Sixteen years after the original movie shook up the crime genre, The Prophet is back in a brand‑new series format. Inspired by the 2009 feature film by Jacques Audiard, this original production will premiere on Monday, March 2 in prime time, with two episodes airing on launch night, followed by one new episode each week.
A cult crime film reimagined for today
When it first hit theaters in 2009, The Prophet followed the rise of a young inmate inside the prison system. Led by actor Tahar Rahim, the film drew more than one million moviegoers in its home territory, earned the Grand Prix of the Jury at the Cannes Film Festival, won nine César Awards including Best Film, and received an Academy Award nomination for Best International Feature Film.
The new series, however, is far from a scene‑by‑scene remake. The story is relocated to a contemporary version of Marseille, turning the familiar premise into something sharper and more current. Malik, a young man from Mayotte caught in the collapse of a building, is arrested for drug possession. Once locked up, he discovers a prison divided between rival factions. To stay alive, he has no choice but to pick a side.
Massoud, a real estate developer whose business hides more than a few shadows, steps in as both protector and puppeteer. He offers Malik safety, but at the cost of total loyalty. Over time, Malik realizes he is just another expendable piece on someone else’s chessboard — and that survival will depend on his ability to seize power rather than simply endure his sentence.
Creative team and format: staying true to the spirit, not the script
The series is penned by Abdel Raouf Dafri and Nicolas Peufaillit, both of whom were already involved in writing the original film, with additional work by Enrico Maria Artale, who also directs. The season is structured as 8 episodes of 52 minutes each, giving the story room to breathe and the characters time to evolve.
Artale makes it clear that the goal was never imitation. Instead of trying to mirror Jacques Audiard’s style, he chose a more personal route: shooting in chronological order, rewriting during production, and staying physically close to the actors on set. This method is designed to keep the emotional arc cohesive and the character relationships intense and believable.
The result aims for a balance between auteur cinema and serialized storytelling. The show leans into its Marseille backdrop and uses contemporary tensions around social, racial, and religious discrimination as a constant undertone, amplifying the sense of urgency in Malik’s journey.
Cast: established talent meets rising voices
The Prophet brings together a blend of familiar faces and emerging actors, building a gritty ensemble around Malik’s trajectory. The cast includes:
- Sami Bouajila
- Mamadou Sidibé
- Ouassini Embarek
- Salim Kechiouche
- Matthieu Lucci
- Naïlia Harzoune
- Faued Nabba
- Hugo Dillon
- Rachid Guellaz
- Guilaine Londez
- Moussa Maaskri
- Alice Da Luz
- Idir Azougli
The complete season was screened as a world premiere at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival, held from August 28 to September 7, 2025. This full‑season showcase underlines the ambition behind the project and its drive to reach viewers well beyond its original national audience.
Release schedule: when and how to watch
The Prophet will roll out starting March 2 in the evening, with a special launch featuring two back‑to‑back episodes. After that, the series settles into a weekly rhythm, with one new episode available at the start of each week.
What sets this adaptation apart
Rather than simply transferring a beloved film to the small screen, this series uses the original as a springboard. The prison hierarchy, coded loyalties and ever‑present threat of violence are still central, but the show roots them in today’s social climate. The clash of clans, the role of a powerful yet morally ambiguous protector like Massoud, and Malik’s transformation from pawn to potential power player give the narrative a strong serialized hook.
For viewers who know the movie, the appeal lies in seeing that universe reframed through a modern lens and stretched across eight episodes. For newcomers, it works as a tense, character‑driven crime saga on its own terms, with a clear beginning, middle, and end mapped onto the season’s structure.
FAQ
When does The Prophet series start airing?
The series premieres on Monday, March 2 in the evening, with two episodes airing on launch night.
How many episodes are in the first season of The Prophet?
The first season consists of 8 episodes, each running 52 minutes.
Is the series identical to Jacques Audiard’s original movie?
No. While it draws inspiration from the 2009 film, the series tells a contemporary story set in Marseille, introduces new characters, and takes a different narrative approach.
Has The Prophet already been shown at any major festivals?
Yes. The full series was presented in its entirety as a world premiere at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival, which took place from August 28 to September 7, 2025.
