The BBC has acquired the eight-part French high-concept drama The Sentinels (Les Sentinelles) from Studiocanal, bringing an adrenaline-fueled blend of historical warfare and science fiction to UK audiences.
Based on the acclaimed graphic novels by Xavier Dorison and Enrique Breccia, the series presents an alternate history of World War I centered on Gabriel Ferraud, a gravely wounded soldier recruited into a clandestine military program.
Injected with a mysterious serum that grants him superhuman strength and resilience, Ferraud joins an elite unit of augmented soldiers known as the Sentinels. BBC’s Head of Programme Acquisitions, Nick Lee, has described the show as a clever adaptation where “steampunk meets RoboCop,” noting that the narrative possesses a “Frankenstein-ian” depth and empathy that sets it apart from traditional war dramas.
Produced by Federation Studio France and Esprits Frappeurs, the series stars Louis Peres as Ferraud and is directed by the visionary duo Thierry Poiraud and Édouard Salier. The Sentinels has already established a significant global footprint, marking Canal+ Group’s first simultaneous multi-continental launch across 30 countries in Europe, Africa, and Asia.
It has secured distribution on major platforms worldwide, including Disney+ in Spain and Tivibu in Turkey. Scheduled to premiere on BBC Four and iPlayer later this year, the series promises a visceral and unforgivingly entertaining experience that explores the ethical costs of creating the ultimate weapon amidst the chaos of the front lines.
