“Sam, he’s a bit like James Bond”: this was the main challenge Ellen de Fugerol had to overcome when reprising the role on TF1.

This Monday, January 8, TF1 aired the first two episodes of Season 7 of Sam, one of the channel’s flagship series. A chance for viewers to find the craziest literature professor at PAF after over two years of waiting. However, these new episodes featured a change, as Sam switched translators for the second time since the series began.

The role of Sam was taken by Hélène de Fugerole

In 2016, in the first season, it was Matilda Seiner who brought Sam to life. Unfortunately, the actor left the series after only one season, making way for Natacha Lindinger, who portrayed the character. Colorful five seasons. .

But in November 2022, the latter, in turn, announced his departure to start new projects. Thus he gave way to Hélène de Fugerol, whom the audience could see earlier in Balthazar.

A challenge for an actor

In taking on the role of Sam, Ellen de Foujerol therefore had the difficult task of making us forget the previous actors who played the character, while at the same time taking into account the work that her predecessors had done on the series.

“I watched the last two seasons with Natacha Lindinger.So Hélène de Fugerol confided in our colleagues 7 days TV. “He totally nailed Sam, that’s for sure. I knew I wasn’t going to do the same, simply because I’m different. I think Sam is a bit like James Bond, ultimately: there’s a character that’s played by different artists, and each one has its own color.”

Fortunately, the producer gave Ellen de Fugerol the opportunity to bring a little of her own personality to the character of Sam. “When you’re a sensitive person, it’s so overwhelming that you don’t even have to act to feel it on screen“, he explained, before adding: “I tried to remove as much as possible. I was often told, “No, Sam would never say that.”“.

Hélène de Fugerole then found a compromise to best portray Sam, asking the series production team to do their own thing before going ahead with their proposal.

“It was liberating for everyone. I was much less disappointed. The director sometimes, often, reassured me: “We kept your shot.” So they finally accepted my way of seeing Sam.“.

Catch two new episodes of Sammy Season 7 this Monday 15th January from 9.10pm on TF1. For those who are more impatient, episodes are available to preview on the TF1+ platform.