Balthazar is a French crime-thriller drama television series created by Clothilde Jamin and Clélia Constantine, broadcast in Belgium since 20 November 2018, on La Une, and, in France, since 6 December 2018, on TF1. The series was renewed for the last season in 2023.
It was one of the 10 highest-rated dramas in France in 2018.
Contents
Plot
Raphaël Balthazar, the most gifted forensic pathologist of his generation, knows how to make the dead speak. He imagines the ghosts of the deceased people he has seen, asking them questions about how they would have died, their private lives, or what they should do. He becomes the teammate of police commander Hélène Bach (played by Hélène de Fougerolles). Both face the most complex murder investigations while he secretly tries to solve the murder of a person close to him. In the fourth season, Hélène gets a promotion and goes to the French Islands. Her place is occupied by Captain Camille Costes, Balthazar's one-stand date.
Main cast
Forensic Institute
Tomer Sisley: Forensic pathologist Raphaël Balthazar
Philypa Phoenix: Fatim Saghi
Côme Levin: Eddy Drouhot
Caterina Murino: Olivia Vésinet (S4-)
Office de Police Judiciaire (OPJ)
Hélène de Fougerolles: Captain Hélène Bach (S1-3)
Yannig Samot: Lieutenant Jérôme Delgado
Constance Labbé: Captain Camille Costes (S4-)
Raphaël Balthazar family
Pauline Cheviller: Lise, partner of Balthazar murdered by a serial killer
Hélène Bach family
Aliocha Itovich: Antoine Bach, husband of Hélène (S1-3)
Gabriel Caballero: Hugo Bach, son of Hélène (S1-3)
Aminthe Audiard: Manon Bach, daughter of Hélène (S1-3)
Season 5
Hugo Bardin: Palom
Adaptation
An English-language adaptation Winter starring Richard Armitage and Annabel Scholey is scheduled to broadcast on ITV in the UK in 2026.
