Scripted

The beginning of the new year confirms Italy’s strong commitment to scripted television, with an impressive mix of returning favourites and brand-new series. As always, public broadcaster Rai—and in particular Rai 1—continues to place fiction at the heart of its schedule, while commercial broadcasters and platforms strengthen their offer with carefully selected titles.

Rai 1: Long-Running Hits and Event Drama
Rai 1 opens the year with the return of one of its most iconic franchises, Don Matteo, now in its 15th season. Produced by Lux Vide (part of Fremantle), the series is back in prime time from 8 January, once again starring Raoul Bova as Don Massimo. Despite intense media attention surrounding his private life in the months leading up to the new season, the actor remains central to a show that continues to combine crime-solving, humour and emotional storytelling. New characters include Irene Giancontieri, who joins the cast as a young female marshal at the famous Carabinieri station in Spoleto. Numerous guest appearances are also expected, including Valeria Fabrizi, Max Tortora and Diletta Leotta.

In March, Rai 1 brings back Imma Tataranni – Sostituto Procuratore for its fifth season, with Vanessa Scalera reprising her role as the unconventional prosecutor. The medical drama Cuori also returns for season three from 8 February, with Pilar Fogliati and Matteo Martari, whose characters finally reach a long-awaited wedding.

January also sees Rai 1 airing L’invisibile – La cattura di Matteo Messina Denaro, a series based on one of Italy’s most shocking real-life events. The story focuses on the arrest of mafia boss Matteo Messina Denaro, brought to justice after years on the run thanks to the work of the Carabinieri’s ROS unit. Lino Guanciale leads the cast, while also appearing in Le libere donne, where he portrays psychiatrist Mario Tobino, a doctor challenging institutional rules to defend the dignity of his female patients.

Among the new titles, Rai 1 introduces La Preside, starring Luisa Ranieri. Inspired by a true story, the series follows a determined school principal in Naples who manages to bring children back to education despite operating in one of the city’s most difficult neighbourhoods.

Also new is Guerrieri – La regola dell’equilibrio, adapted from novels by Gianrico Carofiglio and starring Alessandro Gassmann as a brilliant lawyer. April will see the debut of Roberta Valente – Notaio in Sorrento, featuring Maria Vrea Ratti as a perfectionist notary haunted by a past tragedy.

Rai 1 also ventures into historical storytelling with Morbo K – Chi salva una vita salva il mondo intero, set in Rome in 1943. Giacomo Giorgio plays a courageous doctor who invents a fake disease to save Jewish lives from Nazi persecution. Another period drama, Una finestra vista lago, inspired by novels by Andrea Vitali, will air in May with Antonio Folletto as a young Carabinieri marshal transferred from Calabria to a small town on Lake Como.

Further additions include Uno sbirro in Appennino, starring Claudio Bisio as a policeman mistakenly reassigned from Bologna to a mountain village, and Prima di noi, a multi-generational story set across 20th-century Italy, from rural Friuli to industrial Turin, premiering on 4 January.

Rai 2 and Streaming Extensions
On Rai 2 and RaiPlay, the highly successful Mare Fuori returns for season six. Set in a juvenile detention centre in Naples, the series is produced by Roberto Sessa and distributed internationally by Beta Film. Rai 2 also launches Estranei, starring Elena Radonicich as a Carabinieri officer investigating the disappearance of two young lovers in Correggio, home to Italy’s largest Sikh community.

Mediaset: Nostalgia and Emotional Drama
On the commercial side, Mediaset reinforces its fiction strategy, albeit with a smaller slate. The most anticipated return is undoubtedly I Cesaroni – Il ritorno, marking the comeback of a hugely popular franchise more than 20 years after its original debut on Canale 5. Originally adapted from a Spanish format and reimagined for Italy by Verdiana Bixio, CEO of Publispei, the revival brings back beloved characters, including Claudio Amendola as Giulio Cesaroni.

Among the new dramas on Canale 5, A testa alta premieres on 7 January, starring Sabrina Ferilli in a story of sexual scandal, blackmail and secrets. Also new is Erika, adapted from a French series based on novels by Camilla Läckberg, with Vanessa Incontrada playing a crime writer returning to her hometown of Piombino and becoming involved in a murder investigation alongside Francesco Scianna.
Canale 5 also features Colpa dei sensi, starring Gabriel Garko and Anna Safroncik, and Una nuova vita, with Anna Valle portraying a mother fighting to reclaim her son and prove her innocence.

Pay TV and Platforms: High-Profile Talent and Franchises
On Sky Italia, Luca Argentero stars in Avvocato Ligas as a criminal lawyer. Sky also launches Gomorra – Le Origini, a prequel to the iconic franchise, debuting on 9 January. Maria Chiara Giannetta joins Sky’s slate with Rosa Elettrica, adapted from the novel by Giampaolo Simi.

On Netflix, Argentero returns in Motorvalley, arriving in February and co-starring Francesca Michielin.

TV Movies and Special Projects
TV movies remain a strong component of the Italian offer. Casta Diva produces Franco Battiato – Il lungo viaggio, chronicling the life of the legendary singer-songwriter, portrayed by Dario Aita. Sabrina Ferilli also returns in Gloria 2.

The Purché finisca bene anthology adds two new titles: Sedici & scappa with Francesco Arca, and Tempi supplementari starring Giuseppe Zeno. Giorgio Pasotti portrays Olympic bobsleigh champion Eugenio Monti in Rosso Volante, airing on 3 February, while Un futuro aprile recounts the 1985 attack on judge Carlo Palermo.

Finally, Benedetta Porcaroli stars in Svanì, inspired by the family novel of Giovanni Pascoli, airing on Rai 1 and revisiting the poet’s life through the memories of his sister Mariù.