Queen of Swords (TV series)
| Queen of Swords | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Genre | Action/Adventure/Western |
| Created by |
David Abramowitz Linda Lukens |
| Starring | See cast |
| Theme music composer |
Steve Plunkett, and Philip Proffer |
| Opening theme | "Behind the Mask" sung by José Feliciano |
| Composer(s) |
Philip Stanger John Herberman |
| Country of origin | Canada/Spain/UK co-production |
| Original language(s) | English and Spanish |
| No. of seasons | 1 |
| No. of episodes | 22 (list of episodes) |
| Production | |
| Executive producer(s) |
David Abramowitz Jay Firestone Adam Haight |
| Producer(s) |
Ken Gord Tony Thatcher |
| Location(s) | Texas Hollywood, Tabernas Desert, San Jose, Alcazaba of Almeria in Almeria, Spain |
| Cinematography | Alwyn Kumst CSC |
| Running time | 45 min. |
| Release | |
| Original network |
Global (Canada) Syndicated (USA) |
| Picture format | Film Super 16 mm 16:9 Colour Often broadcast 4:3 pan and scan |
| Audio format | Dolby stereo |
| Original release | October 7, 2000 – June 6, 2001 |
Queen of Swords is an action–adventure television series set in California during the early 19th century that ran for one series from 2000 to 2001.
The series premiered October 7, 2000. After filming had been completed on 22 episodes and the first eight episodes were broadcast, the series was cancelled.
In 1817, a young Spanish , Tessa Alvarado, returns to Spanish California after the death of her father and finds her home in ruins, her father's manservant reduced to stealing. The town where she was born is run by a militaristic governor who abuses his power, resulting in the miscarriage of justice and the poor living conditions of his subjects. Upset about the state of her birthplace and the murder of her father, Tessa's path is revealed to her in a mysterious dream where her father comes to her and talks of his murder, his hidden gold, and of his "Avenging Angel". She will take up arms to protect the people from the town's governor and to avenge her father's death. Tessa will do this in disguise behind a mask, becoming that "Avenging Angel", The Queen of Swords.
As the Queen of Swords, Tessa becomes a vision of hope for the people who live in her long oppressed town.
As in the theme song "Behind the Mask" all the characters have secrets to hide, which are explored over the 22 episodes.
Tessie Santiago after signing with an agent went to her first professional audition to an open casting call Fireworks Entertainment was conducting in a nationwide search for the lead role. As a blonde with light skin and light eyes, Santiago knew that TV had a long history of relying on clichés and stereotypes and the typical look of a Latina so she dyed her hair black a week before the audition and read for the part. It led to several callbacks with a final test screening in Los Angeles, California and she won the lead role of Tessa Alvarado.
The part of Colonel Montoya was written for Valentine Pelka by David Abramowitz who phoned Pelka in October 1999 offering the part subject to approval by the other show producers.
David Abramowitz met Peter Wingfield at a Highlander convention in November 1999 and offered him the parts of Doctor Helm or Captain Grisham. Wingfield chose the doctor as a part with more mileage and more challenging.
Director of photography Alwnyn Kumst CSC used Super 16mm film which has a slightly smaller widescreen aspect ratio to 16:9.
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