For many viewers, the likeable Maxim Gaudette is above all the actor who brilliantly interprets the policeman Fred Longpré in the soap opera 5th rank. A significant role in which he is about to open a new chapter. But new challenges await him, especially on the stages of the La Licorne Theater, where he will take part in a hard-hitting play.
• Also read: Hubert Proulx finally gets a nice role
• Also read: Catherine Proulx-Lemay reveals details about her new relationship
Maxim, first let’s talk about this very special piece that you will be performing in next year at La Licorne.
The play 5 Bullets in the Head is a proposal by the director François Bernier. We began with a public reading of the text, an adaptation Roxane Bouchard made from her collection of testimonies from Canadian ex-soldiers who went to Afghanistan. In the play I will play two characters, including a soldier. It will be presented from March 5 to March 30, 2024. I’ve played La Licorne a few times and love to come back as it’s been a while.
DOMINIC GOUIN
You will perform in this piece with Éric Robidoux, who also performs 5th rank!
Exactly, and also with Frédéric Millaire Zouvi, who plays the role of Jean-Michel in 5th place. It’s a coincidence!
Did you become friends while filming this series?
Yes we are friends. We don’t necessarily see each other very often in life, but we appreciate each other, we like each other.
Looking back on this theatrical production, I have a feeling it’s going to be intense…
What I find interesting about this piece is that we have an inside perspective. These are soldiers who have personally told the author what they experienced. We play soldiers based on what they said. And these soldiers, we met them. We’ve had conversations with them, and that feeds our interpretations. It’s a unique process that doesn’t happen often. For viewers it will be quite disturbing and very interesting at the same time. The soldiers were present at the readings we held. Afterwards there was a discussion with them and the public. It enriched that experience. After their often traumatic experiences these guys have found their way and it is really touching and enriching to listen to them.
Has filming started again for the next season of ? 5th rank?
We’re going on this month, then there’s another block of rotation until December, which will be our last block, the last call, as they say, after five and a half years.
Photo: Unknown / RADIO-CANADA
Are you getting used to the thought of leaving your character Fred behind?
I’m not there yet, but I have a feeling it’s coming. I know my heart hurts… It was such a good time to live! They say it’s soap opera writing, but I think it’s a very strong soap opera. In terms of the script and directing alone, this is quality television.
DOMINIC GOUIN
Would you say that this role was significant for your career?
Yes, really. I had already played the texts of Pierre (Poirier) and Sylvie (Lussier), the fifth-rate authors behind L’auberge du chien noir (in which Maxim played Olivier Marcoux). But that’s different because Fred is a really important character on the show and there’s something unique about him. He’s an exceptional cop with a very human side. And I think the police need positive numbers right now. I like that side of him. He is a man of integrity and integrity who can be truly trusted. I enjoy playing it.
There are many people who have joined 5th rank on the road and who have become frequent viewers of this soap opera…
The fact that people are so attached to this series out of curiosity makes me say it’s well done. Then we can’t stop. It’s still a good sign that we’re managing to keep the spectators. It’s a masterpiece and we’re happy.
DOMINIC GOUIN
Will you be making a film during the year?
No, there’s no cinema at the moment, but we’ll see, there are always random things that come up. This is the life of an actor.
As an actor, do you dream of doing something special in the next few years?
Seems like I’ve never seen the job like this before. I always went there with the roles I was offered. I have this chance and I’ve never had a desire to play very specific things. I have always been very spoiled by the roles that have been offered to me. It looks like I’m going from surprise to surprise. For example, I just did an impromptu substitute for the track “Traces d’étoiles” with Mylène Mackay at the Rideau Vert. (Maxim replaced the ailing Émile Schneider.) I never thought I would ever play this in my life! It was a challenging score, but really fun to play. It was an extraordinary role! I’m living in a fabulous time right now.
More details on the 5 bullets in the head part.
series 5th rank will be back on Radio-Canada in the fall.
• Also read: Indefensible completely eclipses STAT with its many Gemini nominations