Hubert Pellegrini

Hubert Pellegrini is a character in the first part of Lupin. He is portrayed by Hervé Pierre.

Pellegrini is a powerful businessman and one of the richest men in France. When a diamond necklace, originally belonging to Marie-Antoinette, was stolen from his safe, he immediately blamed his chauffeur Babakar Diop, who was arrested and died in prison. As a result, Babakar's son Assane has always carried a grudge against the Pellegrini family.

1995
After employing him as his chauffeur, Pellegrini generally treats Babakar poorly, snapping at him in public and insulting him in private. To apologize for his behavior, his wife Anne allows Babakar to choose a book from their library to give to Assane for his birthday. Babakar chooses a collection of stories about the famed gentleman thief Arsène Lupin.

When an expensive diamond necklace that had originally belonged to Marie-Antoinette goes missing from Pellegrini's safe, he orders Babakar to be brought in and questioned. Although Babakar's fingerprints are found on the safe, he strenuously denies responsibility for the crime and begs Anne for help; however, she does nothing, and Gabriel Dumont, the detective in charge of the case, allows Babakar to be taken to the station.

Afterwards, Pellegrini and Dumont discuss the situation regarding Babakar. Dumont tells Pellegrini that Babakar is continuing to claim innocence, and that if the necklace is not found, he will be released. Dumont also notes that Pellegrini had the insurance policy of the necklace increased shortly before it was stolen; Pellegrini claims that he had been told that is was undervalued.

More time passes, and the necklace is still not found. Dumont tells Pellegrini that he thinks Babakar is innocent, believing that the fingerprints on the safe had been planted to incriminate him. Sensing that he is being accused of insurance fraud, Pellegrini tells Dumont the the institution he works for is in his pocket, and that he has powerful friends. Dumont responds that he intends to see the investigation through to its conclusion, no matter the outcome. However, after Pellegrini makes vague threats against Dumont's wife, he is able to convince Dumont to get his wife Anne talk to Babakar about signing a confession. He promises Dumont a promotion for his efforts.

Later, Pellegrini sells arms and explosives to a group of Malaysian terrorists, who go on to blow up the French embassy in Kuala Lumpur, killing eleven people. The following year, a journalist named Fabienne Beriot publishes a book entitled Dirty Money: The Pellegrini System, in attempt to expose Pellegrini's corruption. However, Pellegrini and his lawyers challenge Fabienne with a record-breaking defamation lawsuit. Upon winning the suit, Pellegrini uses his influence to make sure that Fabienne will never work as a journalist again.

Present day
Pellegrini continues to manage his business empire, and maintains a strong relationship with his daughter Juliette, though he now appears to be estranged from Anne. After her conversation with Assane in Luxembourg Gardens, Juliette asks her father if Babakar was really the person who had stolen their necklace twenty-five years ago. Pellegrini is surprised and angered to be questioned by his daughter, telling her that she had hurt his feelings. He asks Juliette if she is with him or not; she tells him that she is with him.

Some time later, a drone, piloted by Assane, enters Pellegrini's home while he is sleeping. It manages to get past his security system and examines some of Pellegrini's files; however, upon attempting to leave, it triggers the alarms, and Pellegrini is escorted by his security detail into a safe bunker. Pellegrini's security manage to retrieve the drone, and find a note attached to it reading "I'll get you."

One day, while they are in a meeting, Pellegrini and Juliette learn that a twitter account with the handle @Salvator813 is threatening to release footage of Pellegrini selling arms to the Malaysian terrorists. Pellegrini tells Juliette, who is worried about the future of a foundation she is starting, that the video is a fake. Pellegrini gives a press conference in front of his house, affirming his patriotism as a Frenchman, asserting his credentials as a successful businessman, and challenging "Salvator" to show himself and prove his accusations. As Pellegrini is about to go inside, Fabienne, standing amongst the press covering the event, loudly asks him if he feels responsible for the Kuala Lumpur attack. Visibly enraged, Pellegrini tells the reporters that he will not be taking any more questions.

Pellegrini learns that "Salvator" intends to appear on a lowbrow talk show called The Other Edition, and, unbeknownst to Assane, is present on set during the taping. However, when the footage of his dealings with the Malaysians is played, it becomes clear that Pellegrini has managed to have it doctored, eliminating all of the incriminating evidence. The heavily-disguised Assane leaves the studio in a rage, and Pellegrini orders him to be tracked down. Juliette, who has been watching the broadcast, calls her father and tells him that she thinks that "Salvator" is actually Assane Diop. Pellegrini phones his associate, Leonard, telling him to find Assane. Leonard's search leads to him murdering Fabienne and chasing Assane across the streets of Paris. When Leonard catches Assane with his family on the train to Le Havre, Pellegrini tells him to leave Claire and Raoul alone. but to kill Assane.

Appearances

 * Part One


 * Chapter 1
 * Chapter 2
 * Chapter 3
 * Chapter 4
 * Chapter 5

Trivia

 * The surname “Pellegrini” is Italian in origin, and is most common in Tuscany.
 * Hubert and his wife Anne are the only major characters to be portrayed by the same actors in all of the timelines.