Tomorrow is ours: “I couldn’t believe it”… Catherine Benguig (Mona) reacts to Vanessa’s pregnancy

Cheerful and uninhibited, Mona has established herself over the seasons as a main character on Tomorrow Belongs To Us.

And if until now he has led a very quiet life in Seth, the return of Vanessa and her unexpected pregnancy promises to cause chaos for Georges’ mother (Mayel Elhajaoui).

At the La Rochelle Fiction Festival last week, Catherine Benguig, the whimsical slave translator, spoke with Allocine about what’s in store for her character in the coming weeks.

Allociné: Going back to the beginning of the adventure Tomorrow Belongs To Us, what attracted you to join the daily series?

Catherine Benguig : At first, I didn’t think that this character would allow me to express my imagination. Production was looking for George’s mother. I didn’t know Mayel or the series. When I started filming and saw what they were writing, I really liked it. It was amazing!

Over the course of the seasons, Mona became the main character in Tomorrow Belongs to Us. He’s funny, whimsical, uninhibited and often delivers unforgettable punchlines that only he has the secret to. What’s it like playing such an iconic and popular character?

This is a gift! I was far from imagining it all. Two or three years ago, I didn’t work so much anymore. I even wanted to change my career. When I got to the show and they made me play the Helicon in the marching band, I wondered if the writers were in my head. I have this fantasy in me. I always made music. I was wondering how to get such a gift! I go from surprise to surprise. I am never disappointed.

Tomorrow belongs to us, as well as this meeting with the public. I was often turned away from castings because I was told that I was atypical and “too much”. And here I am myself and it works. People are not afraid of this fantasy. On the contrary, they welcome. I am super happy.

Nanny, high school student, and now head of Spoon, Mona has more than one string to her bow. Are you satisfied with the evolution of your character?

Yes! It is often unexpected. I want to go somewhere other than the spoon and at the same time it allows me to be in contact with all the other characters. I love to cook so this is a bit of a dream come true. Regardless, I want Mona to focus on other things, to get a little involved in her son’s investigations, for example. Anyway, I can’t wait to see what happens with him.

This is a bit of a shocker of the week: Vanessa is pregnant with Georges.

Oh la la la la! I learned this a bit by accident. Actually, I didn’t believe it. It was as if a slave was saying in my head:You can’t, but you can’t!“.

How will the slave react?

He will be shocked. I was shocked myself. The fact that Georges still sleeps with Vanessa and gets her pregnant when she’s really a psychopath is completely unexpected and very sad at the same time. There is a very, very beautiful scene that we shot with Hector Langevin, Solenn Hébert and Mayel Elhajaou. In this one, Bart is shocked, and the fact that Georges is worried about Vanessa’s pregnancy doesn’t go away at all. No less for a slave and no less for a victual.

What do you think Mona Bebo would be like?

Strict! Oh dear! I think she is going to incubate the baby. He will feel more. He’s really going to show off with the stroller. I think he will be delighted. And then that can lead to a lot of funny sequences. I loved playing Celeste’s nanny. True, I was afraid at the start, especially since it was one of my first series. I used to train with my cat because I was afraid of dropping the baby (laughs). But it went well.

On the heart side, could Mona be dating someone soon?

I think he is too independent. I don’t know if it would really add anything to the character. There was this big wind with Mr. Brune (Farooq Bermuga). I think it was quite embarrassing (laughs). It is more invested in the motherly side, protective than sentimental. If Giorgi’s father doesn’t show up one day, I don’t think Mona will meet anyone soon.

At Allociné we wondered if a little story with Gilles (Laurent Gamelon), Mariana’s brother?

It can be funny. It would create sparks, but Gilles is not his style. Sorry Laurent (laughs).

There is a relationship that we really like in Tomorrow Belongs to Us, which is the relationship between Mona and Nathan (Ader). More than friendship, it’s almost a motherly relationship. It was so unexpected and it’s definitely one of the most adorable relationships in the series. Can we hope to share more scenes with them in the future? Will he invest a little more in her life?

I believe there are things that will happen, but I can’t say exactly what. Especially since Ader has worked hard on his game, he has reached a great level. I love touring with him. He is a guy who really has a heart. This is rare because young actors can have a little big head. He’s great!

Can we expect to see an arc centered around Mona in the coming months?

I want to, but it’s not relevant.

We ultimately know little about the life of a slave. Will we learn more about her past and especially her relationship with Georges’ father?

We talk about it, but it’s not relevant. And then you have to find a particularly suitable actor, because it will be very difficult for me (laughs). I have no idea. At first I thought of Enrico Macias, but now I think he’s a bit old (laughs).

What is your favorite Mona Punchline?

There’s one that I’ve released myself that I’m proud of, and that’s ” I am the origin of the universe! “. I’m still laughing about it (laughs).

Do you have any other projects besides Tomorrow Belongs To Us that you can talk about?

I just shot a pilot for a TV series set in funeral homes with an army. I’m going to play Simone, a somewhat creepy secretary. I’m going back to basics