As crime and thrillers remain the main TV market driver, France TV Distribution has unveiled sales on “Curious by Nature,” a singular feel-good procedural headed by “Three Colors: Blue” star Florence Pernel.
In first announced sales, Walter Presents/Global Series Network has closed Ireland, the U.K., the U.S. and Canada.
NBCUniversal International Networks & DTC has licensed “Curious by Nature” for Calle 13 in Spain and 13 Ulica in Poland. Basque Country pubcaster EiTB and Aragon Swisscom’s Blue and TV3 Group Latvia also figure among buyers.
Originally broadcast on France 3, a channel on France Télévisions, one of the biggest public broadcasters in Europe, “Curious by Nature” (“Enquête parallèle”) kicks off in Ep. 1 with jaunty country use score as Fred, a former war correspondent turned local TV journalist, driving through a glorious part of rural France, a mix of forests and rolling hills pockmarked by red-roof housing hamlets. At her side is her maladroit cameraman Manu, (a winning turn from Jean-Baptiste Shelmerdine).
Pugnacious, never willing to let a good story go, Fred is meant to interview local shop-holders or the mayor, but when the body of a young man is found under the local aqueduct, she’s unwilling to let the case go. As in much French crime series, much of the series lightness comes from Fred’s domestic details where, she attempts to build a new family in her home region, focused on her adopted daughter Rosa, 16, and Fred’s mother who would like to see Fred finally settle down.
“Curious by Nature” also stars Jessyrielle Massengo, Macha Méril, Frédérique Tirmont, with the participation of Medi Sadoun, David Mora, David Baïot and Annie Grégorio.
“Curious by Nature” is produced by France Télévisions and Brain Productions, headed by veteran Alain Pancrazi, long credits include “Holy Lands,” starring James Caan.
Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Cinéma and Belgium’s New Frontier Films and RTBF, “Curious by Nature” is written by Armelle Patron and Emmanuel Patron, co-creators of “Love (and Trouble) in Paris.”
The own major singularity of “Curious by Nature” rests in its production format, with not more than two episodes being shot each year, its first four episodes released in December 2023, January 2025 and then two in January this year, a week apart.
Directed by Stéphanie Pillonca and Christophe Paturange, “Curious by Nature” bowed to a strong 4.5 million viewers and a 24.1% share in December 2023, claiming top of its spot. Shares for the next three have varied from 21.3% to 19.1% and 18.1%.
Reviews have been upbeat, Tele-Loisirs giving the show four stars out of four and praising Pernel’s “tenacious” performance.
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