‘Lupin’ Director Attributes the Netflix Show’s Success to 1 Lead Actor
Lupin is a global success, despite having two seasons on the platform. The mystery series is the first French original to top the U.S. Top 10 list. Additionally, Lupin was viewed by 76 million subscribers in its first 28 days, making it the biggest non-English original series on Netflix in 2020 (so far). So, what makes the series such a hit among audiences?
[Spoiler Alert: This article contains spoilers from Lupin]
The series is a mind-bending masterpiece
Lupin centers around a charming yet clever thief, Assane Diop (played by Omar Sy). Years after his father was wrongfully accused of a crime, he seeks revenge and targets the people he thinks are responsible – the Pellegrini’s.
Assane believes that Hubert Pellegrini, in particular, framed his father. The first season delves into Assane trying to take down the wealthy family. But, his plans soon backfire after Hubert’s henchmen kidnap his son.
Ultimately, Assane gets justice for his father and takes down the powerful force that was Hubert Pellegrini. But, the season finale leaves the door open for many possibilities. To put it plainly, we haven’t seen the last of Assane, aka Lupin.
Lupin is filled with so many twists and turns, making it a gripping watch from start to finish. What makes the show so great is Assane’s sharp wit. For instance, whenever the cunning thief finds himself in a bind, he creates an elaborate plan to escape unscathed. It’s a compelling, tantalizing masterpiece.
What makes ‘Lupin’ so popular globally?
Lupin fans praise the series for its unexpected plot twists. However, Lupin director Louis Leterrier believes the show’s success exceeds the storyline.
In an interview with Deadline, Leterrier attributes the show’s global success to the lead actor, Omar Sy. “Omar is this person. He’s genuine. He’s extremely generous and the kindest man, and at the same time, he can be tough. He’s like this mountain of muscles and can fight,” he explained. “So the thing about Lupin is, he’s everything Omar is, and I think that’s the key to its success. Lupin is Omar, and Omar is Lupin.”
Letterier added the show represents “the confluence of many genres and a lot of talent coming with the same goal, but coming from very different walks of life or creative paths.”
Omar Sy is amazed by the show’s global success
The global response to the Netflix series has been satisfying for Sy. In an interview with Deadline, the 43-year old actor shared that he is grateful for the positive reception Lupin has received following its debut.
“In cinema, in series, when we tell stories the idea is to touch everyone at the same spot, and when I see the experience of things that I’ve done that speak to the world, it always meets in the same place,” he said. “Everyone is touched or amazed by the same things. It’s great to see in Brazil or in France they loved Lupin for the same reason. There’s something universal, and that’s something I always try to achieve.”
Aside from the suspenseful storyline, Sy believes that the beauty of France draws viewers into the narrative. “In the aesthetic that Louis wanted, it was to film Paris. We knew that Paris was a character in the series like it was in the books, and we respected the work,” he said.
“Lupin and Paris are inseparable, so it was important to shoot Paris in a certain way, but also our Paris,” he continued. “The Louvre, the Musée d’Orsay, OK, but also Montreuil, prisons in Paris. Not just the postcard version.”
Lupin is streaming on Netflix.
