Entertainment

Netflix’s latest three-part docuseries Cocaine Air has been turning a number of heads lately. Since premiering on June 11, the show has shed light on one of the most bizarre and cinematic criminal trials of the 2010s. For those who have not yet tuned in, the doc centers on a 2013 incident which saw two French pilots arrested in the Dominican Republic after taxiing a plane loaded with 700 kilos of cocaine. Though the duo were ultimately detained before leaving the country, they managed to escape from prison just two years later and return to France via boat.

Criminal investigators then uncovered a bizarre and wide-ranging conspiracy that may implicate government officials, high-ranking military officers and a number of respected media figures. Those looking to understand more about the true criminal case behind the Netflix doc should be sure to read ahead, as we unpack the actual history behind Cocaine Air.

New Netflix docuseries explores France’s world of true crime

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If you’re a major true crime fan, you may have already clocked how abnormal this case is. As the narrative of Cocaine Air explains, this remains one of the largest and most complex drug trafficking scandals in France’s history. In the documentary, the two French pilots, Bruno Odos and Pascal Fauret, appear to deliver their personal take on the entire affair. As they explain, they didn’t feel it necessary to inspect the baggage ahead of the flight, as baggage handling is outside of their usual purview. Still, DR prosecutors felt that some onus was on them, as there were a number of alleged red flags leading up to the flight’s intended departure.

Two other men were present on the Falcon 50 business jet as well – reserve pilot Alain Castany and French businessman Nicolas Pisapia. These men, and their direct connection to certain prominent figures on both sides of the Atlantic, may have factored into the spectacle of the case. Throughout Cocaine Air, viewers are presented with two sides to this story. As Dominican Republic officials explained, the pilots should have been aware of the manifest and passengers of their aircraft before takeoff, especially if the baggage underwent airport scanning and other necessary safety checks.

On the other side of the water, the pilots appeared to be martyrs, going down for a drug bust that may have been manufactured by corrupt officials. French lawyer Éric Le François appears in the doc and alleges that, “The entire operation was engineered.” This sentiment stems from a popular theory that the chief of the Dominican Republic’s drug interdiction bureau staged the entire affair in order to land a big arrest and a few popcorn headlines.

Can airport scanners detect cocaine?

Depending on which airport you go to, you may encounter a number of different types of scanners. The most common tech used to identify drugs or weapons in airports are X-ray scanners and millimeter-wave scanners. The former checks for changes in object density, highlighting organic matter hidden in inorganic containers. This explains why basic items such as chewing gum, lotion or candles may cause an accidental alert when your bag is scanned. Millimeter-wave scanner wands are generally used to check for any concealed items on a person’s body by highlighting irregularities in shape or density. Drugs, such as cocaine, are typically spotted by X-rays due to their distinct appearance, which airport staff are trained to look for.

While these systems are not perfect, scanners do tend to be pretty effective at spotting cocaine – especially when the people employed to use them are paying attention. Security officers will also frequently bring in drug-sniffing dogs and chemical kits when something seems out of place, so getting a few ounces of illegal narcotics into an airplane and overseas is generally regarded as a high-risk job. That’s why prosecutors were so certain that the Cocaine Air case must have involved foul play, as getting 26 suitcases packed to the gills on board an international flight would be effectively impossible without someone greasing the wheels.

What to know about Pascal Fauret and Bruno Odos’ acquittal

Shortly after Fauret and Odos were arrested and convicted, their cause became an international issue. Their status as former French army pilots made them appear as heroes to the public, while independent investigators struggled to find any concrete evidence linking them to the drugs. As the Cocaine Air case dragged on throughout the years, Fauret and Odos were eventually able to get their convictions overturned, allowing them to finally move past the entire ordeal in 2021.

Still, there are a few interesting pieces of evidence that suggest that they know more than they’re letting on, even today. Cocaine Air never definitively states whether or not the pair are innocent, and the filmmakers responsible for the doc admit that they’re still skeptical themselves.

French magistrate investigator Christine Saunier-Ruellan appears in Cocaine Air as well, and explains some of the key evidence used to overturn the pilots’ arrest. Several mysterious flight logs appeared to show suspicious activity occurring in the DR airport where the plane was set to depart. Furthermore, Saunier-Ruellan was able to sequester the personal devices of both men, which contained several suspicious items.

As she explains in the series, correspondence between the gentlemen included texts like “nature of cargo confirmed” and “we did what we had to do.” Fauret also made several internet searches in the days leading up to his arrest, which included research on drug trafficking penalties in Ecuador. While these details did establish a tenuous link to the cocaine, none could be considered definitive.

‘Cocaine Air’ review: Should you watch the new Netflix docuseries?

In the end, Cocaine Air does little to provide any definitive answers. Like many true crime docs, the three-part series offers key insight from a number of people close to the action and a few expert researchers. The series does an excellent job of providing many facts to the public, who may not be aware of this landmark case or the nearly decade-long criminal trial it sparked. If you’re a big fan of true crime and have enjoyed shows like Narcos in the past, this seems well worthy of your time. Of course, those who prefer to have a set-in-stone conclusion may find that the material drags on.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if they find drugs in your bag at the airport?

If you’re thinking Fauret and Odos got off easy after watching Cocaine Air, don’t get too comfortable. If you are caught with even a fraction of an ounce of illegal narcotics inside an airport, you will be immediately arrested and handed over to local police. Drug arrests stemming from airport travel can create massive inconveniences that follow you for life, including incarceration, deportation and being placed on the no-fly list. Since most airports transport people and baggage all over the world, you may find yourself facing both state and federal charges.

What is the minimum sentence for cocaine?

As Fauret and Odos would surely tell you, getting caught with cocaine is a major rap. Per the Federal Narcotic Mandatory Minimum Sentences, 500 grams of cocaine comes with a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison. The same stint is required for those caught with just 28 grams of crack cocaine. Ten-year mandatory minimum sentences are handed down to those convicted of carrying over 5 kilograms of the illicit substance, while those with prior felony convictions face more than twenty years behind bars. Hopefully you won’t need to watch Cocaine Air to know that drugs can ruin your life – but just in case you needed another warning, be sure to always triple-check your baggage before entering an airport or federal building.

Liongate’s upcoming addition to the Hunger Games universe, The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, has added Billy Porter and Glenn Close to its cast.

Porter and Close join a star-studded cast led by Joseph Zada and Whitney Peak.

Close and Porter join as Drusilla Sickle and Magno Stift, respectively

Several trade publications, including Deadline, reported that Close will play Drusilla Sickle, an escort to the District 12 Tributes with malicious intentions and Porter joins as Magno Stift, her estranged husband and the Tributes’ designer who is in need of inspiration. News of their casting with announced during Lionsgate’s presentation at CineEurope.

“Glenn Close is a dream Drusilla,” said producer Nina Jacobson. “She brings so much of her intellect and imagination to each role, creating characters who are unforgettable and iconic. I think Glenn and Francis will have a ball bringing Drusilla from the page to the screen.”

Of Porter’s casting, she added, “Billy is one of those rare performers who can dazzle and devastate in equal measure on stage and screen. He made an indelible impression on me when we worked together on Pose, both as an actor and a human being. Casting this show has felt like winning the lottery every time one of our idols said yes to us. To be able to announce Glenn Close and Billy Porter together is an embarrassment of riches that we can all celebrate.” 

Who else is in the ‘The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping’ ensemble?

In addition to Zada and Peak, Close and Porter will star alongside Mckenna Grace, Jesse Plemons, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Maya Hawke, Lili Taylor, Ben Wang, Ralph Fiennes, Elle Fanning and Kieran Culkin in the film.

The film is an adaptation of the March novel of the same name

The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping is an adaptation of the novel of the same name by Hunger Games author Suzanne Collins’ March novel of the same name.

The book returns to the fictional Panem 24 years before the events of the first Hunger Games, and kicks off the morning of the reaping of the Fiftieth Hunger Games, also referred to as the Second Quarter Quell.

When does ‘The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping’ hit theaters?

The Francis Lawrence-directed film will release in theaters on November 20, 2026.

Amazon MGM Studios’ sequel to the 1987 Star Wars parody Spaceballs has added Keke Palmer to its cast.

According to Deadline, Bill Pullman and Rick Moranis will return as Lone Starr and Dark Helmet, and Pullman’s son, Thunderbolts* star Lewis Pullman, is also set to appear in the film.

Not much is known about Palmer’s role, but Mel Brooks, who co-wrote, produced and directed the original film, announced his involvement on Thursday by sharing a Star Wars-inspired teaser for the sequel.

“I told you we’d be back,” he captioned the clip.

The video opens with a message stylized like the Star Wars opening scroll.

“Thirty-eight years ago, there was only one Star Wars trilogy,” the clip begins, mentioning many sequels and spinoffs that have been released since then, including several additional installments within the Jurassic Park, Alien, and Harry Potter universes, among others, and “36 MCU movies with two different Robert Downey Jr.’s.”

Once the clip’s opening message concludes, Brooks appears on screen wearing a sweater with “SPACEBALLS THE SWEATSHIRT” written on the front.

“After 40 years, we asked what do the fans want… but instead, we’re making this movie,” he says in the clip.

Josh Gad, who was announced last year as starring in the sequel, also shared the teaser on social media on Thursday.

“I was that child who saw Spaceballs before I ever saw Star Wars and then wondered why anyone would do a dramatic remake of the Mel Brooks classic,” he shared along with the video. “It is therefore the greatest gift of my life to now help take the reins and work alongside Mel and this incredible group to do a sequel to the movie that first inspired George Lucas.”

I was that child who saw “Spaceballs” before I ever saw “Star Wars” and then wondered why anyone would do a dramatic remake of the Mel Brooks classic. It is therefore the greatest gift of my life to now help take the reins and work alongside Mel and this incredible group to do a… pic.twitter.com/QcJOM8EQ48— Josh Gad (@joshgad) June 12, 2025

According to Deadline, Gad co-wrote the script and is a producer on the project. Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar director Josh Greenbaum will direct the film.

The film’s temporary log line keeps plot details under wraps

Amazon MGM Studio is keeping it hush-hush regarding the sequel’s plot. The studio playfully refers to it as “A Non-Prequel Non-Reboot Sequel Part Two but with Reboot Elements Franchise Expansion Film.”

The 1987 original, which also poked fun at other sci-fi movies like 2001: A Space Odyssey, follows Moranis’ Dark Helmet and Brooks’ President Skroob as the duo try and steal the atmosphere of a peaceful planet called Druidia. Pullman’s Lone Starr, his right-hand man Barf, played by John Candy and Vespa, played by Daphne Zuniga, a Druish princess, complicate their evil plan. Over the years, the film has become a cult classic.

Spaceballs 2 will be released in theaters in 2027.

Damson Idris has made a meteoric rise from South East London’s hustling streets to becoming one of Hollywood’s most bankable actors. Born Adamson Alade‑Bo Idris in Peckham, the British actor’s entertainment resume keeps getting better. With nearly 20 acting credits to his name at just 33 years old, his life story flows with authenticity, resilience and a windfall of swagger. So, who is Damson Idris? Some may know him best from his six seasons on the FX drama series Snowfall where he played the lead role. These days, you can catch Idris in the upcoming action-packed film F1: The Movie, alongside Academy Award-winning superstar Brad Pitt.

The actor has come a long way from his early days in South East London

While he’s living the lavish celebrity life now, the actor’s childhood was anything but glamorous. His family home was small and tight. Damson has described it as “dirt poor,” with roaches, stained carpets and a mattress picked off the curb, according to the London Standard. But beneath the economic struggle was a core of love. His mother, Philippa Idris, a Nigerian entrepreneur from Oyo State, hustled hard to provide for her six children. As the primary provider, Philippa raised the family on her own, instilling faith and work ethic in her children.

Damson is the baby of the brood—three older brothers and two older sisters—who all went into law, business and IT. Watching them carve out stability in corporate worlds shaped his appreciation for hard work. Meanwhile, he found solace and joy on the pitch and rugby field. As a child, Idris chased dreams of becoming the next Ronaldo, playing both soccer and rugby. In true British fashion, he even shook hands with Queen Elizabeth II during her Golden Jubilee celebration.

Sports like soccer and rugby taught the Swarm star discipline and grit. But as he grew, the dream of pro athletics faded. A knee injury—and the reality of the highly competitive sports world—led him to pivot, according to Yahoo! Entertainment. Following his siblings’ examples of ambition, he took his own path: creative rather than corporate.

Is Damson Idris Nigerian?

Yes, and no. Damson is London‑born, but his roots are deeply Nigerian. The youngest in a family of Yoruba descent, his parents emigrated from Nigeria to the U.K. He proudly identifies as British‑Nigerian—speaking Yoruba, reflecting his upbringing and even portraying African narratives in Farming, Snowfall and upcoming projects. So while he isn’t Nigerian-born, his heritage is integral to who he is: a bicultural man navigating two worlds with authenticity.

Idris was formally educated at Brunel University before launching his career

With a sharpened focus, Damson headed to Brunel University of London to study theatre, film and television. There he met actress Cathy Tyson, who encouraged him to audition for plays. That led to his casting in Pandora’s Box at the Arcola Theatre and later roles at the Royal National Theatre, according to Apple TV. Alongside this, he trained at the Identity School of Acting, the same institution that shaped the careers of John Boyega and Letitia Wright.

Stage work led to small screen roles on UK television. He appeared in Miranda (2013), Doctors (2015) and Casualty (2015), reports IMDb.com. These gigs sharpened his craft and introduced him to casting agents. Then, in 2015—with the encouragement of Identity School of Acting’s founder, Femi Oguns—he began eyeing his Hollywood dreams.

FX’s ‘Snowfall’ marked the 33-year-old’s breakthrough role

The question of who is Damson Idris can’t properly be broached without considering his breakthrough role. The multi-talent’s shot came in 2016 when he auditioned via video for Snowfall, a new FX crime drama from John Singleton. He booked the lead, Franklin Saint—a 19‑year‑old dealer navigating the early crack epidemic in 1980s Los Angeles. To nail the role, Idris flew to LA and spent months perfecting the accent. He even worked with South Central rapper WC to capture the proper mannerisms and speech, reports reveal.

Snowfall premiered on July 5, 2017, and instantly earned cult status. Critics praised Damson for being “nothing short of captivating”. The series birthed six seasons, ending in 2023, ultimately lifting him from London stages to the spotlight of Emmy discussions and BET Awards.

What movies are Damson Idris in?

While Snowfall became his signature, Idris also made an impressive splash in film. He appeared in City of Tiny Lights (2016), a London thriller with Riz Ahmed, then Megan Leavey (2017), starring Kate Mara. That same year, Damson starred as Enitan in Farming, an autobiographical story directed by Adewale Akinnuoye‑Agbaje. The entertainer’s work earned him critical acclaim and a best performance award at the Edinburgh Film Festival, according to Screen Daily.

Then came Outside the Wire (2021), a Netflix sci‑fi action film where he co-starred as Lt. Thomas Harp alongside Anthony Mackie. In May 2023, he became Tommy Hilfiger’s menswear ambassador, merging his love of style with his cultural influence.

Fans are looking forward to seeing the actor in ‘F1: The Movie’

Damson’s climb continues. In April 2023, it was announced that he’d star as Joshua Pearce alongside Brad Pitt in F1: The Movie, directed by Joseph Kosinski for Apple TV. The movie’s high‑end Formula 1 scenes were filmed across locations like Abu Dhabi and the U.K.’s famed Silverstone. Damson described the first day of filming as life‑changing. “I look to my left, it’s Brad Pitt. Look to my right, it’s Javier Bardem. I look at my hands, they’re shaking,” he told Vanity Fair. “I was in the car for 45 minutes today. It sounds normal, but it’s not. It’s very hot out here. You’re strapped in, sweating through the helmet. You lose so much weight.”

When he’s not hard at work, Idris enjoys luxury cars and his Studio City mansion

Off‑set, Damson’s a true car aficionado. He owns a Mercedes‑AMG GT and a Porsche 911 GTS—each a statement of style, speed and precision. Stories surfaced of him cruising LA streets in a Mercedes-AMG G 63, a Porsche Taycan and a Bentley Flying Spur. He’s been spotted shooting Mercedes‑AMG behind‑the‑scenes footage connected to Formula 1 promotions. 

Damson Idris’ ambition extends beyond cars, though. In 2021, he dropped nearly $4 million on a 4,715‑sq‑ft mansion in Studio City, Los Angeles. The five‑bed, 4.5‑bath home reflects his taste for upscale yet tasteful living. Despite celebrity breaks in Hollywood, he keeps his British roots close. His family ties to Peckham remain strong, and he’s always openly honest about his humble beginnings.

Is Damson Idris in a relationship?

Fans have wondered, who is Damson Idris? But even more, they want to know, who is the Hollywood heartthrob dating? His relationship status is generally reported as single at the time of this writing. But his love life made headlines in 2022 when he was romantically linked to Lori Harvey. They posted couple pics on Instagram in January 2023, which was confirmation enough for most. However, by late 2023, several reports suggested they had split after about a year, including People.com. Public details are scarce, and Damson keeps his private life out of the spotlight. Whether single, in a relationship, or formerly attached, he publicly stays focused on craft and culture.

Damson Idris is more than a breakout star—he’s the embodiment of multi‑layer success. From the poor quarters of Peckham to leading man levels in LA, he blended discipline from field sports, creative spark from Brunel theatre and hustle inherited from his mother. He’s a fashion face (thanks to Tommy Hilfiger), and a storyteller focused on nuanced Black narratives. He lives in Studio City in a luxe mansion, rides icons on four wheels and stays true to his London–Nigerian roots. Romantically quiet but culturally loud, Damson Idris teaches us that real power lies in authenticity. When F1 drops and beyond, the world will be watching—and rooting—for the kid from Peckham turned big-screen star.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Damson Idris a Formula 1 driver?

Damson Idris isn’t an F1 driver, but he sure likes to channel one. The actor made an unforgettable entrance at the 2025 Met Gala in a full Formula 1 race suit. The move was a nod to his co-starring role in F1: The Movie.

Is Damson Idris the new Black Panther?

No, Damson Idris is not the new Black Panther in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. While there were rumors circulating that he was being considered, they were later debunked.