Pacific Criminal is one of France’s most distinctive and popular crime dramas. Created by Bertrand Cohen, the procedural follows Commander Clarissa Hoarau and her police squad as they investigate murders and disappearances in France’s overseas territories. The series mixes classic detective stories with ongoing personal arcs and a strong sense of place, using tropical landscapes and multicultural communities as part of its identity.

Season 1 was filmed in New Caledonia in the South Pacific and introduced the core team led by Clarissa, played by Yaëlle Trulès. The early episodes focused heavily on Nouméa and local Kanak culture, giving the show a setting rarely seen on French television. However, production changed dramatically after the first season. Due to COVID-19 travel restrictions and the logistical difficulty of returning to New Caledonia, the series relocated beginning with Season 2 to Réunion Island in the Indian Ocean. The move also brought several re-castings and character adjustments while keeping the central police team intact.

Season 4 marks another transition period for the series. Kelly Kwaté is largely absent during stretches of the season due to actress Marielle Karabeu’s unavailability for personal reasons. (Never fear, she will be back for Season 5!) At the same time, the squad gains a younger presence through Tahia Ethève, Clarissa’s niece, played by Lisa Do Couto Teixeira. Tahia’s arrival creates a generational clash within the team and refreshes the show’s dynamic by pairing youthful impulsiveness with the veterans’ experience.

Season 4 is also overshadowed by tragedy behind the scenes. Joséphine Fleury, the medical examiner played by Marion Campan, appears only intermittently and several storylines involving the character remain unresolved from Season 3 onward. This was due to Campan’s tragic death in 2022 at the age of 30 during production. Rather than abruptly rewriting the character, the series quietly reduced Joséphine’s presence while continuing with material already filmed. The result gives parts of Season 4 an unusually melancholic undertone, especially for longtime viewers attached to the ensemble cast.
Even through those changes, Pacific Criminal has remained popular thanks to its warm ensemble chemistry, unusual locations and blend of serialized character drama with accessible detective stories.