Season 1
Treme is an American television drama series created by David Simon and Eric Overmyer which begins three months after Hurricane Katrina where the residents of New Orleans, including musicians, chefs, Mardi Gras Indians, and other New Orleanians try to rebuild their lives, their homes and their unique culture in the aftermath of the 2005 hurricane.
The series takes its name from Tremé, a neighbourhood in the city of New Orleans. It premiered in the USA on HBO on 11 April, 2010.
Treme premiered in South Africa on DStv's Mzansi Magic channel on Monday 7 March 2011, at 21h30. See "Seasons" below for seasonal broadcast dates and times.
Season 1
From David Simon, creator of The Wire and Generation Kill, and Eric Overmyer, writer-producer of Homicide and Law & Order, Treme is set in post-Katrina New Orleans, chronicling the rebuilding of a unique American culture after historic devastation.
Treme refers to one of New Orleans' oldest neighbourhoods, an historically important source of African-American music and culture.
Treme begins in fall 2005, three months after Hurricane Katrina. The drama follows the interconnected stories of several struggling musicians and locals, including Antoine Batiste (Wendell Pierce), a smooth-talking trombonist.
His ex-wife and bar owner, LaDonna Batiste-Williams (Khandi Alexander), concerned over the disappearance of her younger brother Daymo, turns to the local civil rights attorney Antoinette "Toni" Bernette (Melissa Leo) for help.
Bernette's husband Creighton (John Goodman), a local professor, becomes an outspoken critic of the government's response to the devastation.
Steve Zahn plays Davis McAlary, a rebellious local DJ and musician. McAlary's sometimes girlfriend, Chef Janette Desautel (Kim Dickens), struggles to regain momentum for her newly re-opened restaurant.
Elsewhere in the city, displaced Mardi Gras Indian chief Albert Lambreaux (Clarke Peters) returns to his devastated neighbourhood, determined to rebuild his way of life.
His son Delmond, a successful jazz musician, is torn between his family in New Orleans and his life in New York. And talented violinist Annie (Lucia Micarelli) and her boyfriend Sonny (Michiel Huisman), are street musicians in the Quarter looking for their big break.
The series also features real-life musicians Kermit Ruffins, Elvis Costello, Allen Toussaint, Dr. John and members of the Treme and Rebirth Brass Bands.
The ensemble cast of Treme includes Wendell Pierce as Antoine Batiste; Khandi Alexander as LaDonna Batiste-Williams; Clarke Peters as Albert Lambreaux; Rob Brown as Delmond Lambreaux; Steve Zahn as Davis McAlary; Kim Dickens as Janette Desautel; Melissa Leo as Toni Bernette; John Goodman as Creighton Bernette; Michiel Huisman as Sonny; and classical violinist Lucia Micarelli as Annie.
In addition to Simon and Overmyer, Nina K. Noble also serves as an executive producer. Anthony Hemingway is the supervising producer.
In addition to Simon and Overmyer, the writing staff includes consulting producer George Pelecanos and executive producer (episodes 11-13) James Yoshimura, as well as New Orleans-based writers Tom Piazza, Lolis Eric Elie and Mari Kornhauser.
Seasons
Series exclusive to Mzansi Magic
Season 1 (10 episodes)
Premiere: 7 March 2011 | Finale: 9 May 2011 | Mondays, 21h30
Season 2 (11 episodes)
Premiere: 17 September 2011 | Finale: 26 November 2011 | Saturdays, 22h00