Before Extra, we saw you as Queen Guinevere in Kaamelott by Alexandre Astier. How do you deal with the fact that this role still sticks so closely to you?
I am very proud to be associated with Kaamelott. Either way, I can't deny it and I loved filming this series which I love enormously. It's true that I hear a lot about it, and for good reason, it has become cult and is very successful. It is a part of my professional life but I have also done many other things and talking about my other projects gives me pleasure. But I will come back in the rest of the film Kaamelott (a second part expected in cinemas on October 22, 2025, editor’s note). This series formed me. I was very young when it started, I was just starting out in the business. So it is extremely important to me.
It seems that your son is going to star in this sequel. Is he following in your footsteps?
For the moment no, because he is only 14 years old. He's a very good spectator but he doesn't really want to be in the spotlight… Except for Kaamelott because he loves the series! Acting in the film would obviously amuse him a lot. He was younger when Alexandre Astier promised him that he would play in it. But he needed all the authorizations because he was a child and that couldn't be done. So Alexandre actually promised him that he would star in the next film. And my son is delighted!
Anne Girouard (Extra) regrets having been put in a box
You said a few years ago that the transition from TV to cinema was difficult. Has the success of the film Kaamelott changed the situation?
Not particularly… I do a lot of theater, opera and television. I have had very, very busy years. But yes, we still put the actors in boxes. I'm in the category that prevents access to auteur cinema, for example. It's really very complicated. There, I'm in a TV box and maybe that will change one day. I hope so anyway. For me, actors should be able to go from one place to another more easily. Yes, it changes a little, but not for me anyway.
Is that why you turned to opera?
Yes. Recently I played at the Rennes opera then I went on tour to Nantes then again Angers (with The Bat by Johan Strauss directed by Jean Lacornerie, editor's note).… It was a magnificent show that I loved doing. I played, in fact, 13 characters. The singers performed songs in German but did not speak. I took charge of all the speaking part. It was a very beautiful opera, joyful and melancholy at the same time. And being with the public feels so good! It was very beautiful.
Anne Girouard's response to criticism
The first Kaamelott film was singled out for misogyny and sexism. So you know the impact of controversies on a work. Have you prepared yourself for possible criticism of Extra and its treatment of sexuality for people with disabilities?
There are always criticisms. I imagine there will be some for Extra which is a daring series. And every time there is audacity, we take the risk of not pleasing everyone. It could therefore be criticized as Kaamelott was. Some people said it was misogynistic, which is still very stupid. It's not because a character is misogynistic that the series is, but oh well. There will always be people who say such things and that's part of the game. It's very good that these people can express their disagreement, we are in a democracy.
Episodes 3 and 4 of Extra can be seen this Tuesday evening from 8:50 p.m. on Ciné+ OCS
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