Collection, The (Amazon 2016, Jenna Thiam, Richard Coyle)

Amazon’s inroads to original drama shows no signs of slowing down with The House of Elliot Mark II, sorry The Collection, a lavish period drama set in a Paris fashion house after the end of World War II. The focus is on two brothers Paul and Claude Sabine who start their own fashion label.

With Paris and Europe struggling to rise from the shadows of war it’s no easy task to build an empire but Paul and Claude are determined even if that same shadow of war and German occupation mean dark secrets are liable to be uncovered at any time.

Excellent casting right across the board with Tom Riley and Richard Coyle in the lead through to roles for the always excellent Michael Kitchen and Frances De La Tour as well as stalwarts such as James Cosmo, best known these days for Game of Thrones but a TV regular since the seventies with shows like Warship.

production details
UK / Amazon Prime – BBC Worldwide – Federation Entertainment / 8×60 minute episodes / Release date 2 September 2016

Creator and Executive Producer: Oliver Goldstick / Music: Domink Scherrer / Costumes: Chattoune, Fab / Production Design: Gemma Randall, Alison Dominitz / Executive Producers: Anne Thomopoulos, Kate Croft, Morenike Williams, Simon Vaughan

cast
Richard Coyle as Paul Sabine
Tom Riley as Claude Sabine
Mamie Gummer as Helen Sabine
Frances de la Tour as Yvette
Jenna Thiam as Nina
Max Deacon as Billy
Alix Poisson as Charlotte
Alexandre Brasseur as Victor
Irène Jacob as Marianne
Poppy Corby-Tuech as Dominique
Bethan Mary James as Juliette
Sarah Parish as Marjorie Stutter
James Cosmo as Jules Trouvier
Michael Kitchen as Lemaire
Allan Corduner as Bompard
Stanley Townsend as Stanley Rossi
Michelle Gomez as Eliette
Rosie Boore as Josette

Head of film reviews at The Viewers Guide with an erudite, insightful, slightly sardonic, deep appreciation for classic cinema. Has a habit of quoting obscure lines from old films in everyday conversation. He keeps a meticulously organized film logbook. He's a bit of a tea snob.