Un Si Grand Soleil: “I stopped the series for personal reasons”… Hubert Benhamdin admits the reasons for his departure

After Guillem (Manuel Blanc), Akim (Aisam Medem) and Kira (Colaine Ramos-Pinto), Un si grand soleil will say goodbye to the character of Christophe (Hubert Benhamdin).

Since July 2019 in the daily soap opera France 2, Christophe has established himself as one of the most emblematic characters of the series over the seasons.

But after five years of good and faithful service, Hubert Benhamdin decided to leave Un si grand soleil “for personal reasons”. He will therefore make his final appearance in the series this Wednesday, July 3.

Before finally leaving the costume of Christophe and his alter ego Le Fleuriste in the closet, Hubert Benhamdin at least spoke to Allocine about the end of this great adventure.

Allocine: We just heard you’re leaving Un si grand soleil. Was it your wish or production?

Hubert Benhamdin : This is a personal choice.

Completing the story of Christophe and his alter ego the florist will not be an easy task for the screenwriters. Are you happy with the ending you envisioned for your character?

I think this is hardly going to end well for Kristoff. Finally, we reached a climax of sorts. Even if I stopped the series for more personal reasons than the series itself, I told myself it wasn’t bad that it stopped there because the character trajectory was pretty brilliant. We conclude at a moment when this is a kind of apotheosis.

In a previous interview together a few months ago, you told me that you were hoping for a symbolic death for Christophe and that he would be able to purge his demons. Ultimately, it’s not. Aren’t you a little disappointed that Kristoff’s dark side won out in the end?

Yes to some extent. I have a blue-blooded side, so I like it when things end well. However, Kristoff has gone too far into darkness, madness, and paradox. Without going back on it, it seems quite logical and coherent in the end.

Over the seasons, Christophe has developed into the main character of Un si grand soleil. What do you think made it successful?

A few things. I think that dual side was quite charming and it speaks volumes. It’s a bit of a cliché to say this, but we all have a form of duality within us that we speak to. And then Kristof is a character full of surprises and revelations. You never know where it will go. Anyway, from the inside I appreciated this great variety in terms of gaming palette, I got the impression of going from one genre to another. There was the sentimental side of the love stories, the animal world with Kristoff’s work, the vigilante side of it, and then all these forays into crime fiction as well as the supernatural. We were at the crossroads of several genres. It was quite appealing because it took the series in new directions.

Can you tell us about your last day of filming?

My last day of shooting was very short as I only shot one very short scene. It was the scene in which we see Christoph dead. But it was the last day of filming at Christophe and Cecile’s house. Even if it wasn’t really my last day, it felt a bit like it in my head because all my partners were there. It was really my last moments on the show and I had so much fun. There was something inside me that said, “Enjoy this context, these people, and this character you love so much for the last time.” So I really enjoyed it.

After playing Kristoff for several years, how do you deal with the fact that you now have to part with the character?

It is not difficult, because in this profession we love diversity. It’s interesting to switch from one character to another, even if the advantage of Kristoff is that he was several characters at the same time. It was very practical (laughs). Five years is good! Christoph lived well. I don’t mind doing a bit of comedy because Kristoff wasn’t funny every day, even if it was interesting. I tell myself that this is an opportunity to do something else.

If you had only one memory of Un si grand soleil, what would it be?

I really liked the beginning of Christophe and Cecile’s romance. I remember the scene at the restaurant by the pool and the conversation afterwards. I like these sequences. I realized that it was a great grace. It was beautiful, bright and really beautiful.

And then I really liked the series in the dark, during which Kristoff kills Eve Angel. I liked its editing and filming. Music too. There was a great atmosphere in this scene. I was really proud because it was a very good thriller scene.

Any message you’d like to share with fans of the series who have followed your journey as Christophe Lemaire?

I want to thank everyone with whom I could communicate, by text or on the street. I really got some great testimonials. It is true that Kristoff has reached a certain level of popularity. Wherever I go in France, there is always a moment when I talk to someone about Christophe. This is a bit of a new situation for me. This is the first time I have experienced this with a character. I am amazed by people’s kindness and recognition of my work. It means a lot to me and warms my heart.

What are your plans after Un Si Grand Soleil?

I am currently writing a play called “Réveil”. This is a play about love. It’s like a kind of initiation and spiritual tale about a man and a woman who experience love in all its forms throughout their lives. I really like this project. It’s a formula I’ve never tried because I’m the only actor on stage. I play all the roles, and at the same time, I am not alone on the stage, because there are musicians. Playing with music like a real partner is a bit of an old dream.