The new series of TF1 in which JoeyStarr plays Nicolas Valeyre, an atypical and charismatic French teacher, who under his badly licked bear exterior hides a hypersensitive has been a hit. Replacing attracted some 6.58 million viewers on April 13, for a 27.3% market share. Thanks to the replay and D + 7, the teacher JoeyStarr does even better and increases 8.1 million viewers for the first episode, and 7.6 million on the two episodes broadcast. This is the fourth best audience of 2021 for a French fiction. While a season 2 is in the works, JoeyStarr that 20 minutes met during the Monte-Carlo Television Festival looks back on this success.
How do you analyze the success of the “Substitute”?
I’m not analyzing yet, I still have my head in it. I’m not trying to explain this stuff: I do. If I try to explain it, that would mean that I am doing it for the wrong reasons.
What feedback have you had, especially from some teachers?
While promoting in Belgium, I met two teachers who were quite touched. People are rather affected.
Season 2 has been confirmed, how would you like your Nicolas Valeyre character to evolve?
I would like each episode to be related to a writer who comes out of the national education seraglio. Afterwards, I don’t think there is only this character that needs to be developed. It will evolve in relation to the whole of the portrait gallery. I see him more seated in his side which pushes open doors.
How do you see the current boom in French series?
I don’t know if there is a boom in French series. In fact, there are more and more everywhere. On the platforms, we are placed in the same way as the others. I don’t find that there is such a big boom.
This year, “Lupine” appears in the top of the most viewed series on Netflix, “Ten percent” will be entitled to a remake in Great Britain, it is quite unusual for French productions …
Okay, but these are two series. If we are talking about a boom with two series, sorry, what. And then there’s one of the two that looks like an American thing. I do not agree with you.
What social issues would you like “The Replacement” to address?
Well already the theme in which it is part, I find it very interesting whether it is education, the generational confrontation. He’s where he needs to be. Afterwards, we stay in the things that make our time without being touted. But already the way in which it is inscribed corresponds to our time.
Is there a French series that has caught your attention lately?
I admit not having seen any lately. The one that comes to mind is older, it is aboutHolly weed, which follows the inhabitants of a village on a small island off the coast of Brittany who one fine morning discover packets of marijuana.
Can you tell us what your involvement is on the next Arte series “The World of Tomorrow” which tells about the beginnings of NTM?
Yes, I participated in the writing of the scenarios and the dialogues. I was also a consultant on the set.
How does it feel to have a part of your life brought to the screen?
In fact, I am very divided, since I am still alive, it is a bit of a bankruptcy, and at the same time, it is very flattering. Whether it was for the film or the series, everyone fought to embody him. It is very flattering.