After over thirteen years away from the small screen, the cult series Bref is back with its second season launching exclusively on Disney+ this February 14, 2025. The creators, Kyan Khojandi and Bruno Muschio, who originally brought the show to audiences with its unique format, have made significant changes for its return, now offering episodes ranging from thirty to forty minutes—a stark shift from the original short episodes of one to three minutes.
The original debut occurred back on August 29, 2011, on Canal+, where the show quickly gained attention for its punchy storytelling and rapid-fire humor over the course of 82 brief episodes. Viewers fell for the anonymous Parisian protagonist portrayed by Khojandi, who stumbled through the absurdities of modern life—everything from romantic flops to awkward social encounters.
Since its initial airing, Bref has garnered cult status, inspiring countless parodies and homages across French media. The anticipation for the second season has built steadily, especially following enigmatic marketing campaigns featuring cryptic advertisements reading just "Re" spotted around Paris's metro stations, stirring public curiosity and social media buzz. The return of Bref was soon confirmed, and trended even more widely across online platforms, illustrating the attachment many have to Khojandi's relatable comedic expressions and observations.
While the original format became synonymous with quick comedic vignettes ideally suited for social media sharing, this new format allows for richer narrative development. Kyan Khojandi shared insights with France Inter, saying, "On avait plus de choses à raconter. On est arrivé avec 10 ans d’idées, de réflexion, d’envies […]". He emphasized the need to tell longer, more fleshed-out stories, inviting perspectives on themes like aging and parental relationships from characters who now grapple with their own life transitions as they age.
Each episode explores the new normal of relationships and responsibilities, pivoting to touch on the life of the main character now approaching his forties. "Nous avons retrouvé nos personnages et créé de nouveaux pour explorer les thèmes qui nous sont chers: les relations amoureuses, le rapport aux parents, les nouvelles rencontres […]" Khojandi stated, indicating the continued relevance of the material for both returning and new audiences.
Many beloved original characters return alongside new faces, promising surprises and humor for viewers. Bérengère Krief, Baptiste Lecaplain, and Jonathan Cohen are among those reprising their roles, joined by new talents such as Laura Felpin and Jean Paul Rouve. The creators are excited about the mix and how it will contribute to the story's depth.
To celebrate the launch, Disney+ made the first episode available for free on YouTube, allowing new audiences to experience the show at no cost—a move viewed as strategic for drawing fresh viewers. The debut episode runs at 38 minutes, considerably longer than those of the first series but maintains the same fast-paced and comical essence. "Il s’agissait d’un équilibre qui permet d’apprécier davantage les petites blagues et moments comiques placés ici et là", mentioned Khojandi, underlining the balance between humor and emotional depth sought with this revival.
Additionally, alongside the new series, Disney+ is set to release an immersive documentary titled bref. De bons amis. This special, made available on February 21, offers fans insights behind the scenes, detailing the teamwork of the crew, challenges faced during production, and light-hearted anecdotes, providing viewers additional intimacy with the series they adore.
The return of Bref on Disney+ signifies not just nostalgic appeal but also highlights the evolution of its storytelling. With issues like aging, friendship, and personal growth tackled with the franchise's signature humorous lens, the series aims to connect with old fans and attract new ones alike, showing how life’s challenges continue to compile as we get older. Kyan Khojandi optimistically remarked, "Il y a des gens qui pensaient jouer pour l’embarras du choix qui vont découvrir qu’ils ont en fait tourné pour Bref," illustrating the surprises yet to come for both cast and audiences.
With six longer episodes promising rich narratives and character development, the revival of Bref is poised to captivate and resonate. Fans eagerly await the new escapades of Kyan Khojandi's celebrated character, embarking on additional stories steeped with maturity yet delivered through familiar comedic flair.