Biography
Alexandre Astier (born June 16, 1974) is a French writer, director, editor, scriptwriter, comedian, actor, and composer.
He is best known as the creator, director, writer, editor, composer, and lead actor of the French TV series Kaamelott, where he portrays King Arthur.
Born in Lyon to Joëlle Sevilla and Lionnel Astier—both actors and producers active mainly in Lyon's theatre scene—Alexandre Astier pursued studies in music at the conservatory and the American School of Modern Music in Paris, along with training in acting and screenwriting.
Four of his seven children have appeared in Kaamelott, with both parents playing main roles in the series. His daughters Ariane and Jeanne Astier play Mehben and Mehgan, the daughters of Karadoc and Maevanwi (in episodes "Pupi" and "Exiles"). His son Neil, who also appears as Karadoc and Mevanwi's son in "Pupi," portrays young Arthur in Book V and the final scene of Book VI. Another son, Ethan, plays Arthur's dream heir in Book V. Additionally, Anne-Gaëlle Daval, mother of his first five children, serves as head of costume design for Kaamelott and the short film Dies Irae.
In 2012, Astier portrayed Johann Sebastian Bach in his comedic theater show "Que ma joie demeure !"
His comic show "L'Exoconférence" debuted in September 2014 at the theater.
A technology enthusiast, he revealed in 2018 on Twitter that the Kaamelott film adaptation was written using a Bepo keyboard on a Raspberry Pi running Wordgrinder text editor software.
He owns a castle in the Ardèche region, where he stores many of his musical instruments in a dedicated room.
Astier first gained local recognition in Lyon with the play Le Jour du froment. He also acted in Nous crions grâce, a play by Jacques Chambon, who later portrayed Merlin in Kaamelott.
In 2001, he co-wrote and composed songs for the short films Soyons sport and Un soupçon fondé sur quelque chose de gras.
He directed Dies Irae, a 14-minute short film and the initial draft for the Kaamelott TV series, in 2002.
In 2006, he appeared in Lisa Azuelos' Hey Good Looking!, as well as in Asterix at the Olympic Games by Frédéric Forestier and Thomas Langmann, and Didier Le Pêcheur's Home Sweet Home.
In 2009, he played Sophie Marceau's ex-husband in the comedy LOL (Laughing Out Loud), directed by Lisa Azuelos.
His directorial debut feature film, David et Madame Hansen, premiered in 2012, with Astier starring alongside Isabelle Adjani.
He co-directed and wrote the screenplay for Asterix: The Mansions of the Gods in 2014.
In 2015, he acted in All Three of Us, directed by Kheiron.
In 2018, he wrote the original screenplay and co-directed Asterix: The Secret of the Magic Potion with Louis Clichy.
In 2025, he portrays a drunken psychiatrist in the second season of Bref, having made a cameo appearance in the first season.
