As a drama aficionado constantly on the lookout for the next binge-worthy series, I was thrilled to discover Netflix’s new drama series, Grand Army. Set in Brooklyn, the show follows a group of high school students navigating the complexities of their lives while dealing with sensitive and very real issues. The series boasts a talented cast of young actors who bring their characters’ stories to life with grace and professionalism. Here are 10 intriguing facts about Grand Army that you probably didn’t know.
1. The Fictional Grand Army High School
The students in the show attend Grand Army High School in Brooklyn. However, those who have tried to dig up more information on the school will be disappointed to learn that it doesn’t actually exist. Vanity Fair suggests that the school may be inspired by Brooklyn Technical High School.
2. From Stage to Screen: The Play Connection
Grand Army was created by playwright Katie Cappiello, who wrote the 2013 play SLUT. The play primarily focused on Joey Del Marco and her sexual assault story. Many of the additional storylines in Grand Army were created specifically for the show. Amalia Yoo, who played Leila, was the only actor to be in both the show and the play.
3. Drawing Comparisons to Degrassi
The Degrassi franchise is arguably one of the most popular high school-based drama series ever to grace TV screens. Due to its similar subject matter, Grand Army is already being compared to the long-running Canadian series. Interestingly, one of the show’s stars, Amir Bageria (Sid), also appeared in Degrassi.
4. Awaiting News on Season Two
Season one of Grand Army was released on October 16, 2020, and fans are already clamoring for a second season. Unfortunately, there haven’t been any official announcements regarding the show’s renewal, but many believe that it’s looking promising.
5. Filming Locations: Brooklyn and Beyond
Grand Army is set in Brooklyn, and those familiar with the area will recognize many of the filming locations. However, Brooklyn wasn’t the only place where scenes for the show were captured. According to The Cinemaholic, some filming also took place in Ontario, Canada.
6. Nearly Two Decades in the Making
It’s no secret that TV shows can take a long time to develop, but Grand Army has been in the works for an especially long time. Katie Cappiello told Entertainment Weekly, “I’ve spent 18 years of my life making this project.” In fact, the terrorist attack depicted in the first episode of the series was in reference to the attacks on September 11, 2001.
7. A Shortened Season Due to COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the production of shows across the entertainment industry, and it seems Grand Army was no exception. Season one of the show was originally ordered for 10 episodes, but it ended up being only nine episodes long.
8. Controversy: Writers Quit Over Racism Allegations
Even before its premiere, Grand Army was already embroiled in controversy. In June 2020, one of the show’s writers, Ming Peiffer, accused Katie Cappiello of being racist. In a tweet, Ming said, “All 3 writers of color, including a Black writer, quit due to racist abuse.” She published another tweet in September detailing the alleged abuse.
9. A Dark and Intense Viewing Experience
Although Grand Army has received many positive reviews, the show’s subject matter may be too dark for some viewers. If you’re looking for something light and fun to watch, this probably isn’t the show for you. The characters in Grand Army deal with serious issues such as sexual assault, poverty, and racism.
10. Filming Timeline: A Two-Year Production Process
Not only has the idea for the show been in development for almost two decades, but it seems the production process has also been ongoing for about two years. Based on one of Ming Peiffer’s tweets, it appears that the show was filmed sometime in or around 2018.
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