France's Hidden History Comes to Light in 'Swapped'

The Family Secret That Sparked a Series

It all began with a family story from the little-known French region of Morvan. Vincent Robert's family, to be precise, as his great-grandmother had been a wet nurse herself. While investigating his own past, the seasoned writer learned more and more about what would be the grounds of "Swapped," also known as "Sorority," a six-part, high-end period thriller co-written with Alexandra Echkenazi that is now being highlighted by France TV Distribution at the Unifrance Rendez-vous.

"It was Alexandra's idea to turn the story of these wet nurses from Morvan into a TV series, something which had never occurred to me," recalls Robert. "I knew nothing of these customs before discussing them with Vincent."

What started as a personal genealogical quest quickly blossomed into an ambitious artistic endeavor. Echkenazi immediately understood the powerful narrative potential in this story around wet nurses and their often-overlooked role in French society.

Uncovering a Forgotten Chapter of History

Echkenazi was struck by how the story put to the spotlight the differences between social status and class, but also how much the female body was exploited and controlled during these times, regardless of social standing. "Beyond the historical aspect of this story," she explains, "it also reveals how women's bodies were commodified even within the same social strata."

This very modern topic resonated with both writers and producer Christelle de Bourbon Busset (“HP,” “Cheyenne & Lola”), who quickly reached out to Belgian directors Savina Dellicour and Vania Leturcq to helm this project. "I fell in love with 'Pandora,' and we were discussing another project at the same time, which unfortunately didn't get greenlit, but that allowed me to pitch them this idea," Leturcq explains.

Why This Story Matters Now

The creative team was drawn to the emotional and social complexities of these women's experiences. "I've always been interested in the way women bodies carry other women bodies in our societies," Leturcq notes. "In today's France, wet-nursing isn't practiced anymore, but childcare is still very much a woman's responsibility."

Dellicour adds that what convinced her and Leturcq was the strength of the writing itself. "The script featured very colorful, frustrating-yet-powerful scenes that resonated with us," she says. "Feelings of revolt and outrageous stories about how women were treated as cattle make for a strong narrative drive."

A Modern Take on Historical Truths

What makes 'Swapped' stand out is how it manages to play on both period and thriller levels, as the series unveils its character-driven, complex plot in which female protagonists navigate the shifting tides of a patriarchal French society.

"It's also what got France Télévisions on board so quickly," recalls de Bourbon Busset. "We had a global streamer who showed very strong interest in the process and loved the first episode, but they backed out for slate reasons. However, this underlines how much Rose, Odette and Hélène's stories can resonate on a universal level."

France Télévisions wholeheartedly embraced this unusual format, high-end aim and gritty, modern take on the period drama.

The Creative Challenges of Period Production

For the filmmakers, the period drama genre proved both a challenge and a creative opportunity. "Each element in our sets had to be carefully thought through, which forced us to think of them as painting," adds Dellicour. "Against period clichés, we purposefully chose bright, vivid colors and made distinct creative choices, as we wanted to achieve a modern, cinematic, premium look."

Yet bringing "Swapped" to completion required dedication, risks, a hefty budget and, to add a layer of complexity, numerous babies. "In France, it's illegal to shoot with babies younger than three months," explains de Bourbon Busset. "So we had to shoot some scenes in Belgium to overcome this hurdle. We also used resin puppets and VFX to compose shots, but I think I speak for everybody when I say we won't work with babies again anytime soon!"

A Collaborative Spirit Behind the Camera

Beyond this specific aspect, all on the team praised the benevolent and warm atmosphere in which the shooting took place. "From our cast to our behind-the-camera team, everyone invested themselves completely in the project," underlines the directing duo.

"Lola especially became friends with everyone. On the first day of shooting, even if she wasn't on the call sheet, she came and brought cake to everyone. This set the tone for our collective journey onward," they recall fondly.

As producer, de Bourbon Busset couldn't be more thankful for what she'll cherish as an exceptional, utterly rare shooting experience. "We had so much love for the project that some of the comedians asked to be auditioned, just to join us on the show."

The Future of 'Swapped'

France TV Distribution brings "Swapped" to Le Havre before its world premiere at La Rochelle, mid-October, where the team aims to celebrate this heartfelt, modern story with both French audience and the whole crews who helped make it come to life.

With its unique blend of historical authenticity and contemporary relevance, 'Swapped' is more than just a period drama—it's a testament to the power of storytelling to illuminate forgotten truths about women's roles in history. It's a reminder that even the most intimate family secrets can reveal the grandest chapters of human experience.