If you’ve hit a lull in your television schedule and fancy some brilliant sun-soaked drama, we’ve got hours of mystery magic for you to cosy up with. So, if you’re sitting comfortably, we’re taking you over to southern France – but not to the village of Sainte Victoire to help Jean in The Madame Blanc Mysteries; rather, to a stunning coastal town where another vivacious sleuth is tackling murders and crimes: introducing Candice Renoir.
Unlike Jean White (Sally Lindsay), Candice (Cécile Bois) is no amateur – she’s a professional detective, but is almost a decade out of practice after travelling round the world raising her four children due to her husband’s work. When she returns to France from Singapore, she’s single and ready to restart her career – no easy feat. She may have to contend with a chaotic home life, judgement from her colleagues and complex cases, but it’s impossible not to fall in love with Candice in this five-star series Madame Blanc fans will love.
With the series available to stream now, here’s everything you need to know about Candice Renoir, including the plot, cast and how to watch it.
What is Candice Renoir about?
From the first series, which aired in 2013, it’s evident that Candice Renoir (Cécile Bois) isn’t your typical detective. After 10 years as a housewife travelling around the world following her husband’s career, his infidelity triggers a messy divorce that takes her back to her roots, taking up a post as chief detective in a southern French port town, with her four children in tow. Despite years of experience as a hotshot Parisian detective under her belt, she’s met with animosity from her colleagues, who misjudge her appearance, blonde hair and sparkly energy for stupidity.
Worsening the judgement is Candice’s age – she’s not clued up on the latest policing technology, carries her ID badge in a pink case and gets nicknamed ‘Columbo in heels’. So, will Candice succeed in proving herself to her doubters? Well, these assumptions, paired with her maternal instinct, are exactly the things that set her apart and encourage people to provide her with key information during investigations.
Candice’s sharp skills have never left her, and each episode sees her cracking a case by noticing something her colleagues haven’t – for example, she realises a so-called suicide is actually a murder from the contents of the victim’s fridge. As well as solving murder cases, from a series of attacks on homeless people in series 7 to the death of a video games fanatic in series 8, she’s also grappling with a chaotic home and romantic life, making her a beyond relatable lead.
Who’s in the cast of Candice Renoir?
The cast of Candice Renoir includes:
- Cécile Bois as Candice Renoir
- Raphaël Lenglet as Antoine Dumas/Paul Durieux
- Clara Antoons as Emma Renoir
- Ali Marhyar as Mehdi Badhou/Mehdi Badou
- Etienne Martinelli as Jules Renoir
- Alexandre Ruscher as Léo Renoir
- Yeelem Jappain as Valentine Atger/Anne Rousseau
- Paul Ruscher as Martin Renoir
- Olivier Cabassut as Armand Marquez/Commissaire Waldeck
- Gaya Verneuil as Chrystelle Da Silva
- Marie Vincent as Nathalie Delpech/Soeur Chantale
- Delphine Rich as Aline Jego
- Nathalie Boutefeu as Sylvie Leclerc/Gilberte Chassignac
- Stéphane Blancafort as David Canovas
- Samira Lachhab as Yasmine Attia
- Christophe Ntakabanyura as Ismaël Ndongo
- Amélie Robin as Marion Faure
- Michel Moutardier as Michel
- Lilly-Fleur Pointeaux as Jennifer/Anita
Is Candice Renoir any good?
Yes – if you’re into sun-drenched cosy crime series such as Madame Blanc and need a new watch, you’re going to want to tune into this glorious drama. We loved Candice’s warmth, and journeying through her messy home life, various romances and, of course, her neverending caseload is pure comfort television.
Is there a trailer for Candice Renoir?
Yes – you can watch the trailer for Candice Renoir below (with English subtitles).
How can I watch Candice Renoir?
You can watch Candice Renoir now on Prime Video via Acorn TV.
What other detective dramas can I watch now?
If you’re in the mood for another bubbly blonde female lead, we’d recommend Agatha Raisin, in which the eponymous sleuth, played by the brilliant Ashley Jensen, solves an assortment of murder cases in a supposedly sleepy Cotswolds town. You can watch Agatha Raisin now on Acorn TV via Prime Video. If you’re after another dose of escapism, we’d point you towards The Chelsea Detective, where we follow Detective Inspector Max Arnold (Adrian Scarborough), who’s very different to the wealthy residents he helps, as he cracks puzzling cases across the upmarket west London borough. The Chelsea Detective is available to stream now on U.
