Premiering tonight from Entertainment One and Fox Entertainment at 9pm on Fox TV is the crime drama Deputy, starring Stephen Dorff. The show blends the spirit of a classic Western with a modern-day attitude bringing a contemporary attitude and gritty authenticity to the modern cop drama
Written by Will Beall and directed by David Ayer, Deputy is a modern cop drama that blends the spirit of a classic Western with a modern-day attitude and gritty authenticity. When the Los Angeles County’s Sheriff dies, an arcane rule forged back in the Wild West thrusts the most unlikely man into the job: a fifth-generation lawman (Dorff), more comfortable taking down bad guys than navigating a sea of politics. He leads a skilled team of ambitious and complicated human beings who won’t rest until justice is served.
Yara Martinez, Brian Van Holt, Siena Goines, Bex Taylor-Klaus, Shane Paul McGhie and Mark Moses co-star.
The showrunner of the series is Kimberly Harrison, who began on the Lee Daniels co-created, “Star”, as a supervising producer and then spent the following two seasons as the co-executive producer. She writing the most episodes throughout the span of the series. She also spent 10 seasons writing on Criminal Minds.
Blackfilm.com recently spoke with Harrison about being the showrunner of another series.
How did the position come about for you?
Kimberly Harrison: The creator exited the show, and I was executive producer at the time, brought on in the beginning of the series. So I was upped to showrunner at that time.
In looking at your background you’ve written for most of the shows you’ve been on. Will you be writing any episode for this show?
Kimberly Harrison: Absolutely, definitely. I’m writing episode two, five and then the finale.
What goes into being the showrunner of this series?, What was it that attracted you to get on the show in the first place?
Kimberly Harrison: Well, I started off my career in procedurals and then went over to start on Fox, which taught me a lot about character. I thought, you know, after leaving ‘Star’ I really want to find a show that I get the best of both worlds which is ‘Deputy,’ which is a character driven, crime drama. I’m able to marry those two worlds together here.
Will Deputy be more like a one episode procedural even though we’re getting to know the character play by Stephen Dorff? Or is this going to one storyline that carries that plays throughout a season?
Kimberly Harrison: We definitely have our storylines carry from episode to episode. We do have a crime of the week that will occasionally carry over to other episodes, but we definitely are serialized drama.
From the episodes you have completed, what have you seen as far as the difference between being part of Star and moving over to Deputy?
Kimberly Harrison: As far as being a native of LA, being here and just how real and gritty you’re able to get a deputy. There’s two different worlds. There’s something really nice about this being from LA and, and being able to tell the story about the men and women that protect the county. I would say Deputy is definitely closer to the heart.
For those who don’t live in LA, we’re going to get an idea as to how law enforcement is run?
Kimberly Harrison: We are so authentic. That’s one of the things that part of David Ayer’ brand, which is being authentic from our LA deputies that are consultants. Both of the writers office are on set. We strive to make sure every detail down to the uniform is on point. That is something that you might not necessarily get on another crime show, but it’s something that we really pride ourselves on here.
When you mentioned David Ayer, I just thought back to the films and projects that he’s done. He has a no holds bar approach Is that what the show is going to be like, in terms of Stephen’s character?
Kimberly Harrison: Oh, for sure. We’re definitely getting gritty. We’re going to explore all parts of Los Angeles County. I’s a big variety. We will be in the gritty streets of Compton and West Hollywood. We will cover everything but definitely with that David Ayer true grit to it.
Outside of Shonda Rhimes, you are one of the few African Americans to be a showrunner of a non-black show. How does that make you feel?
Kimberly Harrison: Yeah, I know. It’s such a great opportunity. I’m thankful to Fox again and everyone else who supported me getting upped to showrunner. We just keep our head down and just continue to do the work. That’s what it comes down to, just doing the work.
Throughout your years as a writer as a producer, is this the path to go through to be in a position where you’re looked upon and respected enough to be a showrunner of a show?
Kimberly Harrison: I think it just comes down to like having a voice. It doesn’t matter what color you are. Everybody writes for all types of folks. I’d be a perfect example, being African American on a predominantly white show. It just comes down to having a voice on the page and when people see me as a black showrunner they can think that they can do this too, even though it isn’t ‘Star’ or another probably African American show.
With a surplus of shows on TV networks, cable and now streaming platforms, it’s hard to find that audience. What do you think is going to be to draw to ‘Deputy’?
Kimberly Harrison: I think Deputy is going to look unlike anything we have seen on broadcast television. You’re going to hear the name David Ayer and you going to expect something different. That’s exactly what we’re going to deliver from his signature and flair to his gritty stories and I think that will be what really attracts visually, the audience to Deputy. Once you get into the storytelling, you’re going to just really find yourself in attracted to these characters and their stories, their struggles, and their victories. All of that emotion will really help the audience.
Which do you love more, writing, producing or now being the showrunner?
Kimberly Harrison: Definitely the writing. I love to tell a good story. So for me as long as like we’re able to like tell the exciting, leading forward stories. That’s what’s most important. I really do feel like Deputy, although I’ve been on these other shows, has been the show where I can feel really fulfill and being able to tell these stories.
Have you had a chance to connect and establish good chemistry with cast?
Kimberly Harrison: Absolutely. At times, I was doing day trips down to Albuquerque where we film to have conversations with the cast and to see a couple of scenes and come back to LA. So, we have a really good rapport. Stephen (Dorff) is such a great leader and everyone’s just so committed to telling the story. They all know what a special show this is, and so they’re just rocking it.
Loading…