The Belgian miniseries, “The Big Mess,” consists of eight episodes and is inspired by a real-life narrative, albeit dramatized.
Occurring during the 1980s, the storyline revolves around Belgian Gendarmes, helmed by an American CIA operative, who are initially tasked with apprehending drug traffickers. However, they find themselves embroiled in crime. One of the characters is Jan Laureys (Willem De Schryver), who never aspired to be a gendarme.
“While I must state, not every officer was corrupt, the gendarmerie was riddled with scandals and illicit activities. Nepotism ran rampant, resembling organized crime: any misconduct was likely concealed,” director Wim Geudens shared during an interview at Mipcom. Nevertheless, the creators aimed for a narrative that was not strictly factual.
“Indeed, they commenced drug trafficking, and there was an American agent who taught them the ropes. Ultimately, a trial ensued, but no conclusive evidence has surfaced,” remarked Philippe De Schepper, who collaborated with Bas Adriaensen on the series.
“That’s why we decided to adopt a lighter atmosphere; the facts of the situation remain elusive. Wim was enthusiastic about emphasizing that entertaining aspect. There are already plenty of dark series out there.”
The plot’s actions are grim—“They lack any moral compass,” Geudens noted. Still, he appreciated the notion of featuring a lead who is a criminal yet embraces life’s pleasures.
“It’s reminiscent of Spielberg’s ‘Catch Me If You Can’ starring Leonardo DiCaprio. He deceives everyone, yet his charm is undeniable. Eventually, he grasps that there’s nothing fun about it anymore, exclaiming, ‘How do I escape this colossal mess?’”
Initially, the series was titled differently.
“It was named ‘The Years of Lead,’ referring to that era,” De Schepper grinned. “The issue was that viewers would likely interpret it as a somber drama.”
Geudens added, “When the title ‘The Big Mess’ was proposed, I thought: ‘Wow, that’s audacious. Am I truly taking this leap?’ Yet, there are numerous mistakes depicted across various dimensions, including Jan’s family dynamics, which are based on years of deceit.”
De Schryver, who embodies Jan Laureys, took time to embrace the character.
“I felt quite anxious about portraying someone so self-absorbed. Jan views himself as exceptional—attractive and narcissistic. At just 22 during filming, I often questioned my own identity. Embracing Jan became a source of strength for me.”
Initially, Jan is oblivious to his surroundings—“until he finds himself too far entrenched to escape.” Throughout the show, he also undergoes personal growth.
“Jan presents a façade. He appears poised to seize the world, but he is running away from substantial issues. His reasons for being abroad stem from a lack of belonging within his own family. Willem portrayed this excellently: you wouldn’t follow a character who is merely superficial. With Jan, there’s a desire to understand him better,” Geudens emphasized.
Tom Vermeir, Tibo Vandenborre, Lien Joosten, Koen De Bouw, Koen De Graeve, Natalie Broods, Rob Van der Auwera, Tom Van Dyck, Dempsey Bovell, and Felix Vroman also star in the series.
To shape the narrative they envisioned, they had to be imaginative, as De Schepper pointed out.
“When crafting a period piece, you can request an exact replica of an object, which can be costly, or you could decide to ‘create our universe.’ It’s still the 1980s, refracted through Wim’s lens. Wim resembles Peter Jackson at the beginning of his career in New Zealand, crafting his own props. Alongside his trusted cinematographer Piet Deyaert, they found innovative ways to keep costs manageable.”
The primary aim of the series was to “entertain viewers,” the director remarked.
“We showcase individuals ‘doing their jobs,’ yet it devolves into absurdity. It’s a continuous string of blunders as they make foolish choices and celebrate them. Comedy ranks among my favored genres, but I’m only interested if it conveys a message.”
“We depict this ludicrous scenario where officers have completely lost their way without recognizing it. Like, what?! Some potential investors remarked on the predominance of male characters, but the sole intelligent character is a woman. Excess male energy in a confined space isn’t always beneficial,” De Schryver chuckled.
“You cannot compare it to any other project produced in Belgium,” he stated. “It has a uniquely distinct flavor.”
“Distinct flavor is a fitting description,” Geudens quipped. “We genuinely embrace color.”
Slated for October 30, 2025, the series is being marketed by jonnydepony and is backed by Streamz and Amazon Prime Video NL. International distribution is handled by About Premium Content.
