Announced at Content London, the French series Privilèges marks the latest collaboration between Marie Monge and Vladimir de Fontenay, who previously worked together on Vampires. Created, written, and directed by the duo, the series is produced by Hugo Gélin for Zazi Séries and falls within the realm of psychological thriller. Led by Manon Bresch and Melvil Poupaud, it unfolds within the plush, hierarchical world of a Parisian luxury hotel. The show is set to premiere on HBO Max in 2026.
The filming began on January 8 in Paris and will continue through the spring, blending natural settings in various iconic neighborhoods of the city with studio scenes. The production aims to recreate the distinctive ambiance of a luxury hotel, where power dynamics play out both in the elegant salons and behind the staff-only corridors.
At the heart of the story, Adèle, a young inmate, is given a chance at redemption through a job as a luggage handler at the Citadel, a prestigious Parisian palace. This opportunity comes courtesy of Édouard Galzain, the all-powerful director of the establishment and a key figure in a corrupt system where every favor asks for an unseen price.
As Adèle uncovers the inner workings of the hotel, she realizes that her freedom and future are deeply intertwined with the power struggles taking place behind the scenes. Ambitious staff, wealthy guests, and external networks clash in a silent battle for dominance, turning the hotel into a stage for manipulation and betrayal.
The official trailer will be added as soon as it's released by the platform.
Manon Bresch (Mortel, Plus belle la vie) brings to life Adèle, a central character whose journey swings between survival and social ascent. Standing beside her is Melvil Poupaud (Thanks to God, The Things We Say, The Things We Do), portraying Édouard Galzain, a charismatic and strategic director whose authority is felt but never overtly displayed.
The cast also includes Nina Zem, Anne Azoulay, Zar Amir Ebrahimi, Sandor Funtek, Joseph Olivennes, and Stéphanie Atala. This ensemble ensemble offers a glimpse into various facets of the palace’s world — from the unseen staff to the influential figures at the top of the social hierarchy.
With Privilèges, Marie Monge and Vladimir de Fontenay continue to explore themes of power dynamics and shifting identities. The series employs a tense pace and tight direction, focusing more on atmosphere and the slow build-up of psychological tension than on outright action.
Through its themes and setting, Privilèges fits within a contemporary genre reminiscent of The White Lotus or Succession. It transposes these power dynamics into the heart of Paris’s elite. The series explores how luxury becomes a tool for control and how surface appearances conceal ongoing power struggles.
Privilèges
Series | 2026
Season 1 coming soon on HBO Max
Drama, Thriller | 6 episodes of 52 minutes each
Created by Marie Monge and Vladimir de Fontenay | Starring Manon Bresch, Melvil Poupaud, Nina Zem
Original title: Privilèges
Country: France
Straddling the line between social drama and psychological thriller, Privilèges immerses viewers in a confined world where every favor is traded and climbing the ranks can be just as perilous as falling from grace.
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