21 Thunder
- Adrian Wills
- Kenneth Hirsch
- Riley Adams
- RJ Fetherstonhaugh
- Stephanie Bennett
- Emmanuel Kabongo
- Andres Joseph
- Conrad Pla
- Ryan Pierce
- Clark Backo
- Eileen Li
- Kyle Mac
- Colm Feore
- (BASEM)
- PMA Productions
- Generic Productions
September 18, 2017 (2017-09-18)
21 Thunder is a Canadian television drama series which follows star players of an under-21 academy for the fictional Montreal Thunder soccer team in Montreal, Quebec.[1][2] The series was created by Adrian Wills, Riley Adams, and Kenneth Hirsch in 2016. It features an ensemble cast that includes, among others, RJ Fetherstonhaugh, Colm Feore, Stephanie Bennett, Emmanuel Kabongo, and Conrad Pla.[3] The series aired in Canada on CBC Television beginning July 31, 2017, to generally positive reviews.[4][5]
21 Thunder was released in all other countries worldwide on March 1, 2018, as a Netflix Original Series by Netflix although it was removed in March 2022.[6] It received generally positive international reception.[7][8]
Background
The creators of the show—Adrian Wills, Riley Adams, and Kenneth Hirsch—briefly considered focusing their series on basketball or hockey, before settling on soccer.[9] Hirsch explained this decision in an interview with the Montreal Gazette:
We realized very quickly that every Canadian can relate one way or another to soccer. Either you play it or you watch it ... Also, look at any soccer field across Canada and that field reflects huge diversity, of cultural background, of different segments of society.[10]
In September 2016, CBC announced it had commissioned a one-hour drama series that would follow the star players of an under-21 soccer academy in Montreal.[1][11] The series was filmed on location, in Montreal, throughout 2016.[10] Later, in a press release, CBC stated that the series will "offer audiences a fresh and diverse perspective on the world's most popular sport."[3]
Cast
Main
- RJ Fetherstonhaugh as Nolan Gallard
- Stephanie Bennett as Christy Cook
- Emmanuel Kabongo as Junior Lolo
- Andres Joseph as Alex el Haddadi
- Conrad Pla as Albert Rocas
- Ryan Pierce as Davey Gunn
- Clark Backo as Emma Lavigueur
- Eileen Li as Lara Yun
Recurring
- Kyle Mac as Special K
- Colm Feore as Declan Gallard
- Kevin Claydon as Stefan Arnaud
- Jonathan Kim as James Tran
- Kimberly Laferriere as Marie Tremblay
- Gabrielle Graham as Fatima Gossa
- Thamela Mpumlwana as Sly Lolo
- Cristina Rosato as Ana Messina
Episodes
No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 1 | "Pilot" | Jim Donovan | Riley Adams | July 31, 2017 (2017-07-31) | |
Junior makes his bones on the team and Nolan's past returns with a vengeance. | ||||||
2 | 2 | "Road Game" | Jim Donovan | Riley Adams | August 7, 2017 (2017-08-07) | |
Christy confronts family truths, Nolan is blackmailed, and Lara flirts with temptation | ||||||
3 | 3 | "Freefalling" | Charles Officer | Malcolm MacRury | August 14, 2017 (2017-08-14) | |
Nolan's father tries to save him and Junior faces down Bamba. | ||||||
4 | 4 | "Fixed" | Charles Officer | Amanda Fahey | August 21, 2017 (2017-08-21) | |
Lara prepares to fix a game, Christy proves a master strategist, and Nolan dreams of revenge. | ||||||
5 | 5 | "Heaven or Hell" | Jerry Ciccoritti | Riley Adams and Seneca Aaron | August 28, 2017 (2017-08-28) | |
Christy and Nolan suffer humiliation on the field, Junior wins glory. | ||||||
6 | 6 | "War" | Charles Officer | Ellen Vanstone | September 4, 2017 (2017-09-04) | |
Junior unmasks an imposter and Nolan's father betrays him. | ||||||
7 | 7 | "Together We Part" | Jerry Ciccoritti | Malcolm MacRury and Stephanie Tracey | September 11, 2017 (2017-09-11) | |
Christy takes over the team. Nolan sacrifices himself to try and save Emma. | ||||||
8 | 8 | "Rock and a Hard Place" | Jerry Ciccoritti | Riley Adams | September 18, 2017 (2017-09-18) | |
Christy fights back against all odds, and Nolan makes the ultimate choice. |
Reception
Upon its release in Canada, the series received generally positive reviews; John Doyle of The Globe and Mail called it "highly enjoyable and addictive, even if you're just a casual soccer fan." Further, Doyle wrote that "It's an excellent melodrama that reaches into the lavishly exotic and coarse world of club soccer and pulls out stories and characters that are believable and compelling. ...it's not the male-centric drama you might expect. There is a sharp edge to the female characters. Mostly it is fast, action-packed, sort-of realistic and gripping. It's fine entertainment, and it's one of those dramas about sports that succeeds."[5]
After the fourth episode, Greg David of TV, eh? wrote: "I said off the top how pleasantly surprised I've been with 21 Thunder's first season. The writing is taut and the characters are anything but cookie-cutter; 21 Thunder has turned into my sleeper hit of the summer."[12]
Johanna Schneller of the Toronto Star wrote a less enthusiastic review, in which she claimed that the series "has promise, but not many kicks," concluding that "the show is freshest when it keeps its head in the game."[13]
With its international launch on Netflix in March 2018, Vanity Fair included 21 Thunder in its "A-List: What to Watch in March".[7] In her review of April 3, 2018, Rebecca Farley of Refinery29 calls 21 Thunder "Canada's answer to the Gossip Girl, and writes of the characters: "Now that they're all approaching 21, they have to either launch professional soccer careers or pivot into something more sustainable. Ergo, internal conflict. Ergo, external conflict. Ergo, sexual relations catalyzed by external conflict. The soccer shirts will be removed, declarations of love will happen on porches (and in the physical therapy room, and on the soccer field), and, heck, an arsonist might make a guest appearance! This show really does have everything, including a much-needed dose of diversity."[8]
References
- ^ a b Reid, Regan (September 26, 2016). "CBC commissions one-hour soccer drama". Retrieved October 27, 2016.
- ^ "CBC COMMISSIONS SOCCER DRAMA 21 THUNDER FROM PMA PRODUCTIONS AND GENERIC PRODUCTIONS - CBC Media Centre". Retrieved October 27, 2016.
- ^ a b "CBC-TV commissions new Montreal-set soccer drama '21 Thunder'". www.montrealgazette.com. The Canadian Press. Archived from the original on October 27, 2016. Retrieved October 27, 2016.
- ^ Reid, Regan (May 24, 2017). "Upfronts '17: CBC gets dramatic". Playback. Brunico Communications. Retrieved June 10, 2017.
- ^ a b "John Doyle: 21 Thunder is a fine drama containing soccer, sex and action". The Globe and Mail. July 27, 2017. Retrieved August 30, 2017.
- ^ "Netflix Original Series '21 Thunder' Leaving in March 2022". Retrieved February 2, 2022.
- ^ a b Barrie, Thomas. "What to Watch in March". A-LIST. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
- ^ a b "Meet Canada's Answer To "Gossip Girl" (Warning: It Contains Soccer)". Retrieved April 17, 2018.
- ^ "Montreal-set soccer drama 21 Thunder scores on CBC's summer schedule". TV, eh?. July 28, 2017. Retrieved September 14, 2017.
- ^ a b "TV drama 21 Thunder explores the world of under-21 soccer in Montreal". Montreal Gazette. November 20, 2016. Retrieved September 14, 2017.
- ^ Reid, Regan (May 24, 2017). "Upfronts '17: CBC gets dramatic". Playback. Brunico Communications. Retrieved June 10, 2017.
- ^ "21 Thunder: Fixed". TV, eh?. August 22, 2017. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
- ^ Schneller, Johanna (August 8, 2017). "21 Thunder has promise but not many kicks". The Toronto Star. ISSN 0319-0781. Retrieved September 14, 2017.
External links
- Official website
- 21 Thunder at IMDb
- v
- t
- e
- Arctic Vets (since 2021)
- Allegiance (since 2024)
- Bollywed (since 2023)
- Back in Time for Dinner (since 2018)
- Black Life: Untold Stories (since 2023)
- CBC Docs POV (since 2017)
- CBC Music Backstage Pass (since 2013)
- Canada's Smartest Person (since 2012)
- Canada's Ultimate Challenge (since 2023)
- Coroner (since 2019)
- Diggstown (since 2019)
- The Detectives (since 2018)
- Dragons' Den (since 2006)
- Endlings (since 2020)
- Exhibitionists (since 2015)
- Extraordinary Canadians (since 2017)
- Fakes (since 2022)
- The Filmmakers (since 2017)
- The Great Canadian Baking Show (since 2017)
- Halifax Comedy Festival (since 1995)
- Heartland (since 2007)
- High Arctic Haulers (since 2020)
- Hockey Night in Canada (since 1952)
- Humour Resources (since 2021)
- The Great Canadian Pottery Throw Down (since 2024)
- In the Making (since 2018)
- Moonshine (since 2021)
- Murdoch Mysteries (since 2012)
- The Nature of Things (since 1960)
- Northern Rescue (since 2019)
- One More Time (since 2024)
- Plan B (since 2023)
- Push (since 2023)
- Race Against the Tide (since 2021)
- Run the Burbs (since 2022)
- SkyMed (since 2022)
- Son of a Critch (since 2022)
- Sort Of (2021-23)
- Still Standing (since 2015)
- Stuff the British Stole (since 2023)
- This Hour Has 22 Minutes (since 1993)
- True North Calling (since 2017)
- Under New Management (since 2019)
- Winnipeg Comedy Festival (since 2002)
- Wild Cards (since 2024)
- You Can't Ask That (since 2019)
- The Art Show (since 2017)
- Aunty B's House (since 2023)
- Beat Bugs (since 2016)
- Becca's Bunch (since 2018)
- Big Block SingSong (since 2012)
- Big Blue (since 2021)
- Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood (since 2012)
- Dino Ranch (since 2021)
- Dot. (since 2016)
- Holy Baloney (since 2018)
- Jessie & the Gumboot Kids (since 2018)
- Kingdom Force (since 2019)
- Lazoo (since 2017)
- Molly of Denali (since 2019)
- PJ Masks (since 2015)
- Remy & Boo (since 2020)
- Scout & the Gumboot Kids (since 2015)
- The Studio K Show (since 2017)
- Super Agent Jon Le Bon! (since 2018)
- The Thrillusionists (since 2018)
- True and the Rainbow Kingdom (since 2017)
- Ukulele U (since 2022)
- Wandering Wenda (since 2017)
- Will's Jams (since 2014)
- You & Me (since 2014)
- Canadian Reflections (since 1978)
- Absolutely Canadian (since 2012)
- CBC News Network (simulcast; 2016)
- The Fifth Estate (since 1975)
- Marketplace (since 1972)
- The National (since 1954)
- The Passionate Eye (since 1993)
- Rosemary Barton Live (since 2020)
- Locals Welcome
- North of North
- Saint-Pierre
- Small Achievable Goals
- Snotty Nose Rez Kids
- 21 Black Futures
- The 410
- Best in Miniature
- Bit Playas
- Broad Appeal: Living with E's
- Canada's a Drag
- The Communist's Daughter
- Decoys
- Detention Adventure
- For the Record
- Ghosting with Luke Hutchie and Matthew Finlan
- Good People
- Hey Lady!
- How to Buy a Baby
- How to Fail as a Popstar
- I Hate People, People Hate Me
- Ming's Dynasty
- The New Wave of Standup
- Overlord and the Underwoods
- Queens
- Revenge of the Black Best Friend
- Save Me
- Telling Our Story
- Undisrupted
- Utopia Falls
- You're My Hero
- Zarqa