At a new high school, Sasha carries a secret that could change everything — Chair Tendre (About Sasha) dares to tell the story we’ve been waiting for.
When Chair Tendre — also known internationally as About Sasha — premiered, it was immediately recognized as a fresh, daring drama. This French mini-series doesn’t just tell a story about adolescence, school, and first love; it boldly explores identity and what it means to live in one’s own body when you are born intersex. Produced by France TV Distribution, the show brings representation to the screen in a way rarely seen before. The series was awarded Best French Series at the Series Mania festival in 2022, where it was first shown.
The series takes a direct approach to storytelling, unflinchingly addressing sensitive topics such as intersex identity, youth, and societal perceptions. Sasha experiences feelings of loneliness and isolation as she navigates her adolescence, highlighting the universal struggles many young people face while finding their place in the world. Its film-like visual style and cinematic qualities immerse viewers in the characters' experiences and enhance the emotional impact.
Chair Tendre also addresses social issues that will define the coming decade, making it especially relevant to ongoing and future societal discussions. The medical treatment for intersex individuals often leads to feelings of anger and fear, a theme the series explores with sensitivity.
What Is About Sasha (Chair Tendre) About?
At the beginning of the series, we meet Sasha, a seventeen-year-old girl who has just moved to a new town with her family after learning she is intersex. Starting a new life in a new high school, Sasha carries the weight of a secret her parents had kept since birth. Sasha's intersexuality has always been perceived and treated by her parents as an illness. Sasha's family attempts to keep her intersex identity a secret to protect her, which adds to her feelings of anger and fear. Initially, doctors convinced Sasha’s parents to hide the truth about her intersex identity, since Sasha has decided to live as a girl after being raised as a boy. Adolescence doesn’t let anyone forget who they are.
The medical interventions and secrecy turned Sasha’s early years into a kind of hell, marked by emotional turmoil and suffering. Sasha underwent numerous forced operations during her childhood to conform to the gender assigned by doctors. And now they struggle with loneliness and the challenge of living in harmony with their own body during their teenage years.
Now at age 17, Sasha is ready to take ownership of their own body and existence, even if fear and challenge surround them. The entire family moves away from Paris to allow Sasha to start a new life under her new identity. After the move, Sasha insists that no one can know about her intersex identity, adding an extra layer of tension as she navigates peers, teachers, and the expectations of society — all while discovering the freedom that comes from finally being treated as the person they are.
It’s important to remember that intersex people are born healthy and can lead full, happy lives despite the challenges they may face.
Cast, Characters, and Performances
The talented actors in Chair Tendre bring authenticity and emotional depth to the series. Angèle Metzger shines in the role of Sasha, delivering a performance that captures both vulnerability and strength. Metzger was carefully chosen by the casting director to reflect authenticity, and the result is powerful.
Sasha’s world is shaped by many other characters — family, friends, and classmates — each adding depth to the drama.
Grégoire Colin plays Jérémie Dalca, Sasha’s father, and Daphné Bürki plays Cécile Dalca, Sasha’s mother, both embodying the weight of parental love and the trauma of keeping a secret for so long.
We also meet Sasha’s younger sister Pauline, portrayed by Saul Benchetrit, who becomes an important ally by standing by and supporting Sasha through their journey of gender and identity exploration.
We also meet Anna (Paola Locatelli), a girl who force Sasha to question both friendship and desire. Meeva (Léna Garrel), Sam (Régis Marvin Merveille N’Kissi Moggzi), and Alex (Marin Judas), bring to life Sasha’s peers at the new school, balancing tenderness, confusion, and the cruelty that can come from teenagers trying to understand difference.
Among the cast, Cynthia, played by trans actress Andréa Furet, also stands out as a character whose emotional journey and personal development arc contribute significantly to the series' exploration of identity and belonging.
Through them, we see how adolescence and coming of age are complicated, layered, and sometimes painful. The nuanced performances and well-paced scene transitions provide moments of rest for the audience, allowing space for reflection and emotional engagement.
Themes of Identity, Adolescence, and Hope
The series was written by Yaël Langmann with input from Catherine Charrier, and its authenticity was strengthened by the guidance of the Collectif Intersexe Activiste, whose co-founders Loé Petit and Lysandre Nury accompanied Langmann throughout the writing and on set. It treats Sasha’s journey with honesty and care. Through flashbacks to childhood, the audience sees how doctors and parents made decisions at birth that shaped Sasha’s adolescence, revealing the challenges she faces with her identity. The series doesn’t shy away from showing trauma, but it also insists on hope.
In the last episode, Sasha's pivotal monologue stands out as an emotional highlight, capturing the raw vulnerability of her experience. Her journey is depicted so that both she and the other characters exist authentically in the world, representing real people and fostering empathy.
This is not just a drama about sex or gender — it’s about life, family, and the courage to stop hiding. Sasha is not only the main character but also a symbol for every intersex person who wants to be seen. Watching her move through a world that struggles to accept difference is both heartbreaking and uplifting. The significance of the word and language in shaping identity and societal understanding is woven throughout the narrative, highlighting how vocabulary and labels influence acceptance and self-perception.
Why the Name Sasha Matters
The name Sasha carries layers of meaning in the series. It’s a name often given to both boys and girls, embodying ambiguity and fluidity. Choosing it for the protagonist is no coincidence: it reflects the tension between the boy she was expected to be and the person she insists on becoming.
Watch the Trailer
Curious about the story? Here’s the official trailer:
Where to Watch About Sasha
If you’re ready to dive into this groundbreaking French coming-of-age drama, the 10 episodes can be watched in several ways:
- France TV Slash: france.tv/slash/chair-tendre
- Disney+: disneyplus.com/en-gb/browse/entity-aaa1e803-cc35-4a83-9526-dad67326036f
- AppleTV: tv.apple.com/gb/show/about-sasha/umc.cmc.3cij06gj9vqlk84kolz5f2g5q
- Ici Tou.TV: ici.tou.tv/chair-tendre/s01e01
- YouTube – The first three episodes can be viewed with auto-generated subtitles here: youtube.com/watch?v=9uowkSzAdXY&list=PLa-HJ7MYdYOgOIndVeuCUnF8LqS1Sdhqu
For international audiences, Disney+ recently signed a deal to stream About Sasha across Europe (excluding France), the UK, the Middle East, and Africa. Availability on streaming platforms may vary depending on your country, so be sure to check local listings.
Why You Should Watch This Mini-Series
Chair Tendre is more than just another coming of age drama. It is a point of representation that many viewers have long waited for. With powerful direction, nuanced writing, and unforgettable performances, it proves that French series can tackle complex issues with sensitivity.
For anyone who has ever felt the weight of hiding, Sasha’s journey is a reminder that existence itself is not something to fear. It’s a story of adolescence, of growing up, of finding words for who you are. And ultimately, it’s about the moments of connection that make life worth living.
Whether you are discovering the series for the first time or revisiting it, About Sasha is a drama that stays with you — one that will make you reflect, hope, and watch again. As a movie-like series, it delivers emotional impact, strong acting, and compelling storytelling, making it a must-watch for anyone seeking a deeply moving and culturally significant experience.
