On November 2, 2020, viewers of TF1 were introduced to “Ici tout commence,” a spin-off of “Demain nous appartient.” Four years later, the show continues to thrive, currently in its fifth season. In an interview with AlloCiné, producer Églantine Sofianos reflects on Season 4’s successes, including tackling social issues and exploring new locations, while hinting at intriguing developments and character arcs for the ongoing season. Audience feedback plays a role in the direction of the series, influencing future storylines and character returns.
On November 2, 2020, viewers of TF1 were introduced to “Here It All Begins,” a spin-off of “Tomorrow Belongs to Us.” Fast forward four years, and the channel has successfully maintained the series, which continues to air during the weekdays at 6:35 PM and is now in its fifth season!
To celebrate this milestone, we had a chance to chat with Eglantine Sofianos, the producer of “Here It All Begins” (or ITC, as fans refer to it). In our interview, she reflects on the fourth season and shares some exciting prospects for the ongoing fifth season.
What is your assessment of the fourth season of “Here It All Begins”?
Eglantine Sofianos: It has been a season full of richness! I feel quite proud of what we accomplished, particularly in addressing social issues. Season 4 marks a significant turning point for the daily series, as we ventured outside the region and the castle, heading to Brittany for the first time. This posed a massive production challenge for us, and we are pleased with both the results and the audience’s reception of this relocated storyline.
We experienced some departures this year, but I believe we successfully integrated new characters who will become the faces of Season 5. It was essential to introduce this rejuvenation while managing the emotions tied to the departures.
Did the wave of departures from key actors cause you any concern?
We mainly felt disappointment because, naturally, we become attached to certain characters and actors. It is always sad to see them leave; we don’t exactly jump for joy when we hear news of someone wanting to exit the series! Nonetheless, this phenomenon is an inherent part of the soap opera concept, so for us, it feels somewhat natural—like they’re saying, ‘I’ve finished my course, and I’m moving on.’
Take Kelly [Axelle Dodier], for example. She has had an incredible journey in the show, and seeing her leave for Brittany with Salomé [Aurélie Pons] to open their restaurant is beautiful. The story continues; it doesn’t end here, as these characters can come back, and their actors are also eager to return for cameos, as we did for the Season 5 launch with the returns of Greg and Eliott. Departures are never truly final.
What lessons have you drawn from what worked or didn’t work this past year?
In scriptwriting, we always learn lessons. It’s vital to balance the story arcs with love stories, dramatic narratives… Of course, we don’t have any crime thrillers, but we still need elements of mystery, and we must showcase plenty of culinary activity as well. I believe we achieved that in Season 4. Finding this balance helps us tackle topics we’ve yet to cover. Each season presents an additional challenge since we’ve already shared numerous stories.
Are you planning to introduce new plotlines set away from the Auguste Armand Institute?
Yes, we’re very eager! We already introduced a new set for the master students’ restaurant, and later in the season, we’ll have a new outdoor set. We also hope to create another relocated storyline during the season. When exactly? I’m not sure yet, but it’s all in the works.
Do you read fan comments on social media? Do they impact the writing process?
Yes, we read them. We take their feedback seriously, but it’s not something that dictates our direction. When certain themes or opinions come up frequently, whether positive or negative, we take note and consider, ‘We should pay attention to this character and possibly reorient them in this way…’ It offers us insights and desires for future storylines. So, what we read on social media definitely holds meaning for us.
Are any notable returns expected for characters like Mikaël Mittelstadt (Greg) and Nicolas Anselmo (Eliott)?
Not yet, but we are contemplating it. We always keep in mind the actors and characters we would love to see return. However, to be transparent, there are currently no planned returns for historical characters.
What surprises await us with the new first-year students in “Here It All Begins”?
We will have plenty of developments regarding them. Soon, we will delve into Emi [Loryn Nounay], as she hasn’t been well-explored since the start of the year. We aim to flesh out her character a bit more. Additionally, we will delve into Col