Sometimes half the battle between being a good and a great show is knowing when to end. There are countless examples of series that perhaps went one season too long, or by contrast, didn’t get the space they needed to tell the story they wanted. For HBO‘s “The Deuce,” however, it looks like creators David Simon and George Pelecanos already have a gameplan, and for those of you who you like your narratives lean and mean, this going to be some good news.
Collider caught up with James Franco, and the multi-tasking acting — who not only plays two roles in the show, but also directs a handful of the first season episodes — revealed that “The Deuce” is essentially setting itself up as an expanded, limited series. Even more, they already have an endgame in sight.
“One of the interesting things about this show is that it’s a hybrid between a limited series and a regular series. There are only eight episodes a season, and if we go, which it looks like we will [ed. ‘The Deuce’ was recently renewed for season two], there will only be three seasons,” he said. “It gives it this perfectly encapsulated, very concise, economical power punch feeling to it. From the beginning, the plan was to cover 14 years. The first season is ‘71-‘72, and the dawn of pornography. The second season is ‘77, ‘78 and ‘79, or somewhere in there. And then, the third season will be ‘84-‘85 when everything imploded and the old 42nd Street was shut down by Mayor Koch. I think if we pull it off, it will be a really nice encapsulation of a time and a place.”
That sounds pretty great, and a compelling way to run through a unique chapter of New York City history, without overstaying your welcome. With the second season ordered up, it’s probably a safe bet that Franco, Simon, and Pelecanos will be able to see this through to the lend.
“The Deuce” airs on Sunday nights.