History repeating
French thriller Brocéliande sees a biologist return to her former university to uncover the truth behind her friend’s disappearance, when another person goes missing in similar circumstances. Dominique Farrugia, CEO of producer Shine Fiction, tells DQ more.
Drawing more than five million viewers upon its debut in France last month, six-part thriller Brocéliande centres on a renowned biologist who hides a troubled past.
Fifteen years ago, Fanny Legoff fled her Brocéliande University after the disappearance of her best friend Laura, for which she came under suspicion. Now, when Fanny receives a parcel containing a machete and a letter again accusing her of being responsible for Laura’s disappearance, she decides to return to the scene of the tragedy. But shortly after her arrival, one of her students disappears in the same way as Laura. In both cases, Fanny was the last person to see them alive.
Singer and actor Nolwenn Leroy takes her first starring role as Fanny, in a series that is produced by Shine Fiction for TF1 and distributed by Banijay Rights.
Here, Shine Fiction CEO Dominique Farrugia takes DQ inside the mystery behind Brocéliande, explaining how the series sought to blend mystery and tension and how it uses a real forest to create the story’s ethereal setting.
Introduce us to the series.
Brocéliande is a gripping six-part French thriller, distributed internationally by Banijay Rights and coproduced with Les Films du Printemps for TF1. We follow Fanny Legoff, a renowned biologist who returns to her home town after living in Paris for the last 15 years. She fled Brocéliande University during her studies following suspicion she was involved in the disappearance of her best friend. When Fanny unexpectedly receives a package with a machete covered in dried blood, she decides to return to the scene, taking part in a seminar at the university. But shortly after her arrival, one of her students disappears just like Laura did. And once again, Fanny was the last person to see them alive. The series blends mystery, intrigue and psychological tension, and more than 5.3 million people watched the launch on TF1.
What are the origins of the project?
When I first launched Shine Fiction in 2020, Juliette Hayat, the producer at Films du Printemps, was working on a project called The Shadows of Brocéliande [Les ombres de Brocéliande]. I was instantly intrigued and suggested we should coproduce the series together. A few weeks later, I met Nolwenn Leroy, who was taken by Fanny’s character. The writers, Isabelle Polin, Thomas Boullé and Eric Delafosse, worked to craft the remarkable story, the saga of Brocéliande. Together with Juliette and the director, Bruno Garcia, we assembled a talented cast around Nolwenn, with the likes of Marie-Anne Chazel and Thomas Jouannet, and this brought the series to life.
How do we follow Fanny through the series?
Fanny’s story is more than that of a professor returning to Brocéliande. It is a deeply personal journey for the character. She comes back not just to teach but to confront unresolved trauma of being accused of involvement in her best friend’s disappearance years earlier. She comes back to the university as a recognised and admired professor, but she quickly realises that the scars from her past haven’t faded away, and history has a way of repeating itself.
How was the series developed with TF1 – what notes did they give you?
We collaborated closely with TF1, just as we do with all the broadcasters and streamers. TF1 has been a reliable partner and we’ve worked together on several other projects, including upcoming dramas The Family Detective and Rien ne t’efface, the adaptation of Michel Bussi’s novel.
How did you cast Nolwenn Leroy and what does she bring to the role of Fanny?
Originally a singer-songwriter with a deep connection to and passion for her birthplace, Brittany, Nolwenn was a natural fit for the role. We knew immediately this role was meant for her. Her love of her birthplace adds authenticity to the character, and her performance brings depth and complexity, making Fanny truly come alive on screen. Interestingly, she didn’t want to play a police officer for her first prominent role.
What was the writing process on the show?
The writing process was quite intense, as Nolwenn’s upcoming tour gave us a tight schedule. Writers Isabelle, Thomas and Eric had to work swiftly, as we had to start filming even before all the episodes were fully written.
What is the secret to creating a “chilling and heart-stopping thriller,” as Juliette has described the series?
I believe that’s all down to the trio of talented writers who crafted this remarkable story, brimming with mystery and tension. Their ability to seamlessly blend suspense and intrigue is what truly makes this series a chilling and heart-stopping thriller, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats throughout.
Why did you choose to film in Brittany and how does the region lend itself to the story?
The series is set in the mystical forest of Brocéliande in Brittany. It plays a crucial role in the narrative and almost becomes a character in its own right. The screenwriters introduced us to this enchanting forest, which was new to me at the time. The director, Bruno Garcia, beautifully captured its stunning beauty and haunting atmosphere. We also explored other locations like l’Ille-et-Vilaine, more inland and less known than the coastal areas. The picturesque landscapes of the region added a unique visual backdrop, enhancing the mood and dramatic tension of the series even further.
What kind of visual style does the series have?
The series relies heavily on natural elements to create a captivating atmosphere. The visual style is driven by the beauty and mystique of the forest and the surrounding landscapes, which bring a unique look and feel to the show, immersing the audience.
What challenges did you face in development or production?
One of the main challenges we were initially concerned about was the weather. Brittany is not known for its sunshine, and we were concerned by filming under these unpredictable conditions. Fortunately, we were incredibly lucky and had a very dry summer, which allowed us to stay on schedule without major interruptions.
How are Brocéliande and your 2022 fraudster drama Serial Lover examples of the types of series you want to make at Shine Fiction?
When we launched Shine Fiction in 2020, our goal was to build a pipeline of ambitious premium content for the French market, with international potential. Serial Lover, a coproduction with Amaury Fournial’s Sibaro Film, performed strongly in France before travelling to Spain with Atresmedia. With the ongoing appetite in France and beyond for gripping crime thrillers, we’re positive we’ll see the same success with Broceliande, showcasing the kind of high-quality storytelling we aim to produce.
Why might Brocéliande appeal to international viewers?
Broceliande offers a gripping storyline and suspenseful narrative, filled with unexpected twists and turns, paired with breathtaking scenery, making it a must-watch drama. The show has already demonstrated broad appeal, with its outstanding ratings on TF1 and we believe the strong storytelling and visuals will appeal internationally as well. We’re so proud of the whole team who worked on this show.
tagged in: Banijay Rights, Brocéliande, Dominique Farrugia, Nolwenn Leroy, Shine Fiction, TF1