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Inaki Lartigue, the discreet Basque who became an essential face of Plus belle la vie
Inaki Lartigue, born in 1992, is that guy you notice without warning. With his 1.82 meters, he often comes across as a serious, almost silent boy, but when he speaks, it hits hard. And there it is, the surprise: he really is that Parisian Basque, in love with his native land and Marseille, his new stage.
Not really a kid from Pyrénées-Atlantiques, more a Parisian by birth, but who defines himself as an expatriate from the Basque Country because of his parents. Honestly, it’s touching, his childhood memories between Paris and Bayonne, this desire to anchor himself in his roots.
You know what’s funny? Despite his ease on screen, he remains discreet about his private life. Married, not married? Lartigue is more the secretive type, but he does not hesitate to display his closeness with his loved ones and his love for the Basque Country on his Instagram. He’s a guy with a heart, definitely.
On stage, he made a name for himself by playing Samuel Gayet in the latest version of “Plus belle la vie,” a sort of breath of fresh air in this cult soap opera. And bam, his departure shook the audience in 2025, with an exit as brutal as it was moving.
A journey far from the spotlight before the TV rise
It’s a bit the kind of story where everything is built quietly. His childhood, shared between Paris and the Basque Country, fueled his passion for theater. His parents, passionate themselves about cinema and theater, irresistibly plunged him into this world, even though their professions had nothing to do with it.
Before fame, Inaki formed a Franco-Ukrainian theater troupe — yes, you read that right — and toured with them for three years. A guy who builds his path by sheer willpower, it’s pleasing. Then, little by little, he linked up roles in French and Spanish productions, with the Basque language always in the background.
And then TV arrived, with this role in “Plus belle la vie, encore plus belle,” where he plays a police lieutenant in Marseille. A serious character but with that playful side, it clicked directly with his personality. The audience adopted him almost immediately.
Behind the scenes of his moving departure from Plus belle la vie
Ah, Samuel’s departure in 2025, it wasn’t just a huge plot twist, it was mainly Inaki’s choice. He chose to leave the series because he wanted to look elsewhere, discover new ways of working, other universes, not due to any clash or anything like that.
In interviews, he explains it calmly, with that rare maturity. He talks about a complex, necessary decision, a true desire for renewal. The production team was kept in the loop; they organized it with mutual trust. No scheming, just respect.
The tragic death of his character, shot by his friend Lenny, left everyone stunned. That shock scene, that brutal twist created a surprise effect among fans, many emotions. Inaki confessed that this ending marked a turning point in the series’ story, and it’s true, it left a huge void.
Despite the sadness, Inaki keeps a positive view on this adventure. He sees it as an emotional stage, a chance to move on without denying his past. It’s honestly touching, this artistic honesty.
An actor constantly seeking artistic challenges and international openness
What I love about him is this voracious appetite for discovery. Inaki openly talks about his desire to shoot in varied formats, long series, one-offs, platforms, both in France and abroad.
Speaking English, Spanish, it’s a real asset. He wants complex roles, characters who stand out, different tones. In short, leaving his comfort zone to never stagnate. It’s no small thing because it requires a lot of courage.
The projects? He already has some in mind, well advanced tracks, between Europe and Latin America. It’s the image of an actor who doesn’t want just a classic career, but rather to carve his own path in a world that moves a lot.
It’s also a trend that is emerging among many young talents. Rather than staying locked into fixed roles in French series, they want to go and seek this “enriching experience off the beaten path.” A real new breath for cinema and TV.
The face and public identity of Inaki Lartigue
Quite fascinating to see how a guy like Inaki built a loyal audience while staying humble. No glitz or scandals, just a serious, passionate actor with impressive consistency on screen.
He is the very incarnation of the young actor who builds his career through talent and real self-work. You can find plenty of info about his biography and career on Allociné or his official profile on Agences Artistiques.
His presence on Sud Ouest and specialized press shows a Basque proud of his roots, who carries his origins high and passes them on without overdoing it. It’s refreshing.
Why remember him? A talented guy. Brave. With just the right humility. Here’s a star you want to follow on the journey, even when he leaves the series to better bounce back elsewhere. Just good, real stuff.
Key moments of his career not to forget
Before being a known face on French TV, he already had his marks on sets, notably in “Mortelles Calanques” alongside Philippe Bas, not nothing. It’s often in these first roles that you catch how much an actor can have that little something extra.
His role in the Spanish film “Un homme d’action” and his appearance in “Demain nous appartient” showed he was not limited to one register. Able to navigate various narrative universes, that’s where his potential lies.
A detail? On Instagram, he sometimes shares rehearsal excerpts or backstage moments, which humanizes the acting profession. Honestly, it changes from the usual clichés we normally see, it’s raw, it’s nice to follow.
And for soap opera lovers, his portrayal of Lieutenant Samuel Gayet marked a memorable chapter, especially with the poignant ending broadcast in July 2025. A real emotional punch that many did not see coming.
A look at the next steps for Inaki Lartigue
The future looks quite busy. With several projects in his suitcase, notably long and ambitious roles internationally, he gives the feeling of holding nothing back and aiming high. That’s what we love about him, this desire to grow.
Opening up to different countries, different languages, it will only strengthen his career, you can feel it like an actor in full evolution.
Personally, I wonder if he’ll soon be starring in a series in English or Spanish, it would be well deserved. We’ll be watching closely, believe me.
So here is an actor to keep in a corner of your memory. Discreet but solid, he embodied Basque freshness at the heart of Marseille, and this cultural anchoring is all his charm. For those who want to know more, this departure from Plus belle la vie really deserves a read.
- 🎭 Franco-Ukrainian theater: his starting school
- 🎬 Plus belle la vie: notable role of Lieutenant Samuel Gayet
- 🌍 International openness: projects in Europe and Latin America
- 🎥 Diversified filmography: from Spanish cinema to French series
- 📸 Private life discreet: sharing authentic moments on Instagram
