Didier Bourdon stars as Maître Daron, a scheming yet lovable lawyer whose life is turned upside down when his late brother leaves his law firm shares to a rival, young lawyer Pauline Lefranc. As Daron grapples with familial tensions and his children’s expectations, he navigates comedic and serious moments. The series showcases his comedic talent while offering depth to the character, reflecting on the challenges of family and career in the legal world.
This Monday evening on TF1, Didier Bourdon takes on the role of Maître Daron, a quirky lawyer known for his clever schemes, whose family dynamics are about to shift dramatically. As the founder of a prestigious law firm alongside his brother Jean-Michel, he is taken aback to learn that his deceased brother has left all his shares to Pauline Lefranc (Mélanie Bernier), a young attorney who has just challenged him in court.
While Vincent Daron’s two children believe they are set to inherit their uncle’s assets and become partners, they are less than pleased with Pauline’s unexpected entrance into their lives. However, Vincent soon uncovers a revelation about Pauline that could disturb the family’s stability… This charming series showcases Didier Bourdon as a protagonist who, despite his flaws, is ultimately endearing.
I truly enjoyed portraying a morally ambiguous character.
I truly enjoyed portraying a morally ambiguous character.
Didier Bourdon
‘My character is a blend of Eric Dupond-Moretti’s fiery passion and Bernard Tapie’s cunning nature. I suspect Bernard Tapie had his fair share of tricks up his sleeve!’ Didier Bourdon chuckles. ‘Nonetheless, he is a likable hero because his emotional outbursts have reasons behind them. I’ve truly appreciated playing a character who isn’t exactly squeaky clean.’
Having often been associated with comedic roles, the former member of Les Inconnus was thrilled at the chance to inhabit a more complex character. ‘It’s a diverse role, featuring pure comedic moments alongside more profound themes. Plus, there are courtroom scenes that are quite serious!’ he shares. This marks the first time he has portrayed a recurring character in a series. ‘I didn’t agree right away because I wanted to see how the writing would unfold. I’m cautious not to typecast myself. Just like with Les Inconnus, we sometimes felt trapped in repetition. But we’re merely at the start of the first season!’
When I engage in this series, I think of my children.
When I engage in this series, I think of my children.
Didier Bourdon
He finds it particularly ‘enjoyable’ to play a lawyer. What were his thoughts on the profession before stepping into the role? ‘Lawyers come in various flavors. Some are exceptional while others are not quite up to par. I recall meeting a lawyer, recommended by Claude Berri, whose first question was about my finances—it didn’t bode well.’
Although Vincent Daron excels in the courtroom, he becomes tongue-tied when dealing with his children. ‘It’s often said that shoemakers’ kids go barefoot. Vincent navigates his legal work with ease but struggles to reveal the truth about Pauline to his children. He’s completely out of his element and not very adept at lying,’ the actor admits, who is himself a father of three.
Didier Bourdon has a son named Olivier, now in his forties, and two teenage daughters with his longtime partner, Marie-Sandra, whom he wed last year. ‘One of my teenage daughters can be quite a handful, yet she’s lovely. She just turned 14. I also have an 18-year-old. Gérard Darmon, with whom I worked on À l’ancienne, once said that in every role, you reveal a part of yourself. It’s true that when I’m part of this series, my thoughts often go to my children.’ He keeps his family life relatively private.