Lupine star Adama Niane dies at 56 as co-star Omar Sy leads tributes to ‘man of rare benevolence’
Adama Niane has died at the age of 56.
The French actor was best known for starring in the Netflix hit Lupine, which became an international hit when it was released in 2021.
His cause of death has not been confirmed.
Sad news: Adama Niane has died at the age of 56. The French actor was best known for starring in the Netflix hit Lupine, which became an international hit when it was released in 2021.
Adama’s Lupine co-star Omar Sy directed tributes to the star on Twitter, describing the actor as a “man of rare benevolence”.
He wrote: ‘I extend my deepest condolences to the loved ones of Adama Niane, a tremendous actor whom I had the opportunity and pleasure to play alongside.
‘A man of rare benevolence… May his soul rest in peace.’
Film director Olivier Abbou also paid tribute to the star, describing him as a “hero”.
He wrote: ‘It is with immense sadness that I learn of the passing of Adam Niane, who I had the pleasure of working with on all 2 seasons of Maroni and Fury.
‘We haven’t separated for 4 years, sharing intense human and artistic adventures at the end of the world, Guyana, Saint Pierre and Miquelon and even Lille.
‘He was committed, enlightened, complete, talented, powerful. He was my hero, a friend and an accomplice. He sees in peace.’
Adama was best known for his role as murderer and ex-con Leonard Kone in Lupine, which is based on the novels by Frenchman Maurice LeBlanc, who created the character in 1905.
Lupine became the first French series to appear on Netflix’s Top 10 list, ranking #1 in countries like Brazil, Vietnam, Argentina, Germany, Italy, Spain, and Poland, to name just a few.
The drama stars Omar Sy in the title role of Assane Diop, someone who lives life inspired by the thief Arsène Lupine from LeBlanc’s novels.
The concept has been developed into various other film and television formats over the years, including an animated series.
Assane was the only son of an immigrant from Senegal, who was framed for stealing a diamond necklace from his employer, Hubert Pellegrini (Herve Pierre), and is sent to prison, where he commits suicide out of shame, leaving Lupine an orphan.