VAN DER VALK - SERIES 1, EPISODE 1: LOVE IN AMSTERDAM (ITV)

[Favourite of the Month] A classic British TV detective is back. And he's Dutch.

Created by English novelist Nicolas Freeling (1927-2003), Simon "Piet" Van der Valk is a cynical and intuitive Amsterdam police commissioner. Married to a French woman named Arlette, the Commissaris appeared in 11 books from 1962 to 1989. Freeling, who spent most of his life in continental Europe, was an admirer of Belgian author Georges Simenon. Called the "Dutch Maigret", Piet Van der Valk was first portrayed on-screen by German actor Wolfgang Kieling in the British film Amsterdam Affair (1968). Frank Finlay starred in three German/French TV movies between 1972 and 1975 (1). Bryan Marshall played the role in Because of the Cats/Niet voor de poezen, a Dutch-Belgian film released in 1973.

The best remembered version is the Thames Television series Van der Valk (1972-1973, 1977, 1991-1992), with Barry Foster. Eye Level, its theme music, is remembered too. Composed by Jack Trombey (2) and played by the Simon Park Orchestra, it became #1 in the UK charts in 1973. Some novels were adapted in the 1990s by BBC Radio 4. Now the character returns in Van der Valk, a 3 x 90-minute series produced by Company Pictures (Agatha Raisin) for ITV. Filmed entirely in Amsterdam last year, it stars Marc Warren (Beecham House, Hustle) as Piet Van der Valk. Dutch company NL Film (Penoza), Germany's ARD Degeto, Masterpiece (United States) and All3Media International co-produce. Scriptwriter Chris Murray (Agatha Raisin, Midsomer Murders), who exec produces with Michele Buck, brings back the detective for a modern and international audience.

"The original series was gritty, with stories of sex and drugs, and reflected the Amsterdam of its time. We wanted to develop stories about contemporary Amsterdam," explained Chris Murray to French journalist and TV series expert Alain Carrazé at MIPCOM 2019. "The city has always been this amazing cultural melting pot, with a tolerance for different religions.  We wanted to reflect that in a character who is non-judgmental and tolerant. He's interested in art but he also works in the streets. We certainly want to honour the "brand" of Van der Valk but we move it forward. The novels were quite existential and the stories wouldn't work for the TV audience today. So it was more appropriate to start afresh."

One of the notable changes is the absence of Arlette Van der Valk. Piet Van der Valk lives on a sailing barge and his briefing room is a tad unusual. He leads a team  composed of Inspector Lucienne Hassell (played by Maimie McCoy), his second-in-command and close friend, and the laid-back Sergeant Brad de Vries (Luke Allen-Gale). They are joined by the young Lieutenant Job Cloovers (Elliot Barnes-Worrell), who's eager to impress and likes stats. Their boss is the Chief Commissaris Julia Dahlman (Emma Fielding). Hendrik Davie (Darrell D'Silva) is the hard-drinking, full-mouthed pathologist. In Love in Amsterdam (3), the first episode, politics and art are linked when two seemingly unrelated men are found murdered on the same day and a young left-wing activist is missing.

The fresh approach of Chris Murray, who wrote the three episodes, works brilliantly. It doesn't exclude a bit of humour. Marc Warren is great as the moody detective. The excellent Maimie McCoy and him succeed in making the relationship between Van der Valk and Lucienne interesting. The rest of the regular cast is very good. With Frances Grey (Claudia Oosterhuis), Daniel Lapaine (Paul Oosterhuis), Stephanie Léonidas (Eva Meisner), Vineeta Rishi (Therese Remecker), Frieda Barnhard (Agatha Vos), Kees Boot (Bartel Peters), Reinout Bussemeker (Ed de Klerk), Mike Libanon (Cliff Palache), Peter Van Heerigen (Frank), etc. Director Colin Teague and Tibor Dingelstad, the Director of photography, know how to take advantage of the locations, especially the canals and the Rijksmuseum.

The talented Dutch composer Matthijs Kieboom (Master Spy) did a perfect job with the soundtrack. His superb theme intro, entitled Dutch Detective, nods to Eye Level. Produced by Keith Thompson. David Swetman and Louise Pedersen exec produce for All3Media International. Ronald Versteeg, Kaja Wolffers and Sabine Brian co-produce for NL Film.  Alexander Blaauw is the line producer. Ian Strachan is the head of production. Edited by Sándor Soeteman. Jaap Hoek is the art director. Production designed by Alfred Schaaf. The beautiful main title sequence was designed by Planet X Title Design. Production supported by the NL Film Incentive. Distributed by All3Media International, Van der Valk will be shown in Germany next month on Das Erste as Kommissar Van der Valk.

(1) Van der Valk und das Mädchen, Van der Valk und die Reichen and Le bouc émissaire, aired in France as episodes of Pas de frontières pour l'inspecteur.
(2) A pseudonym of Dutch composer Jan Stoeckart (1927-2017).
(3) Love in Amsterdam is also the title of the first Van der Valk novel.

Special thanks to Alain Carrazé (8 Art Global).

 

https://tattard2.blogspot.com/2020/06/van-der-valk-series-1-episode-2-only-in.html  (Episode 2)   

https://tattard2.blogspot.com/2020/06/van-der-valk-series-1-episode-3-death.html  (Episode 3) 

 

[Update - October 6, 2020]  Aired by pubcaster France 3 as Les enquêtes du commissaire Van der Valk, this contemporary adaptation of the character created by English author Nicolas Freeling is available here on DVD from this week thanks to L'Atelier d'images (https://www.latelierdimages.fr/produit/les-enquetes-du-commissaire-van-der-valk-saison-1/).

https://www.radiotimes.com/news/tv/2020-04-24/van-der-valk-itv-locations-amsterdam/
https://www.matthijskieboom.com/
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/1436726/Nicolas-Freeling.html

See also:

https://www.rijksmuseum.nl/en
https://www.programme-tv.net/tag/previously/ (Alain Carrazé's podcast about TV series)

MONEY. MURDER. ZURICH. (DER ZÜRICH-KRIMI) - EPISODE 5: BORCHERT UND DIE MÖRDERISCHE GIER (DAS ERSTE, 2019)

Launched in 2016, the brilliant 90-minute crime drama Der Zürich-Krimi returned this week on German pubcaster Das Erste with Borchert und die tödliche Falle. Borchert und der fatale Irrtum and Borchert und der Tote im See will follow.

Last year, the pubcaster aired two episodes: Borchert und die mörderische Gier and Borchert und der Sündenfall. Episodes 1 to 4 of Money. Murder. Zurich. (the international title of Der Zürich-Krimi) are available in the United States on the SVOD service MHZ Choice.

Der Zürich-Krimi stars the great Christian Kohlund (Das Traumhotel, Black Forest Clinic) as the melancholic Thomas Borchert, an "unlicensed attorney" who works in Zurich for lawyer Dominique Kuster. Ina Paule Klink (Wilsberg) co-stars as Dominique. Felix Kramer plays Police captain Marco Furrer (1). Star lawyer Dr. Reto Zanger, Dominique Kuster's father and an old friend of Thomas, is played by Robert Hunger-Bühler.

Other regulars are Susi Banzhaf as Regula Gabrielli (Dominique's assistant), Andrea Zogg as Beat Bürki－Borchert's "personal" taxi driver, and Yves Wüthrich (Urs Aeggi, Furrer's deputy). Dominique and Regula hear a strange message on the law firm's voicemail. A distraught young man named Julian Stolz requires a legal help in emergency without further precision. As he recklessly rides his motorcycle on the way to her office, he has a traffic accident and falls into coma.

Touched by the situation of Julian because it reminds him of a personal tragedy, Thomas Borchert starts his own investigation. Stolz, an art student, had a strong interest for Islam and he was linked to the mysterious Said Allawi. The police finds out that a dark van with fake diplomatic licence plates is involved in the "accident". Julian's father is a shady businessman who sells illegal antiques. Borchert feels that this case is less about extremism and more about greed.

Written by Wolf Jacoby (the SOKO franchise) and directed by Roland Suso Richter (The Tunnel), Börchert und die mörderische Gier is an effective return to thriller after the more conventional Borchert und die Macht der Gewohneit. Christian Kohlund, whose presence is always impressive, leads an excellent cast including a subtle and charismatic performance by Neil Malik Abdullah (4 Blocks) as Imam Sheik Ibrahim Al-Khatib.

Also with Kai Wiesinger (Heller), Valery Tscheplanowa (Lisa Stolz), Justus Czaja (Julian Stolz), Alireza Bayram (Said Allawi), etc. Produced by Graf Film for ARD Degeto and Das Erste. Co-produced with Mia Film. Produced by Klaus Graf, Annemarie Pilgram and Michal Pokorný. Kirsten Frehse (ARD Degeto) is the line producer.

Music by Michael Klaukien and Andreas Lonardoni. Cinematography by Max Knauer. Filmed in Prague and Zurich. Made with the support of the Czech Film Fund. Distributed by Beta Film.

(1) Katrin Bauerfeind played Dominique Kuster in the first episode. Pierre Kiwitt replaced Felix Kramer as Police captain Marco Furrer from Episode 7.

https://tattard2.blogspot.com/2020/04/money-murder-zurich-der-zurich-krimi.html (Episode 7)
https://tattard2.blogspot.com/2019/07/money-murder-zurich-der-zurich-krimi.html (Episodes 3 & 4)
https://tattard2.blogspot.com/2019/06/money-murder-zurich-der-zurich-krimi.html (Episodes 1 & 2) 

See:

https://www.daserste.de/unterhaltung/film/der-zuerich-krimi/index.html
http://www.kohlund.com/
https://crush.de/klient/neil-malik-abdullah/
https://www.graffilm.com/en/company.html

MONEY. MURDER. ZURICH. (DER ZÜRICH-KRIMI) - EPISODE 7: BORCHERT UND DIE TÖDLICHE FALLE (DAS ERSTE)

Launched in 2016, the brilliant German crime drama Der Zürich-Krimi returned yesterday on Das Erste. This spring, the pubcaster will show three new 90-minute TV movies: Borchert und die tödliche Falle, Borchert und der fatale Irrtum and Borchert und der Tote im See.

Der Zürich-Krimi stars the great Christian Kohlund (Das Traumhotel, Black Forest Clinic) as Thomas Borchert, an "unlicensed attorney" who works in Zurich for lawyer Dominique Kuster. Ina Paule Klink (Wilsberg) co-stars as Dominique (1). Robert Hunger-Bühler plays Dr. Reto Zanger, a star lawyer who's also Dominique Kuster's father and an old friend of Thomas. Other regulars are Pierre Kiwitt (Police captain Marco Furrer), Susi Banzhaf as Regula Gabrielli, Andrea Zogg as Beat Bürki－Borchert's "personal" taxi driver, and Yves Wüthrich (Urs Aeggi). Thomas Kügel returns as Major Beat Wenger.

Reto, who's busy with a mega business deal, asks Dominique to replace him in court at short notice. Alexander Böni, her client, is serving a prison sentence for the robbery of an armoured truck but he's due to be released for good behaviour. The hearing doesn't turn out as planned when Böni takes everyone hostage, including Dominique Kuster, with a gun which was  hidden under his table. Captain Furrer, who arrives first at the courthouse with his deputy, must act as the negotiator in spite of his feelings for Dominique.

Alexander Böni demands 2 million U.S. dollars and a helicopter but Borchert starts to wonder about the real motives behind the actions of the hostage taker, who's a family man with a young son. While Thomas races against the clock to find answers, he discovers that Reto Zanger may hold some of them. Written by Wolf Jacoby (the SOKO franchise) and directed by Roland Suso Richter (The Tunnel), Börchert und die tödliche Falle is a most effective and truly gripping thriller served by excellent actors.

With Golo Euler (Alexander Böni), Kathleen Gallego Zapata (Marie-Louise Mildenberger), Matthias Bundschuh (Dr. Kugler), Stephan A. Töller (Peter Zuber), Torsten Ranft (Hermann Oehli), Christian Bojidar (Sherdan Berashi), Maike Juttendonk (Lucie Schmitt), Jürg Löw (Paul Loitner), etc. Produced by Graf Film for ARD Degeto and Das Erste. Co-produced with Mia Film. Produced by Klaus Graf, Annemarie Pilgram and Michal Pokorný. Kirsten Frehse (ARD Degeto) is the line producer.

Music by Michael Klaukien. Cinematography by Max Knauer. Filmed in Prague and Zurich. Made with the support of the Czech Film Fund. Distributed by Beta Film. Episodes 1 to 4 of Money. Murder. Zurich. (the international title of Der Zürich-Krimi) are available in the United States on the SVOD service MHZ Choice.

(1) Katrin Bauerfeind played Dominique Kuster in the first episode.

https://tattard2.blogspot.com/2019/07/money-murder-zurich-der-zurich-krimi.html (Episodes 3 & 4)
https://tattard2.blogspot.com/2019/06/money-murder-zurich-der-zurich-krimi.html (Episodes 1 & 2) 

See:

https://www.daserste.de/unterhaltung/film/der-zuerich-krimi/index.html
http://www.kohlund.com/
https://www.graffilm.com/en/company.html

AGATHA RAISIN - SERIES 3, EPISODE 1: AGATHA RAISIN AND THE HAUNTED HOUSE (ACORN TV)

The third series (four 90-minute episodes) of British mystery comedy-drama Agatha Raisin premiered on U.S. streaming service Acorn TV between Autumn 2019 and Winter 2020.
 

Ex-London PR queen turned detective Agatha Raisin first appeared in a series of mystery novels written by M.C. Beaton (the pseudonym of Marion Chesney), who died in December 2019. Beaton was also the author of the Hamish Macbeth books. Penelope Keith played the character for BBC Radio 4 from 2004 to 2006. In 2014, Ashley Jensen (Ugly Betty, Extras) starred in the title role of Agatha Raisin and the Quiche of Death, a fun, fast-paced and charming Christmas special aired on Sky 1. 

Following the success of The Quiche of Death, Sky commissioned a 8 X 60-minute series aired from June to July 2016. In France, Agatha Raisin was shown by pubcaster France 3. Sky 1 gave up on a second series but streaming service Acorn TV ordered three new 90-minute episodes, available between Autumn 2018 and Winter 2019. The third series of Agatha Raisin started on Acorn for Halloween 2019 with Agatha Raisin and The Haunted House.

Agatha Raisin is now officially a private investigator and she opens her agency in a former chapel. Despite the help of Roy Silver and a lot of publicity, she still doesn't have a case until James Lacey mentions Ivy Hall. This manor in Hebberdon, owned by Olivia Witherspoon, is said to be haunted by Sir Geoffrey Lamont (murdered in 1651). Regularly annoyed by ghost hunters and those seeking a treasure rumoured to be hidden somewhere on the estate, the cantankerous Mrs Witherspoon is now terrified by some strange phenomena.

Agatha and James convince her that they can solve this mystery. They spend the night at Ivy Hall while Roy and Sarah Bloxby gather information at the local pub, frequented by men dressed for a big battle reenactment which must take place on the property of Sir Charles. DCI Denzel Wilkes takes his role for the event a bit too seriously. Agatha's housekeeper Gemma asked her cousin Toni Gilmour to replace her. Cleaning up is not Toni's forte but she has a very special talent. Olivia Witherspoon is murdered.

Agatha Raisin often feels like a parody of Midsomer Murders. It was true right from The Quiche of Death but it's even more blatant since the two dramas are produced by the same group, All3Media, via different companies. They share producers, writers, directors, guest actors, the same composer (Evan Jolly, who works on Midsomer since Series 21) and their locations look very similar. The pleasant and entertaining Agatha Raisin and the Haunted House was penned by Julia Gilbert, who wrote three excellent Midsomer Murders. 

Ashley Jensen and her co-stars are brilliant in this acknowledged nod to Scooby-Doo, although the availability of the actors seems to be a problem from an episode to another. Toni, played by Jodie Tyack, is a great addition to the gang. Also with Mathew Horne (Roy), Jamie Glover (James Lacey), Jason Merrells (Sir Charles Fraith), Lucy Liemann (Sarah), Matt McCooey (DC Bill Wong), Jason Barnett (DCI Wilkes), Marcia Warren (Mrs Boggle), Mark Aiken (Florian Devere), Richenda Carey (Olivia), Joe Sims (Barry Briar), Clare Holman (Robin Barley), etc.

Produced by Free@Last TV and Company Pictures (an All3Media company). Co-produced by Acorn Media Enterprises (a division of RLJ Entertainment, Inc.). Barry Ryan and David A. Walton exec produce for Free@Last TV. Michele Buck exec produces for Company Pictures. Catherine Mackin exec produces for Acorn Media Enterprises. Produced by Guy Hescott. Co-produced by Ian Strachan. Theme composed by Rupert Gregson-Williams. Cinematography by James Moss.

Directed by Carolina Giametta. Distributed by All3Media International, except for English-speaking territories which are handled by Acorn Media International. 

https://tattard2.blogspot.com/2019/06/agatha-raisin-series-2-episodes-2-3.html (Series 2, Episodes 2 and 3)
https://tattard2.blogspot.com/2018/12/agatha-raisin-series-2-episode-1-wizard.html (Series 2, Episode 1)

INSPECTOR MONTALBANO/DETECTIVE MONTALBANO (IL COMMISSARIO MONTALBANO): LA RETE DI PROTEZIONE (RAI 1)

Il commissario Montalbano, the Italian detective drama launched in 1999 and starring Luca Zingaretti as the character created by author Andrea Camilleri, returned last month on RAI 1 with episodes 35 and 36: Salvo amato, Livia mia and La rete di protezione.

Written by Francesco Bruni, Andrea Camilleri,  Salvatore De Mola and Leonardo Marini with Valentina Alferj, La rete di protezione is based on the namesake novel by Andrea Camilleri (first published in 2017). A Swedish movie is being shot in Vigàta and Mimi Augello is in charge of watching over the actors. Actually his attention is entirely focused on Maj Andreasson, the main actress and fiancée of director Mats Brolin. Salvo Montalbano meets Monika Sjöström, a cousin of his friend Ingrid  Sjöström, who's the interpreter for the production.

At his office, the commissario receives the visit of engineer Ernesto Sabatello. The man has found in his attic a box full of Super 8mm films which belonged to his father. They include six intriguing reels showing a wall section at the same month, the same day and the same hour from 1973 to 1978, year of the death of Sabatello's father. The engineer asks Salvo to help him find out the meaning of these strange films. Two masked and armed men break into the classroom of Mimi's son. Catarella cannot open a door properly but Montalbano needs his expertise on computers and the internet.

Summer 2019 was sad for the fans of Il commissario Montalbano. First they lost Andrea Camilleri (who died at the age of 93) and then director Alberto Sironi, the helmer of every episode since the beginning. That's why Salvo amato, Livia mia and La rete di protezione are co-directed by Sironi and Luca Zingaretti. Series regulars Cesare Bocci (Mimi Augello), Peppino Mazzotta (Giuseppe Fazio), Angelo Russo (Catarella) and Sonia Bergamasco (Livia Burlando) are back. With Ketty Governali (Adelina, Salvo Montalbano's housekeeper) and Carmelinda Gentile (Beba).

Tuccio Musumeci returns as Cavalier Pintacunda (Il campo del vasaio, 2011). Also starring Carolina Carlsson (Monika Sjöström), Disa Östrand (Maj Andreasson), Fredrik Hiller (Mats Brolin), Dario Veca (Computer store owner), Graziano Piazza (Engineer Ernesto Sabatello), Mario Pupella (Gasparino Sidoti), Ivan Giambirtone (Professor Puleo), Enrico Guarneri (Police chief), Pietro Delle Piane (Marchica), Luigi Tuccillo (Francesco Sabatello), Peppe Tuccillo (Emanuele Sabatello), etc. Il commissario Montalbano is produced by Palomar and RAI Fiction.

Both fun and moving, La rete di protezione is truly brilliant. The location and costumes of the Swedish movie will look very familiar to those who know C'era una volta Vigata, the TV movies adapted from novels by Andrea Camilleri and set in the 19th century. Produced by Carlo Degli Esposti, founder and president of Palomar, and Nora Barbieri with Max Gusberti. Marco Camilli is the producer for Palomar and Erica Pellegrini produces for RAI. Gianfranco Barbagallo exec produces. Chrystelle Robin is the production manager.

Music composed and conducted by Franco Piersanti. Song by Olivia Sellerio. Cinematography by Franco Lecca. Distributed by Rai Com. Il commissario Montalbano is aired in the UK by BBC Four as Inspector Montalbano and in France on France 3 as Commissaire Montalbano. In the United States, the series is available on MHZ Choice under the title Detective Montalbano. The SVOD service will show this episode in May under the title The safety net.

http://www.palomaronline.com/
https://twitter.com/carlopalomar
http://www.vigata.org/

Salvo amato, Livia mia:

https://tattard2.blogspot.com/2020/04/inspector-montalbanodetective.html

Last year's episodes:

https://tattard2.blogspot.com/2019/06/inspector-montalbano-laltro-capo-del.html

INSPECTOR MONTALBANO/DETECTIVE MONTALBANO (IL COMMISSARIO MONTALBANO): SALVO AMATO, LIVIA MIA (RAI 1)

Il commissario Montalbano, the Italian detective drama launched in 1999 and starring Luca Zingaretti as the character created by author Andrea Camilleri, returned last month on RAI 1 with episodes 35 and 36: Salvo amato, Livia mia and La rete di protezione.

Written by Francesco Bruni, Andrea Camilleri,  Salvatore De Mola and Leonardo Marini with Valentina Alferj, Salvo amato, Livia mia is based on the short stories Salvo amato... Livia mia... (from the collection Gli arancini di Montalbano) and Il vecchio ladro (from the collection Un mese con Montalbano). Agata Cosentino, a young woman working for the municipal archives of Vigàta, is found murdered in the building. The archives were closed for renovation during the holidays and left to specialized workers. The commissario Salvo Montalbano and his team investigate amongst the colleagues and relationships of Agata, who was a close friend of Livia.

Montalbano must also have a talk with Pasquale Cirrinciò, the son of his housekeeper Adelina and an inveterate thief, at the request of night watchman Romildo Bufardeci. Summer 2019 was sad for the fans of Il commissario Montalbano. First they lost Andrea Camilleri (who died at the age of 93) and then director Alberto Sironi, the helmer of every episode since the beginning. That's why Salvo amato, Livia mia and La rete di protezione are co-directed by Sironi and Luca Zingaretti. Series regulars Cesare Bocci (Mimi Augello), Peppino Mazzotta (Giuseppe Fazio), Angelo Russo (Catarella), Davide Lo Verde (Galluzzo), Giovanni Guardiano (Jacomuzzi) and Sonia Bergamasco (Livia Burlando) are back.

With Ketty Governali (Adelina) and Fabio Costanzo (Pasquale). Also starring Rosario Lisma (Antonio Cannizzaro), Luciano Scarpia (Giorgio Scalia), Roberta Giarusso (Mrs Caruana), Federica de Benedittis (Agata Cosentino), Katia Greco (Caterina Giunta), Saro Minardi (Romildo Bufardeci), Vitalba Andrea (Agata's mother), etc. Il commissario Montalbano is produced by Palomar and RAI Fiction. The excellent Salvo amato, Livia mia had the honour of a release in Italian cinemas at the end of February. Produced by Carlo Degli Esposti, founder and president of Palomar, and Nora Barbieri with Max Gusberti.

Marco Camilli is the producer for Palomar and Erica Pellegrini produces for RAI. Gianfranco Barbagallo exec produces. Chrystelle Robin is the production manager. Music composed and conducted by Franco Piersanti. Cinematography by Franco Lecca. Distributed by Rai Com. Il commissario Montalbano is aired in the UK by BBC Four as Inspector Montalbano and in France on France 3 as Commissaire Montalbano. In the United States, the series is available on MHZ Choice under the title Detective Montalbano. The SVOD service will show this episode in May under the title Dear Livia.

http://www.palomaronline.com/
https://twitter.com/carlopalomar
http://www.vigata.org/

Last year's episodes:

https://tattard2.blogspot.com/2019/06/inspector-montalbano-laltro-capo-del.html

JOSÉPHINE, ANGE GARDIEN: TROIS ANGES VALENT MIEUX QU'UN 1 & 2 (TF1)

Joséphine the guardian angel gets some help for her new assignment. Well, sort of...

Created by Laurent Chouchan with Michel Lengliney & Philippe Niang, comedy/drama Joséphine, ange gardien started on TF1 in 1997. It's the oldest active series of the channel, since the end of Une famille formidable (1992-2018). Comedian, actress and UNICEF ambassador Mimie Mathy stars as Joséphine Delamarre, a guardian angel sent on Earth to help people solve their problems. The series celebrated its 20th anniversary in autumn 2017.

Joséphine, ange gardien is produced by DEMD productions (Lagardère Studios) with TF1 and distributed by Lagardère Studios Distribution. Its format changed from 90-minute episodes to 2 x 52-minute three years ago. In 2018, Joséphine and the characters of TF1's comedy hit Camping paradis met in their respective series. Trois anges valent mieux qu'un was written by France Corbet, Thomas Perrier and Gioachinno Campanella. This 96th episode is directed by Camping Paradis and Joséphine, ange gardien frequent helmer Philippe Proteau (1).

Joséphine Delamarre manages to be hired as an accountant at the Longeville stables, owned by Rémi Bouvet. This widower is depressed because he cannot reunite with Margaux, Vincent and Antoine, his three children. At odds with each other, they are too busy with their jobs. Rémy and her three new "clients" are a bit much to handle for the guardian angel. As her occasional assistants are unavailable, Joséphine must work with Ludivine and Rosine. They may look like her but their personalities and their clothing tastes are very different.

Trois anges valent mieux qu'un is a fabulous showcase for the comedic talents of Mimie Mathy, who is also Ludivine and Rosine. The former is myopic, romantic and wears faux panther. The latter likes black and is more rock and roll. Francis Perrin (Mongeville) (2) plays Rémi Bouvet. With Marius Colucci (Capitaine Marleau, Les petits meurtres d'Agatha Christie) as Vincent. The role of Margaux is the third participation of Stéphanie Pasterkamp (Kaboul Kitchen) to Joséphine, ange gardien. Like her, Mathieu Coniglio (Antoine) previously appeared in Camping Paradis.

Charlotte is played by presenter/actress Laurence Boccolini, best known in France for hosting the local versions of The Weakest Link and The Million Pound Drop. She does great through the episode with a hilarious running gag. The rest of the cast includes Julien Alluguette (Paul Luciani), Raphaël Kahn (Fabio), Morgane Manche (Léa), etc. Produced by Sébastien Pavard and Laure de Kervasdoué. Didier Langlade exec produces. Music composed by Xavier Berthelot, Roland Romanelli & Didier Vasseur. Additional music (Hysteria) by Stéphane Schott.

Cinematography by Jonny Semeco (3). Produced with the participation of RTBF (Télévision belge) and RTS Radio Télévision Suisse. Digital special effects by WIP Studio. Filmed partly at the Écuries de Bièvres. Not yet shown by TF1, Trois anges valent mieux qu'un is one of the best episodes of Joséphine, ange gardien.

(1) The potential buyer of the horse of Rémi Bouvet's late wife is called "Monsieur Proteau".
(2) Is "Écuries de Longeville" a nod to Mongeville?
(3) Margaux works for a law firm named "Semeco & Co".

https://www.bievres.com/