Portrait-Robot or The Sketch Artist is a French Canadian television crime drama series, which premiered on Club Illico on April 15, 2021. It was broadcast on Australian network, SBS-TV's streaming service, On Demand, from December 16, 2021. The series was co-created by Sophie Lorain (who also acts) with her spouse, Alexis Durand-Brault (who also directs). The action is set in Montreal, where the titular identikit or forensic sketch artist, Ève Garance (Rachel Graton), profiles both suspects and victims for a police investigation unit. The unit's leader, Maryse Ferron (Lorain) is assisted by veteran detective, Bernard Dupin (Rémy Girard) and rookie crime scene technician, Anthony Kamal (Adrien Bélugou). Major story arcs are generally resolved in two episodes, while background stories continue across more episodes.
In October 2021, Portrait-Robot was renewed for a second season, which aired in January 2023. The third and final season aired in August 2024.
Contents
Premise
Ève, a forensic identikit artist, who profiles suspects and victims for a Montreal police unit led by Maryse. Lead detective Bernard also mentors rookie, Anthony, as they analyze crime scenes and question witnesses. Ève submerges herself in people's recollections to create her images. A subtext is the disappearance of Ève's infant son, William, five years ago, coupled with her bipolar condition and the recent return of her ex-husband, James. Meanwhile, Canadian Intelligence hired Bernard to infiltrate the local mafia, which are planning to expand operations. Maryse's brittle bone disease is worsening and her pregnant daughter, Delphine is worried by its inheritability.
Cast
Rachel Graton as Ève Garance: Montreal forensic sketch artist, diagnosed with bipolar II disorder, which is regulated by medication, her son William disappeared five years ago
Sophie Lorain as Maryse Ferron: Investigation Unit's leader, wheelchair user with brittle bone disease-like condition
Rémy Girard as Bernard Dupin: career police officer, unit's lead investigator
Adrien Bélugou as Anthony "Anto" Kamal (née Ramadés Kamal): recent unit member, crime scene technician, back-up detective
Brett Donahue as James Healy: Ève's ex-husband, father of William, billionaire businessman who now lives in England, engaged to Laura
Kathleen Fortin as Elektra Stavros-Poulain: Cyber Crimes investigator, Bernard's casual sex friend.
Gio Lione as Santo Luciani: Mafia 2nd-in-charge, Bernard's waterfront contact
Antoine Rivard-Nolin as Xavier Desjardins: uniformed police officer, first-on-scene at William's disappearance, also arrested "Jon-E-Zee"
Teddy Pluviose as Evans Toussaint: Internal Affairs investigator
Jean-François Pichette as Patrick Lacenaire: former cyber-security expert and computer programmer, convicted serial killer, born-again Christian
Martine Francke as Rita Young: Franco-Ontarian widow, Adèle's mother
Romane Denis as Audrey Sandôme: now 20-year-old pregnant woman, former 12-year-old kidnap and rape victim
Links
IMDB