David Suchet Lands First TV Acting Role In Six Years With Channel 5 Series ‘The Au Pair’ Opposite ‘Lupin’ Star
EXCLUSIVE: David Suchet has landed his first TV acting gig in several years with a Channel 5 series titled The Au Pair opposite Lupin star Ludmilla Makowski.
The iconic British actor, who played Hercule Poirot in 70 Agatha Christie adaptations over 25 years, will play George, a diabetic father who moves next door to daughter Zoe Dalton (Sally Bretton). Zoe seems to have it all, including successful husband Chris (Kenny Doughty), but when she hires an au pair, Sandrine (Makowski), the beguiling young French woman triggers an unsettling shift in the household as instincts and suspicions arise, hinting at hidden agendas.
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The show “delves deep into the complexities of family, trust and hidden truths, against the backdrop of the picturesque British countryside,” according to Channel 5. It is penned by Michael Foott (Desperate Measures) and Andy Bayliss (The Good Ship Murder), and directed by Oonagh Kearney (Vardy V Rooney).
The role is Suchet’s first TV acting gig since 2018’s Press for the BBC, although he has since been part of the His Dark Materials voice cast. We revealed last week that he is helming Travels with Agatha with Sir David Suchet, a doc series in which he replicates the author’s expeditions, with Channel 4 and BritBox already aboard.
Meanwhile, The Au Pair is a British TV debut for Makowski, who plays young Claire in Netflix smash Lupin.
Canal+ Group has pre-bought The Au Pair for France and ITV Studios is selling globally. In a rare move for a UK network, and in a Channel 5 first, the show is produced by a non-UK company, France’s Pernel Media. Upon landing the commission, Pernel filmed in Ireland and Irish producer MK1 Studios came aboard. The show is also Rise and Fall of the Mayas producer Pernel’s first English language scripted series.
Sebastian Cardwell, Deputy Chief Content Officer of Paramount-owned Channel 5, described The Au Pair as a “truly international collaboration.”
“We’re delighted to be working with Pernel Media for the first time on this gripping new drama,” he added.
Pernel boss Samuel Kissous said: “This series highlights Pernel Media’s ability to bring international partners such as ITV Studios, Canal+ Group and MK1 Studios together in order to deliver world-class drama.”
EPs are Kissous, Paul Testar and Julie Ryan. Series producer is Cormac Fox.
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