A More Beautiful Life: ‘It Was a Pillar of the Series’ … Michel Cordes Reacts to Roland’s Death

Roland’s return to Mistral, which took place last week at Plus belle la vie, was short-lived.

Even before the scheduled shutdown of the soap opera on France 3 on November 18, and as filming ended today in Marseille, the page is already reuniting all fans of the adventures of the inhabitants of Mistral, which has been broadcast daily since 2004 and which featured Laurent. Kérusoré, Laëtitia Milot, Elodie Varlet, Léa François, or even Marwan Berreni.

This Monday, October 3, viewers will truly witness the death of Plus belle la vie patriarch Roland Marc (Michel Cordes), who will succumb to a heart attack surrounded by his loved ones.

A shocking twist that doesn’t really come as a surprise to anyone anymore, as the channel itself already released an excerpt from the next episodes yesterday, where the Mars clan mourns. But that already promises its share of emotions, both for the characters and for the viewers, who will certainly not shed a few tears when saying goodbye to Roland.

Introduced at the last festival of La Rochelle, Michel Cordes, Roland’s interpreter, returned to us after the death of his character, the symbol he represents for him and for the series and the stop of a more good life. Don’t forget to look back on this eighteen year long adventure and look forward to his future projects.

AlloCiné: What was your reaction when you heard about the end of Plus belle la vie?

Michael Cordes : I have already somewhat separated from the series. I didn’t repeat anymore, I only came periodically. So it affected me less than I think others. But personally, it’s sad for me. Maybe we had to regenerate, change things. Anyway, in my opinion, France 3 should not have marked the end of Plus belle la vie.

This soap opera is unique in French television. Such a duration, with such an audience, is unheard of in France. So I think it’s really sad. This is a page in television history that is turning. And I understand that the public is very upset.

Do you think Plus belle la vie could come back one day, in one form or another (special bonuses, spin-off)?

I think it would be a mistake to try to repeat exactly the same thing. But a series inspired by it, why not. If there has been such success, it is because there are elements that have contributed to it. So we can imagine a series that will occupy these elements, with a different structure, with a different color. I think we should find something similar.

It’s no longer a secret: Roland will die during the episode, which airs on France 3 on October 3. What was your reaction when you found out the writers were planning to kill off your character?

I wasn’t too surprised. Many people told me that Roland was the iconic character of the series. Hubert Besson, who helped create Plus belle la vie, said he was the “totemic” character of the series. The mainstay of the series. So if we remove the tribe, we destroy the totem. At least that’s how I experienced it. It seems quite logical to me.

Did the producer give you advance notice of the decision to kill off Roland?

I haven’t played in the series for several months. And they agreed to let me know about three months in advance if they wanted me to come back from time to time. And there they told me pretty quickly that they wanted Roland back. I wanted to come back for three weeks, but they asked me to stay a little longer. And they told me “Here, we will kill Roland”. But then again, we already knew the show was going to end, so it made sense to me.

Before his death, Roland returned to Mistral for several episodes to help Killian, who was going through a difficult time. Are you satisfied with this latest plot?

Roland is true to himself. He is very emotional and family, children are fundamental for him. There was this story, a year and a half or two years ago, where Killian and Lola appeared. She graduated with two more children, this is the magic of TV series (laughs). And here he comes to revive this family. I really liked that the authors write these scenes, it is in the logic of the character.

So will we be allowed to have nice scenes between Roland and his loved ones before he dies?

Oh yes. of course. Killian, in particular, is still very young. He is not quite grown up yet. There are very beautiful scenes where Roland tries to raise his son. I shared very beautiful moments with Tim Russo on the set.

We imagine that Roland’s death will be a real blow to Thomas, Mirta and the whole family…

of course. I believe the next week will be very busy with his death and tears. But he also gave us a lot of laughs on the set and that was good (laughs).

Were those final scenes full of emotion?

I shot Roland a week before I left work. But I have to say that the last stage day was something. When the whole team claps for you for 10 minutes, it’s messed up. This series is an eighteen year adventure.

Eighteen years of Plus belle la vie, is there a plot that has ticked you off?

I don’t really remember the plot specifically, no. More atmospheres. For example, a bar, of course. Together with Laurent Kérusoré and Laëtitia Milot we created a very good trio. It was very strong. They always made fun of me (laughs).

I prepared a lot of props because I had to go hand in hand with playing and physical activity. That’s how they laughed at me “That’s it, Roland loses the ball, he talks to his bully” (laughs). These are the moments that will remain in my memory.

You mentioned Laëtitia Milot. Do you regret not returning before the end of the series?

I don’t know what happened. They could bring it back, yes. From time to time such longing happens. But, yeah, I think it would be nice for Melanie to go back to Mistral.

Despite this page being taken back, we imagine you’ll stay in touch with your playing partners, especially Laurent Cerusore. Have you made very strong connections?

of course. Laurent, I’m her fictional father. It is important. But even with Laëtitia Milot and Sylvie Flepp. We have created an unbreakable bond. It’s normal, we spent eighteen of our lives together.

How do you envision the future and after Plus belle la vie?

I’m 77 years old, so the future is still a bit short of me (laughs). But I do a lot of sculpting, so I’m going to dedicate myself to that. I have a new partner, recently retired, who I get on very well with, so I think we’ll have a good time.

And after a 53-year career, it would be nice to slow down. I traveled a lot, I think a little (laughs). I worked a lot in decentralization, in the theater, so I changed cities a lot. I have driven millions of miles. So I’m going to rest now.

Before the end of the series, in mid-September you came to the La Rochelle TV Fantasy Festival with a large part of the team to meet the public. Was it important for you to say goodbye to the community that has followed you for so many years?

And really. I take it as a “last stand”. We came to thank the community. If we existed, it was because millions of people had faithfully followed us for eighteen years. The boss for me is society. We work for him. So goodbye and thank you.