Revelation of the series Lycée Toulouse-Lautrec, to be seen Monday March 4 on TF1 at 9:10 p.m., Ness Merad, 20 years old, returns for this season 2 in the role of the strong-headed Marie-Antoinette…
Participate in the second season of Toulouse-Lautrec High School, Was it obvious to you?
NESS MERAD: I just couldn’t wait to shoot again. Even if with China Thybaud who plays Victoire, we saw each other outside a lot and called each other.
This time after the death of her friend Charlie, Marie-Antoinette takes the blame and is not very welcoming to Alice, the newcomer…
(She laughs.) I always seem to have a new enemy at the start of the season! This reflects all of Marie-Antoinette’s discomfort.
Do you recognize yourself in her?
I have the same outspokenness as Marie-Antoinette. As season 2 progresses, we will discover her more sensitive. She falls in love. That doesn’t mean she’s softening! In season 1, she was cooled by a virtual love affair. She is still afraid of being rejected so she constantly tackles her lover, Reda (Adil Dehbi, editor’s note).
This is not necessarily the right tactic!
This is my method in real life anyway! (She smiles.) In love, the rare times when I had a crush, like in first grade, I acted like this. To protect myself, no doubt. I would like to be in a relationship one day but between my dreams and reality…
How did you experience the success of the series which attracted 3.37 million viewers on average and up to 1 million in replay?
I really didn’t expect it. In season 1, I was cast because I was a former student of Toulouse-Lautrec. I took the filming as entertainment, and then I realized how impactful the series was for people. I am proud to contribute to changing the way people view disability. This season tackles love, sexuality, mental health and taking painkillers. Breaking these taboos on screen is essential.
Has acting helped you too?
This series changed my life. Filming gave me more confidence. I take better responsibility for my disability (congenital muscular dystrophy, editor’s note). Even though I have a BTS in communications, I now want to be an actress.