French adaptation of Queer as Folk in development
Queer as Folk ran for two seasons, the first episode airing on February 23, 1999. (Channel 4)
A French adaptation of the classic television series Queer as Folk is in development and is set to air this autumn.
The adaptation will be produced by Joris Charpentier for Telfrance and is being created in association with British group DRG, according to Allocine.fr.
The hugely successful series started in the UK in 1999 and later spawned an American adaptation which ran from 2000 to 2005.
French Queer as Folk adaptation will examine what it means to be French and gay today
Charpentier said their French adaptation will look at what it means to be French and gay today.
“It will not be a strict adaptation of the characters and intrigues of the Channel 4 series,” Charpentier continued.
“However, the story will take place within the world of Queer as Folk, and will inherit the show’s corrosive, insolvent, touching and deeply relevant tone.”
“The story will take place within the world of Queer as Folk, and will inherit the show’s corrosive, insolvent, touching and deeply relevant tone.”
– Joris Charpentier
“As for the pitch, the only thing I can tell you is that there will be heroes, heroines and true diversity,” he said.
The original British series aired 20 years ago
This year marks 20 years since the original British series aired. The British series starred Aidan Gillen, Craig Kelly and Charlie Hunnam as three gay men living in Manchester.
Queer as Folk went on to be adapted for American audiences by Showtime, with their version running from 2000 to 2005. The series starred Gale Harold, Randy Harrison, Hal Sparks, Peter Paige and Scott Lowell and followed five gay men in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
A reboot of the original show is currently being planned by Bravo, with the series’ original creator Russel T. Davies set to executive produce alongside Stephen Dunn. Universal Cable Productions will produce the show.
The rebooted Queer as Folk will follow new characters in a unique setting, according to Variety, which first broke the news. The reboot will be a “modern take on the original British series that centres on a group of club-going friends who find support in the gay community following a tragedy.”
