Netflix's International Slate of French Series is About to Expand

Much like Stranger Things, Squid Game, and most recently Adolescence, Netflix did not expect Lupin to be a hit when it first debuted on the streaming service in 2021. For one thing, the French-made series, starring Omar Sy as Assane Diop, is not in English; its entire premise is rooted in French culture. The title Lupin references Arsène Lupin, the fictional French "gentleman thief" from author Maurice Leblanc's novels, who serves as Diop's inspiration. First published in 1905, the French embraced Lupin as their answer to Sherlock Holmes, a comparison Leblanc took to heart, having his outlaw run into "Herlock Sholmès" in multiple instances.

Lupin was embraced by U.S. and U.K. audiences, it was the first French series to rank among the top ten on Netflix in the United States, and was second only to Bridgerton as the most-watched series debut on Netflix for the 2020-2021 TV season. Season 4 was confirmed in May 2025; however, the show may not have yet reached its peak viewership. By the time Season 4 arrives, Netflix will have expanded to 24 new French-speaking countries via a deal with Canal+ to distribute the streaming service on the African continent.

This isn't just good news for fans of the thriller, or fans of the other French-language fare tucked away on Netflix's platform. It's also a significant opportunity for African-produced content to reach a global audience on a massive scale. As viewers have seen before, Netflix doesn't just produce American shows for the rest of the world; it also creates shows tailored to and made in the different countries it serves. Expanding into almost half the continent in a single sweep practically guarantees that the next two years will see a slew of French-language shows from a perspective that specific subsections of U.S. audiences may not be prepared to handle.

But before those commissions start being announced, there's Lupin's fourth season to look forward to. Netflix hasn't released a specific synopsis yet, instead providing a "when we last left our hero" style blurb, suggesting that a "Previously on..." montage is all that's needed to set the stage for what's to come.

In Part 3, we see Assane steal the Black Pearl, earn the support of the French public, fake his death, and save his estranged mother’s life. That’s all before realizing the only way he can ensure a safe and quiet life for his family is to sacrifice himself, and he turns himself in to the police. Part 3 ends with Assane behind bars at last — we can only hope that imprisonment won’t last long. 

Sy will once again be joined in "Part 4" of Lupin by Ludivine Sagnier (The Serpent Queen) as Assane's Wife, Claire Laurent; Antoine Gouy (Call My Agent!) as his BFF, Benjamin Férel; Soufiane Guerrab (The Tunnel) as Assane's detective nemesis, Youssef Guédira; and Shirine Boutella (Sirens) as Youssef's partner in crime solving, Sofia Belkacem. Further supporting cast members for Season 4 will be brought aboard, including Théo Christine (Infested) and Laïka Blanc-Francard (Reign Supreme); their roles have not been announced.

George Kay created the series in collaboration with François Uzan, Marie Roussin, Florent Meyer, and Tigran Rosine. Meyer and Rosine are lead writers on Season 4 along with Pennda Ba, Mathilde Arnaud, and Jean-Yves Arnaud. Directors Edouard Salier, Everardo Gout, and Hugo Gelin split helming duties across eight episodes with Louis Leterrier and Sy as showrunners. Gaumont produces the series; Sy, Leterrier, and Thomas Benski executive produce for Carrousel Studios.

Lupin Season 4 is expected to debut on Netflix before the end of 2025.