Departure (TV series)

Departure is a 2019 suspense drama television series created by Vince Shiao. It was commissioned by the Canadian broadcaster Global and the American streaming service Peacock, being produced by Shaftesbury Films, Greenpoint Productions and Corus Entertainment.[1][2] Starring Archie Panjabi and Christopher Plummer and directed by T. J. Scott, the series premiered on Universal TV on 10 July 2019, with Global scheduling the Canadian debut for 8 October 2020.[3] During the first season's release in Canada and the UK, the series averaged more than one million viewers per episode.[4]

Not to be confused with Departures (TV series).

Departure
Genre
Created byVince Shiao
Written by
  • Vince Shaio
  • Malcolm MacRury
  • John Krizanc
  • Ellen Vanstone
  • Stephanie Tracey
Directed byT. J. Scott
Starring
ComposerKeith Power
Country of origin
  • Canada
  • United Kingdom
  • United States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons3
No. of episodes18
Production
Executive producers
  • Patrick Cassavetti
  • Carlo Dusi
  • Scott Garvie
  • D. Matt Geller
  • Diane Hendricks
  • Christina Jennings
  • Karine Martin
  • Archie Panjabi
  • Chris Philip
  • T. J. Scott
  • Ben Silverman
  • Bo Stehmeier
  • Jeff Stentz
  • David A. Stern
  • Malcolm MacRury
Producers
  • Julie Lacey
  • Tina Grewal
CinematographyCraig Wright
Editors
  • Vesna Svilanovic
  • Paul Winestock
Running time45 minutes
Production companies
Release
Original network
Original release8 October 2020 (2020-10-08) –
present

In 2021 the series was renewed for a third season, with Eric McCormack joining the cast.[5] That year, the series was nominated for a Canadian Screen Award for Best Dramatic Series.[6]

Cast

Main

Transport Safety and Investigations Bureau personnel:

Recurring (season 1)

Transport Safety and Investigations Bureau personnel:

  • Florence Ordesh as Rose Tate
  • Peter Mensah as Levi Hall: a senior TSIB investigator
  • Claire Forlani as Janet Friel: an MI5 officer assigned to the investigation
  • Tamara Duarte as Nadia: a TSIB investigator

British Global Airlines Flight 716 crew and passengers:

  • Allan Hawco as Richard Donovan: the pilot of Flight 716
  • Tyler Fayose as Arthur Delaney: the co-pilot of Flight 716
  • Chloe Farnworth as Leah Sims: a flight attendant on Flight 716
  • Rebecca Liddiard as Madelyn Strong: the sole survivor of Flight 716
  • Kristian Bruun as Daniel Hoffman: a passenger on Flight 716
  • Emilio Doorgasingh as Hassan Esmaili: a former Iranian terrorist and secret Israeli double agent, who is a passenger on Flight 716

Additional characters:

  • Emmanuel Kabongo as The Orderly
  • Alexandre Bourgeois as AJ Malley: Kendra's adopted son
  • Shazad Latif as Ali Basra: Madelyn Strong's boyfriend
  • Evan Buliung as Derek Strong: Madelyn Strong's father
  • Sasha Roiz as Pavel Bartok: An oligarch and the CEO of Bartok Airways
  • Chantelle Han as Su-Lin Donovan: Richard Donovan's wife
  • Ryan Pierce as Hugh Keehlar: Richard Donovan's secret husband
  • Dougray Scott as Ethan Moreau: the CEO of British Global Air
  • Mark Lutz as Gavin Malley: Kendra's late husband
  • Paris Jefferson as Gillian Malley: Gavin's sister

Production

First season

Location filming took place in several cities of Ontario, including Cambridge, Hamilton, and Toronto, in 2018. In Cambridge, the city hall was used to represent Scotland Yard and Cambridge University.[7] In January 2019, filming shifted to London in the United Kingdom.[8][9] Principal photography was completed in 40 days.[10]

Second season

Departure was renewed for a second season on 11 September 2020.[11] Production was already underway by 20 September 2020.[12]

Christopher Plummer filmed his scenes from his home in Connecticut instead of traveling to the sets in Toronto due to travel restrictions into Canada owing to the COVID-19 pandemic.[13] Plummer had completed filming his scenes for the second season shortly before he passed away on 5 February 2021.[14] Plummer's work in the second season was his final on-screen performance before his death.[13][14]

Episodes

Series overview
SeriesEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast aired
168 October 2020 (2020-10-08)12 November 2020 (2020-11-12)
2613 July 2022 (2022-07-13)17 August 2022 (2022-08-17)
367 August 2023 (2023-08-07)11 September 2023 (2023-09-11)

Season 1 (2020)

This season follows the investigation by the fictional Transport Safety and Investigations Bureau into the disappearance of a British passenger plane over the Atlantic Ocean and the reasons behind it.[1]

No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal Canadian air dateUK air dateProd.
code		Canadian viewers
(millions)
11"Vanished"T.J. ScottVince Shaio8 October 2020 (2020-10-08)10 July 2019354600-11.17[15]
At Kennedy Airport in New York City, Madelyn Strong, returning to her fiance, Ali, in London, misses her scheduled flight and instead boards British Global Air Flight 716. In charge of the flight, Captain Donovan appears distracted; he locks the First Officer out of the cockpit and appears to take control of the aircraft with the intent of crashing it. BGA 716 suffers an explosive decompression, with the First Officer, flight attendant and Madelyn apparently ejected in flight. The aircraft disappears over the Atlantic Ocean and Kendra Malley, on leave from the TSIB after an accident which killed her husband, is recalled to lead the investigation and find the aircraft before any survivors succumb to hypothermia. She is partnered with Dominic Hayes, a former police officer, who immediately suspects a terrorist link to the disappearance. In the course of the investigation, Dom discovers Donovan was leading a double life. Using pings from the aircraft ACARS system, Kendra narrows down the search area, which allows search teams to locate a single survivor – Madelyn.
22"Survivor"T.J. ScottMalcolm MacRury15 October 2020 (2020-10-15)17 July 2019354600-21.27[16]
Madelyn is recovered from the crash site and rushed into surgery, suffering from a possible concussion. Donovan's husband is questioned; he was aware of Donovan's second family but chose to accept it. Dominic questions Ali over his previous arrest at a protest at the Syrian Embassy, and over a package addressed to him Madelyn received at the airport before departure; the package turns out to be a gift from Madelyn she had left behind in her ride share. Kendra attempts to question Madelyn after she awakens but triggers a seizure. AJ struggles with the death of his father Gavin, convinced that the car accident which killed him occurred under suspicious circumstances – including Kendra's survival and Bartok's possible involvement. Kendra and Dominic are followed and then contacted by agents of the Israeli Mossad, who reveal that Esmaili was not a terrorist, but a retired double agent. The black boxes from BGA 716 are located and the British Navy attempts to recover them using a submersible, but the sub dives below crush depth and implodes, killing the pilot; AJ and his girlfriend Sophia watch via a trojan implanted on Kendra's computer. Madelyn awakens, confused and disoriented, mumbling a cryptic phrase to Dominic before losing consciousness again.
33"Prime Suspect"T.J. ScottJohn Krizanc & Ellen Vanstone22 October 2020 (2020-10-22)24 July 2019354600-31.29[17]
As Madelyn regains consciousness, she struggles to make sense of the events preceding the crash. A former colleague of Donovan's comes forward, claiming the night before the crash, whilst intoxicated, Donovan admitted his intention was to take his own life the following day. A search of Donovan's house uncovers a key to a storage locker, which is found to contain a flight simulator pre-programmed with a virtual reconstruction of the crash. Esmaili's DNA sample is provided by the Mossad; it does not match the blood recovered from Madelyn's raft. AJ finds himself being hunted by the police after spray-painting a plane belonging to Bartok; he and Sophia argue and she leaves him. Continuing to spy on Kendra through her computer, he discovers that his father was schizophrenic, and having gone off his medication, tried to kill himself and Kendra by deliberately crashing the car. In the hospital, a suspicious man in hospital scrubs makes an apparent attempt to poison Madelyn, but then turns the needle on her father instead, killing him.
44"Sabotage"T.J. ScottJohn Krizanc & Ellen Vanstone28 October 2020 (2020-10-28)31 July 2019354600-41.18[18]
Madelyn regains consciousness, and identifies Daniel Hoffman as the man in the raft with her. Kendra looks deeper into Hoffman's potential involvement in the case. Madelyn learns of her father's death, while Dominic investigates the suspicious circumstances around it. AJ makes contact with a group planning an embarrassing attack on Bartok; he witnesses Janet leaking information on Kendra, and emails video proof to her. Under scrutiny, Janet's explanation for her actions leaves much to be desired, and she is ejected from the TSIB investigation; AJ, having apparently bugged her computer as well, later sees her meet with Ethan Moreau. Kendra is forced to approach Bartok for help in retrieving the black boxes from the wreckage of the plane. AJ becomes embroiled in a bomb attack on Bartok's car, which misfires when he sees Kendra meeting with Bartok and warns them. He is pursued by the same suspicious man from the hospital, and is hit by a car while trying to escape.
55"Grounded"T.J. ScottVince Shaio5 November 2020 (2020-11-05)7 August 2019354600-51.05[19]
AJ recovers from his injuries in hospital; Howard removes Kendra from the investigation and replaces her with Levi, citing the appearance of impropriety given AJ's involvement in the attack on Bartok. Kendra retrieves AJ's laptop, and views further incriminating footage of Janet and Ethan Moreau. She is attacked by the same assailant who attempted to murder AJ, but Dominic intervenes and the attacker escapes with the laptop. Kendra and Dominic inform Howard of the link between Janet and Ethan; he tells them that the British Navy is planning a second attempt to retrieve the black boxes, although Dominic later confirms this is not true. Theo and Kendra meet with a university professor who tells them that Hoffman was convinced there were security flaws in the software controlling the BGA aircraft. AJ reveals that the trojan he used to record Janet and Ethan was unknowingly installed by Howard, linking him to the conspiracy. Kendra, Dominic, Nadia and Theo put the official investigation to one side and work together, with the help of Bartok and his submersible, to retrieve the black boxes from the sea floor. As Nadia dives on the aircraft, Esmaili's body is discovered at the controls of BGA 716.
66"End Game"T.J. ScottStephanie Tracey12 November 2020 (2020-11-12)14 August 2019354600-61.31[20]
Nadia recovers the black boxes. Ethan pressures Howard to produce a finding of terrorism as the cause of the crash. Howard and Levi listen to the cockpit voice recording; Howard suggests it indicates Esmaili crashed the aircraft as an act of fundamentalist terrorism, and recommends Levi close the case. With the help of an ex colleague of Hoffman's, named Stefon Tark, Kendra finds Hoffman's files on a security vulnerability hidden on his gaming console. Janet intercepts her and tries to take it, but accidentally stabs herself with a poison needle intended for Kendra. Hoffman's files reveal his plan to take control of the aircraft to demonstrate the security flaw. However, a malfunction occurred and Hoffman failed to properly take control. Kendra, Dominic, Nadia and Theo, with Levi's assistance, recreate the accident using a type-equivalent aircraft, with Ethan on board and Howard watching via television. Theo recreates Hoffman's interference, forcing Ethan to admit that he orchestrated a plan to cover up his failure to fix the security flaw, but blames Howard for the fallout. Howard, watching, agrees to provide information implicating Ethan. Donovan and Esmaili are cleared; with Esmaili being credited with attempting to save the aircraft after Donovan became incapacitated. Howard and Ethan are arrested. Bartok subsequently invests in British Global Air, saving the aircraft program and making a profit. Kendra, suspicious of a comment Bartok makes to AJ, discovers footage of Tark handing a laptop to Hoffman before he boards the flight and confirms that Tark received a large payment after their initial conversation. She realises that Bartok paid Tark to put a virus on the laptop in order to cause Hoffman to fail and mean that he can acquire British Global Air. Kendra visits Bartok and vows to bring him to justice.

Season 2 (2021)

The plot featured an investigation of the crash of an automated high-speed train travelling to Chicago from Toronto. The accident leaves multiple deaths in its wake and a web of potential suspects which include, in addition to possible mechanical or software errors, the tech visionary who invented the train's control system; an anti-technology politician, and an FBI prisoner who disappears after the crash. When the feds swoop in to initiate a manhunt, Kendra's investigation evolves from finding the causes of the crash to working with federal agents to capture the fugitive.[3]

No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal Canadian air dateUSA air dateProd.
code		Canadian viewers
(millions)
71"Runaway"[21]T.J. ScottVincent Shiao & Malcolm MacRury13 July 2022 (2022-07-13)5 August 2021354600-70.67[22]
82"Fugitive"[23]T.J. ScottJohn Krizanc20 July 2022 (2022-07-20)5 August 2021354600-120.67[24]
93"Walk the Line"[25]T.J. ScottMalcolm MacRury & Vincent Shiao27 July 2022 (2022-07-27)5 August 2021354600-110.59[26]
104"Wrecking Ball"[27]T.J. ScottNikolijne Troubatzkoy3 August 2022 (2022-08-03)5 August 2021354600-90.74[28]
115"Don't Tread on Me"[29]T.J. ScottMarsha Greene10 August 2022 (2022-08-10)5 August 2021354600-100.71[30]
126"Witness"[31]T.J. ScottNikolijne Troubetzkoy & Vincent Shiao17 August 2022 (2022-08-17)5 August 2021354600-80.99[32]

Season 3 (2023)

The plot follows the investigation into the sinking of a sea ferry, The Queen of the Narrows. It is a beautiful day in Boston when almost 500 passengers board the ferry destined for Newfoundland, Canada. A few hours into the journey, an explosion onboard throws passengers into a panic, rushing for lifeboats as the ferry takes on water with alarming speed. What unfolds for many of the passengers is an unimaginable nightmare with serious loss of life as the ship sinks in record time.[33]

No.
overall		No. in
season		Title [34]Directed byWritten byOriginal Canadian air date [34]UK air dateProd.
code
131"The Tempest"T.J. ScottJackie May & Vincent Shiao7 August 2023 (2023-08-07)2 August 2023354600-13
142"Dead in the Water"T.J. ScottBruce M. Smith14 August 2023 (2023-08-14)9 August 2023354600-18
153"Stowaway"T.J. ScottJohn Krizanc21 August 2023 (2023-08-21)16 August 2023354600-17
164"The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea"T.J. ScottBruce M. Smith & Alexandra Clarke28 August 2023 (2023-08-28)23 August 2023354600-16
175"Shot Across the Bow"T.J. ScottVincent Shiao4 September 2023 (2023-09-04)30 August 2023354600-15
186"What Lies Beneath"T.J. ScottJackie May11 September 2023 (2023-09-11)6 September 2023354600-14

Broadcast and release

NBCUniversal pre-bought the series to air it on Universal TV in the United Kingdom and Germany and on 13th Street in Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Ukraine, and Spain, as well as on Universal TV in Africa and 13th Street in Poland.[35] On 14 July 2020, NBC's streaming service Peacock acquired the series in the United States, where it debuted on 17 September 2020.[36] The distributor is Red Arrow Studios International, although Starlings Television managed the sale to Peacock/Universal. The NBCUniversal media conglomerate purchased the series for distribution in Europe and Africa.[3] The first season premiered on 10 July 2019 on Universal with 5Star premiered on 20 September 2021 and Sky Witness premiering on 12 October 2021.

The second season of Departure was released on Peacock in the United States on 5 August 2021[37] and in the United Kingdom the series was released on Sky Witness on 1 November 2021.

The third season of Departure was released in the United Kingdom on 3 October 2022 with the premiere airing from 2 August 2023 on Sky Witness.

Reception

The Hollywood Reporter was impressed with some aspects of the series but concluded its review noting the series had: "just enough enticing elements to pique curiosity, but [lacked] the execution needed to actually be good".[38] The Variety review was quite positive and particularly praised Panjabi and Plummer in a "drama that punches above its weight".[39] Based on viewing the first two episodes, the Toronto Star reviewer commented that "the action is as taut and absorbing as any detective thriller".[10]

In 2021 the series was nominated for a Canadian Screen Award for Best Dramatic Series.[6]

References
  1. Tartaglione, Nancy (13 November 2018). "Archie Panjabi, Christopher Plummer Embark for Departure Event Series". Deadline Hollywood.
  2. Fienberg, Daniel (17 September 2020). "Departure: TV Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
  3. "Archie Panjabi and Christopher Plummer to Return to Departure Season 2". www.tv-eh.com. 10 September 2020.
  4. Townsend, Kelly (9 November 2020). "Departure soars in the ratings for Global". Playback. Retrieved 8 June 2022.
  5. Andreeva, Nellie (16 October 2021). "Eric McCormack Joins 'Departure' as Canadian Series Starts Production on Season 3". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 30 October 2021.
  6. Furdyk, Brent (30 March 2021). "Television Nominees Announced for 2021 Canadian Screen Awards, Schitt's Creek Leads the Pack with 21 Nominations". ET Canada. Archived from the original on 30 March 2021. Retrieved 8 June 2022.
  7. "Cambridge city hall to stand in for Scotland Yard in new film project". CBC News.
  8. "Cambridge Filming Projects November 2018". CBC News.
  9. "Where Is Departure Filmed?". The Cinemaholic. 17 September 2020.
  10. "Vincent Shiao never expected his plane crash series Departure to get made — let alone star Christopher Plummer and Archie Panjabi". Toronto Star. 2 October 2020.
  11. "Departure Begins Production on Season Two; Archie Panjabi and Christopher Plummer to Return". The Futon Critic. 11 September 2020.
  12. "Christopher Plummer on his new series Departure". www.mimicnews.com. 16 September 2020.
  13. Victoria Ahearn (9 October 2002). "Christopher Plummer set to film season 2 of 'Departure' from his home due to pandemic". City News. Toronto. The Canadian Press.
  14. Iorfida, Chris (5 February 2021). "Christopher Plummer, Sound of Music star and oldest actor to win an Oscar, dead at 91". CBC News.
  15. Top Programs – Total Canada (English) Oct 05, 2020 – Oct 11, 2020 – numeris.ca
  16. Top Programs – Total Canada (English) Oct 12, 2020 – Oct 18, 2020 – numeris.ca
  17. Top Programs – Total Canada (English) Oct 19, 2020 – Oct 25, 2020 – numeris.ca
  18. Top Programs – Total Canada (English) Oct 26, 2020 – Nov 01, 2020 – numeris.ca
  19. Top Programs – Total Canada (English) Nov 02, 2020 – Nov 08, 2020 – numeris.ca
  20. Top Programs – Total Canada (English) Nov 09, 2020 – Nov 15, 2020 – numeris.ca
  21. Runaway 44 MIN – ISAN
  22. Top Programs – Total Canada (English) July 11, 2022 – July 17, 2022 – numeris.ca
  23. Fugitive 44 MIN – ISAN
  24. Top Programs – Total Canada (English) July 18, 2022 – July 24, 2022 – numeris.ca
  25. Walk the Line 44 MIN – ISAN
  26. Top Programs – Total Canada (English) July 25, 2022 – July 31, 2022 – numeris.ca
  27. Wrecking Ball 44 MIN – ISAN
  28. Top Programs – Total Canada (English) Aug 01, 2022 – Aug 07, 2022 – numeris.ca
  29. Don't Tread on Me 44 MIN – ISAN
  30. Top Programs – Total Canada (English) Aug 08, 2022 – Aug 14, 2022 – numeris.ca
  31. Witness 44 MIN – ISAN
  32. Top Programs – Total Canada (English) Aug 15, 2022 – Aug 21, 2022 – numeris.ca
  33. "OH, CANADA! NEW SEASONS OF CANADIAN ORIGINAL DRAMAS FAMILY LAW AND DEPARTURE RETURN, PLUS NEW UNSCRIPTED SERIES SUPERFAN FEATURING SHANIA TWAIN JOIN GLOBAL AND STACKTV'S SUMMER LINEUP". Corus. Retrieved 1 May 2023.
  34. "Departure – Listings". Zap2It. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
  35. Clarke, Stewart (7 January 2019). "NBCUniversal Lands Archie Panjabi, Christopher Plummer Drama Departure". Variety.
  36. White, Peter (14 July 2020). "Canadian Drama Departure Takes Flight At Peacock As Streamer Unveils Premiere Date For A.P. Bio". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 14 July 2020.
  37. Webb Mitovich, Matt (26 July 2021). "Departure Season 2: Archie Panjabi, Christopher Plummer Get Involved in Derailed Train Drama in Peacock Trailer". TVLine. Retrieved 1 August 2021.
  38. "Departure: TV Review". The Hollywood Reporter. 17 September 2020.
  39. "Archie Panjabi and Christopher Plummer Make for a Thrilling Departure: TV Review". Variety. 15 September 2020.
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