
Allan Hawco (left) plays Detective Fitz and Joséphine Jobert stars as Detective Arch in the new CBC TV police drama “Saint-Pierre”. (Photo courtesy of CBC)
Joséphine Jobert has made a name for herself playing a fictional police officer and in 2024 ventured to Canada, and locations nearby, to build on her repertoire. Jobert, who spent some of her younger years developing her talents in Montreal, was immersed in the distinct landscape of North America’s eastern shoreline while filming for the CBC.
Acclaimed for her role as Detective Sergeant Florence Cassell in BBC’s hit series “Death in Paradise”, the French actress’s latest project is the new police drama TV series “Saint-Pierre”, which debuted on January 6.
Jobert plays Deputy Chief Genevieve Archambault — nicknamed Arch. Set in St. Pierre et Miquelon, a French archipelago of nearly 6,000 residents, the show features the pair of islands that are a short distance from Newfoundland and Labrador. The first season was filmed on location in Newfoundland and Labrador, St. Pierre et Miquelon, and Ontario.
The 39-year-old actress took a break from her busy schedule to give Vacay.ca her thoughts on her new role and what life was like on the road. When Jobert is not busy acting, she divides her time between her home in Paris and the southwest France locale of Dordogne.

Joséphine Jobert is a French actress and singer. In 1997, at age 12, she moved with her parents to Montreal for eight years, where she took her first steps into television. (Photo courtesy of CBC)
Vacay.ca: You are well known for your lead role as Detective Sergeant Florence Cassell for nearly a decade in the British series “Death in Paradise”. What was it that attracted you to another police drama?
Joséphine Jobert: Once you portray a police officer, people imagine you in that role. So, when they sent me the script for the first episode, I thought OK here’s another policer officer role, so let’s see. But once I started reading the script, I knew it was completely different from “Death in Paradise” – the tone, the characters’ personalities, the setting. From the first reading, I feel in love with Arch. I also loved the dynamics between Arch and Fitz (played by Canadian actor and co-creator of “Saint-Pierre”, Allan Hawco). When we did our first scene together, it was completely natural, and it felt right. It was like we weren’t acting, but rather just two people living the scene. That’s when I knew I had to do this series. It has been one of the best experiences of my career.
Vacay.ca: How did you prepare for your role as Arch?
Jobert: Whenever you start a new role you are always a little nervous, but I was very comfortable with my character from the beginning. I read the script over and over again. Arch was so well written that as soon as I put on her uniform, I was already her in my head.
Vacay.ca: What was it like filming in St-Pierre et Miquelon?
Jobert: Even me, who is French, knew nothing about St.-Pierre, which is a beautiful French Territory. The residents live to their own rhythm, opening their shops when they feel like it. I told myself calm down, relax, chill, and learn to adapt to their rhythm. I found the residents to be very kind, accommodating, happy, and proud. I think the residents were happy we put their island on the map. We would film for two to three weeks and then go to another location. … I was always nostalgic to return to St.-Pierre et Miquelon.

“Saint-Pierre” is about a Newfoundland cop who is exiled to French islands after exposing corruption. He teams up with a headstrong deputy to solve baffling crimes beyond the idyllic locale’s facade. (Photo courtesy of CBC)
Vacay.ca: What was it like dividing your time between Newfoundland and Labrador, St.-Pierre et Miquelon, and Ontario?
Jobert: We filmed the first block in May and June, and we spent only one-and-a-half weeks in St.-Pierre et Miquelon for the exterior and drone shots. Then, the remainder of the filming was split between St. John’s and Ontario. We took the summer off because during the filming, the crew needed to shut down streets, and in the summer St.-Pierre et Miquelon is very touristy. In addition, for visual effect, we needed to film when there was snow to add to the drama. We returned to St.-Pierre et Miquelon for another two-and-a-half weeks beginning in September to wrap up filming. During our summer break, I didn’t return to my home in Paris because of the Paris 2024 Olympics. I spent my whole summer at my house in Dordogne.

Joséphine Jobert comes from a large family of artists for generations (singers, actors, authors, musicians, directors of photography, and more). She learned acting from her family while growing up in theatre. (Photo courtesy of CBC)
Vacay.ca: Were there moments on the set of “Saint Pierre” that were especially memorable?
Jobert: I can honestly say every day was memorable. Even though some days were cold and rainy, or days when I was tired, there was never a day that I said I don’t feel like going to the set today. Everyone, from the Newfoundland team, the other actors, to the crew were so friendly and genuine. We started together in St.-Pierre, we traveled together, stayed in the same hotels, travelled the country and I can say there wasn’t a day on the set that I didn’t laugh.
There was this incredible ambience that in all of my 20-plus years of acting, I have never experienced before. I’ve had great times before on set, but this was next level. I don’t know if it has to do with Newfoundland and St. John’s or the team of artists that have known each other for a long time and created this extraordinary platform, but I can’t wait for season two.