French Series ‘Lupin’ Tops ‘Queen’s Gambit’ Views on Netflix

Within its first month, the Netflix-produced "Lupin" series would have been viewed in 70 million households, setting a milestone for Tuesday's streaming site, a French TV show. 

The film, starring Omar Sy of "Untouchable" fame, would have breezed past Netflix's new blockbuster "The Queen's Gambit," which has 62 million views and other hits in English, including "Bridgerton," on the basis of current trends.

The Netflix projection covers the 28 days to February 5, the company told AFP.

“70 million, that’s crazy”, Omar Sy tweeted. “So proud that Lupin is the first French series to have such an international success.”

Only half of the first season’s 10 episodes have so far been available on Netflix.

In about 10 countries, including Brazil, Vietnam, Argentina and Spain, they are at the top of the viewing charts.

After the release of the TV show, the 1905 book on which the show is loosely based, "Arsene Lupin-Gentleman Burglar" by French writer Maurice Leblanc-has shot to the top of book sales on Amazon.fr.

In the series, based in modern-day Paris, Sy plays Assane Diop who uses the gentleman thief and master of disguise as his inspiration in his quest to avenge his father for an injustice inflicted by a wealthy family.

The series, produced by Gaumont, was mostly written by Briton George Kay, whose past work includes “Killing Eve”, “Criminal” and “The Hour”.

It has a 7.4 out of 10 rating, according to a review compilation by the Internet Movie Database.