The BBC acquired an eight-part [1] French sci-fi and wartime drama series titled 'The Sentinels' from Studiocanal [1].

This acquisition marks a strategic move for the broadcaster to expand its high-concept action drama portfolio. By integrating international co-productions, the BBC aims to provide viewers with unique genre-bending narratives that blend historical settings with speculative fiction.

According to reports, the series is based on the graphic novels *Les Sentinelles* [2]. The plot focuses on a high-concept premise involving super-soldiers in and a wartime environment. The story is set during an alternate version of World War I [1], creating a speculative historical framework for the action.

Regarding the plot, Deadline own said, "At the outbreak of World War I, Gabriel Ferraud – a gravely wounded soldier – is recruited […]" [1]. The series explores the themes of war and human modification through the lens of a soldier's experience.

The acquisition is part of a broader trend of broadcasters seeking high-production-value content that can travel across different markets. The series consists of eight parts [1], and the BBC has not yet specified a release date for the broadcast.

Studiocanal is the producer of the series, and the BBC has acquired the rights to broadcast the content. The narrative's focus on a super-soldier action drama [3] suggests a high level of production scale and visual effects work necessary to achieve the alternate history timeline.

“The series is based on the graphic novels Les Sentinelles.”

The BBC's acquisition of 'The Sentinels' and highlights a trend toward high-budget, speculative fiction that leverages existing intellectual property from graphic novels. By investing in an alternate-history WWI setting, the BBC is diversifying its content strategy to attract a younger, wider audience through genre-hybridization.