Even if you’ve never heard of Scott Frank, it’s likely that you love one of his film or TV projects. Maybe it’s his 2007 thriller The Lookout; or his Western series Godless; or his biggest hit of all, the acclaimed chess drama Queen’s Gambit. Frank might just have a new favorite for you to choose from with Monsieur Spade, a detective series led by Clive Owen as one of the most famous fictional detectives ever: Sam Spade.
Monsieur Spade finds Owen as author Dashiell Hammett’s popular private detective, Sam Spade. His most famous and only full-length book appearance was in the 1930 novel The Maltese Falcon, which was later adapted twice: a 1931 movie led by Ricardo Cortez, and a more famous one in 1941 starring Humphrey Bogart.
The 6-episode series is set to premiere on January 14th on AMC, AMC+, and Acorn TV.
Frank co-created Monsieur Spade with Tom Fontana (Oz, Homicide: Life On the Street), and will serve as writer, exec-producer, and director.
Joining Owen in the cast are Denis Ménochet, Louis Bourgoin, and Chiara Mastroianni, with Alfre Woodard and Dean Winters in guest roles.
Here’s the synopsis: Monsieur Spade centers around the infamous protagonist of American writer Dashiell Hammett’s 1930 classic novel The Maltese Falcon. The year is 1963, and the legendary Detective Sam Spade (Owen) is enjoying his retirement in the South of France. By contrast to his days as a private eye in San Francisco, Spade’s life in Bozouls is peaceful and quiet. But the rumored return of his old adversary will change everything. Six beloved nuns have been brutally murdered at the local convent. As the town grieves, secrets emerge, and new leads are established. Spade learns that the murders are somehow connected to a mysterious child who is believed to possess great powers.
