
editThe show was co-produced with Lark Productions in Vancouver,[4] which is backed by NBCUniversal, and Seven24Films, to be aired on the CBC. Executive producers included Andrew Wreggitt, Tom Cox, Jordy Randall and Erin Haskett, with Brian Dennis producing. Stefan Schwartz and Ken Girotti directed.[5] Andrew Wreggit was executive producer and showrunner, also stating the show's inspiration came from the childhood of Tom Cox and helping draft dodgers cross the American border in the late 1960s.[6] The drama is "inspired" by a true story.[7] In the story, Ruby Howard is loosely based on Mary Cox, the mother of Tom Cox, a producer at Seven24 Films. Cox stressed the TV series was fictional.[8] Cox's family lived in California in the mid-1960s, and when his brother turned 18 in 1965, their mother decided to move the family to Canada.[9] Cox has related that a CIA operative was planted in his family to spy on his parents for their activism.[10]
Moyer[11] and Matchett were announced as co-stars in July 2019.[12] It filmed some locations in southern Alberta.[9] In July 2019, the production took over a main street in Drumheller during its first days of the shoot, setting up vintage cars and extras with 1960s fashion. Drumheller, Tsuu T’ina reserve, Calgary and High River were used as replacement locations for British Columbia.[4]
The soundtrack includes music by bands such as Creedence Clearwater Revival.[13]
Episodes
edit| No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date [14] |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Fortunate Son" | Stefan Schwartz | Andrew Wreggitt | January 8, 2020 |
| 2 | "Chimes of Freedom" | Stefan Schwartz | Andrew Wreggitt | January 15, 2020 |
| 3 | "All Along the Watchtower" | Stefan Schwartz | Andrew Wreggitt | January 22, 2020 |
| 4 | "Eve of Destruction" | Stefan Schwartz | Jennica Harper | January 29, 2020 |
| 5 | "For What It's Worth" | Ken Girotti | Andrew Wreggitt | February 5, 2020 |
| 6 | "White Rabbit" | Ken Girotti | Andrew Wreggitt | February 12, 2020 |
| 7 | "Ruby Tuesday" | Ken Girotti | Sarah Dodd | February 19, 2020 |
| 8 | "Suspicious Minds" | Ken Girotti | Andrew Wreggitt | February 26, 2020 |
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g Eric Volmers, "Stars of Calgary-shot period drama Fortunate Son see political parallels between then and now". Calgary Herald, January 3, 2020.
- ^ a b David Bell, "Fortunate Son brings complex draft-dodging drama to southern Alberta filming locations". CBC News Calgary, August 16, 2019.
- ^ a b c "Casting Announced as CBC Original Series FORTUNATE SON Begins Production". CBC Media Centre. July 2, 2019. Retrieved 16 January 2020.
- ^ a b Volmers, Eric (5 July 2019), Calgary-based CBC series Fortunate Son explores the antiwar movement of 1968, Calgary Herald, retrieved 23 February 2021
- ^ White, Peter (2 July 2019), 'Covert Affairs' Kari Matchett & 'True Blood's Stephen Moyer To Star In CBC's Canadian Spy Thriller 'Fortunate Son', Deadline, retrieved 23 February 2021
- ^ Graveland, Bill (6 January 2020), 'Thank you Ken Burns': Actors watch Vietnam doc to prep for '60s anti-war series, Winnipeg, Canada: Winnipeg Free Press, retrieved 23 February 2021
- ^ The cast of CBC's Fortunate Son reflect on the books that changed their lives, Canada: CBC, 26 February 2020, retrieved 23 February 2021
- ^ Volmers, Eric (3 January 2020), Stars of Calgary-shot period drama Fortunate Son see political parallels between then and now, Calgary Herald, retrieved 23 February 2021
- ^ a b Bell, David (16 August 2019), Fortunate Son brings complex draft-dodging drama to southern Alberta filming locations, CBC, retrieved 23 February 2021
- ^ Mutabdzija Jaksic, Vanja (12 December 2019), Why you should get hyped for Fortunate Son, CBC, retrieved 23 February 2021
- ^ Martin, Annie (2 July 2019), 'True Blood' alum Stephen Moyer joins new spy thriller series, UPI, retrieved 23 February 2021
- ^ Weiss, Norman (2 July 2019), True Blood's Stephen Moyer and Covert Affairs' Kari Matchett to co-star in 1960s-set CBC Canadian spy thriller Fortunate Son, Prime Timer / Deadline, retrieved 23 February 2021
- ^ Hank, Melissa (7 January 2020), CBC drama Fortunate Son revisits Canada's link to Vietnam War, Canada.com, retrieved 23 February 2021
- ^ "Fortunate Son – Listings". CBC Gem. Retrieved January 15, 2020.