France Télévisions to Launch Literary Mini‑Series 'Le Rouge et le Noir' and 'Une saison en enfer

France Télévisions is preparing two new literary mini‑series for its France 2 channel. The first, an adaptation of Stendhal’s Le Rouge et le Noir, will consist of four 52‑minute episodes and premiere on 21 August. Produced by Siècle Productions, the series is co‑written by Georges‑Marc Benamou and Gilles Taurand and directed by Gaël Morel. Victor Belmondo stars as Julien Sorel, with a cast that includes Virginie Ledoyen, Camille Razat and Patrick Timsit. Morel said, “Se confronter à un monument de la littérature… is intimidating, but the excitement drives me to launch this adventure.”

The second project, Une saison en enfer, will dramatise the early life of poet Arthur Rimbaud. Directed by Jean‑Pierre Améris, filming is scheduled for September‑October 2026 in Charleville‑Mézières, Rimbaud’s birthplace. The series is also produced by Siècle Productions for France Télévisions, though a broadcast date and full cast have not yet been announced.