MONTREAL — Prime Video will premiere its latest Canadian original, Vitrerie Joyal (The Glass House), on May 1, marking another high-profile domestic production for the global streaming platform. The six-part limited series, created by Quebec comedian and producer Martin Matte, will debut internationally as the closing night gala selection at Series Mania in Lille, France, on March 27.
The period comedy-drama, directed by Guillaume Lonergan (Empathie, Audrey est revenue), was announced Wednesday as the festival’s official closing title — a marquee slot that signals growing international attention for Canadian French-language productions.
“Martin and the team at Encore have created a bold, funny and moving series with Vitrerie Joyal. Its selection for the closing night gala at Series Mania is a testament to the exceptional quality of Canadian storytelling and the talented producers we’re privileged to work with,” said Brent Haynes, Head of Originals, Canada, Amazon MGM Studios. “This series exemplifies our commitment to collaborating with Canadian creators like Martin Matte to bring authentic, compelling and visionary stories to our Canadian customers.”
The world premiere in Lille will be attended by Matte, Lonergan and cast members Pier-Luc Funk, Pierre-Yves Roy-Desmarais, Marilyse Bourke, Florence Longpré, Guillaume Cyr and François Chénier.
A Personal Story Anchored in Quebec’s 1990s Economy
Set in Quebec during the 1990s — a decade marked by economic transformation and cultural tension between tradition and modernization — Vitrerie Joyal follows the rise of a first-generation entrepreneur who builds a glass business from the ground up. The character of André Joyal, portrayed by Matte, is inspired by the life of the creator’s father.
The series explores themes of ambition, generational change and the emotional cost of success, framing a family story within a broader socio-economic shift in the province.
“I am deeply touched and proud that Vitrerie Joyal has been selected for Séries Mania. It’s a great honour for a series that is very personal to me, brought to life by such a talented team. I can’t wait for audiences to discover it on Prime Video starting May 1,” said Martin Matte.
Matte co-wrote the series with François Avard. Production is handled by Encore Télévision and Matte TV for Amazon MGM Studios. The project represents a continued investment by Prime Video in locally produced originals tailored to Canadian audiences, while also positioned for international distribution.
Local Production, Global Platform
Filmed entirely in Montreal, Vitrerie Joyal employed more than 150 Quebec film professionals, underscoring the economic footprint of streaming-backed productions in the province’s screen sector.
The cast also includes Steve Laplante, Rémi-Pierre Paquin, Sam Breton and Marcel Leboeuf, rounding out an ensemble of established and emerging Quebec performers.
The project adds to Prime Video’s growing slate of Canadian originals as competition among global streamers intensifies for domestic content. In recent years, the platform has expanded its local-language offerings while leveraging its international reach to elevate regional productions on the global stage.
Prime Video operates as part of the broader Amazon Prime membership ecosystem but also offers transactional rentals and purchases through its Prime Video Store. The service distributes a mix of Amazon MGM Studios originals, licensed programming and live sports.
Encore’s Production Track Record
Montreal-based GROUPE ENCORE, founded in 2000, is among Quebec’s most active independent production companies. Through its Encore Télévision division, the company has produced more than 700 hours of fiction programming, including several award-winning series recognized nationally and internationally.
The company’s portfolio spans scripted drama, comedy, documentary and variety programming, positioning it as a key player in Quebec’s cultural export strategy. Its live entertainment arm, Encore Spectacle, has sold more than four million tickets across comedy tours and theatrical productions featuring prominent Quebec performers.
The Series Mania gala slot places Vitrerie Joyal alongside internationally recognized titles and offers a strategic launchpad ahead of its Canadian streaming debut.
With its blend of autobiographical storytelling and period business narrative, Prime Video is betting that Vitrerie Joyal will resonate with domestic audiences while showcasing the strength of Quebec’s creative sector abroad.
The series will stream exclusively on Prime Video in Canada beginning May 1.