Sparkling Procedurals Give Gallic Producers a French Touch
variety.comBen Croll Move over Scandinoir, because Gallic producers are giving crime the French Touch. Beloved at home and lucrative abroad, a new strain of audience inclusive procedurals has paved inroads on the international market.
Indeed, fueled by the earlier success of long-running series “Candice Renoir,” and made stratospheric by smashes “HPI” and “Tandem,” the so-called “light crime” genre has become a new French delicacy. “The genre skillfully blends criminal investigations with everyday moments, creating a balance between mystery and the light, family tone,” says Mediawan Rights exec Randall Broman. “[We’ve seen] a growing demand for lighter, more reassuring content, while viewers appreciate the captivating plots without excessive violence.
This ability to blend intrigue and humor makes French producers leading players in the genre.” Megahit “HPI” delivered 11 million viewers at home and has sold to over 110 territories, while the U.S.
remake will premiere later this month on ABC and Hulu. Other recent successes in this field have had a similar knock-on effect, drawing attention to French productions writ large while showing new potential in the U.S., Latin America and Japan, alongside established territories in Europe.
Read more on variety.com