The French network and streaming service Canal+ has plenty of interesting shows in its slate. From comedies to crime thrillers, the network has produced some gripping stories that changed the TV medium for good. The network has both originals and other shows in its roster, and many have received great responses from critics and audiences alike.
While the streamer is known for its thrillers, we have chosen some other genres as well. Still, they do what they do best with thrillers, and you will see many on this list. We have also chosen some dramas and adventure shows for those who love these genres.
Now that superhero shows like Daredevil: Born Again have ended for the year, go for some good old network TV. Here are 7 shows on Canal+ that you can watch right now in the month of May.
1. The Bureau
Matthieu Kassovitz in Le Bureau des Légendes | Credits: Canal+
The French espionage thriller series Le Bureau des légendes, a.k.a The Bureau, is one of the most celebrated shows in French television. Based on real accounts from actual French spies (via Broadway World), the series follows agent Guillaume Debailly, who is part of the Directorate-General for External Security, and his missions. The show has five seasons, with its second season being highly regarded.
Le Bureau des légendes was appreciated for its slick filmmaking and writing, taking inspiration from real-life espionage stories. The authenticity seeps out of the conflicts in the series, making it less glamorous than the typical James Bond-esque spy thrillers we are used to. Catch it for a different take on the espionage genre.
2. Billy The Kid
Tom Blyth in Billy the Kid | Credits: Epix/MGM+
Based on the real outlaw and gunfighter Billy the Kid, the eponymous Western series follows the exploits of the outlaw in the 19th century. The show stars Tom Blyth as Billy and sees a classic Western adventure in each episode. Blyth’s performance as the real outlaw is what makes the series special, and while it is no Yellowstone, there are plenty of thrills in store.
There are three seasons and 24 episodes. It was originally produced by Epix and was later available on MGM+. It is currently on Canal+.
3. Hippocrate
A still from Hippocrate | Credits: Canal+
If you are missing the adrenaline rush and hopecore storyline of HBO Max’s The Pitt, then Canal+’s medical drama Hippocrate is there to fill that void. Based on the 2014 film of the same name by Thomas Lilti, the series follows three interns who are sent to Internal Medicine after the entire staff is quarantined due to an unknown pathogen.
The series is incredibly written, performed, and explores important themes in the medical world. It also shows the ground reality of clinicians, who have to deal with staff shortage and old or low-quality equipment, portraying the medical department as human and not the superheroes they are in shows like House MD, Grey’s Anatomy, or ER.
4. Paris Police 1900
If you are interested in history, especially French history, then Paris Police 1900 is going to be a thrilling ride. Set during a tumultuous time in the Third Republic, the series starts with the death of President Félix Faure and follows police detective Antoine Jouin as he investigates a seemingly unrelated murder of a woman.
The show blends historical fiction with procedural and mystery, and tells a thrilling story of a politically chaotic time. The murder mystery itself acts as a catalyst to larger political commentary, and the connections to major (and specific) historical events make Paris Police 1900 a smartly written thriller. Definitely add it to your watchlist.
5. Baron Noir
Kad Merad in Baron Noir | Credits: Canal+
House of Cards, but make it French. While the legendary Netflix original explored the workings of the US Government, Baron Noir delves into the workings of the French government and its secrets.
Baron Noir is a political thriller that follows the protagonist, Philippe Rickwaert, a member of Parliament and the Mayor of Dunkerque, as he seeks revenge against his mentor, who sacrificed him for power.
The show is deeply political and dissects the various games played by politicians, with the French parliament as the focal point. The first series was released at the time of Brexit, and some of the topical themes ring well even today. But while the relevance to real-world politics is part of the fun, it is the gradual growth of the main characters that makes the show so delicious and fun.
Watch the series on Canal+ if you are in the mood for a story with plenty of twists and turns.
6. Spiral
A still from Spiral | Credits: Canal+
The procedural thriller Spiral follows the investigation of a death in each season, expanding on the lives of the police and legal personnel involved. Set in Paris, the series explores themes such as corruption in the system, violence, and justice, with each case involving not just the investigation but also the trial following the solve.
Spiral has incredible performances from the lead cast, including Caroline Proust and Thierry Godard. Most procedural shows stop at the investigation level, as most of the time, a ‘whodunnit’ stops being interesting once we know who did it. But, Spiral also shows how the killer is brought to justice, with legal proceedings also being explored, making it unique.
With eight series of 8-12 episodes each, the show can be binged for a long time. Watch it on Canal+ if you are in the mood for an intense procedural.
7. Guyane
The cast of Guyane | Credits: Canal+
The French series Guyane follows Vincent Ogier, a student who goes to French Guiana and gets involved in the gold trade. The crime drama explores the mines of Guiana and the interesting world of illegal gold trading.
Ogier comes into conflict with a crime kingpin named Serra, and the two enter a cat-and-mouse chase. The series has two seasons and explores a world that is beyond Paris. Watch it if you are in the mood for a smart crime drama.
Show NameRotten Tomatoes (as of May 6, 2026)IMDb (as of May 6, 2026)The BureauPopcornmeter – 95%8.7Billy the KidPopcornmeter – 87%7.3Hippocrate–8.0Paris Police 1900Popcornmeter – 58%7.1Baron Noir–7.8Spiral–8.5Guyane–7.3
If you have any questions regarding the shows on Canal+, feel free to check the FAQs below.
How many seasons of Spiral are there?
Spiral has eight seasons, with 8-12 episodes each. Each episode lasts 52 minutes.
Is there only one season of Paris Police 1900?
A sequel series titled Paris Police 1905 was released in 2022
Which series on Canal+ are you most excited to watch? Comment below
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