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Jean-Xavier De Lestrade’s ‘Sambre’ Finds U.S. Home At ‘Babylon Berlin’ Streamer MHz Choice
Jean-Xavier De Lestrade's French thriller "Sambre" has been acquired for the US by MHz Choice, the streamer known for "Babylon Berlin", after already selling to the BBC and HBO Max in Europe. The six-part limited series, from Federation Studios, is a record-breaking hit in France and marks a significant international push for a show tackling the origins of the #MeToo movement.
Written by Alice Géraud and Marc Herpoux and based on Géraud's book, the series is set in late-1980s Northern France and follows the investigation into multiple sexual assaults along the Sambre River, tracing consequences through to 2018. It stars Alix Poisson, Clémence Poesy, Olivier Gourmet, Noémie Lvovsky, Jonathan Turnbull and Pauline Parigot, and drew more than four million viewers per episode on France 2 alongside nearly six million VoD plays. It will launch on MHz Choice on 15 September, with De Lestrade previously known for "The Staircase" and the Oscar-winning documentary "Murder on a Sunday Morning".
In short
- MHz Choice acquires French hit thriller "Sambre" for US streaming
- Series explores 1980s sexual assaults and their #MeToo-era fallout
- Launches 15 September, following BBC and HBO Max deals in Europe
Explained simply
"Sambre" is a French television drama centring on the investigation of multiple sexual assaults that occurred along the Sambre River in northern France during the late 1980s. The six-part limited series traces the crimes and their consequences from that era through to 2018, exploring how institutions and individuals confront historical allegations of sexual misconduct.
The show was created by director Jean-Xavier De Lestrade, known for acclaimed works including the documentary series "The Staircase". It was written by Alice Géraud and Marc Herpoux and is based on Géraud's book, featuring an ensemble cast including Alix Poisson and Clémence Poesy. The series became a major success in France, attracting millions of viewers through broadcast television and streaming platforms.
The series represents a significant moment in European television, where productions from France and other continental countries are gaining prominence on international streaming platforms and broadcasters. The show's proven success in France, combined with its timely subject matter addressing historical sexual misconduct, has made it attractive to global audiences and distributors seeking sophisticated dramas that engage with important social issues.
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