Lupin star Adama Niane dies aged 56

Adama Niane has died at the age of 56. 

The French actor was best known for starring in the Netflix hit Lupin, which became an international hit when it launched in 2021. 

His cause of death has not been confirmed.  

Sad news: Adama Niane has died at the age of 56. The French actor was best known for starring in the Netflix hit Lupin, which became an international hit when it launched in 2021

Adama’s Lupin co-star Omar Sy led tributes to the star on Twitter, describing the actor as ‘man of rare benevolence’. 

He wrote: ‘I extend my deep condolences to the loved ones of Adama Niane, an immense actor alongside whom I had the chance and the pleasure of playing.

‘A man of rare benevolence… May his soul rest in peace.’

Film director Olivier Abbou also paid tribute to the star, describing him as a ‘hero.’

In an Instagram post, he penned: ‘It is with immense sadness that I learned of the passing of Adam Niane, with whom I had the pleasure of working on the 2 seasons of Maroni and Fury.

Iconic role: Adama was best known for his role as assassin and ex-convict Leonard Kone in Lupin, which is based on the novels by France’s Maurice LeBlanc

‘We haven’t left each other for 4 years, sharing intense human and artistic adventures at the end of the world, Guyana, St Pierre and Miquelon and even Lille.

‘He was engaged, lit, whole, talented, powerful. He was my hero, a friend, and an accomplice. Go in peace.’

Adama’s last project was in the 2022 TV series L’lle aux 30 Cercueils (The Island of 30 Coffins) where he took on the role of Yannick Lantry.

He was best known for his role as assassin and ex-convict Leonard Kone in Lupin, which is based on the novels by France’s Maurice LeBlanc, who created the character in 1905. 

One to watch: Adama was best known for his role as assassin and ex-convict Leonard Kone in Lupin, which is based on the novels by France’s Maurice LeBlanc

Lupin became the first French series to land on Netflix’s Top 10 list, ranking No. 1 in the likes of Brazil, Vietnam, Argentina, Germany, Italy, Spain and Poland to name just a few.

The drama stars Omar Sy in the lead role as Assane Diop – someone who lives life inspired by thief Arsène Lupin, of the LeBlanc novels.

The concept has been developed across various other film and TV formats over the years, including an animated series.

Assane was the only son of an immigrant from Senegal, who was framed for stealing a diamond necklace from his employer, Hubert Pellegrini (Herve Pierre), and is sent to prison, where he kills himself out of shame, leaving Lupin an orphan. 

Tribute: Adama’s Lupin co-star Omar Sy (pictured on the show) led tributes to the star on Twitter, describing the actor as ‘man of rare benevolence’