Nicole Calfan is returning to prime-time television with a deeply human role that blends mystery, memory, and emotion. The celebrated French actress stars in La disparue de Compostelle, airing Monday at 21h on France 2, where she steps into the shoes of Alice—a woman living with Alzheimer’s whose fragmented recollections unexpectedly become the key to unraveling a five-year-old disappearance.

The telefilm follows Jeanne, Alice’s daughter, played by Olivia Côte, a determined investigator haunted by the cold trail of a missing young woman. Even as Alice slips in and out of lucidity, her rare moments of clarity offer unexpected breakthroughs. To Nicole Calfan, this complexity was irresistible. On Buzz TV, she expressed delight at shaping a character who is vulnerable yet vibrant: dancing, singing, drifting, and still—against all odds—serving as a compass for her daughter’s investigation.

Beyond the suspense-filled storyline, the production highlights issues close to Calfan’s heart, particularly domestic violence. The actress, who has long used her voice to champion women, emphasized how important it was for her to stand behind a project that sheds light on the silent battles women endure.

This week marks another emotional milestone for her. On Saturday at the Palais des Congrès in Paris, she pays tribute to her longtime friend Alain Delon in a special cine-concert titled Le dernier samouraï. Accompanied by an 80-piece symphony orchestra, the event revisits iconic film scores from Delon’s legendary career. Calfan describes the moment as both grand and intimate: “He cared deeply about his film music. There are masterpieces,” she has often said.

The tribute carries particular weight since Delon passed away in August 2024—a loss that, for Calfan, cut deeply. Their friendship began in the 1970s on the set of Borsalino, where she appeared alongside Delon and Jean-Paul Belmondo. That meeting sparked a bond she later described as “a platonic love stronger than any other”—a partnership rooted in affection, trust, and decades of artistic collaboration. Delon called her “my love” and “my mascot,” having long believed she brought him luck.

Calfan was among the very few invited to Delon’s private funeral at his Douchy estate, a ceremony she remembers as both surreal and profoundly beautiful. Unlike the massive public farewell given to Johnny Hallyday, Delon’s family chose an intimate gathering filled with music, cinema, and the people he cherished most. Guests stayed until nightfall, sharing stories, sipping champagne, and remembering the charismatic man who shaped French cinema. Standing beside his loyal dog, now orphaned, Calfan says she felt the weight of mortality more than ever. “The day he died, I felt mortal. I miss him every single day.”

Though she appears less frequently on stage, Nicole Calfan remains active on screen. She will soon return in Il était deux fois, a new France Télévisions series created by Franck Thilliez—proof that her artistry remains as resonant as ever.

FAQ

1. Who is Nicole Calfan?
Nicole Calfan is a renowned French actress known for her work in film, television, and theatre, as well as her close friendship with the late Alain Delon.

2. What is La disparue de Compostelle about?
It is a France 2 thriller centered on the disappearance of a young woman, with Calfan playing an Alzheimer’s patient whose moments of clarity help unravel the mystery.

3. How was Nicole Calfan connected to Alain Delon?
They shared a decades-long friendship that began in the 1970s, marked by mutual admiration and multiple collaborations.

4. What is Le dernier samouraï cine-concert?
A tribute event honoring Delon’s cinematic legacy through symphonic reinterpretations of his most iconic film scores.