As Netflix's 'Lupin' is confirmed for a summer return, 5 reasons why everyone is watching the heist thriller

The hit series begins with an art heist at the Louvre

Omar Sy stars as Assane Diop, a thief who pulls off an art heist at the Louvre. Via Twitter

There's a reason why about 70 million viewers have tuned into Lupin within its first month, thus setting a record for a French TV show.

The Netflix series, which debuted on the streamer this month, is about a thief who pulls off an art heist at the Louvre Museum in Paris, and it shot straight to the top of the viewing charts across the world, including in the UAE.

Viewing figures have beaten even The Queen's Gambit, which is huge for a non-English language series.

Now, the streaming platform has announced that part two will arrive on our screens this summer.

Here are five reasons why everyone should watch part one before then.

The acting is great

In particular, Omar Sy as thief Assane Diop has had viewers transfixed. The actor and writer has appeared on our screens before – in films including Jurassic World, X-Men: Days of Future Past and Transformers: The Last Knight – but it's this show that's no doubt going to make him a household name.

French actor Omar Sy. AFP

Sure, the character is a thief, but Sy delivers the role with such charisma that it's impossible not to be charmed by him. Most importantly, Diop is relatable (heist, aside), something of an underdog and a person who has been wronged by the system (more on this shortly). He quickly becomes someone you start rooting for.

It doesn't try too hard

Whereas many TV series that have come out in recent years have been more gritty, Lupin isn't trying too hard. It's a glossy, high-definition production that feels more Ocean's Eleven than Peaky Blinders, and it's refreshing. This is possibly thanks to director Louis Leterrier (Now You See Me), who helmed the first three episodes.

Paris from afar

While, because of the Covid-19 pandemic, many of us have spent much of the last year within the confines of our homes, and any travel plans have largely been cancelled, Lupin offers a taste of France's dreamy capital city.

Just as Emily in Paris let viewers in on the fun and frivolous side of the City of Light, Lupin allows us to peek inside its criminal underbelly.

Be transported to Paris while watching 'Lupin'. Emmanuel Guimier / Netflix

While the Eiffel Tower and, of course, the Louvre make appearances, we're also treated to snippets of lesser-known parts of Paris, such as Les Puces's antique markets.

We can almost taste the fresh pastries.

A strong social message

On the surface, Lupin is a smart heist thriller, but it also has a strong social message at its core, as matters of racism and class underscore the storyline. This is mostly through the characters Diop and his father, a driver, who both arrived in Paris from Senegal.

We see how life has been an uphill battle for working-class Diop in a system that favours the wealthy and white, and so we also begin to understand how he ended up where he is.

A conclusion that'll keep you wondering

Lupin is only five episodes long, and it leaves you on a real cliffhanger, with quite a few questions unanswered. That's probably why Netflix, less than a month after the show's debut, has already confirmed the second season. At least we only have to wait until summer to know the truth, right?