Nero the Assassin: The Girl

My loved ones are probably dead already. But for a brief moment, the orphan I was would have known the happiness of having a family.

Episode description: “While sheltering in the winding slums, Perla reflects on her prophesied destiny as Néro creates a desperate plan to protect her.”

Nero the Assassin: The Archbishop

Archbishop: “Don't be afraid, Joséphine. Brother Penance is a good Christian. I raised him with love and respect for God.”

Episode description: “With the Witch's stone, Horace enters the citadel. Perla confesses to the prince while Néro remains in the underworld despite warnings.”

Nero the Assassin: The Monk

Néro to witch: So, what am I thinking now?
Néro internally: Think nothing, think nothing, think nothing.
Witch: Nothing.
Néro: Wrong.
Witch: If you say so. Walk.
Néro internally: Go f*ck yourself.
Witch: I heard that too.

Episode description: “With a new handmaid at her side, Hortense reveals her ruthless streak. Néro tracks down Horace and an enfeebled Azel, in dire need of water.”

Nero the Assassin: The Villain

Hortense: I order you not to die. That child needs you. And me as well. So no one dies without my permission.
Néro: As you wish, Princess.

Episode description: “Néro confronts a friend and his history while Rochemort deals with allegations. The penitents' arrival may change where loyalties lie.”

Nero the Assassin: The Inquisitor

Néro: There was no battle?
Lothar: They bolted the gates. They let the village be looted and did nothing.
Néro: How do you know that?
Lothar: No signs of combat. And the soldiers – no injuries.
Néro: The hanged men, they're not deserters. They wanted to help the villagers.

Episode description: “At Havreval, the group has doubts about their hosts. Rochemort must act violently when someone unexpectedly returns.”

Nero the Assassin: The Princess

Prince of Ségur: The archbishop won't allow it.
Rochemort: Well, don't tell him then.

Episode description: "With Perla, the monk and the Consul's daughter captured by the Penitents, Néro makes a desperate ploy. Meanwhile, the Consul has an audience with the Prince and finds he is under the thumb of his nemesis, the archbishop."

Nero the Assassin: The Witch

Perla: You didn't manage to kill the witch either. You're not just a bad father; you're a pathetic assassin.

Episode description: "As the caravan makes its way to Ségur, Rochemort's men relentlessly pursue them. Facing their pursuers, Néro makes a harsh decision that will change the course of their journey."

Nero the Assassin: The Assassin (Pilot)

"My name is Néro, and I'm the best assassin in Lamartine. Or at least, I was."

Episode description: "When Néro is betrayed by his ruthless master to a mysterious witch, the assassin must reunite with Perla, his long-lost daughter he abandoned at birth 14 years before, whose life is now in jeopardy."

Nero the Assassin

Season 1 | Cast |

Néro the Assassin is set in southern France in the early 16th century, in a time of desperate drought. Néro, who serves Rochemort, a ruthless and ambitious nobleman, is betrayed by his boss. He also has to rescue his daughter, a goal made difficult by the fact that he doesn't know her. This quick-paced series has lots of reversals and surprises and ever-shifting alliances, with various religious factions, different ranks, and the battles and truces between the sexes. There's fighting, killing, sorcery, and a struggle to survive.

The Netflix series was filmed in French, but if this is your style, don't let the French stop you! The dubbing in English seems pretty good. Most of the written bits – such as letters and notices – are actually in English, as that is currently the lingua franca of the world. Note also that the story part of an episode is about ten minutes shorter than what is listed. This is because Netflix has dubbed each episode in many languages and each language merits its own credits.

Néro the Assassin is reviewed by Victoria Grossack.

Season One

1.1 The Assassin
1.2 The Witch
1.3 The Princess
1.4 The Inquisitor
1.5 The Villain
1.6 The Monk
1.7 The Archbishop
1.8 The Girl

Cast

Pio Marmaï (Néro Miséricord)
Alice Isaaz (Hortense Rochemort)
Olivier Gourmet (Monk Horace)
Louis-Do de Lencquesaing (Nicolas Rochemort)
Camille Razat (La Borgne)
Yann Gael (Lothar)
Lili-Rose Carlier Taboury (Perla Miséricord)
Pauline Clément (Princess Joséphine of Ségur)
David Talbot (The Archbishop of Ségur)
Max Baissette de Malglaive (The Prince of Ségur)
Sandra Parfait (Zineb)
Noam Morgensztern (Frère Pénitence)