I have watched several French criminal series on PBS Masterpiece like "The Paris Murders" or "Mountain Detective" which I found all to be very, very good, yet "Agathe Koltes" is the best, I think. Those in "The Paris Murders" are a bit farfetched as they mostly deal with murders by psychopaths, if you like that kind of drama.
Yet, in "Agathe Koltes", the characters are very natural and the plots are down-to-earth like those that happen in a small town like Vannes on the beautiful Atlantic coast of Southern Brittany: multiple islands, coves, tides, multitude of boats, sailors, tides, oyster farms, even a plot related to the Atlantic race along Route du Rhum!
In season 1 of "Agathe Koltes" released in 2021 there are 10 episodes. All main characters are played excellently and are very natural and likeable.
The main character of Agathe Koltes, an experienced tour-de-force but subtle police investigator, is played by Phillippine Leroy-Beaulieu known for her roles in Call My Agent, Two Brothers, Neuf mois, Three Men and a Cradle. Hortense G'elinet plays her daughter, Mathilde Sirach, who is her boss, while Arnaud Binard plays captain Fontaine, a partner of Agathe, who hides his first name Juste.
I also like Serge Riaboukine (and his French!) in his supporting role of Guy Wichniak and In'es Melab in her role as a novice investigator Leslie.
I watch these series to better acquaint myself with spoken French. So, from that point of view, French in all these series is very understandable, although that in "Agathe Koltes" seems to be most clear (to my ear, at least). I am a little disappointed as I don't hear many expressions or words in Breton language although there are many local last names and names of villages that are typically Breton.
In comparison, in a series "The Wall" which happens in Northern Quebec, you listen to French from Quebec which is harder to understand until you get used to it a little.
All these series are from Walter Presents. English subtitles are mandatory (unfortunately).
So, I highly recommend watching "Agather Koltes". The backdrop in Brittany is gorgeous!! J'aime la Bretagne et "Agathe Koltes"! Hope to see season 2 soon.
