Michael Fassbender is currently in negotiations to star in the upcoming espionage thriller series titled 'The Department,' which will be directed by George Clooney. The series is set to commence filming in London this spring and is based on the highly successful French spy show 'The Bureau,' created by Eric Rochant. Showtime has already given 'The Department' a straight-to-series order.
The production of 'The Department' is a collaborative effort involving Clooney and Grant Heslov's Smokehouse Pictures, MTV Entertainment Studios, and 101 Studios. The original French series featured Matthieu Kassovitz as Guillaume Debailly, a member of the French Secret Services who grapples with the complexities of his double life after returning from a mission in Damascus.
The French show garnered immense popularity on Canal+ in France for its exploration of the psychological aspects of espionage, incorporation of geopolitical themes relevant to contemporary events, and diverse international settings. 'The Department' will be executive produced by key figures from MTV Entertainment Studios, 101 Studios, and other production companies.
Rochant, the creator of the original series, is actively involved in the production of 'The Department' as a producer and writer. Fassbender, known for his role as a professional assassin in David Fincher's 'The Killer,' is represented by several prominent agencies in the entertainment industry.
