The series “Plaine Orientale” recently enjoyed great success on Canal+. How did you experience the audience’s reception?
When I watched season 1 before it aired for the first time, I realized that Pierre Leccia, the writer and director, had pulled off quite an achievement. That was no easy task after the brilliant Mafiosa seasons 4 and 5. But I was curious to see how the audience would respond to this new story. As soon as the first episodes were broadcast, I could tell it was a hit. On the streets and on my social media, I had never received so many messages praising a project I had been part of.
What can you tell us about the evolution of your character in season 2?
We haven’t received any communication guidelines regarding season 2, so I won’t take the risk of revealing anything that might go against Canal+, Image & Compagnie, or Pierre Leccia who is still writing, by the way. So it’s too early for me to answer.
This series is deeply rooted in Corsica, your homeland. How important is that connection in the way you tell stories?
Consciously or not, your culture, the world you come from or the one you live in if it’s not the same your environment, all play a role, directly or indirectly, in your work as an artist. All of this shapes who you are, along with your individuality, your psychology, and your personal way of perceiving things. So whether your homeland is Corsica or somewhere else, its importance is undeniable.
You will also be back on stage across France with your one-man show “What Happened.” What was the first impulse behind this project?
The first impulse? Simply the desire itself the same drive that pushes you to do things in life. Performing on stage is far more intense than cinema or television. In front of you, there are eyes not a camera lens. I missed that connection with people. And since it’s been 30 years since I started this profession, it’s also a way to celebrate that anniversary.
Between comedy and fiction, which art form feels closer to you today?
When I act, I’m not in imitation or imagination, I’m in emotion. I am the character. To achieve that, you inevitably need to have some part of yourself that aligns with the person you’re portraying. It might be a small, less visible side of your personality, but it’s still part of you. I love both, but I have greater admiration and respect for comedy. It’s a way of saying you love life and of sharing that love with others. Moreover, comedy is, to me, the hardest thing to perform. So when you succeed in making people laugh, the satisfaction is even greater. Playing Belette, the fool I portray in The Clan, is actually more difficult than César Carlotti in Plaine Orientale. But of course, neither of them is easy to play.
You are preparing the release of your new film “Permis de détruire,” scheduled for early 2026. Can you tell us a bit about it?
At the start of the story, we learn that Romain the dentist played by Didier Bourdon in “Permis de construire” has sold the medical center he was building in Corsica, just a few months after moving there. He couldn’t quite adapt to island life. The center is bought by Dominique, another dentist, played by Patrick Timsit. He’s not originally from Corsica but feels more Corsican than the Corsicans themselves. When he finds out that a power plant is going to be built in his village, he decides to oppose the project using a very “Corsican” and rather outdated method: he files a “Permis de détruire.” Thankfully, his friend Olivier, a psychologist from Lyon played by Kad Mérad, is there to help him manage the chaos that follows. And his wife Clémentine, played by Claude Perron, will guide him toward more peaceful solutions.
What are your next projects after such a busy period?
I’m preparing my next film, which could start shooting in spring 2026, along with my tour across France, Belgium, Switzerland, and about ten international dates running from summer 2026 through December 2027. The cherry on top will be performing at the Olympia on January 7, 2027, followed by several Zénith venues. And to top it all off, I’ll be starting to write a beautiful new project… which remains secret for now.
What would you like to say to LiFE Magazine readers?
Dear LiFE readers, you can miss a movie, a series, or anything else but there’s one thing you can’t afford to miss: your own life, your own story. So be happy!
