Changes at Netflix’s French Originals Division

Clementine Gayet and Jimmy Desmarais, two senior executives overseeing Netflix’s French scripted originals, are set to depart from the streaming platform by the end of the year, as reported by Variety.

This news comes amidst a series of high-profile exits from Netflix in France, including Damien Couvreur, the former VP of series and documentaries who left earlier this summer. Additionally, Ingha Mago, a junior executive and creative associate of French Original Series, will also be stepping down alongside Desmarais and Gayet. When approached for comment, Netflix declined to provide any official statement.

Heading Netflix’s French team is Pauline Dauvin, who joined the company at the beginning of 2024 in the newly established role of VP of content for France.

Under Dauvin’s leadership, the French team now consists of Dolores Emile as head of unscripted series, Pierre Saint-André overseeing scripted series, and Gaelle Mareschi in charge of film. It remains uncertain whether the positions vacated by Gayet and Desmarais will be filled.

One of Netflix’s most successful French series to date is “Lupin,” a thrilling heist comedy-drama set in Paris and starring Omar Sy as Assane Diop, a character inspired by the iconic Arsène Lupin. Produced by Gaumont, the third season of “Lupin” debuted in October 2023, quickly climbing to the top spot on Netflix’s Global Top 10. Industry sources suggest that a fourth installment is currently in the works.

Aside from “Lupin,” another standout French original series on Netflix is “Family Business,” a comedy featuring Jonathan Cohen and Gerard Darmon as a father-son duo who transform their butcher shop into a cannabis café. The show concluded with its third season in late 2021. It’s worth noting that “Call My Agent!” is not considered a Netflix original series as it was commissioned by French broadcaster France Televisions.

Omar Sy is also set to star in Netflix’s upcoming French romantic comedy, “French Lover,” alongside Sara Giraudeau, Pascale Arbillot, and Alban Ivanov. The film, currently in post-production, is a collaboration between Zazi Films, Federation Studio France, and Korokoro Productions, with plans for a 2025 release on Netflix.