Looking for an adventure series with a classic, old-school spirit? For a time, Netflix is offering us a chance to take a break from AI and futuristic plots and dive into a series of a bygone era: an adventure in 16th-century France with a protagonist full of character.
Netflix is set to launch an ambitious European production that combines period drama with the intensity of a modern thriller: Néro the Assassin. Produced by Karé Productions, the series delves into the turbulent landscape of early 16th-century France to tell the story of a lethal assassin forced to embark on a dangerous journey of redemption alongside a daughter he barely knows. Néro the Assassin is a French historical thriller, a genre with the power to captivate audiences worldwide.
A Kingdom of Drought and Dissent: The Historical Backdrop
The series’ plot is anchored in a specific and volatile historical context, transporting the viewer to a world of intrigue, violence, and survival. The story unfolds in the south of France in the year 1504, during what has been described as the greatest drought the country had ever known.
This time frame is no coincidence; it corresponds to a period of profound change and conflict in Europe. Although France was in the process of centralizing under the monarchy, it remained a mosaic of regions with strong local identities and privileges. The region of Provence, where the action is set, had joined the French crown just a few decades earlier, in 1481, on the condition that it maintain its administrative autonomy. However, the 16th century was marked by increasing control from the king, which created tensions with local power structures. This backdrop of climatic aridity and political turmoil provides an ideal canvas for a story of betrayal and persecution, a danger-rich environment in which the characters’ drama will unfold.
Vengeance and Kinship
Through the odyssey of its protagonists, the series explores broken family ties and the possibility of redemption in the midst of chaos.
The Protagonist: The Cynical Assassin Néro
At the heart of the story is Néro, a character defined as a “dangerous,” “cynical,” and “ruthless” assassin. His initial description establishes him as a hardened anti-hero, a professional killer who operates with brutal efficiency. The catalyst for the plot is a devastating betrayal at the hands of his “lifelong master and ally,” an act that instantly transforms him from predator to prey and provides him with a powerful motivation for revenge.
From this moment on, Néro becomes a fugitive, “hunted by dangerous enemies” who are now on his trail. The official French trailer confirms that the story is told from his point of view, with a line of dialogue that sets the personal tone of the narrative: “je m’appelle Nero. et voici mon histoire” (“My name is Néro. And this is my story”). This suggests that the audience will experience events through the intimate perspective of a man whose life has been stripped of all certainty.
The Catalyst: The Daughter, Perla
Néro’s escape takes an unexpected turn when he is forced to “recover and protect” his daughter, Perla, whom he had lost track of long ago. The young woman has lived as an orphan until this point, a detail that underscores her complete abandonment by her father.
Their reunion is marked by conflict and mistrust. The trailer illustrates this initial fracture starkly: while Néro scoffs, “je la connais pas cette gamine moi” (“I don’t know this kid”), another character confirms the painful truth to Perla: “c’est ton père” (“he’s your father”). The young woman’s bewilderment and pain are encapsulated in her question: “pourquoi tu m’as jamais dit que j’avais un père” (“Why did you never tell me I had a father?”).
The Journey: A Dangerous Path to Redemption
The series is explicitly structured as a “journey between vengeance and redemption.” Néro’s central conflict is deeply internal: he is forced to choose between “saving himself or saving his daughter.” This dilemma becomes the emotional engine of the story.
Father and daughter are thrown into an epic escape alongside a “band of misfit and dysfunctional companions.” Their immediate goal is to reach a safe place called “Sigure,” the only refuge where the “forces of evil” pursuing her cannot reach them. This forced journey is not just an escape but also a process of transformation. Perla ceases to be a passive victim and demands of her father: “je vais apprendre à me battre tu m’apprendras” (“I’m going to learn to fight, you will teach me”). Néro’s response, “tu es moins forte mais tu as un avantage. personne te verra venir” (“You are weaker, but you have an advantage: no one will see you coming”), marks the beginning of their relationship as mentor and apprentice, and the start of rebuilding their bond.
The Enigma of “Saving the World”
Official synopses raise the stakes by suggesting that Néro’s choice transcends the personal, as it could involve saving “the world.” This enigmatic phrase suggests a wider conspiracy or a fantasy element linked to Perla’s destiny, setting the series apart from a conventional historical drama. By linking the fate of a young woman to that of the world, the narrative introduces a high-stakes component that amplifies the tension and mystery surrounding the “dangerous enemies” and “forces of evil” that haunt them.
The Creative Visionaries: The Team Behind “Néro the Assassin”
The stylistic and thematic identity of the series is defined by a creative team with a notable track record in French film and television. Their previous experience offers clues about the tone and approach to expect from Néro the Assassin.
The Directors: Allan Mauduit and Ludovic Colbeau-Justin
The series is directed by Allan Mauduit and Ludovic Colbeau-Justin. Mauduit’s filmography is particularly revealing. He co-directed the feature film Ugly Melanie and the award-winning television series Kabul Kitchen, which won a FIPA d’Or, in addition to solo directing the film Rebels.
Mauduit’s work is characterized by a bold mix of genres. Rebels was described as a “wacky comedy set against a thriller backdrop,” while Kabul Kitchen used comedy to explore the complex scenario in Afghanistan. In an interview about Rebels, Mauduit revealed his creative philosophy, stating that he likes to “change the context” and “shake up the genre.” He also expressed a particular interest in writing “unconventional women” and using “Girl Power” to subvert patriarchal archetypes.
The Writing Team and Composer
The series’ screenplay is the result of a collaborative effort between Martin Douaire, Allan Mauduit, Jean-Patrick Benes, Raphaëlle Richet, and Nicolas Digard. Mauduit’s involvement as both writer and director confirms his deep integration into the project’s DNA. The musical score, a key element in establishing the atmosphere of suspense and drama, has been composed by Guillaume Roussel.
Allan Mauduit’s established track record as the primary creative force suggests that Néro the Assassin will challenge the conventions of traditional historical drama. The series is likely to feature a modern narrative sensibility, a dynamic pace, and a particularly complex story arc for its young female protagonist, Perla. Mauduit’s philosophy of subverting genres and empowering his female characters fits perfectly with Perla’s transformation from orphan to warrior-in-training. This positions the series not just as Néro’s redemption story, but as a dual-protagonist narrative, using history as a vibrant stage rather than a stylistic constraint.
The Faces of a Dangerous Era: A Prestigious Cast
To bring this story of survival and redemption to life, the production has assembled a prestigious cast from the French cinematic landscape, led by a performer of proven talent and charisma.
The Protagonist: Pio Marmaï as Néro
The lead role of Néro is played by the acclaimed French actor Pio Marmaï. His extensive career has been recognized by critics, with multiple nominations for the César Awards—the highest honor in French cinema—in categories such as Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, and Most Promising Actor. This distinction underscores his status within the industry.
His filmography demonstrates remarkable versatility, ranging from comedies like Yannick to powerful dramas such as Happening and The Divide. Crucially for this project, Marmaï has direct experience in large-scale historical action cinema, having recently played Porthos in the two-part 2023 epic The Three Musketeers.
A Solid Supporting Cast
Alongside Marmaï, the main cast features a talented group of actors. The young Lili-Rose Carlier Taboury plays Perla, Néro’s daughter, in what will be a key role for her career. The cast is rounded out by renowned figures such as Olivier Gourmet as Horace, Louis-Do de Lencquesaing as Rochemort, and Alice Isaaz as Hortense, as well as Camille Razat and Yann Gael. The presence of this experienced supporting cast promises to enrich the series’ world and provide a solid foundation for the narrative.
The Production Landscape: Creating a Pan-European 16th Century
The ambition of Néro the Assassin is reflected not only in its narrative but also in the tangible scale of its production—an international effort designed to build an immersive and visually spectacular world.
The series is structured as a complete narrative arc over eight 52-minute episodes. Filming represented a major logistical challenge, taking place in three European countries: France, Italy, and Spain. The specific locations trace a journey across the Western Mediterranean, covering the regions of Occitania and Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur in France; Liguria in Italy; and Catalonia and the Valencian Community in Spain. Cities such as Ventimiglia, Menton, Cannes, Barcelona, and Valencia are among the filming locations, illustrating the series’ vast geographical canvas.
The synopsis repeatedly emphasizes that Néro is “on the run.” The geographical scope of the shoot directly reflects the characters’ journey in the story. Therefore, the choice to film in these diverse European landscapes is a tool to visually reinforce the epic scale of the chase, making the threat feel immense and inescapable and communicating the desperation of the protagonists’ flight to the viewer.
The Arrival of “Néro the Assassin”
Ultimately, Néro the Assassin presents itself as a high-end French historical thriller, defined by its fusion of heart-pounding action and a deeply personal story of redemption. The series is built on key elements: a leading performance by Pio Marmaï, a creative vision from Allan Mauduit that promises to modernize the genre, and a pan-European production scale that guarantees a first-rate visual spectacle.
The series premieres on Netflix on October 8.
