Spin

The President of the French Republic, visiting Saint-Etienne in the Loire, in a striking plant dies, victim of a bomb attack. The political world is agitated: early presidential elections to be held within the next thirty-five days. There is no doubt that Philip Deleuvre, the prime minister, will run for the Elysee. But what few people know is that the leader of the government knows more things he claimed. This state causes lie back to business Kapita Simon, a former communications adviser (spin doctor) of the late president. Anxious to preserve the honor of his deceased friend and some form of political ethics, the man of the shadows has now set a goal: to find a candidate who will be able to beat Deleuvre.

Spin (2012-2016) is a French national-television political drama series created by Charline de Lépine, Frédéric Tellier, Emmanuel Daucé and Dan Franck for France 2. Bruno Wolkowitch plays Simon Kapita, a former communications adviser to the late French president who now works in the shadows, and Philippe Magnan plays prime minister Philippe Deleuvre, the ambitious politician who is expected to win the Élysée. Kapita's engine is simple and driven: after the president's assassination, he sets out to find a candidate who can beat Deleuvre in a snap election held within thirty-five days, while maneuvering through press offices, backroom meetings and rival advisers. Each hour-long episode is built from concrete campaign machinery, including polling, leaked stories, staged appearances and private negotiations, and the story runs across three seasons as one continuing arc. Nathalie Baye, Carole Bouquet and Nicolas Marié also appear among the principal cast. The tone is tense and cerebral, with a sharp, morally grey atmosphere that feels closer to a chess match than a shouting match. Fans of House of Cards, Baron Noir and The West Wing will find resonance in its portrait of power, image and the price of political loyalty, set in contemporary France.

• House of Cards (2013)political thriller tone, behind-the-scenes spin and power plays, serialized campaign intrigue
• Baron NoirFrench political drama, government intrigue and backroom maneuvering
• The West Wingpolitical conspiracy with a morally driven operative navigating elite power

Created by

Charline de Lépine, Frédéric Tellier, Emmanuel Daucé, Dan Franck

Release Date

2012-01-25

Episode runtime

52 min

Rating

7.5 / 10 (21)

What is Spin about?

A disgraced former presidential spin doctor operates in the shadows to find a candidate capable of defeating a scheming prime minister in a snap French election.

What is Spin like to watch?

Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Spin as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as layered.

Is Spin violent?

Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Spin as mild.

Which shows are like Spin?

Shows with a similar feel include House of Cards (2013), Baron Noir, and The West Wing.

How long is Spin?

Spin: 3 seasons, 18 episodes.

Is Spin still running?

No, Spin has ended.