Parlement is a comedy television series about the inner workings of the European Parliament. It was created by Noé Debré [fr], co-produced in France, Belgium and Germany, and first broadcast in April 2020 on france.tv, the VOD platform of France Télévisions. The show is simultaneously performed in French, English and German.[3][4][5]

Parlement
Genre
Created byNoé Debré
Written by
Starring
Country of originFrance
Belgium
Germany
Original languagesFrench
English
German
No. of seasons4
No. of episodes40
Production
Running time26 minutes
Production companies
  • Cinétévé
  • Artemis Productions
  • CineCentrum
Original release
Networkfrance.tv, BeTV
ReleaseApril 9, 2020 (2020-04-09)

The series recounts the adventures and misadventures of Samy Kantor, a young French parliamentary assistant, who arrives for his first day in Brussels just after the Brexit referendum. Samy is completely inexperienced, but somehow finds himself responsible for getting an amendment on shark finning passed by the European Parliament. His task is not helped by the fact that his boss, the MEP Michel Specklin, is both incompetent and indifferent. Samy is obliged to learn quickly how to make the right alliances.[3][4][5]

Seasons

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The first season was broadcast in Germany on One in September 2020.[6]

The second season was filmed between July and September 2021[7] and broadcast online in France from May 2022[8] and online in Germany from October 2022 as well as on One in October and November 2022.[9]

The third season was filmed in autumn 2022,[8] partially in Berlaymont, the Commission headquarters.[10]

On February 27, 2024, France TV announced that Parlement would return for a fourth, and final, season.[11] It premiered on BeTV on September 9th, 2024.[12]

Episodes

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Season Episodes Originally released
1 10 9 April 2020
2 10 9 May 2022
3 10 29 September 2023
4 10 9 September 2024

Season 1 (2020)

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Episode Title Directed by Written by Original air date
1"J'ai jamais eu de rapports"Émilie NobletNoé Debré, Daran Johnson, Pierre Dorac, Maxime Calligaro9 April 2020 (2020-04-09)
It's Samy's first day as an MEP assistant in the European Parliament. He has no idea what he's doing, his boss is even more clueless, and he's already tasked with drafting regulation amendments. But first he'll have to learn what an amendment is.
2"L'invincible Armada"Jérémie SeinNoé Debré, Daran Johnson, Pierre Dorac, Maxime Calligaro9 April 2020 (2020-04-09)
After Samy's amendment on shark finning sparks quarreling between the parties, he must seek the help of his difficult-to-please political adviser, Maurice. But when they go after the same woman, Samy could make his first political enemy.
3"La politique et les saucisses"Émilie NobletNoé Debré, Daran Johnson, Pierre Dorac, Maxime Calligaro9 April 2020 (2020-04-09)
Samy is scrambling on all fronts. He needs to resolve the shark finning issue, his love interest might belong to the worst possible party, and Maurice still hates him. Luckily, he can count on his boss, Michel...or can he?
4"Le plus vieux métier du monde"Jérémie SeinNoé Debré, Daran Johnson, Pierre Dorac, Maxime Calligaro9 April 2020 (2020-04-09)
After struggling to win his first victory in parliament, Samy is pressured by Ingeborg to undo it all. Will he succumb or will he stand by his convictions? And how many times will he be duped by the same lobbyist? Rose takes a huge risk at work.
5"Demos Kratos"Émilie NobletNoé Debré, Daran Johnson, Pierre Dorac, Maxime Calligaro9 April 2020 (2020-04-09)
Samy finds himself playing tour guide to a group of retired teachers, who decide to help him with his shark finning report. Can he get it passed or will Torsten get in the way? Meanwhile, Rose teaches Sharon about the Northern Ireland border issue.
6"Je suis Sharky"Jérémie SeinNoé Debré, Daran Johnson, Pierre Dorac, Maxime Calligaro9 April 2020 (2020-04-09)
Samy, Rose, and Torsten organize a conference to raise awareness for shark finning. They invite a high-profile EU Commissioner as a celebrity speaker for the event, and she ends up breaking Samy's heart.
7"Wild West Wing"Émilie NobletNoé Debré, Daran Johnson, Pierre Dorac, Maxime Calligaro9 April 2020 (2020-04-09)
As Samy's shark finning amendment gains support in parliament, a handsome American environmentalist arrives in Brussels for the campaign. When he and Rose hit it off, Samy finds himself feeling jealous.
8"Le pacte de stabilité"Jérémie SeinNoé Debré, Daran Johnson, Pierre Dorac, Maxime Calligaro9 April 2020 (2020-04-09)
Samy and Rose get locked in at the office. After some liquor and questionable snacks, their usual sarcastic banter takes a flirtatious turn. Too bad Rose gets offered a job opportunity halfway around the world.
9"Strasbourg, Outre-Rhin"Émilie NobletNoé Debré, Daran Johnson, Pierre Dorac, Maxime Calligaro9 April 2020 (2020-04-09)
The European Parliament is attending plenary sessions in Strasbourg, where Samy plans to table his shark finning amendment for voting. Ingeborg schemes to stop him, but he gets some unexpected help from Eamon. Rose causes a bomb scare.
10"C'était un jeune requin"Émilie NobletNoé Debré, Daran Johnson, Pierre Dorac, Maxime Calligaro9 April 2020 (2020-04-09)
Ingeborg forces Michel to betray Samy in order to kill his amendment. But it's voting day and Samy will stop at nothing to get it passed—he's Samy the Shark after all. Can he secure a political victory and win over Rose?

Season 2 (2022)

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Episode Title Directed by Written by Original air date
1"Top Jobs Magic Circus"Émilie NobletNoé Debré, Lily Lambert, Maxime Calligaro, Pierre Dorac9 April 2022 (2022-04-09)
Riding high off last year's success, Samy returns to Parliament looking for a fresh MEP to work with. But some choice words leave Samy in hot water, scrambling to clean up an international mess.
2"Mais qui est ce ??"Jérémie SeinNoé Debré, Lily Lambert, Maxime Calligaro, Pierre Dorac9 April 2022 (2022-04-09)
Samy's new MEP, Valentine Cantel, struggles to learn the Parliamentary ropes as Torsten comes up with a crazy plan to detangle Samy's MEP mess. Will the pair be able to find a new president in time?
3"Les habits neufs du président"Émilie NobletNoé Debré, Lily Lambert, Maxime Calligaro, Pierre Dorac9 April 2022 (2022-04-09)
Valentine announces a set of flashy new reforms, leaving Samy scrambling to figure out what they actually look like. Meanwhile, Michel is as clueless as ever as he settles into his new role.
4"Les pingouins"Jérémie SeinNoé Debré, Lily Lambert, Maxime Calligaro, Pierre Dorac9 April 2022 (2022-04-09)
Samy and Valentine piece together a ragtag list for the Blue Deal team—now they just need to get everyone on board. Meanwhile, Rose struggles to find her footing as a lobbyist.
5"Les chariots en cercle"Jérémie SeinNoé Debré, Lily Lambert, Maxime Calligaro, Pierre Dorac9 April 2022 (2022-04-09)
As negotiations for the Blue Deal draw near, Valentine plays political hardball to keep lobbyists at bay. Torsten embarks on a mission to fend off the cruise industry and lands in hot water.
6"Objet légiférant non-identifié"Jérémie SeinNoé Debré, Lily Lambert, Maxime Calligaro, Pierre Dorac9 April 2022 (2022-04-09)
Samy searches for leverage to help get the Blue Deal done. Desperate to get on her boss' good side, Rose decides to play matchmaker on his behalf.
7"Vox populi"Jérémie SeinNoé Debré, Lily Lambert, Maxime Calligaro, Pierre Dorac9 April 2022 (2022-04-09)
Michel goes off script in front of the media–with hilarious and disastrous results. Samy's gamble with the Poles seems like it might pay off, but not before intern Dragan threatens to ruin it all.
8"La petite vadrouille"Jérémie SeinNoé Debré, Lily Lambert, Maxime Calligaro, Pierre Dorac9 April 2022 (2022-04-09)
Samy and Michel embark on a hilarious jaunt around Parliament in an effort to save the Blue Deal.
9"La négo"Noé DebréNoé Debré, Lily Lambert, Maxime Calligaro, Pierre Dorac9 April 2022 (2022-04-09)
With the trilogue stalled, Valentine finally figures out the piece of the Blue Deal that could change everything. Now she just needs to figure out how to get it through negotiations.
10"On va en after ?"Émilie NobletNoé Debré, Lily Lambert, Maxime Calligaro, Pierre Dorac9 April 2022 (2022-04-09)
With the Blue Deal finally done, Samy finds himself weighing where to go next: Paris or Thailand. Inspired by her boss, Rose finally decides to confront Samy–but how will he react?

Season 3 (2023)

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Episode Title Directed by Written by Original air date
1"On ne peut plus rien dire"Jérémie SeinMaxime Calligaro, Noé Debré, Pierre Dorac, Mareike Engelhardt29 September 2023 (2023-09-29)
2"Le background"Jérémie SeinMaxime Calligaro, Noé Debré, Pierre Dorac, Mareike Engelhardt29 September 2023 (2023-09-29)
3"Ego to absolvo"Jérémie SeinMaxime Calligaro, Noé Debré, Pierre Dorac, Mareike Engelhardt29 September 2023 (2023-09-29)
4"Le grand départ"Moritz ParisiusAndrew Bampfield, Noé Debré, Mareike Engelhardt29 September 2023 (2023-09-29)
5"Super Pro Brexit"Amélie BonninMaxime Calligaro, Noé Debré, Pierre Dorac, Mareike Engelhardt29 September 2023 (2023-09-29)
6"Riders"Amélie BonninMaxime Calligaro, Noé Debré, Pierre Dorac, Mareike Engelhardt29 September 2023 (2023-09-29)
7"You shall not pass"Amélie BonninAndrew Bampfield, Maxime Calligaro, Noé Debré, Pierre Dorac, Mareike Engelhardt29 September 2023 (2023-09-29)
8"Comme le disait Jean Monnet"Pierre DoracUnknown29 September 2023 (2023-09-29)
9"Fish and Ships"Moritz ParisiusAndrew Bampfield, Maxime Calligaro, Noé Debré, Pierre Dorac, Mareike Engelhardt29 September 2023 (2023-09-29)
10"Europe, the musical"Noé DebréMaxime Calligaro, Noé Debré, Pierre Dorac, Mareike Engelhardt29 September 2023 (2023-09-29)

Cast

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Source: Allocine[13]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Keslassy, Elsa (12 February 2019). "Noe Debré's Political Satire 'Parlement' Ordered by France Televisions's VOD Service". Variety. Retrieved 16 May 2022.
  2. ^ "Parlement". Cineuropa. Creative Europe MEDIA. Retrieved 16 May 2022.
  3. ^ a b Rankin, Jennifer (May 4, 2020). "EU must be joking: TV comedy shines new light on Brussels". The Guardian.
  4. ^ a b Baume, Maïa de La (April 11, 2020). "European Parliament looks in the TV mirror". POLITICO.
  5. ^ a b Keslassy, Elsa (April 9, 2020). "France Televisions Distribution Bows Sales on Post-Brexit Satire 'Parliament,' Unveils Trailer". variety.
  6. ^ Minkmar, Nils (2020-09-29). "ARD-Serie "Parlament" : Szenen aus dem europäischen Schmelzkäse". Spiegel online (in German). Retrieved 2022-10-07.
  7. ^ "Parlament" geht weiter – Drehstart für 2. Staffel". www1.wdr.de (in German). 21 July 2021. Retrieved 7 October 2022.
  8. ^ a b Baÿt-Darcourt, Célyne (9 May 2022). ""Parlement" : la série drôle et intelligente qui va vous faire aimer les institutions européennes". Franceinfo (in French). Retrieved 7 October 2022.
  9. ^ "ONE zeigt die zweite Staffel der Grimme-Preis-gekrönten Serie "Parlament" - Presselounge - WDR". presse.wdr.de (in German). 13 September 2022. Retrieved 7 October 2022.
  10. ^ "Parlement crew looks for extras among real-life Eurocrats". 16 November 2022.
  11. ^ "Facebook". Facebook (in French). 27 February 2024. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
  12. ^ "Calendrier de Septembre 2024" (PDF). BeTV. Retrieved 2024-12-22.
  13. ^ "Casting Parlement S01". AlloCiné (in French). Retrieved 11 August 2020.
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