If the change of season is getting you down and you’re on the hunt for some sunny escapism, we’ve got just the solution, and you don’t even need to board a plane. Channel 4's Walter Presents (that's a collection of dramas from around the world) is streaming the French detective drama Coastal Unit, set on France’s sun-soaked southern coast. At the heart of this must-see murder mystery is a mismatched detective duo taking on some mind-blowing cases, making it exactly the kind of five-star series Death in Paradise fans will adore.
The drama, which first aired in France in 2025, centres on a police unit based on the Mediterranean coast that's full of eccentric characters. The ambitious, strait-laced Iris (Lucia Passaniti) joins the team full of enthusiasm. However, her youthful idealism is quickly dampened by her new partner, the older, jaded Victor (Bruno Salomone). But can the pair overcome their differences to get to the bottom of the mysterious killings that take place across the stunning tourist town of La Grande-Motte?
With the series available to watch now, here’s everything you need to know about Coastal Unit including the cast, plot and how to watch it.
What is Coastal Unit about?
The French series transports us to a vacation hotspot of La Grande-Motte in the south of France, where optimistic newbie Iris (Lucia Passaniti) has just graduated top of her class from the police academy. The 27-year-old joins a unit made up of colourful officers and is met with a mixed reception. She’s a stickler for the rules, and her perfectionist spirit rubs her partner Victor (Bruno Salomone) up the wrong way. The 54-year-old is a veteran lone wolf whose methods are old school - to put it politely.
The duo must overcome their differences when they’re assigned a case that initially looks like a road traffic accident. However, as the pair dig deeper, they uncover that it was a premeditated crime. Across four episodes, they unravel a string of eccentric murder mysteries, from the death of a jousting medieval knight to a firefighter falling to her death from a tower in suspicious circumstances.
Meanwhile, Iris launches her own personal investigation into her family history. No spoilers, but the finale ends with a major revelation that rocks Iris to her core.
Who’s in the cast of Coastal Unit?
The cast of Coastal Unit includes:
- Bruno Salomone (Brice de Nice) as Victor Montagnac
- Lucia Passaniti (Sea Shadows) as Iris Villeneuve
- Isabelle Candelier (Granny’s Funeral) as Christine Janvert
- Michaël Abiteboul (The Shiny Shrimps) as David Dextet
- Kahina Carina (The Pilot) as Nesrine Faki
- Syrus Shahidi (The Hook Up Plan) as Ryem Bouazi
- Jeaneta Domingos (Bellefond) as Pauline Bienaimée
- Gabriel Caballero (Emily in Paris) as Jules
- Didier Constant (From Paris With Love) as Fifi
Is Coastal Unit any good?
Yes, if you’re in desperate need of some comfort television, look no further. Coastal Unit is the perfect Death in Paradise replacement: it’s cosy, sun-soaked, and each episode tackles a new murder mystery. At the heart of the drama is the contrast between meticulous Iris and laid-back Victor, who are like chalk and cheese. Watching their cross-generational partnership develop is every bit as enjoyable as getting to the bottom of the cases.
How can I watch Coastal Unit?
You can watch Coastal Unit now on Channel 4.
What other detective dramas can I watch now?
For another detective drama set further afield, we’d suggest A Remarkable Place to Die. The series follows detective Anais Mallory (Chelsie Preston Crayford), who returns to her hometown of Queenstown, New Zealand, to investigate an extremely personal case and a series of perplexing murders. You can watch A Remarkable Place to Die now on U and Channel 4. For something equally charming, we’d suggest Ludwig. It follows John ‘Ludwig’ Taylor (David Mitchell), who swaps puzzle-making for crime-solving when his detective twin brother vanishes. Ludwig is available to watch now on BBC iPlayer.