Jules Maigret comes to modern-day Paris, AND he speaks English to invite a brand new audience to appreciate the long-running series written by French author Georges Simenon.

Benjamin Wainwright stars as the young new Paris Chief Inspector, and while yes, the entire series is spoken in English for this well-known French character, everything is filmed in Paris, all signage and other material is written in French.

The title character in more than 75 mysteries (novels) and 28 short stories that Simenon wrote beginning in 1931 remains a favorite of readers and mystery fans of all preferred modes of getting to know the character (there are many French tv and film adaptations) around the world. With is unassuming nature, humility and awareness of the human condition, Jules Maigret is not only liked and respected by most of his colleagues but with his affability is able to calmly bring in many suspects. Knowing the streets of Paris, determined to bring to justice those who have committed crimes and stand up for the victims, he isn’t your typical lead police detective often seen in crime series. In fact, if he has a fault, it is his empathy. And if that is a crime, then please bring us more characters such as this to model how to engage with others.

There are six episodes in the premiere season that premiered on PBS Masterpiece earlier this month. And having viewed four of them already, viewers are in for a treat with each crime story spanning two episodes (Part 1 & 2), and with each subsequent episode, Maigret, his team and his wife become welcomed guests in our living rooms.

Ahhh, and Paris. Yes, while to French-speakers or Francophiles, it may surprise us to discover that a French character is speaking English while being filmed in Paris, but I reckon this is all to the good. A way to introduce a larger audience to a character that deserves more interest and appreciation beyond the immense affection the French and Europeans already hold for him. If you have visited Paris or do speak French, you will enjoy spying the French language on everything. Even the job titles for the characters have remained in French, and the everyday boulangerie that Maigret visits or a metro stop or gare become treats to discover as you watch.

And I am happy to report that with the acclaim the series has already received, filming of the second season has begun, and will take us to Budapest. Already I am anticipating that this series will continue for many seasons to come, and that is very good news.

Have a look at the trailer below, and enjoy watching the series now exclusively on PBS Masterpiece.

~Explore more French-inspired Petit Plaisirs in TSLL’s Archives