Life in the fast lane has become the norm for SA musician Reanne de Klerk, since leaving her homeland some years ago to pursue new horizons in Hollywood. Having worked back home as a distinguished saxophonist, with prestigious collaborations under her belt with entities such as the KZN Philharmonic Orchestra, Reanne has made steady progress, carving out a new career for herself as a much-in-demand music editor in the world’s movie capital. The latest addition to the string of high-profile films and TV shows already gracing her burgeoning portfolio is the long-awaited Queer as Folk reboot series. This began streaming on NBC’s Peacock platform in the United States on 9 June, with further premieres following internationally in close succession.
The new Queer as Folk is a vibrant reimagining of the ground-breaking 1999 British series created by Russell T. Davies, which was set in Manchester in the UK. The new series takes place in New Orleans. It centres on a group of club-going friends who find support in the gay community following a tragedy.
With casting including among others, Devin Way, Fin Argus, Jesse James Keitel, Kim Cattrall, Juliette Lewis and Ed Begley Jr, the Queer as Folk reboot is created, written, and executive-produced by Stephen Dunn (Closet Monster), who also directs the pilot. Davies is indeed returning as executive producer, alongside Lee Eisenberg, Emily Brecht, Nicola Shindler, and Richard Halliwell.
“It is a surreal honour to adapt the notoriously ground-breaking series by Russell T. Davies. When the show originally aired, the idea of unapologetic queer stories on TV was so provocative that I felt I could only watch Queer as Folk in secret,” Dunn said in a statement.
“But so much has changed in the last 20 years, and how wonderful would it be if the next generation didn’t have to watch Queer as Folk alone in their dank basements with the sound muted, but with their family and friends and the volume cranked all the way to the max.”
Commenting on her association with the new Queer as Folk project, Reanne de Klerk says she greatly valued working with composer, Jasha Klebe, who has worked alongside the legendary Hans Zimmer.
Other movie projects Reanne has worked on since moving to the United States include some twenty TV series, among them: The Black Godfather; The Rookie; and God Befriended Me.
Aside from her work in Hollywood’s film industry, Reanne de Klerk is also continuing her professional career as a saxophonist. She is currently working on an album. Clearly, this industrious and versatile creative thrives on the challenges of life in the fast lane.
