The calm of the luxurious Hotel Riviera is shattered when a prosecutor is found murdered. But, far from turning that crime into the sole axis of the story, Summer of ’36 shifts the focus to four women whose lives cross in a moment of profound social change in France.
New to Netflix, this six-episode French miniseries stands out for its settings on the Côte d’Azur, its 1930s atmosphere and a plot that blends mystery, history, and female characters with substantial weight.
A Crime in the Midst of Social Transformation
The most appealing aspect of Summer of ’36 is not merely the murder that triggers the story, but the context in which it unfolds. The series is set in Nice in 1936, when the introduction of the first paid vacations in France allowed thousands of workers to reach the exclusive French Riviera for the first time.
That shift generates a stark contrast between social classes. The more privileged sectors must share spaces that had previously belonged to them exclusively, a tense backdrop that runs through the entire story even before the crime appears.
What Summer of ’36 Is About
The official synopsis teases:
“Nice, 1936. Elite holidays on the Côte d’Azur are disrupted by workers enjoying their first paid vacations. Four women from different classes become entwined in a murder at the luxurious Hotel Riviera”.
From that event, the investigation involves four protagonists who are very different from one another, each shaped by her own story, her secrets, and the limitations imposed by the society of the era.
Four Women at the Heart of the Story
Although the murder acts as the trigger, the series builds its narrative around its protagonists.
Julie de Bona plays Blanche, a woman striving to maintain a public image while concealing important aspects of her private life.
Sofia Essaïdi brings Eugénie to life, who represents the perspective of the working class amid the social changes France is undergoing.
Constance Gay portrays Léonie, one of the new police auxiliaries who must carve a path in a male-dominated profession.
Finally, Giulia, played by Nolwenn Leroy, initially seems to occupy a secondary position within the mystery, though her role grows increasingly relevant as the story advances.
Who Makes Up the Cast
The main cast is headed by:
- Julie de Bona (The Count of Monte Cristo) as Blanche Akermann.
- Sofia Essaïdi (Overdose) as Eugénie Berthier.
- Nolwenn Leroy (Song of the Sea) as Giulia Vincent.
- Constance Gay (Win or Die) as Léonie Morel.
The ensemble is completed by Miou-Miou, François-Xavier Demaison, Pascal Elbé and Assaad Bouab.
Why It Could Win Over Downton Abbey Fans
Fans of Downton Abbey will find in Summer of ’36 several elements in common: a meticulously crafted period reconstruction, characters shaped by class differences, and a story that uses major social changes as the driving force of the narrative.
In just six episodes, the French production manages to blend suspense with historical drama and character development, becoming one of the most intriguing offerings among Netflix’s latest releases.
