Thomas Jouannet, OPJ (France 3): "The production had asked me several times already, but…"

OPJ Returning to Reunion. Did this paradise island in the Indian Ocean convince you to join?

Thomas Jouannet: It’s nice to be 10,000 kilometers away in an amazing setting. Still, that’s not why I appear. The production had already asked me several times, but I was not free. This time it was the right one. Also, the director of this episode is a friend of mine and I wanted to work with him.

Was the shoot ideal?

Tasty! I was well received and pampered and was able to come with my wife and children. Everything was done in a relaxed and family atmosphere. Olivier Marchal, who was invited and whom I had contacted before, warned me and advised me not to hesitate. I was not deceived!

Is shooting far from the metropolis so different?

Yes, because you are far from the usual news. There is a kind of togetherness feeling in Reunion, which means that while you are working, nothing bothers you or bothers you. Hours are also changing. We start very early, like 6 in the morning, as there is no daylight anymore at 17.00. During the day, it’s insanely hot. But eventually you get used to it. It’s also great to explore different cultures and ways of life with its lush and majestic vegetation.

You play an important role as a guest. Is it harder than interpreting a repeating character?

No, because playing the main protagonist of the story, I had a lot to defend and it was very nice. My only regret is that I couldn’t work more deeply on his personality, that is, to be able to tell where this out-of-frame cop came from and where he was going. He’s a little nervous and a liar to get what he wants. We don’t know if what they’re saying is true. I like this player side. He is also a lonely man whose only passion is his daughter. He looks like me at this point because my family is my pillar.

Are you a free electron, like Angelo Ferrier?

I don’t know, but one thing is for sure, I’m not locked into a channel or a series. For ten years, I always participated in the shoot without stopping there. It may be silly to say this, but I love well-written roles. even though i play sat downThe TF1 series is what I miss the most professionally today, comedy.

Especially since you first hit the screens in 1993. first kisses…

A friend of mine recently showed it to make fun of me, and it’s phenomenal. (Laughs) I knew at the time I was going to drag this pan, but it makes me laugh. First of all, it allowed me to pay for my theater lessons with my first fee. Maybe I could have acted somewhere other than television, but it was a choice I made that kept me from sacrificing my private life.

OPJ: Every Thursday at 21:10 in France 3

Nicolas Palita Interview