Classic Franchises Make a Triumphant Return to French Screens and Streaming

Two beloved franchises in French and international entertainment are making significant comebacks in innovative formats that breathe new life into their storied legacies.

The iconic video game series Splinter Cell returns after a 12-year hiatus, this time as an adult animated series titled Splinter Cell: Deathwatch, now streaming on Netflix. Set years after the original game and continuing the storyline from Blacklist, the series follows a now older Sam Fisher who lives in rural Poland until drawn back into espionage by the arrival of a young agent, Zinnia McKenna. The show delves into contemporary geopolitical drama and cyber-espionage set against the backdrop of global climate issues. The project is crafted by Derek Kolstad, famed for John Wick, with direction from Guillaume Dousse and Félicien Colmet-Daage, and features Liev Schreiber as the new voice of Fisher (source 99860).

Meanwhile in French television, the renowned literary work Le Comte de Monte-Cristo is inspiring a novel game show on M6 titled Les Héritiers de Monte-Cristo, slated to air in 2026. Building on the blockbuster 2024 film success which drew over 10 million cinema entries, this format pits twelve contestants against each other in rigorous physical and mental challenges inspired by the Monte-Cristo themes of strategy, courage, and morality. Contestants hunt for clues leading to the legendary treasure while navigating emotional and strategic twists. The program aims to mix literary heritage with family-friendly entertainment spectacle, produced by Mediawan, which is also developing a new series adaptation for France Télévisions starring Sam Claflin (source 99861).

Together, these revivals highlight how classic stories and franchises continue to captivate audiences by adapting to contemporary media platforms, merging nostalgia with fresh, engaging formats. They underscore a growing trend in French entertainment to reinterpret cultural icons while exploring new narrative dimensions.