Is Netflix’s New Historic Series that Ranked #2 this Week a Hit? Find Out!

On October 8, Netflix subscribers were introduced to a new series titled Nero. This show, a blend of historical drama and fantasy, stars Pio Marmaï as an unparalleled assassin betrayed by his own. Discovering he has a daughter, he sets off on a journey to shield her from mercenaries hot on their trail.

With a substantial budget, the series was filmed on location in Southern France. Its eight episodes are packed with action and combat sequences, many of which were performed by Pio Marmaï himself. Did this rare foray by the French industry into the epic genre pay off?

A part of the online community applauds the series’ ambition

According to many internet users, the series not only displays ambition but also successfully ventures into popular genres. Many are hoping for a second season of Nero (no news on this front yet, the series’ viewership in the coming days will therefore be pivotal).

As Michel H. puts it:

“A fantastic French series with a genre blend that makes it a hit. The decision to use contemporary French in dialogues adds dynamism to the plot. The mix works well, providing superb entertainment that aims solely to keep viewers engaged through all six episodes. I hope season 2 is just as brilliant.”

According to Lionel33000:

“A fantastic series full of twists and adventures starring the great Pio Marmaï, Camille Razat from Emily in Paris, Alice Isaaz from Bordeaux, and young Lili-Rose Carlier Taboury. The cast is top-notch. I thoroughly enjoyed the eight-episode journey, with its quirky story blending swords and sorcery, legends, and modern dialogues. The pace is brisk for this prophecy-based plot.”

According to Cat:

“A real knockout! I loved the genre mix: western, medieval, fantasy. Individually, the characters and the plot could seem unoriginal, with many clichés (the witch, religious fanatics, the capital-H hero, the oppressed people, etc). But the whole package works wonders!

There’s never a dull moment, and the unique atmosphere never overshadows the characters or the plot. The nuances are brought in with finesse. In short, I can’t wait for season two!”

A series striving for modernity fails to win over the online community

Now, let’s turn to the disappointed viewers. Most of them criticize the series for subpar dialogues (and the decision to use modern language in a historical setting). The quality of the performances is also criticized, along with the many anachronisms—even though the creators of the show stand by them.

As stated by Agnes L.:

“(…) What can be salvaged from this series, which is categorized as historical—we wonder why, is hard to say? Only Olivier Gourmet (Horace) stands out in the cast because he convincingly portrays his period character. The rest, including the music and direction, is not up to par with a mid-range series, far from it.”

According to Stephane B:

“On paper, this series had everything going for it… a solid cast… meticulous production… But sadly, the story is all over the place. For instance, without giving anything away, we learn a crucial piece of information in the early episodes that should logically impact the series and… well… it’s never mentioned again even though the characters cross paths. Then, there are twists in almost every episode when it’s not endless marches. In short, it had everything going for it only to end with a… meh!”

According to El_pepe:

“Wow, a high-flying plot. The early episodes should be decisive in making viewers want to continue, but if the plot is missing, it’s sure to be a struggle. In 1504, I don’t think they used the same vocabulary as us today. Yes, it’s true, ‘the dialogues need to be modernized’, but there’s a happy medium.”

All eight episodes of Nero are now available exclusively on Netflix.

Check out the list of series currently streaming on the platform!