The Returned (2012)
A haunting French mystery series where the dead walk back into the lives of those who never stopped mourning them.
The Returned - Series Information
- Original Title: Les Revenants
- First Air Year: 2012
- Last Air Year: 2015
- Created by: Fabrice Gobert
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Mystery, Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Drama
- Content Rating (US): TV-MA
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (55 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 2
- Number of Episodes: 16
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: French
- Spoken Languages: French
- First Air Date: November 26, 2012 (United States - TV-MA), November 26, 2012 (United Kingdom - 15), November 26, 2012 (Germany - 16), November 26, 2012 (Brazil - 16)
- Networks: Canal+
- Production Companies: Haut et Court
- Production Countries: France
- Alternative Titles: 魂归故里 (CN), 더 리턴드 (KR), Powracający (PL), بازگشتگان (IR), Възкресените (BG), Visszajárók (HU), Rebound (US), Повернені (UA)
The Returned - Plot
In the shadow of an enormous hydraulic dam, the lives of the residents of a small French town are changed to their core when hundreds of previously dead relatives all return home on the same day.
The Returned - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the eerie world of The Returned come to life.
The dead have returned. But this is a homecoming like no other.
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The Returned - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Fabrice Gobert
Main Cast
- Anne Consigny
- Frédéric Pierrot
- Clotilde Hesme
- Céline Sallette
- Samir Guesmi
- Guillaume Gouix
- Jean-François Sivadier
- Alix Poisson
- Jenna Thiam
- Grégory Gadebois
Writers
- Fabien Adda
The Returned - FAQs
Is The Returned based on a true story?
The Returned is not based on a true story, but it is adapted from the 2004 French film They Came Back (Les Revenants) directed by Robin Campillo. Creator Fabrice Gobert expanded the film's premise into a richly atmospheric series, adding new characters, deeper mythology, and a more emotionally complex exploration of grief and resurrection.
What is The Returned about?
The Returned centers on a small French mountain town where the dead inexplicably come back to life, unaware they have passed. Each returnee reconnects with loved ones who have spent years grieving, creating profound emotional collisions. The series weaves together multiple storylines to explore loss, memory, and the unsettling mystery surrounding the town's massive dam.
Where can you stream The Returned?
The Returned is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video and Amazon Prime Video with Ads. If you prefer to own it, episodes can be purchased on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Google Play Movies. Free ad-supported viewing is also available through Amazon Prime Video Free with Ads and Tubi TV.
Is The Returned worth watching?
Absolutely. The Returned is one of the most acclaimed European genre series of the 2010s, praised for its slow-burn atmosphere, stunning Alpine cinematography, and Mogwai's haunting score. Critics celebrated its emotional depth and restraint, and it earned a BAFTA for Best International Series. If you enjoy atmospheric, character-driven mystery, it's essential viewing.
Who are the main actors in The Returned?
The ensemble cast includes Anne Consigny as Claire, Frédéric Pierrot as Jérôme, Clotilde Hesme as Adèle, Céline Sallette as Julie, Samir Guesmi as Thomas, Guillaume Gouix as Serge, Jean-François Sivadier as Pierre, Alix Poisson as Laure, Jenna Thiam as Lena, and Grégory Gadebois as Toni.
Did The Returned win any awards?
The Returned earned significant international recognition, most notably winning the BAFTA Award for Best International Series in 2014. It also received multiple César Award nominations in France and was widely celebrated at international television festivals, cementing its reputation as one of the finest European genre dramas of its era.
What is the significance of the dam in The Returned?
The dam looming over the town is far more than a backdrop — it functions as the series' central symbol of suppressed trauma and buried secrets. Its presence hints at a catastrophic past event that may be connected to the resurrection phenomenon, and as the story unfolds, the dam becomes increasingly central to the mystery threatening the entire community.
What are similar shows to The Returned?
Fans of The Returned often enjoy Resurrection (2014), which explores a similar premise of the dead returning to their families, and The OA (2016), another atmospheric mystery with supernatural undertones. FROM (2022) offers the same sense of an isolated community trapped by inexplicable forces, while Bloom (2019) and Touch (2012) share its emotional, character-driven approach.
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