France Télévisions is ending the France 2 crime drama series "Disparition inquiétante" (Disturbing Disappearance), launched in 2019. The decision follows a series of budget cuts that now also affect the public broadcaster's drama programs. Two episodes that have already been filmed are still to be broadcast.
A series that was stopped
The stopping of Disturbing disappearance It is now official: France Télévisions does not plan to commission new episodes of the series. The show joins other programs sacrificed as part of the budget cuts imposed on the public broadcaster, including Caesar Wagner et A priori.
The decision does not mean the show will be taken off the air immediately. Two new episodes have already been filmed and are awaiting broadcast on France 2. In the name of the father, with Pierre-François Martin-Laval and Anne-Lise Hesme, and A perfect family, starring Sara Martins and Bruno Sanches. These two standalone films have already been shown in Belgium.
A cut linked to budget restrictions
France Télévisions justifies these cancellations by citing reduced programming costs. The budget has fallen from €1,075 billion in 2020 to €852 million in 2026, a decrease of €223 million and nearly a quarter of the total budget. Dramatic series, long considered a cornerstone of public broadcasting, are no longer spared. France Télévisions management has confirmed the cancellation of several popular series, including Disparition inquiétante (Disturbing Disappearance).
A collection installed since 2019
Disturbing disappearance The series was launched on France 2 in 2019. It focused on police investigations into disappearances, with 90-minute episodes and casts that changed depending on the story. The series notably featured Sara Forestier, Alix Poisson, Julie Depardieu, Julie Gayet, Claudia Tagbo, Bruno Solo, and Béatrice Dalle throughout its run. It was produced by De Caelis Production, with the participation of France Télévisions.
Long-standing, solid audiences
The series had found its audience. France Télévisions reported that the first six episodes had averaged 4,8 million viewers since its launch in 2019. However, the last episode broadcast in France, "Lorsque l'enfant paraît" (When the Child Appears), starring Béatrice Dalle, Roman Kolinka, and Denitsa Ikonomova, saw a significant decline: 2,5 million viewers and a 12,2% audience share. Previous episodes had generally averaged between 3,7 and 4,7 million viewers.
