Before the broadcast on November 18 on France 3 of the very last episode of “Plus belle la vie”, Elodie Varlet, the interpreter of Estelle, gives us some secrets about what awaits her character by the end of the series. And about his plans.
In a few weeks, Plus belle la vie will come to an end, after 18 years of existence, with the broadcast of a last bonus entitled “Seven marriages for a funeral”.
Before the discovery by fans on November 18 of this final special episode, which will put an end to most of the intrigues and love stories of the France 3 soap opera, Elodie Varlet, met last September during the Festival de La Rochelle, tells us more about what awaits Estelle in the episodes to come.
And on this bonus in the form of a gift for the public who will see Djawad (David Baiot) return to the life of his ex-girlfriend at the worst time.
AlloCiné: Little present in recent weeks in Plus belle la vie, Estelle will obviously be one of the characters who will be entitled to a real good end by the last bonus. What can we expect?
Elodie Varlet: In the next episodes, Estelle will be the confidante of Barbara (Léa François), who is going through complicated things since she is denying her pregnancy. So Estelle will be there for her, as a faithful and attentive friend.
And then, Estelle’s own story will come to a close. We really try to go to the end of the intrigues. So, inevitably, it will still be a bit of a romantic plot, as often with my character (laughs). Estelle is a bit of a love interest.
Djawad will come back and will disrupt Estelle’s wedding with Francesco, or in any case the projection of this wedding. It was great to find David Baiot, whom I adore. And it was great to shoot a few more scenes with Emanuele Giorgi.
I only have good memories of it all. With Pascal Heylbroeck directing, who is truly a sweetheart and who has managed the feat of managing so many actors at the same time. Because there, for the end of the series, it was really impressive, it was Hollywood (laughs).
Given the title and the pitch of the last bonus, which announce many marriages, should we expect a very comedy-oriented finale?
It’s a last bonus with a lot of comedy, but not only. Besides, it was very good that it was Pascal directing, because it could have been dead comedy, but with him we are also sure of sincerity, there are some really beautiful things, it’s not not just comedy.
In fact, I would say it’s a bit in the spirit of Love Actually. It’s super cheerful, it carries us away, and there are little stories for everyone. It was not easy to serve everyone and I think we succeeded.
You mentioned the return of Djawad, of which we had no further news since the “Evasion” plot. Does this mean that it will all turn into a love triangle between Estelle, Francesco and Djawad in the final prime?
Yes, we can say that. Even if, in truth, I believe that Estelle’s choice was made a long time ago. Because Djawad is an ancient story. But it is true that it is the only one with whom she had really projected herself. She wanted to have a child with this man. And he comes back into her life, so it’s bound to be disturbing when she gets married.
And, in addition, Djawad does not play a trivial role in what will happen to Francesco. But I can’t say too much. Let’s just say he’s screwing up a bit. Djawad likes to fuck shit anyway, that’s what he’s here for (laughs). So Estelle is going to be quite angry. Although Djawad has fortunately matured, he has grown. And that’s pretty cool for the character.
Olivier MARTINO – FTV – TELFRANCE
David Baiot told us recently that you were his most beautiful encounter on Plus belle la vie. I imagine it’s the same for you?
Sure. With David, we have a very strong bond, both in life and in the game. He is a golden partner. He gives a lot, we understand each other very quickly, it’s very instinctive. It’s quite magical when it happens like that on a set. So I hope we will meet again on other adventures. It’s true that Estelle and Djawad were a key couple in the series. And then we followed each other, we never lost sight of each other.
Is there an object, accessory or decorative element from Plus belle la vie that you want to keep now that the series is ending?
There are a few clothes from Estelle that I love, so I would like to get them back. And at the same time I don’t know if I’m going to put them on (laughs). Because it’s ultimately up to the character. But it would be nice, yes. I think we’re still going to give me an Estelle outfit at the end (laughs).
And there’s a photo that I should try to get back because it made me laugh out loud. It was at the time of Djawad Fitness, they fattened me up. I was a real Bibendum, it was a kind of before / after, and I found this photo quite hilarious. I think it’s hanging somewhere in the Mistral.
You have been in the credits of Plus belle la vie for fifteen years. Do you have a favorite plot?
Often I quote the plot with Noham (Mohamed Hicham), because it was the most intense and the one that made me do the most action. And I like a lot when there are stunts, when you surpass yourself a little physically. There was a real focus on my character and that really allowed Estelle to take a step forward. It is surely the arch that was the most interesting to play for me.
With my arrival plot too, which had been super strong. With Nathan, the liver transplant. It was the beginning but it had taught me a lot. And then I also remember the scenes at the roommate, which were very festive because there were many of us. And the scenes with Ambroise Michel (Rudy) obviously, we both shot a lot at one time. But in fact, Plus belle la vie, in my mind, is really full of different eras. So it’s hard to pick one plot in particular.
FTV-TELFRANCE
Are there any actors absent from the last prime that you would have liked to see return for this final bouquet?
We couldn’t bring everyone back. But I would have loved for Céline Vitcoq, who played Wendy, to return to the series. At the same time, she died in the series, so it would have been complicated, I am aware of that (laughs). But I loved this actress and I think her role brought a real plus to Plus belle la vie. There was no other character like Wendy. Of course, it’s complicated to bring a character back when he’s dead, but there are always ways. The writers have done well with other characters.
And if not, I think of Victoire (Flavie Péan), anyway. Victoire and Sasha (Avy Marciano), they were super important in the history of the series, so it would have been nice to have them back. But unfortunately they are not in the prime.
With all these marriages announced to close 18 years of Plus belle la vie in style, we have the impression that the authors wanted to offer a very “definitive” end. Does this mean, in your opinion, that all hope of seeing the series return in some form is lost?
I don’t think it’s complicated because of the ending, because even if the characters get married, they go on with their lives. There is no bomb on the Mistral, there is nothing definitive (laughs). The characters are still alive, so as long as they are alive they can still have adventures.
Afterwards, do I think Plus belle la vie can still continue elsewhere? My instinct tells me no, but I’m not a diviner at all. Maybe the series could be picked up differently. Or as a spin-off. I do not know. But hey, it’s eighteen anyway. It’s a fabulous adventure. And sometimes you have to know when to stop. And preserve the mythical aspect of this program. And there we go on something rather grandiose.
Now that filming is over, what are your post-Plus belle la vie plans?
I’m quite lucky because I’m doing a TV movie for France 3, Le Secret de la cave, in which I have the main role alongside Samy Gharbi. It is a unitary policeman who turns in Ardèche, and I am really very happy with my role. I think I have a lot to defend with this character.
And otherwise, I have two writing projects that are in progress, it takes me a lot of time, I’m very busy. And then I also filmed little things about the end of Plus belle la vie to make a short film.