Is Transatlantic based on a true story? Ending Explained and More
by A Maria
Updated Apr 08, 2023
Transatlantic - TV series
Anna Winger and Daniel Hendler's Transatlantic is a limited television series comprising seven episodes. The show is based on Julie Orringer's novel The Flight Portfolio, which itself is inspired by the real-life Emergency Rescue Committee. The series was selected as the closing entry for the 2023 Festival Séries Mania in March, before its premiere on Netflix on April 7th, 2023. The project was the initial announcement made under Netflix's partnership with Anna Winger's production company, Studio Airlift, which was disclosed in September 2021.
Is Transatlantic based on a true story?
Certainly! Transatlantic is based on the historical fiction novel The Flight Portfolio by Julie Orringer, which is inspired by the true story of the Emergency Rescue Committee. While the series is based on real events and characters, show creator Anna Winger acknowledges that the story is not a history lesson and takes artistic liberties to create a fictional space for the characters. Winger explains that the research process is important, but ultimately, the characters are allowed to take on their own lives in her imagination. One of the biggest fictionalizations in the show is the romance between Varian and Thomas, which is one of several love stories. Winger states that they take great artistic liberty with all the romance and try to create plausible deniability that it could have happened. They aim to balance fun adventures with staying true to the nugget of everything that really happened.
Cast of Transatlantic
CAST
CHARACTER
Gillian Jacobs
Mary Jayne Gold
Lucas Englander
Albert Hirschman
Cory Michael Smith
Varian Fry
Ralph Amoussou
Paul Kandjo
Deleila Piasko
Lisa Fittko
Amit Rahav
Thomas Lovegrove
Grégory Montel
Philippe Frot
Corey Stoll
Graham Patterson
Moritz Bleibtreu
Walter Benjamin
Alexander Fehling
Max Ernst
Jonas Nay
Walter Mehring
Lolita Chammah
Lorène Letoret
Luke Thompson
Hiram "Harry" Bingham
Jodhi May
Peggy Guggenheim
Rafaela Nicolay
Margaux
Henriette Confurius
Lena Fischmann
Yoli Fuller
Souleymane Toure
Nadiv Molcho
Bill Freier
Yulia Antoshchuk
Ukrainian Woman
The Transatlantic series ending explained
Ursula, the sister of Albert, had secured an American visa for him and sent it to Marseilles to enable him to cross over safely. However, Albert had become too deeply involved in the ERC mission and had joined the revolution led by Paul. Despite being in love with Mary Jayne and urged to leave for America with her, Albert had to decline as his American visa was already waiting for him at the consul
Later, Albert confesses the truth to Mary Jayne, and she tries to convince him to leave with her to start a new life together in Chicago. However, Paul is arrested, and Albert's younger brother seeks his help. Margaux, a woman working with British Intelligence, is of no assistance to Paul's brother, despite Paul working for her.
While the rest of the ERC plans a rescue mission for Paul, Varian is occupied with the safety issue of the Chagall family. Bingham assists in stealing the diplomat's car, which allows them to cross borders freely. However, Varian decides to leave Thomas behind despite their plans to stay together at Villa Air-Bel, as he cannot accept his sexuality and love for Thomas.
In the end, Varian escorts the Chagall family out of Marseilles, and they all make it out safely.
Where was Transatlantic filmed?
The limited television series 'Transatlantic' is set in Marseille, France, and the production team filmed on location in various neighbourhoods and sites across the city. The principal photography for the debut season began in March 2022 and concluded in August of the same year. The series is unique in that it is recorded in multiple languages, including English, French, and German. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter in April 2023, co-creator Anna Winger confirmed that the production team shot everything in Marseille, including the real hotel, internment camp, and prison where inmates were kept. Other locations featured in the series are iconic destinations and landmarks of Marseille, such as the Porte d'Aix, La Vieille Charité, the Abbey of Saint-Victor, the Hôtel de Ville, and the Old Port or Vieux-Port. Marseille's locations have been featured in many other film and TV projects, including 'The Son,' 'Army of Shadows,' 'A Mighty Heart,' 'Angel Face,' 'Marseille,' and 'Plan B.'
Is Transatlantic based on a true story - FAQs
Transatlantic is a limited television series consisting of seven episodes. It is based on Julie Orringer's novel The Flight Portfolio, which is inspired by the real-life Emergency Rescue Committee.
Transatlantic was created by Anna Winger and Daniel Hendler.
Transatlantic premiered on Netflix on April 7th, 2023.
Yes, Transatlantic was selected as the closing entry for the 2023 Festival Séries Mania in March.
The partnership was announced in September 2021, with Transatlantic being the first project announced under the partnership.