Netflix has renewed Gerard Depardieu-starrer “Marseille,” its first French original series, for a second season. The second season order was confirmed via the series’ Twitter account Monday, which announced “The fight is not over. #MarseilleNetflix Season 2, coming soon”
No indication is given of when season 2 will go into production nor its cast – though it would be strange if Depardieu and co-star Benoit Magimel, his antagonist in the series, did not re-up for season 2.
Starring Depardieu as an over-the-hill Marseille Mayor, Robert Taro, whose groomed heir-apparent (Magimel) suddenly declares political war as elections loom, “Marseille” was slammed by French national critics. “It’s an artistic rout, an industrial failure, undoubtedly [Netflix’s] first in-house dud,” wrote Pierre Langlais at Telerama. International critical reception has looked largely negative or mixed though with exceptions and more general enthusiasm for Depardieu’s performance, the U.K.’s The Times praising a “gritty political thriller” and Depardieu’s turn as a flawed mayor.
Clarifying its investment in European content, Netflix said in a statement to the E.U. authorities that “Marseille” was being watched well around the world. According to weekly French TV magazine Tele-Loisirs, which first reported the news of “Marseille’s” renewal, it was the overseas’ reception of “Marseille” which persuaded Netflix to order up season 2.
