Cherif

Cherif is a French television series that aired on France 2 from 2013. It is an intriguing blend of crime, drama and mystery, successfully combining some always appreciated police storytelling themes with a contemporary narrative twist. The show is named after its main character, Captain Kader Cherif, played by Abdelhafid Metalsi. Metalsi completely embodies the eccentric, ingenious, and sometimes inscrutable titular character.

The series is set in the charming city of Lyon, France. This provides an excellent backdrop for the narrative as it unfolds, transporting viewers through the city's picturesque streets, which sometimes serve as deceptive veils to high-stakes investigations. Unlike the usual police procedural or detective series, Cherif not only gleans its uniqueness from its setting but also from its lead character who is unconventional to say the least.

Cherif's style of police work is far from the norm. The show artistically weaves a narrative around his unorthodox methods of cracking cases. Kader Cherif, the house detective, has a knack for solving complex cases using non-traditional methods. Unlike his counterparts, he isn't just about chases and showdowns. He uses intuition, and his entertaining idiosyncrasies to delve deep into cases that often bewilder his colleagues.

Each episode of Cherif presents a new challenge, a new mystery and a new opportunity for the charismatic detective to display his unique craft. Beyond mere criminal investigations, the plot fiercely revolves around Cherif's personal life, passion driven professional life, and the relationships he shares with his colleagues and family. His interactions with his partners form a key element of the show, particularly the dynamic partnership with his strictly professional, rule-abiding colleague Adeline Briard, played by Carole Bianic. The juxtaposition of their opposite personalities adds considerable charm and a soft edge to the underlying procedural drama landscape.

As the series progresses, viewers are offered a deeper insight into Kader Cherif’s life and his past, giving depth and substance to this multi-dimensional character. It’s an emotional journey, with layers of backstory that invite the audience to constantly re-evaluate their perceptions of this charismatic detective.

One of the spectacular aspects of Cherif is its ability to balance high tension, mysterious investigations with subtle and well-placed humor. Cherif enmeshes clever humor within the fabric of its riveting scripts, further endearing Kader Cherif and the other characters to the audience. This, coupled with the compelling character chemistry, innovative storytelling, and Lyon's charismatic landscape, contribute to the show's allure, offering both entertainment value and a thorough, engaging viewing experience.

Despite its light-hearted moments, Cherif does not shy away from depicting the darker side of crime and the dilemmas that come with law enforcement. The villains are remorseless and the crimes, spine-chilling. This stark realism is wonderfully counterbalanced by the optimism, tenacity and quirkiness of detective Cherif, making it a must-watch for both fans of crime shows and those seeking a refreshing touch to the genre.

The series expertly intertwines Kader's passion for his job, his non-traditional methods, personal life, and the crime-filled scenes of Lyon into an enthralling narrative. Cherif skillfully taps into the full potential of a procedural drama while ensuring character development, continuous story arcs, action, suspense, and humor in equilibrium, which keeps the audience on its toes, creating an effective police drama with a difference.

Cherif is created by Lionel Olenga, Laurent Scalese and Stéphane Drouet, and produced by MakingProd and France 2, and in its six-year run, aired 6 seasons, a testament to its popularity and success. The growth of both the plot and characters throughout the series provides for an enjoyable ebb and flow, making Cherif a true French sensation in the heart of Lyon and in the world of television series.