Polar+ Picks Up Encore’s Bête noire

The Canal+ Group thriller channel Polar+ has acquired the drama series Bête noire (Dark Soul), produced by Encore Télévision.

Bête noire, which aired last March on Séries Plus (Corus) in Canada, stars Isabelle Blais and Sophie Cadieux. It will launch in France and Poland on February 7. Canal+ Group has also acquired the series for all French-speaking countries, including those in Africa.

Through the deal, Bête noire will now be available in some 70 countries, having also been acquired in its original version with subtitles in the U.S., Norway and Australia.

Written by Patrick Lowe and Annabelle Poisson and directed by Sophie Deraspe, Bête noire tells the story of a family in turmoil after a 16-year-old teenager commits an unimaginable act at his school.

Louisa Boughias, director of Polar+, said: “We are delighted to offer Bête noire to Polar+ subscribers. The series will be broadcast in the channel’s Révélations slot, dedicated to event series. Our subscribers enjoy discovering thrillers from around the world with new voices and new talents. Sophie Deraspe’s directing is sure to engage them in this poignant story.”

Chrystine Girard, head of international distribution at Encore, said: “Thanks to this latest acquisition by Canal+ and its presence in all French-speaking countries as well as Poland, along with the deals with SBS in Australia, NRK in Norway and Link.TV in the United States, the original version of Bête noire will now move audiences all over the world!”