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Blood, secrets, and intrigue: a dark thriller set in medieval France is now on Netflix

15/10/2025 10:00 - UPDATED 15/10/2025 10:17
Néro The Assassin

A dark atmosphere, duels in the rain, and a France torn apart by wars and betrayals. Néro The Assassin is the new French series recently added to Netflix’s catalog, quickly becoming a hot topic for its blend of intense action, family drama, and touches of the supernatural. At the heart of the story is a hunted assassin chased not only by enemies but also by his own inner demons.

Néro The Assassin
Pio Marmaï, (Photo: IMDb)

The setting is spectacular, and the cinematic, powerful photography creates an intense visual experience—appealing both to fans of the medieval genre and admirers of noir. Here’s everything you need to know about Néro the Assassin: from the plot to the cast, from the review to the release date. The trailer is at the bottom of the article.
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  • Title: Néro
  • International Title: Néro the Assassin
  • Format: TV show
  • Duration: 1 season (8 episodes)
  • Genre: Historical thriller, drama, action
  • Country of Production: France
  • Original Language: French
  • Cast: Pio Marmaï, Alice Isaaz, Olivier Gourmet, Yann Gael, Camille Razat
  • Release Date: October 8, 2025

Set in France in 1504, a time marked by chaos and superstition where death and politics are inseparably intertwined, Néro The Assassin tells the story of Néro, a feared assassin who, after years on the run, discovers his long-lost daughter. Together, they must flee once more, pursued by ruthless enemies and a dark force lurking in the shadows.

Blending mystery, faith, and medieval violence, the show offers a haunting glimpse into this turbulent era. Each episode delves into Néro’s moral fragility, torn between the instinct to survive and the desire for redemption. Evocative imagery and meticulously crafted medieval costumes heighten the sensation of being immersed in a world suspended between reality and legend.

Néro The Assassin

The miniseries stands out for its cast of actors known for their dramatic intensity. Pio Marmaï, one of the most versatile actors of contemporary French cinema (En corps, Lolo, Le Premier Jour du reste de ta vie), plays Nero, a tormented antihero torn between the violence of his past and the desire for redemption. His character embodies a deep moral conflict, where evil mixes with the purest love: paternal love. Alongside him, Alice Isaaz, seen in Paul Verhoeven’s Elle and the series Lupin, plays Nero’s daughter, a symbolic figure of hope and rebirth, the emotional heart of the entire story. Their bond represents the delicate thread running through a tale of guilt, faith, and forgiveness.

Néro The Assassin

Completing the main trio is Olivier Gourmet, a multiple award-winning actor known for collaborations with the Dardenne brothers (Le fils, Rosetta, La Promesse), who brings to screen a key character in the protagonist’s spiritual and moral journey, embodying the ambiguous line between justice and revenge.

The show – dark, dense, intimate – centers on a moral drama that evokes existential noir more than a conventional action thriller. Pio Marmaï brings to life an antihero of remarkable humanity: a man shaped by a violent past, searching for a glimmer of hope through his bond with his daughter. Néro does not rely on plot twists but on inner tension. Evil is not spectacular—it is ordinary. The show unfolds at a measured pace, letting glances, silences, and scars speak for themselves. The direction is essential, almost ascetic, guiding the protagonist’s journey without indulgence, while the cinematography plays on contrasts: the cold light of cities versus the darkness of souls. The historical reconstruction is meticulously crafted and impressively accurate.

Néro The Assassin

Is Néro the Assassin based on a true story?

No, Néro The Assassin is not based on a true story. While set in historically accurate 16th-century France, the plot and characters are entirely fictional. The series draws on the era’s superstitions and fears, but the story of Néro, a ruthless assassin protecting his daughter, is purely imaginative.

The series is part of the new wave of European historical productions that explore themes of morality and violence through a visually almost mythological representation. The carefully crafted sets and attention to detail recall productions like The Witcher and Marco Polo, but Néro the Assassin stands out for a darker tone, close to psychological horror thriller.

Néro The Assassin

Filming took place in various rural areas of France, where medieval architecture has remained intact over time. The main castle and reconstructed villages received praise for their authenticity, contributing to creating an oppressive yet realistic atmosphere for the narrative.

The miniseries has been available on Netflix since October 8, 2025 WATCH ON NETFLIX

Anthony Oliverio

Anthony Oliverio

Anthony O. is the main writer of Netflixmania.it and also contributes to Streamingmania. A talented storyteller with years of experience in press agencies and digital newsrooms, he has found his creative home in covering films and TV series, bringing talent, depth and passion to every piece he writes.