What is it about European cities that make them ripe for intriguing spy films and tv miniseries? The old world charm of centuries old cities with ancient architecture and real cobblestone streets? The richness of history steeped in political and military conflicts that shape world politics today? The lure of great snow skiing?
Well for the exquisitely talented British actor Richard Armitage recently cast as the lead in the EPIX 10 part television mini series Berlin Station from Paramount TV, probably all three.
And rumors had been flying around for a few days–with www.RichardArmitageNet.com presciently pointing out recent Richard Armitage Twitter follows related to the mini series Berlin Station as potentially linking him to it. RANet was spot on–as usual. Snap!
According to TV Line (Thanks to Teresa A for the link!):
“[Richard] Armitage [(near right)] will play the starring role of Daniel Meyer, the cerebral, 
newly-anointed CIA case officer who goes from being an analyst at Langley to an undercover agent in Berlin tasked with finding an informant. [Michelle] Forbes [(far right) meanwhile, will portray Valerie Edwards, the no-nonsense administrator who serves as a Berlin Station Section Head.”
Then, of course, Richard Armitage teasingly tweeted about his participation in Berlin Station and pointed to an article in Variety about his participation in this project. I get goosebumps whenever Richard Armitage’s projects are touted in Variety–one of the premiere entertainment industry news outlets.
Deadline Hollywood shares a bit more about Richard Armitage’s Berlin Station character of Daniel Meyer in stating:
“Daniel learns to contend with the rough-and-tumble world of the field agent — agent-running, deception, the dangers and moral compromises.”
And Yahoo News also shares a Hollywood Reporter article about Richard Armitage being cast in Berlin Station.
So Richard Armitage will be going back to familiar spy drama territory for him when he 
portrays spy Daniel Meyer in Berlin Station–and getting a luxurious 10 episodes in which to develop his character. Yet every character Mr. Armitage inhabits is unique and nuanced. I will be interested to see how Mr. Armitage distinguishes this new spy role from his past spy character portrayals of Lucas North on BBC One’s Spooks (2008-2010), [(right)] and ITV’s Chris Ryan’s Strike Back Origins (2010) .
If I were to hazard a guess … With RA’s Lucas North character being a tormented soul who 
never rebuilt an enduring personal life after being held prisoner by a foreign power, and with RA’s John Porter character [(right)] suffering the professional betrayal of someone whom he thought was his closest friend and colleague and yet forgives him, could this new character of Daniel Meyer be all about the job and forgoing emotions?
With the character of Daniel Meyer is being referred to as “cerebral”, connotes for me someone who focuses on reason and intellect–rather than his passions and desires. Perhaps Richard Armitage will portray Berlin Station’s Daniel Meyer as a modern day Sherlock Holmes? All reasoning and logic, but no passion.
Though Richard Armitage’s forte is passion filled angst–with restraint. Richard Armitage’s 
character portrayals of Thorin Oakenshield in The Hobbit trilogy films (2012, 2013, & 2014) and of John Proctor on stage in The Crucible (2014) [(right)] were tour de force character driven performances. And I hope that passion will be in the Daniel Meyer character somewhere. Though I am not solely referring to romantic passion, it would be nice to see him portray a character with an enduring romantic relationship. I can dream. Ha!
And I have to believe that the director and producers will capitalize on the character nuances and shadings that Richard Armitage will bring to his character of Daniel Meyer in Berlin Station. My guess is that there will be some deep dark secret that will be slowly revealed about the character to make us sympathize with him. And if anyone can make you sympathize with any character, it is Richard Armitage portraying him.
So I look forward to learning more about Richard Armitage’s new lead role as Daniel Meyer in Berlin Station with filming to occur yet in 2015, for an unspecified 2016 broadcast date.
P.S. And let’s hope that Richard Armitage’s character Daniel Meyer doesn’t die–poignantly or in a blaze of glory. *wink*
Something About Love (A) 
September 12, 13, & 14, 2015–Thanks for liking this post!
Carolyn, Esther, Servetus, Guylty, ania- zrysiowana ja, & Hariclea
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This is the best possible news! Since his character is described as both cerebral and as inexperienced, it should be a really interesting, new dynamic. Can’t wait!
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Hi jholland, Thanks for your nice comment! I had missed the bit about “inexperienced in the field”. But you’re right. If RA’s character is going from an analyst job in an office environment to the field–without having prior field experience–that could be a jarring change of milieu for the character, which should make for some tense dramatic scenes.
And perhaps there could be an amusing moment or two–such as wearing his bullet proof vest inside out, or forgetting to remove the safety latch on his gun, etc. Because, of course, the spy will have to have a gun. Ha!
I am so looking forward to this mini series. I hope we get to see it in the U.S. and that it will be out on dvd to add to my growing Richard Armitage dvd collection. Cheers! Grati ;->
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Yes!! I had the same thought… there is a potential for comedy in there. Not too often we see an Armitage character needing much mentoring! I look forward to his “learning curve”!
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Indeed! My guess is that “Daniel” will be a quick learner. Oh to be Daniel’s on the job trainer. Sighhh!
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September 12, 2015–Ooh! And thanks to jholland at her Preoccupied with Armitage blog:
for sharing this Girl of Gisborne “Lucas North | Welcome Home” video
The video gives folks unfamiliar with Richard Armitage’s earlier spy role of Lucas North in Spooks a taste of things to come.
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Isn’t it lovely!? Thanks for sharing, Grati! =)
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Yes! And you’re welcome! Hugs!
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Sept. 12, 2015–RANet’s news item for Sept. 11th shared this quote:
“From Variety: “We are very happy to have found our ‘Daniel’ to join this incredible ensemble cast,” said Mark S. Greenberg, president and CEO of EPIX. “Richard is a singular talent who has the presence and attitude to bring this character and story to life”…“Both Richard and Michelle are enormously talented actors who exhibit an on-screen intensity and passion that viewers respond to because of their intellect and ability to let transformation overcome their characters,” added Amy Powell, president of Paramount TV.”
Here is that news link:
http://www.richardarmitagenet.com/news.html#sep11
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September 12, 2015–The British TV Place shares two news items in their Richard Armitage cast in Berlin Station online article found at:
http://thebritishtvplace.com/2015/09/berlin-station-richard-armitage-to-lead-cast-of-new-spy-series/
1) And Richard Armitage is referenced as “Monte-Carlo TV Festival Award nominee Richard Armitage (The Hobbit trilogy, Hannibal, Strike Back, MI-5, Robin Hood) …” When did this nomination occur and for which tv role?
2) Berlin Station is set to begin broadcasting in Fall 2016. This article also shares the solid successful track record of the creative team behind the scenes:
“Produced by Paramount TV and Anonymous Content, Michaël Roskam (Bullhead) will executive produce and direct the first two episodes. New York Times bestselling spy novelist Olen Steinhauer (The Tourist) will write and executive produce the series. Showrunner Brad Winters (The Americans) will also executive produce.
Other executive producers for Berlin Station include Academy Award® winner Eric Roth (Forrest Gump, Munich, House of Cards), with Steve Golin, Kerry Kohansky-Roberts, Keith Redmon, and Luke Rivett from Anonymous Content (True Detective, The Knick, Mr. Robot).”
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September 12, 2015–Mujertropical at her My Sort of Bloke blog delves deeper into Richard Armitage’s career planning–specifically his agent representation–in her blog post about his new role in Berlin Station:
“When he was based in London, Richard was represented by United Artists (he still is). However, now that he lives in NYC and his profile has risen, he is being represented in Los Angeles, CA by WME (William Morris Endeavor), Management 360, and by Sloane, Offer, Webber and Dern, LLP, a law firm that specializes in entertainment law. The impressive thing about the latter is that all the main partners at the firm made The Hollywood Reporter’s list of ‘Power Lawyers’ in 2014.”
I/Grati also like that Richard Armitage is being more “overtly” strategic and acquiring more “champions” for furthering his career.
Here is her blog link to read more:
https://mysortofbloke.wordpress.com/2015/09/12/richard-armitage-a-man-with-a-plan/
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I’m humbled by your mention. Like you, I hope this character is not killed on the show. Michelle Forbes has played some scary roles in the past; Daniel should watch out! ;)
The eyeglasses would be welcome, as would a chance to see Richard keep his natural hair color this time around. Obviously, those choices would not be his, but the thought makes me smile.
What impresses me the most is that he must have worked tremendously hard on his American accent in order to nail this role. However, the thought of hearing him speak German gives me anticipatory goose bumps! ;)
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Hi Muertropical, You’re most welcome! Richard Armitage’s naturally lighter brown hair would be an interesting choice–softening what might be his “brooding” looks. We’ll see. And I actually thought RA’s American accent in “Into the Storm” wasn’t bad, quite believable. So with him spending more time in the U.S. and working with more American actors, I’m guessing his accent has been enhanced. And remember his Maori speech at The Hobbit filming blessing ceremony? He was flawless. So my guess is that his German accent will be excellent, too. RA has a great ear and voice! I wish you many goosebumps! Hugs & Cheers! Grati ;->
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September 12, 2015–While I lamely pondered if Richard Armitage would see his character of Daniel Meyer go undercover in Berlin as a blond, Teresa A. had a good thought that the “cerebral” reference might mean glasses. And we have an image of Richard Armitage portraying Lucas North in glasses from RANet.Hmmm. I like it!
http://www.richardarmitagenet.com/images/gallery/Spooks/spooks8/album/Episode6/slides/ep6_078.html
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I have long been hoping for Armitage to wear glasses in a role. I have a quirk about hot men in glasses. Yes, please!
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LOL! And there is something so sexy about a man when he removes his eye glasses. It can only mean one thing. *wink*
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i like glasses but not THOSE glasses, shudders! ;-)
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LOL!
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I’m chuffed to bits about this too :-) And let’s hope he doesn’t die in series 1 at least ;-)
And yes, that learning curve will be interesting as we’ve only seen him as the spy expert before. I like the idea of Berlin too, it’s nice to have a European location again for a change and it is big budget to film in Berlin (all the extra authorisations and permits and constraints mean they are throwing a whole load of money at this, which is also good).
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Hi Hariclea, Thanks for your nice note! Let’s hope we do see the money “on the screen” for Berlin Station, as RA commented about his 2010 Stike Back series.
And though seeing RA on a regular basis via a tv role, I hope that RA also continues with his push to do films–which he seems to be doing by virtue of the high number of films that he has completed or planned in a relatively shot span of time since The Hobbit trilogy ended.
Thanks for visiting and commenting! Cheers! Grati ;->
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