Spectacular turn of events ! After five seasons, Natacha Lindinger leaves “Sam”. It is a well-known actress from the series “Balthazar” who will replace her in the TF1 series.
An important page is turning for Sam. Natacha Lindinger has just announced that she is leaving the series after five seasons spent in the skin of this cash and crazy literature teacher.
“It’s time for me to renew myself a little, to take risks again and to give myself time to be available for other projects.“, she confided to our colleagues from Puremédias before continuing, “I really liked playing this character of Sam who led me to total freedom of play, to a permanent investment and above all to pleasure, for five seasons. Even though I may miss Sam sometimes, I absolutely don’t regret my choice to quit. It is necessary“.
This is not the first time that an actress has left the series along the way. Launched in May 2016 on TF1, Sam was indeed initially worn by Mathilde Seigner before Natacha Lindinger took over the leading role in season 2.
If the announcement of the departure of Natacha Lindinger will inevitably have the effect of a bombshell with the fans of the program, TF1 has nevertheless decided to continue the adventures of Sam by entrusting the reins to a well-known actress. Thus, it was Hélène de Fougerolles, who notably lent her features to Captain Hélène Bach in the Balthazar series, who was entrusted with the heavy task of resuming this role, which was very popular with the public.
On this subject, Anne Viau, artistic director of French fiction for the TF1 group, explained to our colleagues that “VS'[était] a real pleasure for TF1 to continue the adventure of ‘Sam’ with Hélène de Fougerolles. Sam is a character that has become iconic over the years. Her humor, her insolence and her freedom will be worn wonderfully by Hélène“.
A choice also validated by the heroine of Sam herself. “I leave in peace. Hélène, whom I really like and who is lovely, endearing, sexy and funny, will play a wonderful Sam.“
For her part, Hélène de Fougerolles is of course delighted with this new challenge. It must be said that the actress dreamed of a recurring role on television in which she could address social issues that are close to her heart and “express, humor, derision, be politically incorrect while having a real intensity“.
Aline Panel, president and producer of Authentic Prod, said to herself “very proud and happy” to begin with Hélène de Fougerolles “a new chapter in Sam’s life: a woman of new maturity, beautiful, free and powerful!“.
While the succession is undoubtedly assured, it remains to be seen how the writers will explain the absence of Natacha Lindinger in the next episodes of the series. Filming of the six episodes of season 7 is scheduled for February 2023.