Stefan Crepon, Léonie Dahan-Lamort… actors to watch in 2025

Nathan Merchadier, 

Camille Bois-Martin, 

Louis Menard Louise Menard.

Alice Da Luz, star of the series Carême

After gaining notice in Twist à Bamako (2022), young actress Alice Da Luz commands attention as a fiery brigade leader in the upcoming Apple TV+ series Carême (2025). Starring opposite Benjamin Voisin, who delivers a standout performance as Antonin Carême—the first chef to become a bona fide celebrity—the Conservatoire-trained actress emerges as one of the most compelling revelations in this culinary saga directed by Martin Bourboulon (The Three Musketeers). She’s also slated to appear in the series Un Prophète (a reimagining of Jacques Audiard’s cult film), as well as in Hanami, a drama by Denise Fernandes.

Carême, created by Martin Bourboulon, with Benjamin Voisin and Alice Da Luz, streaming on Apple TV+ from April 30, 2025.

Sayyid El Alami, breakout star of Leurs Enfants après eux

First recognized for his lead role in the series Oussekine (2022), where he portrayed 22-year-old Malik Oussekine, a student fatally beaten by a police squad, Sayyid El Alami stands out as a must-watch talent for 2025. Following his portrayal of a hot-headed teen in Leurs enfants après eux (2024) alongside Paul Kircher, he shines in the film La Pampa (2025), acting opposite Amaury Foucher. He’ll soon be seen in Fief, Thomas Vernay’s adaptation of David Lopez’s novel, winner of the Livre Inter award.

La Pampa (2025), directed by Antoine Chevrollier, with Sayyid El Alami and Damien Bonnard, now in theaters.

Félix Kysyl, unforgettable in Miséricorde and César 2025 nominee

After a small part in Michel Hazanavicius’s Le Redoutable (2017), Félix Kysyl’s career took a major leap with his gripping performance in Miséricorde, directed by Alain Guiraudie—one of last year’s standout films. As a sensitive young man haunted by a violent past, the actor earned a nomination for the best male revelation at the 2025 César Awards.

Next, he’ll take on the role of Jean Moulin opposite Niels Schneider in De Gaulle, directed by Antonin Baudry. Félix Kysyl continues to demonstrate a remarkable ease in navigating across eras and genres. With his intense gaze, deeply inhabited performances, and gentle features, the 33-year-old actor is crafting a demanding and singular career—one that, we hope, will leave a lasting mark on French cinema.

Miséricorde (2024) by Alain Guiraudie, with Félix Kysyl, Catherine Frot and Jean-Baptiste Durand, now in theaters.

Léonie Dahan-Lamort, magnetic lead in La Pampa

Originally from Biarritz in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques, Léonie Dahan-Lamort quickly made a name for herself in cinema. After moving to Paris to pursue acting, she gained attention through several short films with emotionally resonant performances.

In 2022, she made a splash with roles in Stella est amoureuse by Sylvie Verheyde and the comedy Tout fout le camp by Sébastien Betbeder, showcasing her range. Most recently, she played a rebellious teen in La Pampa (2025) by Antoine Chevrollier, selected for Critics’ Week at Cannes. In this poignant film exploring adolescent yearning, she proves once again her ability to bring complex, endearing characters to life, acting alongside Sayyid El Alami and Amaury Foucher.

La Pampa by Antoine Chevrollier, with Leonie Dahan-Lamort, Sayyid El Alami, and Damien Bonnard, now in theaters.

Adam Bessa, standout in Les Fantômes

Since his breakout role in Les Bienheureux (2018), which earned him a César longlist nod for Most Promising Actor, Adam Bessa has become a rising star in Francophone cinema. In 2022, he played a brilliant student spiraling into darkness in the action series Ourika on Prime Video.

In 2024, he delivered a knockout performance in Les Fantômes by Jonathan Millet, which opened Critics’ Week at Cannes. As Hamid, a young man hunting down fugitive Syrian regime leaders, Bessa confirms his status as a major talent to watch.

Les Fantômes (2024) by Jonathan Millet, with Adam Bessa and Tawfeek Barhom, now in theaters.

Megan Northam, star of the movie Rabia

After captivating audiences with her role as a rebellious activist in Salade Grecque (2024), Cédric Klapisch’s series spin-off of The Spanish appartment (2002), Megan Northam took the lead in Pendant ce temps sur Terre (2024), playing a woman mourning her brother lost in a space mission.

Entranced by an alien voice, her haunting performance marks her first foray into science fiction. In early 2025, she earned a César nomination for her role in Rabia (2024), a thriller co-starring Natacha Krief. At 29, Northam’s career is one to watch closely.

Rabia (2024), by Mareike Engelhardt, with Megan Northam, now in theaters.

 

Stefan Crepon, chameleon Actor from Peter von Kant to The Quiet Son

Since his standout appearances in the acclaimed series The Bureau (2015–2020), Stefan Crepon has carved out a reputation as one of French cinema’s most enigmatic and compelling talents. In 2022, the Conservatoire-trained actor played the subtly submissive Karl in François Ozon’s Peter von Kant, opposite Isabelle Adjani and Denis Ménochet.

He has since taken on a striking new role, after also starring in the series Lupin, as Benjamin Voisin’s brother—a teen drawn to far-right groups—in The Quiet Son by Delphine and Muriel Coulin.

The Quiet son by Delphine and Muriel Coulin, with Stefan Crepon, Benjamin Voisin, and Vincent Lindon, now in theaters.

Hugo Dillon, versatile talent from B.R.I to Conte nuptial

Veteran actor Hugo Dillon is no newcomer to standout roles. He shared the screen with Joaquin Phoenix in the César-winning Les Frères Sisters (2018), and appeared in The Walking Dead (2023) and Icon of French Cinema (2023).

In winter 2024, he shone in two films: the darkly comedic Beating Hearts opposite Malik Frikah, and the romantic farce Conte nuptial (out December 18, 2024), directed by Claire Bonnefoy and also starring actor Raphaël Quenard. In the film he plays Sami a hesitant husband drawn into an unwelcome swingers’ situation by a persuasive coworker.

His sharp, sensitive performances stand in stark contrast to his usual villain roles—like his chilling portrayal of a National Guard captain in The Flood (in theaters since December 25, 2024) alongside actors Mélanie Laurent and Guillaume Canet . And with season two of B.R.I (streaming on Canal+) and Chien 51 by Cédric Jimenez—where he stars opposite Gilles Lellouche—set to premiere in 2025, Dillon’s trajectory is only rising.

Chien 51 (2025) by Cédric Jimenez, with Adèle Exarchopoulos and Gilles Lellouche, was released on the 15th of October 2025.

Louis Memmi, from a corsican upbringing to César Buzz

Louis Memmi first garnered attention in the prison drama Borgo (2024), which earned him a César nomination as a rising star in 2025. Since then, he’s impressed in And their children after them, the Boukherma brothers’ adaptation of Nicolas Mathieu’s celebrated novel.

And their children after them (2024) by Ludovic and Zoran Boukherma, with Paul Kircher and Louis Memmi, now in theaters.

Monia Chokri, bold Actress and director

Since making a splash in Xavier Dolan’s Heartbeats (Les Amours imaginaires, 2010), starring Niels Schneider and Monia Chokri. The actress has since become a darling of auteur cinema. In 2023, her third feature, The Nature of love—a romantic comedy on love and class—won the César for Best Foreign Film, elevating her profile. In 2025, she returns to acting with several high-profile projects, including The Kids are all right with Camille Cottin and Juliette Armanet, and the drama Des preuves d’amour, co-starring Ella Rumpf and Noémie Lvovsky.

The kids are all right (2025) by Nathan Ambrosioni, with Camille Cottin, Juliette Armanet and Monia Chokri, soon to be released in theaters.