We are RE-RELEASING this breakdown because unfortunately, we were recently informed that several of the roles which were marked as only filming in Greece are now being cast in the UK. We would hope that considering how special this production is, you might reassign some of the submitted performers to the now available roles which will film in Montreal. Thank you for your reconsideration.
SO LONG MARIANNE is an upcoming dramatic TV miniseries being co-produced between Norway's Redpoint Productions, Buccaneer Media, Connect3 Media & Tanweer Productions. Titled after the song, which appeared on Leonard Cohen's iconic album “Songs of Leonard Cohen”, the eight-part series will reimagine the relationship between Ihlen and Cohen, which has been billed as an “intimate” drama about “two equally lonely people falling in love in a period of their life when they are still trying to figure out who they are”. Written by Øystein Karlsen & Jo Nesbø - Øystein Karlsen is the writer/director behind the Norwegian hit series DAG, the movie Fuck Up and the Netflix Original Lilyhammer 3. Jo Nesbø is a world-renowned crime writer recognized for broadening the scope of modern crime and thriller fiction. His books have garnered countless international awards, sold over forty million copies, and been translated into fifty languages.
https://variety.com/2023/film/global/leonard-cohen-alex-wolff-tv-marianne-ihlen-1235580865/
https://deadline.com/2022/04/leonard-cohen-marianne-ihlen-new-drama-series-marcella-producer-buccaneer-nrk-1234993192/
https://cineflix.com/news/leonard-cohen-and-muse-marianne-ihlen-subject-of-new-drama-series-from-marcella-outfit-lilyhammer-scribe-canadas-connect3-norways-nrk/
SO LONG MARIANNE is a tripartite international co-pro that has a few weeks shooting in Montreal (the project is also filming in Norway & Greece - Hydra & Athens). The primary casting is being done by Priscilla John and Orla Maxwell out of the UK, and we will be casting select guest roles, and the episodic cast that appears in the scenes being filmed during the Montreal portion of the shoot.
Set in the 1960s, LEONARD COHEN's relationship with muse Marianne Ihlen is going under the microscope in SO LONG MARIANNE; a human and intimate, lung-busting, gut-wrenching, heart-breaking love story...that was real. Though it's a story looking back at extraordinary lives, it's more than that - much more; it's a story of youth, searching and finding meaning in life, a story of expression, the sacrifices life forces you to make, and purity of love and of voice.
| Role type | Role | Gender & Age range |
| Principal | DEREK MAY | Male 30 - 39 Years old |
Description (Ep 105) To play the role of a man in his 30’s. WHITE. One of Leonard's artist friends, Derek is a famous NFB filmmaker and painter, and according to Leonard “the most irreverent person [he] knows”. A fellow Montrealer, Derek gets drunk at Leonard’s welcome home party.Shoots in Montreal Only. | ||
| Role type | Role | Gender & Age range |
| Principal | ROBERT HERSHORN | Male 30 - 39 Years old |
Description (Ep 105) To play the role of a man in his 30’s. WHITE. A life-long friend of Cohen, Robert was an actor and film producer, who also made a lot of money in the clothing business. He gives a drunken speech at Leonard’s welcome home party. Loud, extroverted.Shoots in Montreal Only. | ||
| Role type | Role | Gender & Age range |
| Principal | OLD DRUNKARD (NYC CAFE) | Male 50 - 79 Years old |
Description (Ep 108) To play the role of a man in his 50s - 70s. PLEASE SUBMIT ALL ETHNICITIES. An old drunkard telling his life story to anyone who’ll listen. Used to be a sailor, now he waxes poetic at his local watering hole.Shoots in Montreal Only. | ||
| Role type | Role | Gender & Age range |
| Principal | DRUG DEALER (UNION SQ) | Male 20 - 35 Years old |
Description (Ep 108) To play the role of a man in his 20s - 30s. PLEASE SUBMIT ALL ETHNICITIES. A drug dealer working the streets of New York City at night. He’s a hippie and clearly a user himself. Friendly and eccentric - he’s seen walking his pet turtle on a leash.Shoots in Montreal Only. | ||
| Role type | Role | Gender & Age range |
| Principal | AVIVA LAYTON | Female 28 - 39 Years old |
Description (Ep 105) To play the role of a woman in her late 20s - 30s. WHITE. One of Irving Layton’s many companions, Aviva is an enigmatic woman, a muse, and a writer – though she never did see the same success as her famous lover. After immigrating to Montreal from her native Australia in 1955, Aviva is introduced to Irving and the two begin a decades-long affair, despite the fact that Irving will remain legally married to his wife. Aviva is bright and perceptive, never one to turn away from life’s harsh truths. She’s a believer of free love, or perhaps she simply accepts the fleeting nature of man’s affections. She becomes acquainted with Marianne during a party at Leonard’s apartment in Montreal. The two share a frank conversation about the men in their lives.
Shoots in Montreal Only. | ||
| Role type | Role | Gender & Age range |
| Recurring Actor | LEONARD'S GRANDFATHER | Male 80 - 90 Years old |
Description (Ep 101, 102 & 105) To play the role of a man in his 80s - 90s. WHITE. He is a Rabbi and well-known Jewish scholar who emigrated from Lithuania to Montreal in 1927. A distinguished man, respected in his community, and a writer just like his grandson Leonard. Flash to today – in his old age he has developed dementia, and in this late-stage he requires daily assistance from his daughter Masha. He is vacant, silently staring ahead. The lights are on, but there’s no one home – not anymore.
Shoots in Montreal Only. | ||
| Role type | Role | Gender & Age range |
| Actor | MONTREAL FAN GIRL | Female 18 - 25 Years old |
Description (Ep 101) To play the role of a woman 18 - 25. PLEASE SUBMIT ALL ETHNICITIES. A young fan of Leonard’s who attends one of his poetry readings in his early days.
Shoots in Montreal Only. | ||
| Role type | Role | Gender & Age range |
| Actor | MAN IN SUIT - EDITOR OF THE MONTREAL GAZETTE | Male 40 - 59 Years old |
Description (Ep 105) To play the role of a man in his 40s - 50s. PLEASE SUBMIT ALL ETHNICITIES. An acquaintance of Irving Layton’s who works at the Montreal Gazette. Offers Leonard a freelancing gig after reading his work. He is a somewhat intimidating boss, who represents "a real job." He is very conservative in both dress and barber'd hair. LANGUAGE / ACCENT: The Character will speak English with a standard Anglo-Canadian accent. Shoots in Montreal Only. | ||
| Role type | Role | Gender & Age range |
| Actor | MORTON ROSENGARTEN | Male 27 - 36 Years old |
Description (Ep 105) To play the role of a man in his late 20s - mid 30s. WHITE. Wiry, dark-haired. A sculptor, gentleman, and life-long best friend of Leonard, Morton was a well-regarded Montreal artist who inspired many with his work. Seemingly modest and unassuming, deep-down he believes in the transformative power of his craft. Charming with a bright presence. We meet Morton at a party in Leonard’s apartment. Shoots in Montreal Only. | ||
| Role type | Role | Gender & Age range |
| Actor | FRENCH WOMAN (L'S PARTY) | Female 20 - 49 Years old |
Description (Ep 105) To play the role of a woman in her 20s - 40s. PLEASE SUBMIT ALL ETHNICITIES. An attractive French woman attending one of Leonard Cohen’s house parties. Helps Marianne find a corkscrew in the kitchen.Shoots in Montreal Only. | ||
| Role type | Role | Gender & Age range |
| Actor | KITTY | Male 20 - 32 Years old |
Description (Ep 105) To play the role of a woman in her 20s - early 30s. PLEASE SUBMIT ALL ETHNICITIES. A moody woman at Leonard’s party who clearly knows Leonard and wants his attention. Has an unrequited crush on Leonard – and everyone can tell.Shoots in Montreal Only. | ||
| Role type | Role | Gender & Age range |
| Actor | SHOP MANAGER | Male 30 - 49 Years old |
Description (Ep 105) To play the role of a man in his 30s - 40s. PLEASE SUBMIT ALL ETHNICITIES. A shop manager of a fashionable clothing store. He is a bit flamboyant, sharply dressed in high fashion of the Sixties. Judgemental and unenthusiastic as he receives Marianne's application for employment.Shoots in Montreal Only. | ||
| Role type | Role | Gender & Age range |
| Actor | AUDITORIUM INTRODUCER | All 40 - 69 Years old |
Description (Ep 107) To play the role of a man or a woman in their 40s - 60s. PLEASE SUBMIT ALL ETHNICITIES. A university professor type, introducing Leonard to a university auditorium full of people.Shoots in Montreal Only. | ||
| Role type | Role | Gender & Age range |
| Actor | FEMALE STUDENT ADMIRER | Female 18 - 21 Years old |
Description (Ep 107) To play the role of an 18 - 21 year old woman. PLEASE SUBMIT ALL ETHNICITIES. An adoring fan of Leonard’s who approaches him for an autograph. Giddy and star-struck with love in her eyes. LANGUAGE / ACCENT: The Character must be able to speak English WITH a QUÉBÉCOIS accent. Please ensure performers use their NATURAL accent - please do not ADD an accent. Shoots in Montreal Only. | ||
| Role type | Role | Gender & Age range |
| Non Speaking | ARMAND VAILLANCOURT | Male 30 - 39 Years old |
Description (Ep 105) To play the role of a man in his 30s. WHITE. Noted Quebecois sculptor and a friend of Cohen’s. We see Armand at Leonard’s party with his iconic dark, long hair and full beard. He is standing with a young Suzanne Verdal, fifteen years her senior.
Shoots in Montreal Only. | ||
| Role type | Role | Gender & Age range |
| Non Speaking | SUZANNE VERDAL | Female 17 - 19 Years old |
Description (Ep 105) To play the role of a girl aged 17 - 19. WHITE. A beautiful young dancer who we’ll come to know as the famous “Suzanne” of Leonard Cohen’s hit record. We see her arm-in-arm with a man fifteen years her senior (Armand Vaillancourt) at one of Leonard’s parties. Striking, dark features with big doe eyes.
Shoots in Montreal Only. | ||
