Chantal (TV series) explained
| Genre: | Crime drama, comedy |
| Starring: |
|
| Open Theme: | "t Kan Ier Oal" (Maaike Cafmeyer, Steve Willaert) |
| Country: | Belgium |
| Language: | West Flemish |
| Num Seasons: | 2 |
| Num Episodes: | 14 |
| Cinematography: | Maxime Lahousse |
| Runtime: | 50 min |
| Company: | Eyeworks Film and TV Drama |
| Related: | Eigen Kweek |
Chantal is a Belgian crime drama, comedy television series, which was broadcast from 4 September 2022 by Eyeworks Film and TV Drama.[1] [2] [3] It is a spin-off of Eigen Kweek (English: Home Grown) (2013, 2016, 2019), which introduced the character of Chantal Vantomme, portrayed by . Cafmeyer reprises her role as Chantal, who has been appointed police inspector in the fictitious West Flanders town of Loveringem. She investigates various crimes with assistance from local police officer Rik despite interference from her rival Johnny . Besides acting, Sercu created and wrote the series while directed. Chantals first season of eight episodes was followed by a second season of six episodes from 21 January 2024. The third season was being filmed during 2024.[4]
Premise
Chantal is the newly appointed chief inspector at the Loveringem police station. Initially she faces condescending or abrasive behaviour from male colleagues and community leaders. The station is attached to the town hall where Mayor Wim often checks in on their investigations. At first, her second-in-charge, Rik, believes she will be a failure. Rik becomes more accommodating after Chantal out-smarts her rival detective, Johnny. Chantal and her daughter Emma make friends with their truck driver, neighbour Arne. Rik's friend Muze runs Café de Miserie, which often holds Cowboy-themed events. Chantal intends to sit for a Commissioner's exam, move to Brussels for training and become a chief of police. Chantal, Rik and her squad continue to solve various cases despite misdirection or interference from Johnny.
Cast and characters
- as Chantal Vantomme: Loveringem police chief inspector, Emma's mother
- as Rik Cloedt: police inspector, self-styled "Sheriff", initially contemptuous of Chantal
- as Johnny D'Haese: Veurne-based Crime Unit's chief inspector, Chantal's rival, former police college classmate
- as Arne Goedvriendt: trucker, former bus driver, Chantal's neighbour, widower, becomes Chantal's friend
- as Wim Vanhecke: Mayor, married to Dorien, also realtor
- as Muze: Café de Miserie bar manager, Rik's best friend, Noor's father
- as Emma Vantomme: Chantal's daughter, her father fled overseas on criminal charges, fifth grade student, becomes friends with Noor and Milou
Recurring cast
- as Pascal Plovy The Indian: former West Coast Warrior biker, Indian enthusiast, Didier's cousin
- as Koen Huyghe: Veurne's Chief of Police, Chantal's and Johnny's boss, dismissive of Chantal's career aspirations
- Hanna Lesage as Noor: Muze's daughter, Emma's classmate-friend
- Julie Delrue as Els Heytens: Emma's schoolteacher, Bjorn's sister, Bart's daughter
- Wim Opbrouck as Roland Schiettekatte: Ria's husband, Véronique's father, Willy's son. Influential businessman, construction company owner, land speculator
- Emma Catry as Milou: Noor's classmate, Roland's granddaughter, becomes Emma's friend
- as Eddy Driessens: policeman-receptionist
- Benoit Dorné as Kurt: policeman, Rik's assistant
- Begir Memeti as Besnik Dushku: national crime police, Bart's colleague
- Steve Geerts as Bart Storms: national crime police, Besnik's colleague
- as Dorien: Wim's wife, Wibe's mother
- as Sylvie Velghe: Johnny's wife, Rik's former girlfriend, glamour model (Miss Elegance 2011)
- Anouk David as Mia Verkest: local, erratic driver, Roger's wife
Season one only
- Patrycja Pulit as Goska Boniek: biker, "Dirty" Didier's sometime girlfriend
- as Christophe Bulcke: Véronique's widower, Roland's son-in-law, Veurne politician, Wim's rival
- as Daniël Louage: Siska's domineering brother, wastrel, serial pest
- as Siska Louage: Daniël's sister, Chantal's neighbour
- Michiel Soete as Bjorn Heytens: Els' brother, Bart's son
- Aiko Vanparys as Lise Loosveldt: Chantal's neighbour, Daisy's owner, long-running feud with Louages
- Mil Degrijse as Jordy: Noor's classmate, boisterous
- Hans Roelens as Landbouwer (English: "Farmer"): show dog owner, Lise's rival
- as Ria Schiettekatte: Roland's wife, Véronique's mother
Production
Chantal was announced in June 2020, as a spin-off of Eigen Kweek, which had ended after three seasons in the previous year.[5] [6] [7] It was produced by Eyeworks Film and TV Drama.[8] Mathias Sercu created and wrote the series with directing. Main music was composed by, while the opening credits song, "t Kan Ier Oal" (English: "It's all Possible Here") was performed by Cafmeyer on lead vocals, lyrics by Annelies Cappaert and music by Willaert. An expanded version of that song was issued as a single by Cafmeyer in January 2024.[9] West Flanders towns of Alveringem and Lo-Reninge are used to depcit fictitious Loveringem.[10]
Episode guide
Season two
References
- News: Vets . Tom . 11 March 2022 . De camera's draaien weer in televisieland en vooral Maaike Cafmeyer en Peter Van Den Begin krijgen het wel heel druk . nl-BE . The cameras are rolling again in television land and especially Maaike Cafmeyer and Peter Van Den Begin are getting very busy . Het Nieuwsblad .
- News: Werbrouck . Stefaan . 24 October 2022 . Ook zonder extra betekenis was 'Chantal' een uitstekende serie geweest, maar die kleine glinster is Maaike Cafmeyer zeer gegund . nl-BE . Even without extra meaning, "Chantal" would have been an excellent series, but Maaike Cafmeyer deserves very much that little sparkle . Humo .
- News: Van den Broek . Ann . 15 October 2022 . Is de West-Vlaming echt het onbehouwen cliché uit series als 'Chantal'? 'Ik ben omsingeld door dat soort mannen' . nl-BE . Is the West Flemish really the crude cliché from series like 'Chantal'? "I'm surrounded by men like that" . De Morgen .
- Web site: Er is nog meer ‘Chantal’ op komst: derde seizoen bevestigd . There is more Chantal on the way: third season confirmed . 21 January 2024 . 7 March 2024 . Gazet van Antwerpen . nl .
- News: Desmytere . Wout . 18 June 2020 . 'Eigen kweek' krijgt spin-off, met Maaike Cafmeyer in de hoofdrol . nl-BE . "Eigen Kweek" receives a spin-off, with Maaike Cafmeyer in the main role . Gazet van Antwerpen .
- News: Debie . Eline . 18 June 2020 . Chantal van 'Eigen Kweek' krijgt een spin-offreeks . nl-BE . Chantal of "Eigen Kweek" receives a spin-off series . .
- News: 18 June 2020 . Maaike Cafmeyer speelt hoofdrol in 'Eigen Kweek'-spin-off . nl-BE . Maaike Cafmeyer plays main role in "Eigen Kweek" spin-off . Het Laatste Nieuws .
- Web site: Chantal (TV Series) (2022) . filmaffinity.com . 3 December 2024 .
- Web site: Maaike Cafmeyer komt met eigen single: 'T Kan Ier Oal' van begingeneriek 'Chantal' . Maaike Cafmeyer Comes with Her Own Single: 'T Kan Ier Oal' from Opening Credits Chantal . 29 January 2024 . 20 January 2024 . Het Laatste Nieuws . nl .
- Web site: Nieuwe fietsroute "Loveringem" passeert langs 20 filmlocaties van VRT-serie "Chantal" . New Cycle Route "Loveringem" Passes 20 Film Locations of VRT Series Chantal . Stefaan . Struyve . VRT . 24 May 2023 . 3 December 2024 . nl .
