Watch Marseille

Set in the French port city of Marseille, the Netflix series Marseille follows the political machinations of Robert Taro, played by Gerard Depardieu, who has been the mayor of the city for the last twenty-five years. Taro is a respected, charismatic politician who has been a guiding force in Marseille's growth and development, but as he approaches the end of his career, he faces a tough re-election campaign.

To Imitate Taro, Marseille's population is highly diverse, with a mix of ethnicities and social classes. The city is also home to a thriving criminal underworld, and Taro has had to navigate complex relationships between business interests, political rivals, and the criminal organizations that operate within the city's borders.

As the election approaches, Taro faces a formidable opponent in Lucas Barres, played by Benoît Magimel. Barres is a charismatic young politician who has been planning his bid for the mayor's office for years. He is backed by a powerful consortium of business interests who are eager to see Taro ousted from power.

Adding to Taro's troubles, his protégé, and political heir, Julien Tardieu, played by Benoît Magimel, begins to question Taro's leadership and makes a play for the mayoralty himself. Tardieu is a sharp, ambitious politician, but he lacks Taro's experience and shrewdness.

To complicate matters further, Taro's personal life is in turmoil. He is secretly battling cancer, and the stress of the election, combined with his illness, puts him on the brink of a breakdown. His relationship with his wife, Rachel, played by Géraldine Pailhas, is also strained, as she becomes increasingly disillusioned with his political career.

Throughout the series, Taro must navigate a complex web of allegiances and betrayals as he fights to maintain his grip on power. He must also confront the ghosts of his past, including long-standing conflicts with members of Marseille's criminal underworld.

The series explores the themes of power, legacy, and corruption, as well as the challenges facing modern politicians in a rapidly changing world. It also delves into the cultural and societal complexities of Marseille, a city with a rich history and a distinct identity.

The acting performances in Marseille are excellent, particularly Gerard Depardieu as Taro. He captures the character's charisma, world-weariness, and vulnerability with nuance and skill. Benoît Magimel is also impressive as Lucas Barres, bringing a sense of youthful energy and ruthlessness to his role.

The series is well-directed and beautifully shot, with stunning cinematography that captures the vibrant energy of Marseille. The score is excellent, too, adding to the show's sense of tension and drama.

Overall, Marseille is a compelling series that explores complex political and social issues in a nuanced and engaging way. The characters are well-drawn, and the themes of power, identity, and legacy are explored with depth and intelligence. Fans of political dramas and crime shows will find much to enjoy in Marseille.

Marseille is a series that ran for 2 seasons (16 episodes) between May 5, 2016 and on Netflix