Premier airing on TF1 starting Monday, January 12, 2026, Le Diplôme is a French series lasting 52 minutes, created by Fanny Riedberger, Sylvie Audcœur, and Élodie Namer. This social comedy features Clémentine Célarié, Bernard Campan, and Camille Lellouche, exploring a universal theme: the baccalaureate, a rite of passage symbolizing academic success and transition into adulthood.
The series follows six adults who never took their baccalaureate and decide, each for personal reasons, to return to high school at a Paris adult education center. Delphine is 60, Leila is 39, Pierre is 35, Sam is 66, Hussein is 26, and Jen is just 21. They had no reason to cross paths, except for that missing diploma that still weighs heavily on their lives.
Back on the school benches, these characters grapple with their doubts, memories, and past failures. At an age when many believe the game is already lost, they must relearn how to envision the future, manage academic pressures, and face the judgment of others—all while balancing their personal, professional, and family lives.
The Diploma continues the tradition of French social comedies, blending humor and emotion to shed light on often overlooked realities. The story follows characters facing social struggles, life setbacks, or difficult choices, without ever defining them solely by their academic failures.
Premier revealed at the Festival of TV Fiction in La Rochelle 2025, the series has garnered two nominations: one for Clémentine Célarié for Best Actress, and another for Le Diplôme in the Best 52-minute Series – Comedy / Dramedy category. These nominations highlight the show's strong writing and compelling performances.
With its approachable tone and empathetic perspective, the series appeals to a broad audience. It delves into themes of legacy, second chances, and perseverance, all set within a familiar contemporary backdrop. The storytelling focuses on everyday moments and interactions between characters, highlighting the collective spirit driving the story.
The Degree
Series | 2026
Airing on TF1 starting January 12, 2026
Comedy | 6 episodes of 52 minutes
Created by Fanny Riedberger, Sylvie Audcœur, Élodie Namer | Starring Clémentine Célarié, Bernard Campan, Camille Lellouche
Original title: Le Diplôme
Country: France
Through these intertwined portraits, The Degree offers a reflection on the value of knowledge and the power to reinvent oneself at any age, all wrapped in a comedy rooted in real life.
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