This is where it all begins: “Clotilda will face Tessier” … Elsa Lungin’s confidence in the return of her character.

AlloCiné: How do you evaluate these two years spent in Clotilda Armani’s skin, here it all begins?

Elsa Lungin : Wow (laughs). It was a bit chilly. I got on the show and it hasn’t stopped since. At first I was not going to settle there and finally I am here. Everything happened gradually, without asking yourself any questions. Because I’m not with family, it’s a bit of a “separate” life. I live a little, I do not know exactly how long, but at least I live in this minute. And then let’s see.

Was it a bet from the beginning? How long did you think before accepting the TF1 proposal?

At first I did not want to do that. I used to have daily suggestions and I said no. Because to be honest, I did not particularly like soap operas. And then I was a little scared of the time I would need and the imprisonment in which he would probably force me. As this may prevent you from getting other projects.

But when I was offered it all starts here, I really liked the role. The idea for the series was original, there was a lot to do and, as an actor, I had a lot to do. I felt the show was ambitious and would be good. So I finally did not hesitate long. And we get to a somewhat magical place, so it was easy to say yes.

Clotilda is a wonderful character. He was very tough at first and recently softened a bit thanks to Jeremy, Rose and Joachim. Are you satisfied with its development?

Yes, I’m happy. It is good that because of the plots, there is the nature of Clotilde that he sometimes conquers. She is an ambitious, perfectionist, a bit cold, demanding woman.

And this demanding side arises when he is in the kitchen especially with his students. Or in certain plots where his rigid personality occupies little. And that’s what I like: it’s absolutely not smooth. It’s a bit of an attraction with him, totally hot and cold. Pretty awesome game.

And when you look closely, Clotilda may have this manipulative side, but it is never done badly, there is always a good reason you can understand it. But there is still inconvenience in doing it. Manipulates a bit, lies so as not to try to hurt too much, and in the end it hurts. So it turns out in impossible situations (laughs). But we forgive him, because there is always a good reason behind it.

Clotilda has a very (anti) heroine side to American soap, dynasty or Melrose Place. We especially think of Amanda Woodward. Does this information speak to you?

Yes, that’s true. There is a tease that is where everything starts here, even if we can show some tenderness towards it. And Clotilda was a bit of a female colleague at the beginning of the series. But we have discovered many aspects of it over time. And I was very attached to this character. I really like Clotilda.

One of the highlights of recent months has been the split between Clotilda and Guillaume. Were you surprised by this distance?

დNot really. It has long been rumored that this couple did not really merge with each other. They were set up in a routine, doing everything for social change, as in bourgeois families. But there was a lack of love for what you felt in this couple. There was tenderness, riding, but there was no more love.

Are you frustrated with Bruno Puzulu’s lesser tour?

Glad to shoot with Ian Abrich, who plays Joachim. I was incredibly lucky to meet Janice because he is a delicious guy, he really is candy. And a very good actor.

But we understand Bruno so well that it was obviously a pleasure to work with him. Then at least we meet, we meet, we are all together. So it will never end.

But I love filming with Jenny and I get the impression that the viewer really likes the Clotilda-Joachim pair. It was a bet because when you have been in a relationship since the beginning of the series and there was cheating, it is never easy to fall in love. But the couple works so well that people understand I think.

Clotilda traveled to Sicily for a month with Joachim. Ask the production to free up your time?

Yes, I asked for a one-month break because I worked hard. I needed a rest. But I re-started shooting for the next plots, everything is fine.

How about what awaits Clotilde for her return?

For Clotilda, personally, I do not yet know what the authors are planning. Even compared to the return of Joachim. But there will be some things around Teixe that will still sow discord in the institute. Clotilda and many of the characters will confront her. There will also be new things emerging at the institute.

I also filmed lots of scenes in the kitchen with the students with Axel (Thomas and Costa), Teisie’s nephew. Then, of course, there will be exams at the end of the year and then a competition, after the arrival of new characters and the departure of others.

We know that an episode of disaster is preparing around the prom night of the institute, which will turn into a drama. Will Clotilde get involved in this conspiracy?

No, there is no Clotilde at the ball. I would run away from it (laughs).

You mentioned future trips. Recently, Clement Remien and Lucia Pasaniti left the series. How did you experience these departures?

It is always difficult because you are chained to people. It all starts here, it’s like that. Lucia and Clement and I were all together from the beginning.

But I talked to Clement a lot, following the evolution of his thinking a bit. He needed to go, he needed to. He is young, has a lot to live on, a lot to do. I think he wants to travel, he wants to eat. And he’s a kid who really likes the back of the camera. Interested in staging, photography. I think such a thing could be the end of his career.

For four years it was daily, time consuming, tiring. And he started out very young, so at some point it’s good to feel something. I myself started very young, I understand all this well.

Do you know if Jeremy will be back in the series again?

I have the impression that the authors want to bring Jeremy (Pierre Hurrell) back to the series from time to time. Maybe not as repetitive, but it is possible for it to come back from time to time, even if it is not in writing at the moment. Since he is in Australia, he can very well return to his old parents in Calvary (laughs).

Do you have any wishes for Clotilde’s future? More cooking perhaps?

I already do quite a lot. And production is increasingly relying on the kitchen, so once the shooting has resumed, I do a lot. I really like the balance between the kitchen sequence and the rest. The kitchen is very tiring to shoot because it is very technical and we also have a lot of text. In addition, the decor is very noisy. So the days spent in the kitchen are pretty tiring, but doing it is perfect.

Also, I like more dramatic or everyday stories. I can’t wait to get Janice back somewhere else because we are so excited and everything that revolves around this couple is so funny.

Want to shoot more with Vanessa Demui to learn a little more about the relationship between the two sisters Armand?

Soon something will happen to Rose. He will be back on screen for a while longer as there is something new going on at the institute. And Rose will play a role in that. But at this time no conspiracy has been written around the two sisters. But, of course I want to.