Loved “The Three Musketeers”? You’ll Adore Netflix’s New Series with Pio Marmaï!

WHAT’S IT ABOUT?

Set in 1504 in the south of France, Nero, a cynical and fearsome assassin, must protect his 14-year-old daughter accused of being the Devil’s last descendant, destined to bring about the end of the world. Father and daughter embark on a journey where, between vengeance and redemption, Nero must decide: save himself or save his daughter.

WHO’S IN IT?

Taking the title role, Pio Marmaï portrays the assassin Nero. This part is a perfect fit for the French actor, blending his comedic flair with his physical prowess. He’s no stranger to such demands, thanks to his sword-fighting and close-combat skills honed for “The Three Musketeers” movie.

Starring alongside him, Alice Isaaz plays Princess Hortense, torn between her thirst for revenge and discovering her father Rochemort’s true nature, portrayed by Louis-Do de Lencquesaing. Rochemort relies on the support of a sinister one-eyed witch played by Camille Razat.

The cast also includes Olivier Gourmet as Priest Horace. Nero’s daughter is played by the young actress Lili-Rose Carlier Taboury, marking her screen debut.

IS IT WORTH WATCHING?

The series taps into a niche not often explored by French television. Though it uses historical fiction elements, “Nero” leans more towards the feel of a pulp comic book or fantasy novel. This is unsurprising since it was initially envisioned as an adaptation of Jean-Philippe Jaworski’s novel “Winning the War”.

Indeed, “Nero” incorporates all the elements that spell success for such productions: a charismatic hero standing alone against the world, a strong-willed princess, a priest who nearly doubles as a wizard (reminiscent of Gandalf), and a gruesomely disfigured witch. Add to this personal vendettas and a dysfunctional father/daughter relationship, and you’ve got the makings of Netflix’s latest hit.

A Visually Striking Series

A major strength of “Nero” lies in the credibility of its setting. It’s hard to get invested in a series if the settings feel fake, if budget constraints show in every scene, or if the actors fail to bring their characters to life convincingly.

Fortunately, “Nero” avoids these pitfalls and confidently meets this challenge. Shot in the scenic natural landscapes of southern France, the series alternates between arid settings and medieval towns, reminding us in each episode of the significant budget allocated to this production.

The fast-paced plot is another highlight, helping to make up for a somewhat unoriginal storyline and dialogues that occasionally make you roll your eyes. The characters might lack some depth, but this is often the case in such productions, so it’s a minor criticism.

A Rare French Foray into a Popular Genre

Thus, there’s little room for boredom in this eight-episode series, each packed with action and twists. The action scenes are also well-executed, and despite a heavy dose of dialogue, the visual aspect is not neglected, which is definitely a plus.

Unsurprisingly, Pio Marmaï is perfectly at ease in this larger-than-life hero role, straight out of a comic book. He brings a fine mix of humor and seriousness to the character, along with a touch of sensitivity, all while delivering on the action scenes (as befits the era’s top assassin).

Full of ambition, “Nero” succeeds on many levels. It stands as a strong contender to “Kaamelott,” the only other French series to have carved a niche in this historical-fantasy genre. It remains to be seen if this new Netflix production will achieve a similar level of success as Alexandre Astier’s series…

“Nero” is now available exclusively on Netflix.

Check out the list of series currently available on the platform!