European distributor, Newen Connect, has once again joined forces with Amazon to take the next chapter of Mandarin Télévision’s gripping war drama, Coeurs Noirs (Dark Hearts) to global audiences, after the streamer confirmed a second season yesterday.

Written by Corinne Garfin and Duong Dang-Tha (who created the hit series THE BUREAU) and directed by Oscar-nominated Ziad Doueiri (THE INSULT, BARON NOIR), the 6×52’ first season was an immediate critical and commercial success, garnering stunning reviews and becoming the most-watched series on Amazon Prime Video France when it launched in February of this year.

Since then, Newen Connect has taken out the series, which stars Marie Dompnier (CIRCLES OF POWER, WITNESSES), Nicolas Duvauchelle (BRAQUO, POLISSE) and Twefik Jallab (SPIRAL, OUSSEKINE) to international broadcasters. The first season will air on France 2 later this year.

Announcing the distribution deal, Rodolphe Buet, CEO Newen Connect, said: “We are delighted that Newen Connect is once again partnering with Mandarin Télévision and Amazon to take this contemporary war story to a global audience. Coeurs Noirs may be a gripping story about French elite soldiers fighting terrorism, but at its heart the series contains themes that transcend geography, making it accessible to a broad range of audiences. This show epitomises the great characters and bold, ambitious storylines that Newen Connect is looking for in its scripted catalogue.”

The first season of Coeurs Noirs is set around the Battle of Mosul in 2016, when Iraqi forces, backed by the US, sought to wrest the city back from ISIS. The story follows the leader of an elite French commando unit – Group 45 – who has his sights set on returning to Paris, but days before his departure date he captures a high-ranking jihadi who’s prepared to do a deal. Thrown into the mix is a counter-terrorism agent who joins the unit on a highly explosive mission that takes the team deep into the country, setting off a devastating chain of events.   As Season 2 opens, Group 45 are continuing their fight against Daesh. Only this time, the mission has become personal.

Along with key cast, Zaid Doueiri returns to direct the second season as does Mandarin Télévision’s Gilles De Verdière as producer. Season two has been written by Virginie Brac (LIAISON, SPIRAL) and is expected to air on Amazon Prime Video France in 2025.