On the strength of its success, the series “Le Substitute”, with JoeyStarr, returns this Monday to TF1 with season 2. The rapper plays the main role, Nicolas Valeyre, a French teacher using non-traditional methods.
What is it about ?
The series was created according to an original idea by the artist, and “tested”, with two pilot episodes broadcast on TF1 in April 2021.
His character joined the Pierre-et-Marie-Curie high school in the Paris region as a substitute, and quickly stood out for his unconventional methods and relaxed style of dress. If he arouses the confidence of the students, Nicolas Valeyre has more difficulty in being accepted in the teachers’ room, but benefits from the confidence of the principal of the school, embodied by the actress Barbara Schulz.
The first season had succeeded in finding its audience, bringing together nearly 7 million viewers on TF1, or 27.3% of the market share.
What do we think of it?
Like season 1, this season 2 can be watched with pleasure. The episodes last 45 minutes and spin at full speed because we get caught up in the plot.
Fiction has the merit of addressing important themes: harassment, absence of a father… The unpublished stories notably evoke homophobia, with the coming-out revealed in broad daylight of a teacher who will suffer the insults of a pupil. and an assault upon leaving high school. Replacing also gives another look at education and questions the system. Although his methods stand out, Nicolas Valeyre is above all a passionate teacher, ready to do anything to help his students and enable them to find their way… even if it means putting themselves in the wrong place.
The series does not forget to adorn itself with a necessary lightness: we find romance, friendships and particularly touching characters, such as Antoine Maclou, professor of mathematics and civic education, roommate of Nicolas Valeyre and interpreted by the actor Sebastien Chassagne.
Only small limit: we sometimes border on caricature, especially with the figure of JoeyStarr, camped in his style of cool and offbeat teacher who wants to be “friend friends” with the students. The same goes for high school students, who are too stereotyped in their representation of students from a class known to be difficult.
The Replacement, season 2, with JoeyStarr, accompanied by Barbara Schulz, Sébastien Chassagne, Héléna Noguerra, Stéphane Guillon, Nadia Roz, Armelle… from this Monday March 21 from 9:10 p.m. on TF1.