Streaming series review - Lex Africana

Lex Africana *** (out of 5) When I was given the opportunity to review a TV series that featured a guy who was an architect and martial artist, there was no way to pass it up. In this French/Senegalese production, Seydina Balde, who also created and co-wrote the series, stars as Gabriel, the son of a widely respected doctor. He’d moved to Japan, staying estranged from his home and family for three years until his dad was killed in a car crash. The authorities rather summarily ruled it an accident, but Gabriel wasn’t buying it. His attempts to review the evidence and findings are staunchly resisted by the cops and courts. But he persists, as he must for there to be six hourlong episodes of story to tell.

The series opens with a brutal scene of torture, then switches to Gabriel’s return. His sketchy cousin is his main ally, though he’s almost as much hindrance as help. Even his high-ranking uncle seems powerless to intervene. Our hero’s efforts navigate a pinball course of helpful discoveries and obstacles. The latter give us two or three hand-to-hand encounters per episode with one or more baddies in each. Like the Energizer Bunny, Gabe takes his lickings and keeps on ticking, usually giving more than he gets.

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Gabriel’s ex-girlfriend is now a lawyer living with a cop who may be more honorable than his colleagues. In need of work, Gabriel volunteers for an NGO that can use his architectural skills, while providing the series with a couple of worthy subplots. Balde’s scripts make Balde the actor a solid protagonist - dogged in his pursuit of the truth, and empathic with those who deserve it.

The fights are ample enough to pump some adrenaline, but the choreography leaves much to be desired. There’s not a lot of variety in those sequences. He also blunders his way into more traps than we’d expect from a man with his intellect and skills. Several supporting characters are given leeway to add emotional depth and suspense, as their presentations may differ from the realities of who they are. Knowing who to trust is a dominant ongoing element of the drama.

The season ends with resolution of most of the plotlines, but leaves room for further developments in Season 2, if the proverbial green light shines upon the producers. This aired in 2024, so there’s still time to regroup the troops. If it does, I’ll go back for another round.

(Lex Africana, in French, English and Wolof with subtitles, streams on MHz Choice as of 5/5/26)