French premium network Canal+ is bringing back its high-intensity crime series B.R.I. for a second season, with new episodes set to arrive on January 12, 2026. The gritty procedural, centered on an elite tactical police unit operating outside Paris, returns with eight fresh episodes that pick up directly after the events of the first season.
Already positioned as one of Canal+’s flagship original dramas, B.R.I. is aiming squarely at fans of grounded, tactical crime storytelling—think along the lines of SWAT or Chicago P.D., but with a distinctly French sensibility and a sharper focus on organized crime.
Release Date, Episode Count and How to Watch “B.R.I.” Season 2
Canal+ has confirmed the launch of B.R.I. Season 2 through a trailer published in its program catalog. The new season will premiere on January 12, 2026, exclusively on Canal+ in France and on the myCanal streaming platform.
The second chapter of the series consists of eight episodes, mirroring the format of many European prestige crime dramas and making it easy to binge over a couple of weekends.
Where Season 2 Picks Up in the Story
Rather than rebooting the show or jumping ahead in time, Season 2 continues the storyline right where Season 1 left off. For viewers who followed the initial run back in April 2023, the transition should feel seamless: the same unit, the same world, but with higher stakes and deeper fallout from past operations.
The series once again focuses on the Versailles-based Brigade de Recherche et d’Intervention (B.R.I.), a specialized police group that takes on complex, high-risk operations against organized crime networks. In narrative terms, this means the second season builds directly on the character arcs and tensions established previously—loyalties tested, command structures reshaped, and personal lives strained by the brutality of the job.
Saïd’s Leadership Under Fire
At the heart of Season 2 is Saïd, played by Sofian Khammes. After stepping into the leadership role formerly held by Patrick Prigent, he’s no longer the new guy in charge—he’s the one fully responsible when things go wrong.
A former special forces operative, Saïd runs a young but battle-tested team. Season 2 uses his background and his command position to explore how tactical expertise can clash with institutional rules, political pressure, and the emotional toll of constant exposure to violence. The show leans into the psychological side of leadership: How do you keep your people safe when every operation could spiral out of control in seconds?
A Season Framed by a Deadly Shootout
The new storyline kicks off in the aftermath of a violent shootout between drug traffickers and law enforcement. This confrontation doesn’t just open the season with impact—it sets the narrative agenda for everything that follows.
In the wake of the gunfight, the B.R.I. unit is tasked with dismantling the operation of one of Europe’s most powerful drug traffickers. This isn’t a simple bust: it’s a long, methodical investigation that forces the team into deep-cover work, surveillance operations, and high-stakes raids.
Two Fronts, One Overstretched Unit
While the squad is locked in on the major narcotics case, another threat emerges: a volatile crew of armed robbers begins to wreak havoc, cutting across the police department’s carefully laid plans. This group’s unpredictable behavior adds a second layer of danger and chaos to the season.
Strategically, it means the B.R.I. must split its attention and resources. Story-wise, it creates constant tension between long-term investigative work and the urgent need to respond to immediate, violent crimes. The unit is forced to juggle protection of civilians, pursuit of the trafficker, and rapid-response interventions against the robbers—all under media scrutiny and internal pressure.
The Core Team Returning in Season 2
Fans of the show will recognize the returning team members who form the emotional backbone of the series:
- Badri, played by Rabah Naït Oufella
- Vanessa, portrayed by Ophélie Bau
- Julien, brought to life by Waël Sersoub
- Socrate, played by Théo Christine
Season 2 gives these characters more room to breathe and evolve. The show continues to balance on-the-ground action—raids, arrests, and tactical maneuvers—with internal conflicts, personal compromises, and the psychological burden of operating at the sharp end of law enforcement.
Production, Creators and Canal+ Strategy
B.R.I. is produced by Cheyenne Federation for Canal+ and directed by series creator Jérémie Guez, who also co-writes the show with Erwan Augoyard. Filming on Season 2 began in spring 2024, signaling Canal+’s commitment to building the franchise over several years rather than treating it as a one-off experiment.
When the first season launched, Canal+ reported record numbers for an original drama on the platform. Those strong ratings and positive reception fast-tracked the renewal, allowing the creative team to deepen the universe instead of reinventing it from scratch.
All eight episodes of B.R.I. Season 2 will air on Canal+ starting January 12, 2026 and will be available on demand via myCanal, which is increasingly becoming the hub for Canal+’s international-facing original content.
Why “B.R.I.” Could Appeal to U.S. Crime Drama Fans
For American viewers who enjoy detailed, realistic portrayals of police work—shows like Bosch, Line of Duty, or True Detective—B.R.I. offers a different cultural angle on the same core themes: elite units, moral gray zones, and the cost of operating in a permanent state of emergency.
The series grounds its action in procedure: surveillance, intelligence gathering, chain-of-command disputes, and the ever-present risk that a single bad call can get people killed. Instead of superhero cops, B.R.I. focuses on flawed professionals, institutional tensions, and the grinding reality of organized crime in modern Europe.
While the show is produced primarily for a French audience, it’s part of a growing wave of European crime dramas that travel well internationally thanks to streaming, offering U.S. viewers an alternative to the usual American network and cable formulas.
Key Details at a Glance
- Series: B.R.I.
- Season: 2
- Episodes: 8
- Network: Canal+
- Streaming: myCanal (France and select territories)
- Premiere date: January 12, 2026
- Creators: Jérémie Guez (creator/director), Erwan Augoyard (co-writer)
- Genre: Crime drama / police procedural
FAQ
When does “B.R.I.” Season 2 premiere on Canal+?
B.R.I. Season 2 is scheduled to premiere on Canal+ starting January 12, 2026. Episodes will also be available on the myCanal streaming platform.
How many episodes are in Season 2 of “B.R.I.”?
The second season of B.R.I. consists of eight episodes, continuing the compact, binge-friendly format established by the first season.
Is Season 2 a direct continuation of Season 1?
Yes. Season 2 directly follows the events and character arcs from Season 1. The new storyline picks up shortly after the previous season, maintaining continuity in both plot and character development.
Where can I watch “B.R.I.” Season 2?
In France, Season 2 will air on Canal+ and stream on myCanal starting January 12, 2026. Availability in other countries will depend on local licensing deals, so viewers outside France should check regional streaming platforms or international distributors that carry Canal+ originals.
