2021 was a year to delight in simple pleasures and while the twists and turns of Assane Diop's heists are endlessly complicated, the show is, at its core, a simple pleasure. A satisfying mystery, shot in beautiful locations with an incredibly charismatic lead performance and a delightful cast of supporting characters. If you want to transport yourself to a world where the wicked are punished, the virtuous are (eventually) rewarded, and confidence and a mile-wide smile are the most powerful tools available, Lupin is perfect.
- Ian Levy
Creative Editorial Director
How this fandom is changing entertainment
Lupin wasn't the first foreign language series to break through with an American audience on Netflix, but it has continued building on the legacy of Dark, Money Heist, and Borgen, and helped lay the groundwork, in some small part, for the success of a show like Squid Game. As American audiences become more comfortable with subtitles, a whole new world of entertainment options opens up before them.
What was the icon or totem for this fandom this year?
Omar Sy, who plays the lead role of Assane Diop, has a smile that's a literal force of nature. And there is no better icon for the joy of this series. When he smiles, you can't help but smile too, knowing that some stunning twist only he sees coming is about to put your jaw on the floor.