By: Karen Steinberg
Photo By Bruno Calvo/AGC Studios/Fragile Films/MGM+
Q) Please tell us the premise for the new series “Vanished.”
A) “Vanished” begins as a disappearance thriller, but very quickly reveals itself to be a much more emotional and human story — about grief, obsession and the fragile nature of truth. What I find particularly compelling is the way the series constantly shifts perspective. Just when you believe you understand the mystery, it deepens into something more intimate and unsettling.
Q) How was your character Hélène Landau originally described to you?
A) Hélène was introduced to me as a formidable but deeply fractured woman — a once-respected investigative journalist whose personal implosion has left her professionally and emotionally exposed. What immediately interested me was the tension between her razor intelligence and her private chaos. She is someone who still sees everything very clearly, except perhaps herself.
Q) Was there anything you added to the role that wasn’t initially on the page for you?
A) I was particularly interested in shaping her unpredictability — the sense that she is never entirely where you expect her to be emotionally. The writing already gave her wonderful contradictions, but I worked to emphasize the small ruptures in her composure: moments where her authority slips and something more fragile surfaces. Those quiet fractures often reveal more than the dialogue itself.
Q) What was it about the series or this role that drew you to be a part of “Vanished?”
A) What drew me most was the project’s refusal to live within a single genre. It moves fluidly between thriller, drama, and moments of unexpected dark humor, which is very rare. And Hélène herself is not a conventional heroine — she is complicated, sometimes abrasive, occasionally self-sabotaging. For an actress, that kind of moral and emotional complexity is extremely attractive.
Q) How does Hélène come to unite with Alice to investigate Tom’s disappearance?
A) Their alliance is born less from trust than from necessity. Hélène is already pursuing her own investigation when Alice arrives and they gradually realize their paths are converging toward the same unsettling truth. What begins as friction — almost a reluctant coexistence — slowly evolves into a genuine, hard-earned partnership. They are very different women, but they share the same instinct for truth and the same refusal to let go.
Q) You worked quite closely with co-star Kaley Cuoco. What was it like shooting the series with her?
A) Kaley brings a remarkable balance of precision and generosity to the set. She is extremely prepared and technically sharp, yet she maintains a very warm and open energy that immediately creates trust. Because I was working in English, there was naturally a moment of hesitation for me and she very quickly made the space feel relaxed and collaborative. That kind of leadership is invaluable, especially on an ambitious international production.
Q) The action-packed series is shot all throughout France. Where were some of your favorite places to film?
A) France truly becomes part of the storytelling language of the series. I was particularly struck by the southern locations — the quality of light there is extraordinarily cinematic. But I also loved the more urban environments, which bring a certain raw tension that serves the thriller beautifully. The visual contrast between elegance and danger mirrors the emotional landscape of the show.
Q) Is there a particular episode you hope fans keep a close eye on?
A) There is an episode in the middle of the season where Hélène is pushed into a very exposed emotional territory. Without revealing too much, it is the moment where we begin to understand what she is truly carrying beneath the surface. For me, it was one of the most delicate passages to perform and I think audiences will discover a very different dimension of her there.
Q) With such intensity to this show, how did you shake off a long day of filming?
A) I try to return to very grounding, simple rituals — walking, music, sharing a quiet meal. When you spend the day inside such emotional volatility, it is important to give the body something calm and familiar. Otherwise the character has a tendency to follow you home, which is not always desirable.
Q) What do you think it is about the series Vanished that will make it a fast fan favorite action-thriller-drama?
A) I believe it is the series’ ability to satisfy both the intellectual and emotional appetite of the audience. It delivers genuine suspense and momentum, but it is equally invested in the psychological truth of the characters. Viewers are not only pulled forward by the mystery — they become deeply engaged with the people at the center of it. That combination is extremely powerful.
Q) What are the other projects that you have been busy working on lately ?
A) I am extremely fortunate to be offered a wide array of roles. I go from a socially conscious film like “La maison des femmes” to musical comedy such as “Peau d’ homme” and then in “Le Coeur fou!”
Q) What would you like to say to everyone who are fans and supporters of you and the work you do on our screens?
A) I would simply say thank you, very sincerely. Acting is a dialogue across distance and I never take for granted the generosity of audiences who continue to follow my work, sometimes across languages and borders. I hope “Vanished” offers them suspense, emotion, laughs and perhaps a few unexpected moments along the way.