Barkskins (TV series)

Barkskins is an American drama television series, based on the novel of the same name by Annie Proulx, that premiered on May 25, 2020 on National Geographic.[1] The series was filmed in Quebec. The village built for the series was later put up for sale.[2] The show has been neither cancelled nor renewed after one season.[3]

Barkskins
GenreDrama
Created byElwood Reid
Based onBarkskins
by Annie Proulx
Country of origin
  • United States
  • Canada
Original languages
  • English
  • Wyandot
  • Mohawk
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes8
Production
Executive producers
Production companies
Release
Original networkNational Geographic
Original releaseMay 25 (2020-05-25) –
June 15, 2020 (2020-06-15)

Premise

Barkskins chronicles "the arrival of English and French colonists to the New World through the stories of two immigrants in New France, René Sel and Charles Duquet, who work as wood-cutters ('Barkskins, the term for indentured servants’) and of their descendants."[4]

Cast

Episodes
No.Title [5]Directed byWritten byOriginal air date [5]U.S. viewers
(millions)
1"New France"David Slade[5]Elwood ReidMay 25, 2020 (2020-05-25)0.994[6]
The two leading characters of the series are immigrants arriving in New France to work for three years in indentured servitude as punishment for crimes committed elsewhere. René (Christian Cooke) is a woodcutter — a barkskin, and Charles (James Bloor) is a thief who has no intention of serving his time. A nun, Mother Sabrine, and the young ladies who arrive on the same immigrant ship that carried René and Charles. The women are there to be groomed into proper women and subsequently married off.
2"The Turtle King"David SladeElwood ReidMay 25, 2020 (2020-05-25)0.723[6]
Duquet escapes indentured servitude and finds himself at the mercy of the vast forest. Mathilde is given the task to protect the creek massacre survivors; Trepagny becomes vulnerable.
3"The Sugared Plum"Lukas EttlinElwood Reid & Adam GlassJune 1, 2020 (2020-06-01)0.655[7]
Mathilde takes charge of the inn, while the "Filles" prepare for the matchmaking dance. Trepagny joins the eligible men for a matchmaking session.
4"The Law of Two"Courtney HuntElwood Reid & Kseniya MelnikJune 1, 2020 (2020-06-01)0.573[7]
The Iroquois return to Wobik to collect their dead. Trepagny leads Melissande back to the Doma; Delphine embarks on a new journey with Pierre Gasquet.
5"Buttermilk"Darren GrantElwood Reid & Walter KirnJune 8, 2020 (2020-06-08)0.762[8]
Mathilde persuades Bouchard to re-establish his power and authority; Trepagny gets help for a dangerous mission; Delphine's fate changes course.
6"The Wobble"Dan AttiasElwood Reid & Sheri HolmanJune 8, 2020 (2020-06-08)0.586[8]
The result of Trepagny and Bouchard's rescue attempt incites a war, leaving the Sel and Father Gabriel's fate in the balance and Cooke's loyalty is tested.
7"Bees in a Bottle"Louise FriedbergElwood Reid & Migizi PensoneauJune 15, 2020 (2020-06-15)0.788[9]
Trepagny is reunited with Melissande. Mathilde encourages Delphine to entertain Cooke's interest while he is tasked with retrieving the dead bodies.
8"The Black Sun"Lukas EttlinElwood Reid & Jason SackJune 15, 2020 (2020-06-15)0.622[9]
Wedding preparations begin as winter looms, but Duquet's decision to make a deal with Goames could spell Wobik's end.

Production

On January 6, 2016, it was announced during the Television Critics Association's annual winter press tour that National Geographic had partnered with Scott Rudin Productions to option the screen rights to Annie Proulx's then-forthcoming novel Barkskins.[10]

On December 3, 2018, it was reported that National Geographic had given the production a series order for a first season consisting of eight episodes. The series was created by Elwood Reid who was also expected to executive produce alongside Scott Rudin, Eli Bush, and Garrett Basch. Additional production companies involved with the series were slated to consist of Fox 21 Television Studios.[11] On February 10, 2019, it was announced that David Slade would direct the pilot episode of the series and serve as an executive producer.[4]

Reception

On Rotten Tomatoes, the series holds an approval rating of 55% based on 11 reviews with an average rating of 7.25/10.[12] On Metacritic, the series has a weighted average score of 65 out of 100, based on 6 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews". Critics and viewers also cited the inability to watch the National Geographic produced show on the NatGeo app as a contributing factors to lower than desirable viewer ratings.[13]

References
  1. "National Geographic Announces Memorial Day Premiere for Limited Series "Barkskins" with Back-to-Back Episodes Over Four Weeks Beginning Monday, May 25, at 9/8c". The Futon Critic. April 13, 2020.
  2. Bernier, Jérémy (March 6, 2021). "Un village du 17e siècle à vendre à Valcartier". Le Journal de Québec.
  3. . April 13, 2020 https://tvseriesfinale.com/tv-show/barkskins-season-two-has-the-nat-geo-series-been-cancelled-or-renewed-yet. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  4. Andreeva, Nellie; Haring, Bruce (February 10, 2019). "David Slade To Direct & Executive Produce 'Barkskins' Nat Geo Series – TCA". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 10, 2019.
  5. "Barkskins – Listings". The Futon Critic. Retrieved May 23, 2020.
  6. Metcalf, Mitch (May 25, 2020). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Monday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 5.25.2020". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on May 29, 2020. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
  7. Metcalf, Mitch (June 2, 2020). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Monday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 6.1.2020". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on June 3, 2020. Retrieved June 2, 2020.
  8. Metcalf, Mitch (June 9, 2020). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Monday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 6.8.2020". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on June 9, 2020. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
  9. Metcalf, Mitch (June 16, 2020). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Monday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 6.15.2020". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on June 16, 2020. Retrieved June 16, 2020.
  10. Petski, Denise (January 7, 2016). "Nat Geo's 'StarTalk' Renewed, Projects From Scott Rudin, Sebastian Junger & More — TCA". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 10, 2019.
  11. Andreeva, Nellie (December 3, 2018). "National Geographic Orders 'Barkskins' Scripted Series Based On Book From Elwood Reid, Scott Rudin Prods. & Fox 21". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 10, 2019.
  12. "Barkskins: Season 1 (2020)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved April 8, 2021.
  13. "Barkskins: Season 1". Metacritic. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
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