{{Short description|Canadian television drama series}} {{Redirect|Montreal Thunder|the actual Montreal pro soccer team|CF Montreal}} {{Use mdy dates|date=March 2018}} {{Infobox television | image = 21 Thunder.png | image_alt = | caption = Promotional image for the show's release on Netflix | genre = Sports, drama | creator = {{plainlist| * Adrian Wills * Kenneth Hirsch * Riley Adams }} | starring = {{Plainlist| * RJ Fetherstonhaugh * Stephanie Bennett * Emmanuel Kabongo * Andres Joseph * Conrad Pla * Ryan Pierce * Clark Backo * Eileen Li }} | open_theme = | country = Canada | language = English | num_seasons = 1 | num_episodes = 8 | list_episodes = | producer = | location = Montreal, Quebec, Canada | cinematography = | editor = | runtime = 44 minutes | company = {{Plainlist| *PMA Productions *Generic Productions }} | network = CBC Television | first_aired = {{Start date|2017|07|31}} | last_aired = {{End date|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.<ref name="playbackonline.ca">{{Cite web|url=http://playbackonline.ca/2016/09/26/cbc-commissions-one-hour-soccer-drama/|title=CBC commissions one-hour soccer drama|first=Regan|last=Reid|date=September 26, 2016|access-date=October 27, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/mediacentre/press-release/cbc-commissions-soccer-drama-21-thunder-from-pma-productions-and-generic-pr|title=CBC COMMISSIONS SOCCER DRAMA 21 THUNDER FROM PMA PRODUCTIONS AND GENERIC PRODUCTIONS - CBC Media Centre|access-date=October 27, 2016}}</ref> 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.<ref name=":0" /> The series aired in Canada on CBC Television beginning July 31, 2017, to generally positive reviews.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://playbackonline.ca/2017/05/24/upfronts-17-cbc-gets-dramatic/|title=Upfronts '17: CBC gets dramatic|first=Regan|last=Reid|work=Playback|publisher=Brunico Communications|date=May 24, 2017|accessdate=June 10, 2017}}</ref><ref name=":1" />
''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.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.whats-on-netflix.com/leaving-soon/netflix-original-series-21-thunder-leaving-in-march-2022/|title=Netflix Original Series '21 Thunder' Leaving in March 2022|access-date=2022-02-02}}</ref> It received generally positive international reception.<ref name=":3">{{Cite news|url=https://www.vanityfair.com/alist/2018/03/what-to-watch-in-march|title=What to Watch in March|last=Barrie|first=Thomas|work=A-LIST|access-date=2018-04-17|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite news|url=https://www.refinery29.com/2018/04/195326/21-thunder-netflix-original-review|title=Meet Canada's Answer To "Gossip Girl" (Warning: It Contains Soccer)|access-date=2018-04-17|language=en}}</ref>
== 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.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.tv-eh.com/2017/07/28/montreal-set-soccer-drama-21-thunder-scores-on-cbcs-summer-schedule/|title=Montreal-set soccer drama 21 Thunder scores on CBC's summer schedule|date=July 28, 2017|work=TV, eh?|access-date=September 14, 2017|language=en-US}}</ref> Hirsch explained this decision in an interview with the ''Montreal Gazette'':<blockquote>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.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news|url=https://montrealgazette.com/entertainment/arts/tv-drama-21-thunder-explores-the-world-of-under-21-soccer-in-montreal|title=TV drama 21 Thunder explores the world of under-21 soccer in Montreal|date=November 20, 2016|work=Montreal Gazette|access-date=September 14, 2017|language=en-US}}</ref> </blockquote>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.<ref name="playbackonline.ca"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://playbackonline.ca/2017/05/24/upfronts-17-cbc-gets-dramatic/|title=Upfronts '17: CBC gets dramatic|last=Reid|first=Regan|date=May 24, 2017|work=Playback|publisher=Brunico Communications|accessdate=June 10, 2017}}</ref> The series was filmed on location, in Montreal, throughout 2016.<ref name=":2" /> 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."<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=https://montrealgazette.com/entertainment/cbctv+commissions+montrealset+soccer+drama+thunder/12225767/story.html|title=CBC-TV commissions new Montreal-set soccer drama '21 Thunder'|agency=The Canadian Press|newspaper=www.montrealgazette.com|access-date=October 27, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161027193848/http://www.montrealgazette.com/entertainment/cbctv+commissions+montrealset+soccer+drama+thunder/12225767/story.html|archive-date=October 27, 2016|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
== 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 * Sarah Booth as Cheyenne
==Episodes== {{Episode table |background=#2A5997 |overall= |title= |director= |writer= |airdate= |country= |episodes= {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber = 1 |Title = Pilot |DirectedBy = Jim Donovan |WrittenBy = Riley Adams |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2017|07|31}} |ShortSummary = Junior makes his bones on the team and Nolan's past returns with a vengeance. |LineColor = 2A5997 }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber = 2 |Title = Road Game |DirectedBy = Jim Donovan |WrittenBy = Riley Adams |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2017|08|07}} |ShortSummary = Christy confronts family truths, Nolan is blackmailed, and Lara flirts with temptation |LineColor = 2A5997 }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber = 3 |Title = Freefalling |DirectedBy = Charles Officer |WrittenBy = Malcolm MacRury |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2017|08|14}} |ShortSummary = Nolan's father tries to save him and Junior faces down Bamba. |LineColor = 2A5997 }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber = 4 |Title = Fixed |DirectedBy = Charles Officer |WrittenBy = Amanda Fahey |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2017|08|21}} |ShortSummary = Lara prepares to fix a game, Christy proves a master strategist, and Nolan dreams of revenge. |LineColor = 2A5997 }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber = 5 |Title = Heaven or Hell |DirectedBy = Jerry Ciccoritti |WrittenBy = Riley Adams and Seneca Aaron |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2017|08|28}} |ShortSummary = Christy and Nolan suffer humiliation on the field, Junior wins glory. |LineColor = 2A5997 }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber = 6 |Title = War |DirectedBy = Charles Officer |WrittenBy = Ellen Vanstone |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2017|09|04}} |ShortSummary = Junior unmasks an imposter and Nolan's father betrays him. |LineColor = 2A5997 }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber = 7 |Title = Together We Part |DirectedBy = Jerry Ciccoritti |WrittenBy = Malcolm MacRury and Stephanie Tracey |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2017|09|11}} |ShortSummary = Christy takes over the team. Nolan sacrifices himself to try and save Emma. |LineColor = 2A5997 }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber = 8 |Title = Rock and a Hard Place |DirectedBy = Jerry Ciccoritti |WrittenBy = Riley Adams |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2017|09|18}} |ShortSummary = Christy fights back against all odds, and Nolan makes the ultimate choice. |LineColor = 2A5997 }} }}
== 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."<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|url=https://beta.theglobeandmail.com/arts/television/john-doyle-21-thunder-is-a-fine-drama-containing-soccer-sex-and-action/article35822682/|title=John Doyle: 21 Thunder is a fine drama containing soccer, sex and action|date=July 27, 2017|work=The Globe and Mail|access-date=August 30, 2017|language=en-GB}}</ref>
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."<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.tv-eh.com/2017/08/21/21-thunder-fixed/|title=21 Thunder: Fixed|date=2017-08-22|work=TV, eh?|access-date=2018-04-17|language=en-CA}}</ref>
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."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/television/2017/08/08/21-thunder-has-promise-but-not-many-kicks.html|title=21 Thunder has promise but not many kicks|last=Schneller|first=Johanna|date=August 8, 2017|work=The Toronto Star|access-date=September 14, 2017|language=en-CA|issn=0319-0781}}</ref>
With its international launch on Netflix in March 2018, ''Vanity Fair'' included ''21 Thunder'' in its "A-List: What to Watch in March".<ref name=":3" /> 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."<ref name=":4" />
== References == {{Reflist|30em}}
== External links == * {{Official website}} * {{IMDb title|6145878}}
{{CBC Television Shows (current and upcoming)}} {{Netflix original current series}}
Category:CBC Television original programming Category:Fictional association football television series Category:2017 Canadian television series debuts Category:2010s Canadian drama television series Category:Soccer on Canadian television Category:Television shows set in Montreal Category:Television shows filmed in Montreal