This is a triumphant moment for female-driven storytelling — five ordinary women thrust into extraordinary circumstances, proving that heroism knows no gender during wartime. TF1 and Netflix's partnership signals major international ambition for this prestige WWII project.
Insiders note this marks a significant escalation in the TF1-Netflix distribution relationship, with the summer 2026 rollout being closely watched by studios globally. The three-year development timeline suggests some behind-the-scenes wrangling before Follett's novel found its footing.
Filming began early May 2026 and runs through July across Paris, Île-de-France, Val d'Oise, and Normandy — with actual château locations. Producer Thomas Saignes tells Variety he started developing the series THREE YEARS AGO after being presented Follett's novel by CAA.
With D-Day nostalgia running high and female-led war stories dominating prestige TV, 'Jackdaws' arrives perfectly positioned. Whether it delivers or becomes another bloated European co-production depends entirely on whether these five women feel real — not heroic.
TF1 and Netflix have officially joined forces on "Jackdaws" (French title: "Le réseau Corneille"), a six-part WWII event series that's already generating serious buzz in international production circles. The show, adapted from Ken Follett's novel, stars Laetitia Casta as Elisabeth "Betty" Clairet — a widowed mother who gets roped into assembling an unlikely crew of five civilian women for what might be the most dangerous cleaning job in occupied France.
The premise is deliciously high-stakes: with D-Day just days away in May 1944, Betty is tasked with putting together a makeshift commando unit to infiltrate an impenetrable château housing a crucial German communications hub. The plan? Pose as cleaning staff and sabotage the underground network before Allied forces hit Normandy's beaches.
Only one small problem — they have approximately one week to train, cross enemy territory, assume false identities, and pull off what seems like mission-impossible-level subterfuge. Camille Treiner, who previously helmed "Women at War" starring Audrey Fleurot, created and co-wrote the series alongside Matthieu Missoffe ("Syndrome E") and Chloé Marçais ("Les Bracelets Rouges"). Mona Bauer directs.
The ensemble cast is stacked: Mathilde Seigner, Lina El Arabi, Michaël Youn, Bérangère McNeese, Nelligan, Jean Schatz, Leander Vyvey, Florian Lesieur, Jakob Diehl, Alexandre Brasseur, and Stéphane de Groodt all appear — with Jochen Hägele playing the ruthless Nazi officer Dieter Frank. Thomas Saignes of Paris-based Empreinte Digitale tells Variety that development began three years ago after CAA brought him Follett's novel. "This page-turning adventure immediately stood out as something we could adapt into a major series anchored by five remarkable women," he said.
"Like many of Ken Follett's historical novels, this one is built around a fictionalized but closely real episode of history." Production kicked off in early May and will wrap by the end of July across multiple French locations including Paris, Île-de-France, Val d'Oise, and Normandy — with authentic château settings and meticulously researched period production design. Fédération Studios is handling international sales. The project was supported at TF1 by Anne Didier and Stéphane Eveillard before Netflix came aboard; the two streamers will launch their new distribution partnership this summer, making "Jackdaws" a potential bellwether for future collaborations.
Empreinte Digitale has been stacking its slate aggressively — currently juggling rally-driver drama "La Pilote" with Ana Girardot (for France Télévisions and HBO), plus an unannounced Prime Video project. Saignes' recent credits include crime series "Alter Ego" starring Eric Cantona and the thriller "Intraçables," which cracked Prime Video's Top 10 globally alongside shows like "The Boys" and "Jack Ryan." With "Jackdaws," the company is clearly angling for international breakout status — but success will hinge on whether this wartime thriller delivers more than just pretty period costumes and explosions.
