Astrid and Raphael on France 2: ‘It won’t be easy for Nico’… Benoit Michel talks about the challenges his character will face in season 6

In season 6 of Astrid and Raphaëlle, currently airing every Friday on France 2, Raphaelle (Lola Devaer) is very physically impaired.

The policeman was, in fact, a victim of poisoning that could have cost him his life. This new trial will obviously follow his relationship with Astrid (Sarah Mortensen) as well as Nico.

A few months ago, while filming Season 6, AlloCiné caught up with Benoit Michel to discuss what’s next for his character in this new flurry of episodes.

AlloCiné: In the season 5 finale, Raphael was between life and death. What are the consequences of this poisoning on the relationship with Nico?

Benoit Michel : He worries about her even more and it won’t be easy for him because he is someone who is already very worried to begin with. Especially since Rafael is not going to change.

He will continue to act as if everything is fine and that he is not sick. That’s why Niko will step back a little. Every time she worries about him, Raphael yells at her like he usually does.

He tries to slow her down a bit for her health, but she cheats on him. Raphael does not accept vulnerability and weakness. But Niko is his companion, he knows that he is not well. So there will be a duality, but at one point he will manage to let go of the gun and open up to Nico.

Season 5 was also a turning point in their relationship as they were finally a couple for the first time. Will they continue their story in Season 6?

Yes, I guess we can say they are officially together. There are no more questions than that. Most importantly, Rafael and Niko are very good friends.

So, more than a physical relationship, they really trust each other. They are listening. They feel comfortable with each other. They were friends before they fell in love and it shows in their relationship.

You have been playing the character of Niko for over 6 years now. Do you still enjoy falling into a role?

Yes of course. But inevitably, after six years, sometimes there can be fatigue. But it’s up to us as actors to find ways to come back and offer different things that sometimes go beyond what’s written.

This is something you have to find so you don’t get bored as an actor. Because in the end, that’s what we can all face. When you play a play eight hundred times, you also have to figure out how not to get bored.

For me, an actor who is very comfortable, there is nothing worse. Because it can be seen in the picture. So it’s a real challenge to maintain a character for that long.

Of course, there are difficult times. But there are always new directors on set who bring a different energy and a new vision.

Do you have any suggestions for developing your character?

Yes, always. Right in this sixth season, there’s a difference between the first proposal from our screenwriters, Alexandre de Seguen, and what we actually did for Nico’s character.

By working on the texts as a team, we used our personalities, the way we speak, and our sensibilities to write certain things accordingly. For example, I was the one who suggested that Nico get to know Astrid.

And when Alexandre de Seguins saw the rush, he knew it was a good idea. This sometimes gives him ideas in his writings. In Astrid and Rafael, we have some freedom because they trust us. We are the ones who know our heroes best.

Watch a new episode of Astrid and Rafael Season 6 this Friday, October 31 at 9:10 p.m. For those who are more impatient, episodes are available to preview on the TF1+ platform.