Commissaire Magellan and Lieutenant Berrayah cross paths with the French army.
Created by Laurent Mondy (Les Cordier, juge et flic), French mystery series Commissaire Magellan was launched on pubcaster France 3 in 2009. Produced by Jean Luc Azoulay's JLA Productions with France Télévisions and set in the fictional northern town of Saignac, it stars Jacques Spiesser as Commissaire Simon Magellan. Selma Kouchy plays Lieutenant Selma Berrayah, his deputy. The other regulars are Nathalie Besançon as Magellan's companion Florence Higel (a journalist for the local paper La Sentinelle), Franz Lang as Simon's nephew Ludo and Marie de Stefano as Cordelia (the commissaire's younger daughter).
Magellan is part of the very popular regional crime drama line-up of France 3 and even crossed over twice (in 2016 and 2018) with Mongeville, another hit of the channel. Jacques
Spiesser is always brilliant as the debonair (and sarcastic) detective
in those old school whodunnits, built according to a proven formula,
which deliver what the fans like and expect. In many respects,
this heir to Les cinq dernières minutes, Navarro (a production of Jean-Luc Azoulay) or even Derrick (1) is France's answer to Midsomer Murders. Written by Céline Guyot & Martin Guyot, Frères d'armes is directed by Étienne Dhaene.
Master Corporal Stéphane Mareski, a special ops soldier from an elite unit, dies in a motorbike accident while he was returning to his base after a leave. It appears that this accident was provoked so Magellan and Selma decide to investigate. They have to work with Commander Delphine Blommel, from the ministry of defence, and must cope with the military culture of secrecy. Ludo wants to become a veterinary assistant provided that he catches the neighbours cat first and then ask Dr. Stanislas Cléry, Selma Berrayah's vet boyfriend, for a job. Stan himself has something to ask to Selma.
Filmed during Autumn 2020, Frères d'armes is the 37th case of Commissaire Magellan. Unfortunately it is the penultimate episode of the series, as France 3 has decided to axe both Mongeville and Magellan in spite of their healthy ratings. Perhaps every TV sleuth has to face soldiers at some point but Frères d'armes does not pretend to be Columbo's By Dawn's Early Light. This episode is quite enjoyable and it's nice to see Alexis Loret back as Stan. There are no scenes at the offices of La Sentinelle and the second death is off screen.
Some words about the name of the victim, Master Corporal Mareski. It's also the name of Commissaire divisionnaire Damien Roche's deputy, Lieutenant Gaëlle Mareski, in Perfect Murders (Crimes Parfaits). She's a former soldier and the Damien Roche cases are penned by... Céline and Martin Guyot. Is it a private joke or the foundation of a "Guyotverse", who knows? Swiss actress Anne Richard (Boulevard du Palais) guest stars as Commander Blommel. She played another role in a 2013 episode.
Célia Diane is excellent as Sergent-chef Sophie Le Guen. With Robin Causse (Christophe Destrée), Moussa Sylla (David Hoarau), Tom Wozniczca (Stéphane Mareski), Jeanne Marie Ducarre (Sydney), Stéphan Godin (Colonel Destrée), Vincent Primault (Pierre Langeais), Charlie Joirkin (Sybille Langeais) and Luigi Kröner (Laurent Balzeau). Produced by Richard Berkowitz. Exec produced by Olivier Guedj. Melissa Kajdan Smila is the production manager for JLA. Frédéric Debièvre is the production manager for France Télévisions.
Music by Frédéric Porte. Cinematography by Ramin Poursaid and Stéphane Degnieau. Filmed in the Département du Nord. Commissaire Magellan is available in the U.S. on VOD service MHZ Choice under the title Magellan. Frères d'armes premiered on French streaming service Salto on February 27. The episode will be shown on France 3 this saturday. The beloved commissaire will be missed.
(1) Not to mention, Les Cordier, juge et flic (naturally).
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