After a long wait, the Netflix hit show Lupin has returned for a third season – two years after the series’ last installment.
The French crime drama became an international hit when it launched in January 2021, with part two dropping only five months after its debut on the streaming platform.
Part 3 is now available to stream on Netflix, with the entire season having dropped in the early hours of this morning, much to the delight of the series’ fans.
For those who aren’t so familiar with the show, it stars Omar Sy as master thief Assane Diop, who seeks to emulate Marice Leblanc’s gentleman theif Arsène Lupin.
The disguise is a part of a bigger plan to avenge the injustice his father suffered at the hands of a wealthy family – all while also trying to keep his true identity hidden from the French authorities.
Part 3: French crime thriller Lupin has returned for a third season on Netflix – two years after the series’ last installment
Return to Paris: The new season sees France’s most wanted thief preparing his most intense and elaborate heist yet, with Diop returning to Paris to save his family
Diop’s dad, Babakar, had previously worked as a chauffeur for the wicked Hubert Pellegrini (Hervé Pierre), who framed him for stealing a one-of-a-kind necklace.
While serving time in prison, Babakar committed suicide, leaving his son to fend for himself – resulting in the devastated Diop embarking on a one-man-mission to right the wrongs of the past.
By the end of the first part, released in January 2021, Diop’s son Raoul (Etan Simon) has been taken hostage by one of Pellegrini’s henchmen, leading to the master criminal attempting to save him while also dealing with a cop on his tail.
Part 2, which landed in June 2021, saw Diop save his son and finally clear his father’s name, with Pellegrini taken in by police and the master thief having to go on the run.
Having left his son and estranged wife Claire (Ludivine Sagnier) behind, Part 3 sees the master thief preparing his most intense and elaborate heist yet, with plans in returning to Paris compromised by the unexpected return of ghosts from his past.
A synopsis for the newest volume elaborates: ‘Now in hiding, Assane must learn to live far from his wife and son.
‘With the suffering they endure because of him, Assane can’t stand it any longer and decides to return to Paris to make them a crazy proposal: leave France and start a new life elsewhere.
‘But the ghosts of the past are never far away, and an unexpected return will turn his plans upside down.’
Highly anticipated: Lupin’s co-creator and writer, George Kay, said: ‘Assane has gone from a life of anonymity as a criminal in Parts 1 and 2, and now he is France’s most wanted man’
Family first: While on the run, the master thief had to leave his son (pictured, left) and estranged wife (pictured, centre) behind – but plans to return to Paris to save them from harm
Suspense: Will Assane Diop’s plot to save his family get rumbled after he becomes compromised by the unexpected return of ghosts from his past?
Lupin’s co-creator and writer, George Kay told the Radio Times ahead of Part 3’s release: ‘Assane has gone from a life of anonymity as a criminal in Parts 1 and 2, and now he is France’s most wanted man.
‘His cover is broken because of what happened towards the end of Part 2 at the Théâtre du Châtelet.’
He added: ‘Now everybody is asking the same question, ‘Where is he?’, which is a problem when you’re a thief, because when you try and steal things, everyone knows what you look like.
‘So he comes back into Paris at the start of Part 3 and discovers that the whole city is looking for him.’
Tragically, Lupin star Adama Niane died earlier this year in January, at the age of 56. It is not known if he got to see the final cut before his death and the cause of death has not been confirmed.
The French actor was best known for his role as assassin and ex-convict Leonard Kone in Lupin.
Adama’s Lupin co-star Omar Sy led tributes to the star on Twitter, describing the actor as ‘a man of rare benevolence.’
He wrote: ‘I extend my deep condolences to the loved ones of Adama Niane, an immense actor alongside whom I had the chance and the pleasure of playing.
Touching tribute: Adama Niane, who died earlier this year in January, aged 56, was paid tribute by co-star Omar Sy on Twitter, who described the actor as a ‘man of rare benevolence’
Assassin: French actor Adama Niane was best known for his role as assassin and ex-convict Leonard Kone in the Lupin series
Number 1: The first part of Lupin, released on January 8 2021, became the most streamed non-English Netflix show before being overtaken by Money Heist: Part 4 and smash hit Squid Game
The first part of Lupin, released on January 8 2021, became the most streamed non-English Netflix show, before being overtaken by Spanish series Money Heist: Part 4 and smash Korean hit Squid Game, according to Netflix fandom site Tudum.
The show reached 70 million households by February 5 – ranking No. 1 in Brazil, Vietnam, Argentina, Germany, Italy, Spain and Poland to name just a few – only a month after its release, surpassing The Queen’s Gambit and Bridgerton at the time.
The Queen’s Gambit – which has since prompted female chess players to sign an open letter about ‘sexist and sexual violence’ in the chess world – was released on 23 October 2020 and reached 62 million viewers by the end of November 2020.
Bridgerton was released on Christmas Day, and was projected to tally 63 million by the end of January.
