Breaking News: Amazon MGM Studios' 'The Glass House' Premiere Shatters Records at Series Mania Festival

Amazon MGM Studios' limited series 'The Glass House,' starring Martin Matte, has been selected to close the Series Mania Festival, a double milestone for Prime Video. This six-part drama-comedy is the first scripted French-language production from Amazon MGM Studios' Canadian division. Moreover, it is the first original Canadian Prime Video series to secure the coveted closing spot at the festival. This achievement is a clear indication that local stories have global appeal when executed with exceptional craftsmanship. The series tells the story of an entrepreneur who confronts societal changes in 1990s Montreal, a context that resonates with Matte's own life. The selection of 'Vitrerie Joyal', the series' French title, demonstrates the connection of local stories with international audiences.

Martin Matte, known for his autobiographical series 'Les beaux malaises', created 'The Glass House' based on an idea that he had been developing for ten years. The series explores the 1990s, a period of social and personal change for Matte. The story is inspired by his father's life and business, as well as family struggles, resulting in an emotional journey that goes from situational comedy to darker realities. Matte recounts that, while writing the script, he could 'hear the way my father talked about things 30 years ago, when he had serious problems in the business, when my brother had a major accident'. For Matte, the series is an important evolution, and he confesses that he was moved to tears while writing it.

Guillaume Lonergan, whose directing career took off after winning the 2025 Series Mania Audience Award with 'Empathy', found a personal connection in 'Glass House'. Lonergan and Matte lived their twenties during the 1995 Quebec referendum, which allowed them to understand the social context of the series. The central theme of the series is the refusal to change and how you embrace change in life. Lonergan describes the series as a journey that moves from comedy to drama, from light to dark, something that has become a kind of specialty for him. The director highlights the importance of casting to achieve this effect, ensuring that it is a fundamental part of the series' success.

On the first day of production of 'The Glass House', a table read was held with the entire cast, creating an immersive atmosphere. The attention to detail in the locations, sets, costumes and music is reminiscent of period dramas like 'Mad Men', but the inspirations were Matte's family photos and memories. The series is set in the context of the 1995 referendum in Montreal, a culturally intense moment. The search for a suitable office for the series was a challenge, as the vitrines (glazier's shops) found were too modern. Finally, a replica of the workplace was built on set, with iconic elements of the time such as the Rolodex and old telephones. Matte remembers having the most valued calculator of the 90s on his desk, the same one his father used.

The premiere of 'The Glass House' at Series Mania not only celebrates the series itself, but also the success of content production in Quebec. This event underscores the growing connection between Quebec talent and stories with international companies and audiences. The fact that a French-language series, with a local theme, is selected to close an international festival of the caliber of Series Mania, is a clear sign of the growing importance of content production in Quebec and its ability to connect with audiences around the world. This milestone opens new doors for future projects and consolidates Amazon MGM Studios' position in the high-quality series market.