Ici tout commence

Ici tout commence is a spin-off of Demain nous appartient, sharing the same universe through common characters, though it has its own identity.

The project nearly got cancelled due to the economic crisis, but TF1's programming director Ara Aprikian pushed it forward as a symbol of post-Covid optimism for the creative industry.

The show was initially planned to premiere in January 2021, but TF1 moved the launch up to autumn 2020, replacing the low-rated Bienvenue chez nous and its spin-offs in the early evening slot.

Several actors from Demain nous appartient reprise their roles in Ici tout commence while continuing to appear in the original series, including Clément Rémiens, Vanessa Demouy, Frédéric Diefenthal and Ingrid Chauvin.

The main cast was revealed on July 15, 2020, mixing actors returning from Demain nous appartient with well-known faces from other French shows such as Elsa Lunghini, Catherine Marchal, Agustin Galiana, Azize Diabaté and Francis Huster.

Filming takes place in Saint-Laurent d'Aigouze in the Camargue Gardoise region, starting July 24, 2020, mobilizing about 150 crew members and around thirty actors.

The Château de Calvières in Saint-Laurent d'Aigouze was chosen as the set for the fictional Auguste Armand gastronomy institute at the heart of the story.

The opening theme song, Jusqu'ici tout va bien, is performed and composed by Gims, with lyrics co-written by Vitaa and Gims.

A soundtrack album titled Ici tout commence - Première année was released on February 15, 2021, featuring songs composed by Emilie Gassin, Matthieu Gonet and Ben Violet, performed by former The Voice contestants including Al.Hy, Igit, Maximilien Philippe and Valérie Delgado.