Balthazar

When Paris police assign Hélène Bach to a succession of baffling homicides, she has to build a working relationship with Raphaël Balthazar, an aurally abrasive but brilliant forensic pathologist. Balthazar reads corpses the way others read witnesses, reconstructing last moments from subtle physical traces, which speeds some investigations and infuriates colleagues. The show balances meticulous crime-solving with moments that reveal the team’s personality, from Balthazar's private struggles to the steady support of his assistants. Cases push the pair into ethical grey areas, and the procedural structure keeps each episode focused on a new mystery while letting character threads develop over time.

Created by Clothilde Jamin and Clélia Constantine, Balthazar first aired in 2018. The series stars Tomer Sisley as Raphaël Balthazar alongside Philypa Phoenix, Yannig Samot, Côme Levin, and Pauline Cheviller, and it was produced for French television with an emphasis on forensic detail.

Critics and viewers have tended to rate the series positively, reflected in a 7.7/10 user score from 121 votes. Reviews often mention the chemistry between the leads and the clever forensic set pieces. The show repeatedly raises questions about mortality, professional obsession, and the human cost of investigating violent crime, mixing procedural clarity with quieter moments about loss and responsibility.

On-screen, Tomer Sisley’s portrayal of a doctor who treats the dead as storytellers became the series’ hallmark, and certain investigative sequences turned into memorable scenes fans reference online. The pairing of an unorthodox pathologist with a newly promoted commander gave the show a distinctive tone, which helped it stand out among European crime dramas on streaming platforms.

While Balthazar hasn’t been a major presence at international award ceremonies, it developed a steady audience in France and abroad, earning recognition for strong performances and solid writing in domestic TV coverage. It’s maintained popularity enough to sustain multiple seasons and ongoing interest from viewers who like character-driven crime shows.