Premiering April 30, 2025, on Apple TV+, Careme chronicles the meteoric rise of Antoine Carême, the visionary chef who transformed gastronomy amid the chaos of the French Revolution. This lavish historical drama, brimming with political intrigue and opulent feasts, stars a talented ensemble portraying real and fictional figures who shaped Carême’s journey—from Napoleon’s court to the Rothschilds’ salons. Dive into the lives and careers of the cast bringing this epic tale to life.
The Cast of Careme
1: Lyna Khoudri as Henriette
Born January 3, 1992, in Algiers, Lyna Khoudri is a César Award-winning actress known for her fierce, nuanced performances. She gained international acclaim in Papicha (2019), a searing drama about Algerian women resisting oppression, and charmed audiences in Wes Anderson’s The French Dispatch (2021). Khoudri’s role as Henriette—a fictionalized confidante and muse to Carême—draws on her ability to blend strength with vulnerability, a hallmark of her career.
Khoudri’s recent projects include the dystopian series The Gone (2023) and the romantic thriller The Three Musketeers: Milady (2023). Off-screen, she advocates for North African representation in film. Her portrayal of Henriette, a revolutionary seamstress with a passion for culinary arts, adds a bold, feminist edge to Careme’s historical tapestry.
2: Benjamin Voisin as Antonin Carême
Benjamin Voisin (born December 27, 1996, in Paris) skyrocketed to fame with François Ozon’s Summer of 85 (2020) and earned a César nomination for Lost Illusions (2021). His brooding charisma and classical training make him a natural fit for Carême, the self-taught chef navigating the cutthroat world of 19th-century elites. Voisin immersed himself in culinary history, training with Michelin-starred chefs to master period techniques.
Voisin’s recent role in The Beast (2023) showcased his range in genre-bending narratives. Off-camera, he’s an avid reader of Enlightenment philosophy, a passion that informs his portrayal of Carême’s intellectual hunger. “Antonin wasn’t just a cook—he was an artist fighting for recognition in a world on fire,” Voisin reflects.
3: Jérémie Renier as Charles-Maurice de Talleyrand-Périgord
Belgian actor Jérémie Renier (born January 6, 1981) brings gravitas to Talleyrand, the cunning diplomat and Carême’s patron. Renier, a frequent collaborator of the Dardenne brothers (The Child, 2005), is renowned for morally complex roles in Saint Laurent (2014) and In Bruges (2008). His Talleyrand is a master manipulator whose refined palate masks political ruthlessness.
Renier’s stage work, including a lauded Hamlet in Paris, sharpens his command of period dialogue. Off-screen, he’s a champion of European cinema preservation. For Careme, he studied Talleyrand’s letters to capture his wit and menace, promising a performance as layered as a mille-feuille.
4: Eric Geynes as Lord Banks Jenkinson
British actor Eric Geynes (born May 12, 1985) steps into the shoes of Lord Jenkinson, a fictional British aristocrat enamored with Carême’s genius. Geynes, a Royal Shakespeare Company alum, is best known for The Crown (2019) as a minor royal and the crime drama Bodyguard (2018). His knack for portraying genteel ambition aligns with Jenkinson’s quest to bring French haute cuisine to London.
Geynes recently starred in The Irregulars (2023), a Sherlock Holmes spinoff. A history buff, he drew inspiration from Regency-era diaries to craft Jenkinson’s mix of curiosity and entitlement.
5: Pauline Sagetat as Vestale (Grande Réception)
Pauline Sagetat (born August 14, 1993) shines as Vestale, a mysterious figure overseeing Napoleon’s grand receptions. A rising star in French TV, Sagetat captivated audiences in The Hookup Plan (2018–2022) and the thriller Black Spot (2017). Her ethereal presence and background in dance lend Vestale an enigmatic allure.
Sagetat’s training at the Cours Florent and her role in The Mad Women’s Ball (2021) prepared her for Careme’s ornate settings. Off-duty, she’s a vocal supporter of mental health initiatives, a theme she subtly weaves into Vestale’s guarded persona.
6: Jonas Bachan as Fenouil
Jonas Bachan (born 1998), a graduate of the Strasbourg Drama School, makes his TV debut as Fenouil, Carême’s fiery rival. Bachan’s stage work in Les Misérables and Cyrano honed his intensity, while his Franco-German roots add depth to Fenouil’s outsider status in Parisian high society.
Bachan’s Fenouil is a composite of historical kitchen rivals, driven by envy and ambition. “He’s the spice that challenges Carême’s recipe for success,” Bachan quips.
7: Axel Baille as Laquais de Napoléon
Axel Baille (born October 9, 1990), known for The Returned (2012–2015), plays Napoleon’s valet—a silent witness to history. Baille’s mastery of physical acting, seen in The Night Eats the World (2018), turns this minor role into a haunting presence.
Baille trained in mime at Paris’s École Jacques Lecoq, a skill he uses to convey his character’s loyalty and fear.
8: Geoffrey Carlassare as Le cuisinier de Louis XVIII
Geoffrey Carlassare (born February 19, 1985), of The Bureau (2015–2020) fame, embodies Louis XVIII’s head chef—a symbol of the ancien régime’s decadence. His gruff demeanor and comedic timing, showcased in Call My Agent! (2015), add levity to the royal kitchen’s chaos.
Carlassare’s passion for food history informed his portrayal: “These chefs were rockstars before the term existed.”
9: Juliette Armanet
French pop icon Juliette Armanet (born 1984) makes her acting debut in a secret musical role. Known for hits like Brûler le Feu (2021), her soulful voice and theatrical flair align with Careme’s opulent aesthetic.
Armanet composed an original ballad for the series, blending Baroque and modern influences.
10: Lolita Chammah as Madame de Rothschild
Lolita Chammah (born 1983), daughter of Isabelle Huppert, brings elegance to the Rothschild matriarch. A veteran of Copacabana (2010) and Sister (2012), Chammah’s Franco-Lebanese heritage mirrors the Rothschilds’ cosmopolitanism.
Her off-screen work with refugee charities echoes her character’s discreet philanthropy.
11: Dimitri Doré as Tsar Alexander I
Dimitri Doré (born 1987), of Call My Agent! fame, plays the Russian tsar with regal restraint. His fluency in Russian (learned for The Translators, 2019) adds authenticity to Alexander’s fascination with French culture.
Doré’s Tsar is a paradox—a reformer enchanted by Carême’s artistry yet wary of revolution.
