Abyss: What do Game of Thrones and France 2 series have in common?

France 2 broadcasts two new episodes of Abysses, its new internationally produced sci-fi series from Cécile de France, Léonie Benes and Alexandre Karimi, this Monday 19 June at 21:10.

Adapted from the bestselling German author Frank Schatzing, it follows scientists from several countries as they try to understand why marine animals are suddenly attacking the world.

What do Abyss and Game of Thrones have in common?

You probably didn’t know it, but the environmental sci-fi series directed by Cécile de France has something in common with the cult fantasy game Game of Thrones. Both series were indeed by Frank Doelger.

The latter has also received multiple Emmy Awards for the fiction he has worked on. Therefore, it was he who saw the potential of the novel Frank Schatzing, named after the original version Shwarm Published in 2004.

In addition to being a producer, Frank Doelger is also the showrunner for Abysses. That’s why he controls the scripts for this international co-production that brings together Germany, Austria, France, Italy, Japan, Sweden and Switzerland.

Frank Schetzing was not in the project

Although Frank Schetzing was originally attached to the project to adapt his book, he eventually left the production due to differences of opinion. The writer actually revealed to our German colleagues from Zeit that there were many aspects of this TV adaptation that he regretted.

And the biggest weakness for him is that the plots are dated. The screenwriters did not really adapt the plot of his novel written in 2004 to current events. And many things have developed since publication, namely the increasingly important presence of climate or social media activist groups.

Find two new episodes of Abysses this Monday, June 19, from 21:10 on France 2.