With women executive producing the series, including Knizhnik, who recently won a Gemini for writing on the show, and director Adrienne Mitchell, Durham County now turns its attention to the darkness of a female antagonist.
"I think that it's still not allowed for women to have as much rage or darkness as men. It's not socially acceptable, it's not ladylike, it's not expected, it's not allowed," Forbes said. She tried to read up on violence and women before shooting began, but found much of the literature shied away from that topic. "That's what I love so much about Laurie as a writer. She's not afraid. She has an enormous amount of courage and boldness to walk into this world both guns a-blaring."
"She's created such a complex character – fingers crossed I can live up to it – but it does confront the darkness and the rage and the confusion, that idea of not being seen for being fully who you are, with your frailties, with your weakness, with your possible failures in motherhood. All those things are really not allowed, and she's shone this big interrogation light on it. I feel honoured to be a part of that."
Durham County admirably avoids the good guy versus bad guy dichotomy, opting for a more complex portrayal of the darkness within all its characters, and, sometimes, the glimmers of light. In season one, Mike Sweeney was that most disquieting of protagonists, a man whose flaws pale only in comparison to the serial killer next door – low standards indeed.
Sweeney's likability is also enhanced by the enormous charisma of Hugh Dillon, and Forbes was full of praise for the man behind the character. "I think he's my new favourite person in the whole world. He's one of the funniest people I've ever met in my life," she raved. "How a company is formed is really from the leader, and he's such a wonderful leader. He's warm and funny and generous and committed and earnest. Everyone – the crew, the cast – we're all just totally devoted to him. We adore him."
"I've really been lucky to have him to stand opposite for what is really a challenging role," she continued. "He's the real deal. He's just the coolest guy in the world. There's no nonsense with him and you can't ask for anything better than that."
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