Laurent Gamelon is back on the set of Clem, but not without some biting comments aimed at his former co-star Victoria Abril. The actor, who plays Jean-Paul Boissier, voiced his frustrations about Abril's behavior, particularly her issues with punctuality, making quite the stir just as the series is set to return to TF1.
Scheduled to air on February 24, 2025, Clem is making headlines not just for its comeback but for the behind-the-scenes drama involving cast members. Gamelon, who had left the show back in 2018, has candidly shared his reasons for stepping away, revolving around his discomfort with Abril's attitude during production.
“I had left the series because I could no longer stand her arriving late all the time,” Gamelon recounted during his interview with Télé 7 Jours. He elaborated, saying, “To change her outfit, it took her at least forty minutes. Then she needed to redo her hair and makeup.” For Gamelon, the delays were not just frustrating; as a father to young children at the time, he felt it was unfair to sacrifice family time for the delays caused by Abril.
This isn't the first time Gamelon has spoken out against Abril. A year prior, he had expressed his discontent with her, saying, “There were instances where I spent four days with her on set, which might sound appealing to some, but I did not enjoy her company at all.” Compounding his grievances, Gamelon referenced Abril’s dubious boundaries, asserting, “She once made an inappropriate gesture. I didn’t hold it against her, but I did ask her to refrain from repeating it, which she did.” Nevertheless, he hastened to clarify, “That was not harassment, which would require repetition; it was merely inappropriate behavior.”
Meanwhile, Clem continues to grapple with its own set of controversies. Lucie Lucas, who played Gamelon's on-screen daughter, has also called out Abril publicly. Lucas stated, “We are irreconcilable,” referring to her experience working with Abril as marked by conflict. Last year, Lucas accused Abril of sexual aggression, necessitating her to clarify the nature of her accusations on Franceinfo afterwards, emphasizing her role as a witness rather than a direct victim.
The fallout has left deep rifts within the cast, with Lucas refusing mediation with Abril after the latter demanded apologies instead. Gamelon, who remains amicable with Lucas, expressed admiration for her character, calling her “an intelligent and sensitive girl.”
All these tensions seem to cast shadows as Clem gears up for its return. While the reunion promises nostalgic fanfare, the underlying dynamics hint at unresolved issues among the actors, possibly revisiting moments not too far removed from tensions already aired.
With everyone tuned back to the drama of parental relationships and personal conflicts inherent within the series, it remains to be seen whether audiences can truly separate the art from the artist, especially when past grievances are laid bare. How much of the personal animosity will seep through the screen, impacting viewer enjoyment?
The reemergence of Clem on February 24 promises to deliver more than just scripted family drama; it potentially opens doors to unresolved disputes going back years. Following the controversies, Gamelon’s return, coupled with the absence of Abril, poses weighty questions about team dynamics and professionalism on set—topics many viewers will undoubtedly contemplate as the show inches closer to its airing.
Whether or not this latest round of revelations affects ratings, or how fan loyalty holds up amid public sentiment, remains to be seen. For now, the cast of Clem stands at the brink of revival, teetering between their shared past and the prospect of new stories.