You can’t outrun your past, especially if you’re Renuf Aucoin. Hit procedural drama Saint-Pierre delves deeper into this complex character for its sophomore season, which is currently airing new episodes on CBC and CBC Gem. Season 2 sees Renuf’s carefully curated facade begin to fracture as his knowledge of the titular Saint-Pierre (and its secrets) makes him invaluable to the central investigation.
Recently, we had the privilege of chatting with actor Jean-Michel Le Gal about the challenges of stepping into Renuf’s shoes, what audiences can expect for Saint-Pierre Season 2, and more.
Jean-Michel Le Gal on Saint-Pierre Season 2
Eulalie Magazine: What’s your origin story? How did you get into acting?
Jean-Michel Le Gal: I grew up in an artistic household. My mother was a theatre actor, and my father worked in grassroots television and folk music, so storytelling was part of everyday life. When my father passed away while I was young, acting initially became a form of escape. Over time, it evolved into something much deeper — a way to express myself and make sense of the world. I explored other interests in my late teens, studying anthropology and Eastern religious studies, but eventually, I was honest with myself and followed what had always been there. Acting became a way not just to perform, but to understand being human.
Eulalie Magazine: Let’s talk about Saint-Pierre. Can you tell us what it’s about, and what initially drew you to the show?
Jean-Michel Le Gal: Saint-Pierre is a crime drama set on a small French archipelago off the coast of Newfoundland. It blends mystery with strong character-driven storytelling and a very distinct sense of place. What initially drew me to the show was the world itself — it feels remote, intimate, and emotionally rich. Renuf, my character, is deeply connected to the island. He knows its people, its rhythms, and its unspoken rules. That sense of belonging — and the tension that comes with it — really intrigued me.
Eulalie Magazine: What can audiences expect for the rest of Season 2?
Jean-Michel Le Gal: Season 2 continues to raise the emotional and moral stakes. The relationships deepen, the pasts of several characters come into sharper focus, and the choices they’re forced to make become more complicated. It’s darker in places, more intimate, and ultimately more revealing. The show really trusts the audience this season.
Renuf’s Journey
Eulalie Magazine: Can you tease where your character’s journey will take him for the remainder of the season?
Jean-Michel Le Gal: Without giving too much away, Renuf is forced to confront parts of his past that he’s worked hard to keep buried. His loyalty — to his job, to his community, and to himself — is tested in a very personal way. By the end of the season, we understand much more about who he is and why he behaves the way he does.
Eulalie Magazine: Describe Saint-Pierre Season 2 in three words.
Jean-Michel Le Gal: Layered. Intimate. Unsettling.
Eulalie Magazine: What has been the most challenging aspect to play regarding your character?
Jean-Michel Le Gal: The challenge with Renuf is restraint. He often knows more than he says, and much of what’s happening with him lives beneath the surface. Playing that interior life — especially as cracks begin to show — requires a lot of listening and trust. Letting the character remain human and vulnerable without over-explaining him has been the most interesting challenge.
On the Horizon
Eulalie Magazine: What else is on the horizon for you, career-wise?
Jean-Michel Le Gal: I have an independent film coming out called Crash Land, directed by Dempsey Bryk, with Finn Wolfhard (Stranger Things) and Gabrielle LaBelle (Saturday Night). I play a slightly bumbling French-Canadian doctor and father, which was a joy. I’m also back to training in the Meisner Technique. Always be learning. And I’m developing a fantasy project of my own that I’ll be starring in — still very much under wraps, but super exciting.
Eulalie Magazine: Have you binge-watched anything interesting lately?
Jean-Michel Le Gal: No, but I’ve been watching Saint-Pierre!
Eulalie Magazine: Lastly, name your top five favorite films, or anything that springs to mind.
Jean-Michel Le Gal: Lately, I was really impressed by Sentimental Value, a film in the Oscar race. The acting is so subtle and moving. Train Dreams is also a kind of doc-fiction. It’s a quiet film about how progress slowly erodes social fabric, [which is] really timely given the advancements in AI. I’ve always loved Pulp Fiction, Shawshank Redemption, and Groundhog Day.
Saint-Pierre airs new episodes on Mondays at 9 p.m. ET on CBC. They’ll also be available to stream on CBC Gem.
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Melody McCune
Melody loves TV. Maybe too much. Besides being a Senior Writer for Eulalie Magazine, she’s the Managing Editor for Geek Girl Authority, an Independent Contractor for Sideshow Collectibles, and a Senior Writer for Tell-Tale TV. Additionally, she has bylines in Culturess, Widget, and inkMend on Medium. To top it all off, she’s a critic for Rotten Tomatoes and CherryPicks.