Actress Ophélia Kolb is making waves with her dual roles on television this January 23, 2025. Known for her portrayal of Lola on the series Panda on TF1, she also stars as Servane, a police officer, in the telefilm Jusqu'à ce que la mort nous unisse on France 3. Kolb's characters provide her with unique opportunities to explore themes of love, conflict, and personal growth, showcasing her versatility as an actress.
At the end of episode five of Panda, Lola’s life takes a dramatic turn when she discovers she is pregnant with Panda’s child. Kolb reveals Lola’s immediate reaction, sharing, "Lola is very surprised and distraught by this pregnancy. She didn’t expect it! This wasn’t something she was aiming for, nor was it a phase she anticipated reaching at this stage of her life." (Reported by Prisma Connect).
This twist isn't just shocking but also triggers deep layers of complexity within Lola’s character. Kolb continues, “Lola reflects on why Panda never disclosed this information, especially since they had promised to be honest with each other. She tends to understand and accept quite quickly the situation. It was part of his past, and he himself didn’t even know!” Kolb emphasizes how this storyline deepens Lola’s character, noting, “It’s interesting because we get to see another side of Lola, possibly softer, as she realizes life has more to offer than just her work.”
Ophélia Kolb's portrayal of Lola also indicates significant character development. This season, viewers see Lola becoming more compassionate. Kolb reflects, “She realizes she cannot blame Panda, as he was unaware of this new reality. Plus, considering her recent relationship with him, she finds it difficult not to acknowledge the depth of their bond, especially with this unexpected pregnancy.” (Reported by Prisma Connect).
On the same day, Kolb is also bringing attention to her role as Servane, reflecting on her experience of portraying a police officer for the first time. "It's my first role as a cop! I had never held a gun on screen before!" she shared during earlier interviews. She elaborated on Servane's character, who has fled from painful past experiences and now finds herself acclimatising to life as a police officer. "She is quite lost but determined to establish her new life. Servane's experiences resonate with those of us who transition from one life phase to another, trying to make sense of our surroundings and ourselves," Kolb explains.
Kolb has also experienced personal growth during filming, citing her collaboration with Bruno Debrandt as particularly significant. Describing him as "kind, caring, and funny," she expressed how Debrandt’s professional dedication made the project rewarding. The chemistry between the two seemed to create an environment conducive to acting, allowing both of their talents to shine through.
She fondly recalls their first meeting, recalling, "It was such a true encounter. We didn’t know each other before, but working with him made me realize how well we blended as actors. His professionalism encouraged me to dig deep for my role.” (Reported by Télé 7 Jours).
Another meaningful aspect of her filming experience was the sheer novelty of discovering the mountains. "Believe it or not, I had never been to the mountains until this shoot. It was surreal, and filming there brought so much depth to Servane's story, which is undeniably special to me,” Kolb reflects.
Kolb’s dual roles and the distinct arcs of her characters demonstrate not only her talent but also her growing passion for acting. Both the emotional upheaval of motherhood and the fresh challenges faced by Servane flesh out her versatility and capacity to capture complex emotions on-screen. She encapsulates her experience succinctly: “I think the viewers will appreciate the different layers my characters bring to the stories, with the exploration of personal and profession challenges at the forefront.”
With her dual roles airing concurrently, Kolb provides audiences with the chance to see her navigate life’s chaos within both fiction and character growth. The emotional whirlwind surrounding her characters leaves viewers curious about future developments as both series continue.
Ophélia Kolb embodies the struggles and triumphs of modern women through her roles. Whether it is accepting new life within Panda or grappling with loss and identity as Servane, she consistently draws viewers to her unique world filled with resilience and depth, indicating her evolution as both actress and artist.