The streaming giant is gearing up to launch Le Charles, a new French-language thriller that takes viewers onto the formidable Charles de Gaulle, France's nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. These initial images, first revealed by our colleagues at Première, provide a tantalizing peek into the series' intense atmosphere and its dramatic setting.
At the heart of the story is a chilling premise: the Charles de Gaulle embarks on a critical strategic mission in the volatile Eastern Mediterranean. Shortly after its departure, a female crew member is found dead, and another goes missing. Despite the escalating danger, the mission must continue, prompting a military investigator to be urgently dispatched aboard the vessel. As a new victim is discovered, the aircraft carrier – a veritable floating city housing 1800 men and 240 women – transforms into a perilous trap. The crew finds itself caught between a relentless killer, internal tensions, and external events that threaten not only their lives but potentially the entire country.
Leading the cast is Alban Lenoir, an actor who has successfully transitioned from comedic roles to become a prominent action hero in French cinema. Known for his work in Netflix hits like Balle perdue (Lost Bullet) and AKA, Lenoir has solidified his reputation as a reliable action lead, attracting attention from major platforms like Disney and now Amazon Prime Video. His involvement suggests the series will feature robust action sequences alongside its mystery elements.
Joining Lenoir is Élodie Yung, seen in one of the released images seemingly in pilot gear, hinting at a dynamic role within the carrier's operations. While France may not have the budget for a Top Gun-level spectacle, the series could still deliver impressive aerial action, reminiscent of past French productions like Gérard Pirès' Les Chevaliers du ciel (Sky Fighters) from 2005, which showcased notable flight sequences.
Le Charles is created by Henri Debeurme (Christmas Flow), Mathilde Arnaud (Lupin), and Yoann Legave (Furies). The ensemble cast also includes notable names such as Patrick Mille (The Count of Monte Cristo), Jacques Gamblin (The Incredible Story of Fatuous Cheval), Constance Labbé (Cat's Eyes), Antoine Gouy (Super Mâles), Bruno Sanches (HPI), Saabo Baldé (La Tête froide), Hubert Delattre (Il était deux fois), Vincent Heneine (Super Mâles), and Pablo Pauly (Patients).
The six-episode series Le Charles is set to premiere on Amazon Prime Video starting October 23, 2026, with a subsequent broadcast on M6 a few months later. This intriguing blend of an Agatha Christie-style mystery with a unique, high-stakes military setting positions Le Charles as a must-watch for thriller fans.