Scripted

HBO Max premieres Melania Rea – Beyond the Case, a four-part Italian crime drama produced by Stand By Me, on November 6, 2026, with new episodes released weekly. Directed by Stefano Mordini, the series stars Maria Esposito (Mare Fuori) as Melania Rea and Daniele Rienzo as her husband, Salvatore Parolisi.
Based on a true story that shocked Italy in 2011, the drama reconstructs the disappearance and murder of 29-year-old Melania Rea, whose body was discovered in a wooded area near Ripe di Civitella on April 20, 2011. Her husband, an Italian army officer, was subsequently convicted of her murder.

Moving beyond the criminal investigation, the series explores Melania's personal life, her relationships and the dynamics of control and domestic violence that emerged during the case. The narrative combines crime drama and psychological thriller elements, placing the victim's perspective at the centre of the story.
The cast also includes Michela Cescon, Carmen Pommella, Antonio Buonanno, Francesco Rungi and Giulia Ercolini.

Created by Doriana Leondeff and Bianca Rondolino, with screenplays by Leondeff, Mariano Di Nardo, Gloria Mottarelli and Rondolino, the series is produced by Simona Ercolani and Teresa Carducci for Stand By Me. Executive producers are Simona Ercolani, Riccardo Chiattelli and Grazia Assenza.

The production was developed with the cooperation of Melania Rea's family and received the support of Fondazione Una Nessuna Centomila, an organisation dedicated to combating gender-based violence.Italian singer BigMama contributes the original song Cicatrice, featured during the closing credits of the final episode.
The series was presented at the Rome Film Festival in October 2026, ahead of its exclusive release on HBO Max.