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10 TV Shows About Italy To Watch Before Your Trip

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I don’t know about your home country but in the UK, every minor celebrity seems to have their own travel TV shows about Italy. Inevitably, at least one episode features this B-list personality strolling down cobbled streets in a straw hat slurping pasta and sipping chianti. And who could blame them?!

There aren’t just lots of travel shows about Italy focusing on food or culture either. Some of the best Italian shows on Netflix, for example, are dramas set amongst the crowds of Florence or vineyards outside Venice.

If you’re visiting Italy soon, you will no doubt want to seek out as many awesome films and shows about Italy as you can!

Check out these blog posts for recommendations of movies set in Venice , Rome , Sicily , and the rest of Italy .

But if you are specifically looking for a mix of travel shows and TV shows set in Italy, you’re in the right place! Here are some of the best options. There’s a slight UK bias but you should be able to source most of these recommendations wherever you are.

List of TV Shows About Italy: Travel Shows and More

1. travel man: 48 hours in….

English | 11 Seasons (so far) | 30-60m | Watch on Channel 4

• Season 2, Episode 6: Venice with Jo Brand
• Season 3, Episode 4:  Naples with Jack Dee
• Season 3, Episode 5:  Florence with Rebel Wilson
• Season 5, Episode 1:  Rome with Matt Lucas
• Season 7, Episode 4:  Milan with Morgana Robinson

Let’s start with not just one of the best Italy travel shows, but one of my favourite travel shows of all time. Presented by Richard Ayoade since 2015 with Joe Lycett taking over in 2021,  Travel Man  usually focuses on easy weekend city break destinations from the UK.

The presenter goes on a weekend break with a famous guest, usually a comedian/comic actor, and they have a lovely time.

So far, the show has covered many major Italian cities with direct flights from the UK. They still have Palermo, Catania, Turin, Verona, Genoa, Palermo, Bari, and Bologna plus some others yet to cover so we don’t have to rule out more Italian content in the future!

All episodes are free to watch on Channel 4  in the UK and some of the series are on  Netflix  for international audiences.

2. From Scratch 

English, Italian | 8 Episodes | 60m | Watch on Netflix  

Although it didn’t get the love it deserved when first released at the end of 2022, this limited series is one of the best Italian shows on Netflix . 

From Scratch  is a show based on the memoir by Tembi Locke (also incredible). She’s an American who studies abroad for a year in Florence where she meets her future husband, who is a chef from Sicily . However, once they return to the US to live together, illness and family tensions seek to tear them apart.

I must warn you that the last few episodes are unbelievably sad (you’ll be ugly crying throughout). But it displays incredible scenery from both Tuscany and Sicily as well as lots of Italian cooking!

3. Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy

English, Italian | 2 Seasons (so far) | 60m | Watch on BBC iPlayer

Hands down,  this  is one of the most popular Italian TV shows if not  the  most popular Italy travel show of all time.

Tucci, who speaks Italian and has Italian heritage on both sides of his family, is on a quest to explore all 20 regions in Italy. He’s deep diving into the dishes, flavours, wines, and heart of everywhere from Bolzano to Basilicata.

So far, he’s covered: Campania, Lazio, Emilia-Romagna, Lombardia, Tuscany, Sicily, Veneto, Piedmont, Calabria, Sardinia, Puglia, and Liguria. Unfortunately, CNN cancelled the show after two seasons in 2022 but Tucci has promised to continue without them. Watch this space!

4. The White Lotus

English | 2 Seasons (so far) | 60m | Watch on Amazon Prime

The White Lotus  was a HUGE hit when HBO released season one in 2021. It’s a drama set in a hotel of the same name in Maui where one of the characters ends up dead. Since it’s an anthology show, season two was transplanted to another White Lotus hotel with an almost entirely new cast in Taormina , Sicily . 

It’s absolutely one of the most popular TV shows set in Italy in recent years. And the best part is, you don’t really need to watch the first season to understand this one! Although you really should, they’re both incredible television shows.

Season two will make you want to stay in a five-star hotel, until you look at the room rates, of course. Luckily, there are tons of gorgeous agriturismos and villas in Sicily you can book instead.

5. Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown

English | 12 Seasons | 60m | Watch on Amazon Prime

• Season 2, Episode 6:  Sicily
• Season 8, Episode 10:  Rome
• Season 10, Episode 8:  Southern Italy

Anthony Bourdain was the master of food and travel TV shows. I always end up watching at least one episode from one of his shows before travelling anywhere, because he seems to have travelled  everywhere .

You can’t help but learn something you didn’t expect from Anthony Bourdain. In his landmark series Parts Unknown he shows Italy, and all of the places he travels to, in a different light than 99.9% of travel TV series in Italy.

It’s a real shame he didn’t shoot more episodes in Italy but it’s understandable that he didn’t since this country is well-traversed terrain. The show is called Parts Unknown , after all!

Anthony Bourdain has two other travel food shows,  No Reservations  and  The Layover , with episodes set in Italy. These shows and Parts Unknown  often appear on Netflix, so watch out for them the next time you are searching for Netflix Italian TV shows.

6. Somebody Feed Phil (+ I’ll Have What Phil’s Having)

English | 6 Seasons/Limited Series | 45-60m | Watch on Netflix | Watch on Amazon Prime

• Season 2, Episode 1:  Venice
• ( Season 1, Episode 2:  Italy)

The Anti-Bourdain (in a good way!), Phil Rosenthal is an affable presenter who will inspire you to eat all of the things and travel to all of the places. While making lighthearted ‘my wife’ jokes, feeding the crew, and making his loved ones back in the US jealous of his treats, of course.

Somebody Feed Phil is one of the best TV shows in Venice I’ve ever watched. During my trip to Venice in April 2023, I visited almost all the places suggested during his episode! As a Netflix Original, it’s one of the top Italian TV shows on Netflix too.

If you weren’t aware,  Somebody Feed Phil  started out as a PBS show called  I’ll Have What Phil’s Having . You used to be able to watch every episode for free on YouTube but sadly, it’s been taken down.

I’m still mentioning it as the Italy episode was perfect and you can still access it through Amazon Prime in some countries.

7. Francesco’s Italy: Top to Toe

English, Italian | 4 Episodes | 60m | Watch Free on YouTube

One of the more random entries on this list, I literally searched ‘Italy’ in BBC iPlayer before my trip to Rome in June 2018 and found this travel show from 2006. Francesco da Mosto is a Venetian architect who drives his Alpha Romeo Spider across Italy, from the north to the south. 

This TV show is super helpful if you’re planning a trip but you’re not sure  where to go in Italy . It covers the entire country!

Just some of the things I learned about from watching this Italy TV programme were more about the Fiat car, the British Aristocracy’s history in Tuscany, and the poverty of Sicily. British actress Dame Maggie Smith even makes an appearance!

Even though it’s no longer on BBC iPlayer, you can play all four episodes for free on YouTube.

8. The Trip to Italy

English | 6 Episodes | 30m | Watch on Amazon Prime

I still don’t understand the  The Trip… format. There have been four seasons so far (2010’s  The Trip  set in the Lake District, 2014’s  The Trip to Italy , 2017’s  The Trip to Spain  and 2020’s  The Trip to Greece ). 

But then these series are re-released as films? Plus, the premise is that comedic British actors Rob Brydon and Steve Coogan visit restaurants in these places to ‘review’ them for a newspaper column, which is fake.

They even play fictionalised versions of themselves featuring kids they don’t have in real life. Is this what  Made in Chelsea  is like?!

Regardless, it’s still a fun TV series set in Italy. They follow in the footsteps of the British romantic poets and visit lots of places from Capri to Piedmont .

Although you can watch it through Amazon Prime , this is another show that often hits Netflix .

Read next: 27 Best Movies About Greece (& Ancient Greece): A Big Fat List

9. Everybody Loves Raymond

English | 9 Seasons | 30m | Watch on Channel 4

• Season 5, Episodes 1&2: Italy

Yes, I’m including the two episodes of the US sitcom Everybody Loves Raymond  that were set in Italy on this list! It’s my list, I can do what I like.

Coincidentally, Phil Rosenthal of  Somebody Feeds Phil  was the creator of  Everybody Loves Raymond  so it all ties together. Ray Romano plays Ray Barone, a family man with three kids living in Long Island, NY with his parents living across the street.

I remember watching  Everybody Loves Raymond  on Channel 4 every morning before school. I used to look forward to the Italy episodes in Rome at the start of season five as they would always make me dream of visiting Italy one day.

In the UK, you can watch every episode for free on Channel 4 but I’m sure you can stream them in other places worldwide.

10. Master of None

English, Italian | 3 Seasons | 30m | Watch on Netflix

• Season 2, Episode 1: The Thief
• Season 2, Episode 2:  Le Nozze

Raise your hand, who wants to take a break from your life to be a pasta-making apprentice for three months? Oh, and you also get to live in the gorgeous city of Modena, Italy ? Me too, my friend. Me too…

Master of None  is mostly set in New York but the first two episodes of season two are in Italy. There are homages to Italian neorealist film  The Bicycle Thief  and it’s so wanderlust-inducing that it has to be one of the top Italian Netflix shows.

Other TV Shows About Italy: A Taste of Italy  (2021),  Alex Polizzi’s Secret Italy (2014),  Alex Polizzi’s Italian Islands  (2016),  We Are Who We Are  (2020),  Luna Nera  (2020),  My Brilliant Friend ,  Hotel Portofino  (2022)

TV Shows About Italy: That’s a Wrap!

Have you watched any of these TV shows set in Italy? Do you have any more recommendations for TV shows about Italy? Let me know in the comments below! 

22 Amazing Films set in Italy to Inspire you to Visit

Hey! I wrote this. And I'm the human (and hair) behind Almost Ginger. I live for visiting filming locations, attending top film festivals and binge-watching travel inspiring films. I'm here to inspire you to do the same! Get in touch by leaving a comment or contacting me directly: [email protected] .

3 thoughts on “ 10 TV Shows About Italy To Watch Before Your Trip ”

Pingback: Best Travel Shows Italy — I Live Italy

“Somebody Feed Phil” on Netflix is an amazing show if food is also important during the trip. The show contains 22 cities on different continents, and Venice and Modena (Italy) was also beautifully represented. Apparently a new season is also coming. Philip Rosenthal is the creator of “Everybody Loves Raymond”.

Hey Coenraad! Yes, I LOVE Somebody Feed Phil!! I wrote this guide back in the spring of 2018 so I hadn’t heard of him then…

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Best Italian TV series on Netflix & Amazon Prime to watch now!

By: Author Tracy Collins

Posted on Last updated: September 20, 2022

Discover the best Italian series on Netflix and Amazon Prime for 2022 and beyond

Are you looking for the best Italian shows on Netflix and Amazon Prime? I have you covered! In this article, you will find binge-worthy Italian TV series on Netflix to watch now.

Whether you are looking for some travel inspiration for Italy , have an interest in Italian culture or trying to learn Italian these Netflix Italian series will fit the bill!

In this article, you will find the best Italian TV shows on Netflix with information included about where in Italy they were filmed (the perfect inspiration for your next visit to this beautiful country)

Get ready for these ultimate binge-worthy Italian Netflix and Amazon Prime series!

Please bear in mind that not all these Italian TV shows may be available to watch on Netflix in your location ! If you would like unrestricted access to 15 Netflix libraries around the world (including Italy) PLUS 10 Amazon Prime Libraries and more we recommend Surfshark VPN. You only need 1 subscription to cover every gadget in your house. Click here for more information about Surfshark and start watching today!

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Roman Empire

Suburra: blood on rome, with surfshark vpn you can, liberi sognatori / ordinary heroes, carlo & malik, first team: juventus.

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The Young Montalbano

Looking for other tv series or films to watch on netflix or amazon prime, italian shows on netflix and amazon prime to watch today.

Although not in Italian this epic series follows the turbulent, violent reigns of Commodus, Julius Caesar and Caligula.

This series is a mix of documentary and historical drama and is based on the historical events of the Roman Empire.

Each season tells a different story – Season One is about Emperor Commodus, season two Julius Caesar and season three is about Emperor Caligula.

Genre – Historical interest/Documentary

Seasons – 3 (15 episodes in total)

• Season One – Commodus: Reign of Blood consists of 6 episodes.
• Season Two – Julius Ceasar: Master of Rome consists of 5 episodes
• Season Three – Caligula: The Mad Emperor consists of 4 episodes.

Starring – Sean Bean narrates season 1 with Steve West taking over in seasons 2/3.

Where in Italy – Set in Ancient Rome

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In this Italian TV show a battle ensues between the Vatican, corrupt politicians and organised crime following an argument over land in a seaside town near Rome.

Three main characters dominate the series – Aureliano Adami and Alberto Anacleti are both gang members but from different groups while Gabriele Marchilli is the son of a local cop.

The series is based on the 2015 film Suburra which was inspired by the novel written by Giancarlo De Cataldo and Carlo Bonini (also called Suberra) and was the first Netflix Italian language original series.

There are a total of 24 episodes over 3 seasons.

Genre – Action/Crime

Seasons – 3 (2017/2019/2020)

Starring – Alessandro Borghi, Giacomo Ferrara, Filippo Nigro

Where in Italy – Rome

Set in 17th-century Italy this fantasy drama follows a teenager (Ade) who learns about her destiny among a family of witches.

Anyone showing signs of witchcraft is persecuted by a group called the Benandanti. Ade falls in love with the son of the leader of the Benandanti and must hide her emerging powers.

This series has received a mixed bag of reviews – check it out and judge for yourself!

Genre – Drama/fantasy

Seasons – 1 season with 6 episodes. Season 2 is expected sometime in 2021 – watch this space!

Starring – Antonia Fotaras, Giorgio Belli, Gloria Carovana

Where in Italy – 17th century Italy

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Follow the lives of 4 citizens who through their courage, sense of civic duty and ultimate sacrifice helped to transform Italian society.

Genre – Crime TV / Italian Drama Series

Seasons – 1 season (4 episodes)

• Episode 1 – Walking Tall
• Episode 2 – Justice on my father’s death
• Episode 3 – Standing for my land
• Episode 4 – A Brave Choice

Starring – Giorgio Tirabassi,Marco Bocci,Cristiana Capotondi

Where in Italy – Palermo, Salento and Sicily

Drama involving an investigation following a crime that could involve all of the main characters.

With many twists and turns this drama series is a good choice for fans of murder mysteries and crime thrillers.

Genre – Drama

Seasons – 1 season in 8 parts

Starring – Vittoria Puccini, Francesco Scianna, Camilla Filippi

Where in Italy – Set in Mantova

A veteran detective and rookie team up to investigate a string of murders across Rome.

The series has received overwhelmingly positive reviews.

Genre – Crime TV drama

Seasons – 2 – 2018/20 (24 episodes)

Starring – Claudio Amendola, Miguel Gobbo Diaz

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In this Italian TV show two teen girls from a wealthy part of Rome end up living double lives after becoming involved in the city’s underworld.

Genre – Teen TV show

Seasons – 3

Starring – Bernadetta Porcaroli

Follow Juventus on and off the pitch in this Italian TV show as they attempt to win the Italian and Champions Leagues in Europe.

Genre – Sports Documentary

Seasons – 2

Starring – Juventus football team!

Where in Italy – Turin

A woman who returns to her home town after 17 years disappears mysteriously one night leaving her children to her family legacy.

Genre – Supernatural/Horror

Seasons – 1

Starring – Valeria Bilello,Luca Lionello,Federico Russo

Where in Italy – In the South Tyrol of northern Italy on the border with Austria and Switzerland.

Detective Montalbano

Based on the novels of famous Italian crime writer Andrea Camilleri the series follow the life of Italian Detective Salvo Montalbano as he deals with murder, corruption and more in his work on the island of Sicily.

Genre – Drama/Suspense

S easons – 15 (37 episodes)

Starring – Luca Zingaretti, Peppino Mazzotta, Angelo Russo 

Where in Italy – Sicily

The prequel to the Detective Montalbano series set in the beautiful Sicilian (fictional) town of Vigata.

Set in the early 1990s we meet the young Montalbano at the beginning of his career.

Genre – Suspense

Seasons – 2 (12 episodes)

Starring – Michele Riondino, Alessio Vassallo

Where in Italy – Vigata, Sicily

If you are looking for more travel inspiration or language learning opportunities you may enjoy these articles:

• Best Danish TV series on Netflix and Amazon Prime
• Best French TV series on Netflix and Amazon Prime
• Best French movies to watch on Netflix and Amazon Prime
• Best Australian TV series on Netflix
• Best British TV series on Netflix and Amazon Prime
• Binge-worthy German TV series on Netflix
• Best Spanish TV shows on Netflix 2021
• 15 best Scandinavian & Nordic Noir Netflix series you can’t miss
• Best travel documentaries on Netflix to inspire your travels
• Italian movies not to miss on Netflix
• Best Spanish movies to watch on Netflix
• Best German Movies on Netflix

If you enjoy travel reading you may like to check out my best books set in (or about) Italy too!

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7 Best New Travel Shows You Can Stream Right Now

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Most avid travelers experienced a decline in their favorite hobby last year. But exciting adventures, new cuisine, and beautiful landscapes are still accessible to us all via our favorite travel shows. Explore the world from the comfort of your couch with these travel shows you can stream right now.

1. Stanley Tucci: Searching For Italy

Hulu, cnn on demand.

Take a guided tour of Italy with host Stanley Tucci as he travels from Naples to Rome, sampling cuisine and learning about Italian history and culture along the way. The Devil Wears Prada and Hunger Games actor takes on a new role as host, telling personal stories as he is joined by his wife and friends. Inspired by his own Italian heritage, Tucci is so passionate about his journey through the country and the food that he’s tasting, viewers will feel like they’re on the Amalfi Coast themselves. Season one is currently airing on CNN and available on Hulu . A second season has already been planned for 2022.

2. Down To Earth With Zac Efron

While Zac Efron’s adventure show may not be the ultimate in high-brow entertainment, the High School Musical star’s charisma and enthusiasm make Down to Earth an incredibly fun watch. The actor, joined by wellness guru Darin Olien, travels the globe, attempting to learn about sustainability and the environment. He also samples local cuisines and shamelessly indulges in the local tourist activities. All of season one is available now on Netflix, and filming for a second season has already begun.

3. Gordon Ramsay: Uncharted

Watch Gordon Ramsay travel the world, learning old-world methods of cooking from locals, in his new food-based travel show on Disney + . In Gordon Ramsay: Uncharted , viewers experience the chef abandoning his reputation as a loud, hyper-critical judge. Instead, he spends his time learning new techniques and trying new food, incredibly excited to be there and impressed by every meal he tries. Each episode features a new location and new group of welcoming locals excited to share the history of their food. There are two seasons available already, with season three set to air in mid-2021.

4. Our Planet

Narrated by David Attenborough, Netflix’s Our Planet offers an in-depth exploration of the world’s habitats, focusing on the effects of climate change and global warming. While the thesis of the documentary is science-based, the creators’ clear passion for nature shines through. The visuals are absolutely breathtaking, and the show itself is self-reflective and inspirational. With footage from 50 countries, episodes cover jungles, deserts, forests, and virtually every landscape imaginable, virtually guaranteeing a deep dive into any viewer’s favorite destination.

5. Taste The Nation With Padma Lakshmi

Explore the United States with Food Network personality Padma Lakshmi as she seeks to understand the connection between U.S. food and U.S. culture. Every episode features a different American city, where Lakshmi meets with immigrants from around the world, seeking to understand how the diversity of the country’s chefs has shaped what we define as American cuisine. This one-season series is a moving, emotional exploration of culture, heritage, and identity, available for streaming on Hulu .

6. Long Way Up

Reunited for their third joint travel adventure show, Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman go on an ambitious motorcycle ride in Apple TV’s Long Way Up . Starting in Ushuaia, a city at the tip of South America, the two friends ride for more than 100 days and 13,000 miles, crossing borders and country lines, making their way into Argentina, Chile, and Peru, all the way up to Central America and Mexico. Fans of Long Way Round and Long Way Down will love this third installment, all of which is available for streaming.

7. Street Food

For another food-based travel show, try Netflix’s Street Food , and its two available seasons, Street Food: Asia and Street Food: Latin America . Each episode takes place in a different city, with interviews of three to four street food chefs and their featured dishes. This show takes a deep dive not only into the cuisine, but primarily into the people who make it, emphasizing the journey of the individual cooks. The featured dishes are often region-specific and emblematic of the conditions and circumstances of both the city and the chef. The show focuses on the vendors’ backstories, teaching viewers about local poverty, history, culture, and identity.

These are just a starting point; there are a lot more shows out there worth a look. All you have to do is go on a surf vacation from the comfort of your couch.

Editor’s Note: Can’t get enough virtual travel? Jordan Palmer has more on Beeyonder , the new travel company created so anyone can travel the world.

Greg Robertson has worked as an editor and writer for some of the top newspapers and websites in the country, leading him to live all across the country. He now calls Las Vegas home, but has journeyed from the sunshine of California and the rain in Seattle, to the humidity of Arkansas and the snow of Minnesota. His travels have taken him to Puerto Vallarta, Costa Rica, Spain, and the Dominican Republic, but he's happiest at home with his wife, two daughters, and dog.

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16 Best Italian Series on Netflix to Watch in June 2024

This up-to-date guide covers the best Italian shows on Netflix to help you improve your skills.

It covers feel-good romantic comedies, crime series, intriguing documentaries and more. Many of these shows have beautiful backdrops too, featuring cities like Rome and Naples. Here’s the full list, with trailers and streaming links included.

1. Suburra: Blood on Rome (2017)

2. the law according to lidia poët (2023), 3. an astrological guide for broken hearts (2021), 4. generation 56k (2021), 5. baby (2018), 6. the trial (2019), 7. everything calls for salvation (2022).

• 8. Di4ries (2022)

9. Framed! A Sicilian Murder Mystery (2022)

10. the lying life of adults (2023).

• 11. Running for My Truth: Alex Schwazer (2023)

12. First Team: Juventus (2018)

13. luna nera (2020), 14. curon (2020), 15. fortune seller: a tv scam (2022), 16. supersex (2024).

Download: This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you can take anywhere. Click here to get a copy. (Download)

Italian Title: Suburra – La serie Genre: Crime Main   Actors: Alessandro Borghi, Giacomo Ferrara, Eduardo Valdarnini

Corruption, murders involving the Mafia, messy politics and even the Vatican—this show is great for binge-watching because of all the action! It’s set in a seaside town in Rome, with different groups fighting over the land there because the town will soon become a gambling paradise.

There are three main characters here, all from different backgrounds. Aureliano comes from a Mafia family, while Spadino is a gypsy who’s also a gang member. Finally, Lele is the son of a police officer, but he still gets drawn into crime. They form a complicated alliance, with their families also involved in the power struggles.

Italian Title: La legge di Lidia Poët Genre: Legal drama Main Actors: Matilda De Angelis, Eduardo Scarpetta, Pier Luigi Pasino

This captivating series is based on a real-life figure: Lidia Poët, who was Italy’s first female lawyer back in 19 th -century Turin.

At the start of the show, Lidia takes on the case of a man accused of murder because her fees are cheaper than male lawyers. All throughout, she’s forced to fight against prejudice and go against social norms—she even almost couldn’t get her license just because she’s a woman!

Each episode features a new legal case that gets wrapped up by the end. It’s fun to watch because Lidia is sassy, plus the makeup, costumes and other visual details are all well done.

Italian Title:   Guida astrologica per cuori infranti Genre: Romantic comedy Main Actors: Claudia Gusmano, Lorenzo Adorni, Michele Rosiello, Alberto Paradossi

Alice is a single woman in her 30s who lives in Turin, but she doesn’t feel fulfilled.

She’s in for a ride, though, after she meets Tio, a quirky but endearing astrologer who suggests that the answers to her relationship woes can be found in the stars. Alice is skeptical at first, but then she soon finds herself trying it out, using horoscopes to guide her romantic decisions.

The show’s two seasons go through all of the zodiac signs for each episode. It’s a totally underrated gem, and there are plenty of sweet, feel-good moments, whether you believe in astrology or not!  

Italian Title: Generazione 56K Genre: Romantic comedy Main Actors: Angelo Spagnoletti, Cristina Cappelli, Gianluca Colucci, Fabio Balsamo

“Generation 56K” is another romantic comedy—but it comes with a dose of nostalgia. It goes back and forth between the 90s and the present, showing how different relationships have become because of the internet.

Daniel and Matilda first meet and fall in love as teenagers in Naples, when the Internet was still barely emerging. Then more than 20 years later, they meet again through a dating app, and they try to figure out how they really feel about each other.

This had me hooked because Daniel and Matilda have excellent chemistry! The episodes are also just at 30 minutes each, so it’s a fast-paced watch.

Genre: Drama Main Actors:  Benedetta Porcaroli, Alice Pagani, Riccardo Mandolini, Chabeli Sastre Gonzalez

“Baby breaks away from the usual teen drama or crime series because it portrays a controversial topic: underage prostitution.

Chiara and Ludovica are two high school students at an elite school in Rome. Chiara seems like she has the perfect life because she has a wealthy family, but she feels suffocated by the expectations and hypocrisy around her. On the other hand, Ludovica struggles with family issues and escapes from her problems by going to nightclubs and drinking.

As they become friends, Chiara finds out Ludovica is doing prostitution—and she starts to get involved in it too.  

Italian Title: Il processo Genre: Legal drama Main   Actors: Vittoria Puccini, Camilla Filippi, Francesco Scianna

Here’s an Italian series that revolves around crime but isn’t Mafia-based!

“The Trial” kicks off with a brutal murder of a teenage female escort. Two determined women then battle it out in court: Elena Guerra, the relentless prosecutor, and Virginia Ferrara, a famous defense lawyer who has never lost a case.

Elena is deeply affected by the case because of a personal connection, and she becomes consumed by her quest for justice. On the other hand, Virginia aggressively defends her client, Linda, against the seemingly overwhelming evidence. As tensions start to heighten, rules get betrayed, and the lines between guilt and innocence blur.

Italian Title: Tutto chiede salvezza Genre: Drama Main Actors: Federico Cesari, Fotinì Peluso, Andrea Pennacchi, Vincenzo Crea

Daniele suddenly wakes up in a psychiatric ward after crashing his car and then going back home. Even though he sees no good reason for being there, he’s given no way out. This forces him to get to know the other patients, who have conditions like bipolar disorder and catatonia, and form deep connections with them.

He then gradually starts to figure out in bits and pieces exactly what happened to him, all while trying to understand what’s really meaningful in his life.

Even though it might seem like a dark show at first, its message is about emotional healing and human connection, and I felt attached to the characters because they all have their distinct stories! 

8. Di4ries  (2022)

Italian Title: Di4ri Genre: Teenage drama Main Actors:  Andrea Arru, Flavia Leone, Pietro Sparvoli, Sofia Nicolini

“Di4ries” revolves around middle school students so it’s definitely for a younger audience! Still, it’s a fresh, realistic take on the coming-of-age genre.

Pietro is a 12-year-old boy who has to deal with his parents’ arguments along with misadventures at school, including exams, school trips and bullies. He also somehow gets into a love triangle with two girls in his class.

The show does a great job of capturing the complexities of growing up in a modern world, with social media and peer pressure. The format is also interesting since you’ll get to see different perspectives, with major characters talking directly to the camera.

Italian Title: Incastrati Genre: Comedy Main Actors: Salvatore Ficarra, Valentino Picone

“Framed!” combines two genres you don’t normally see together: crime and comedy. On top of this, the main characters are played by Ficarra and Picone , a popular comedy duo in Italy.

In the show, Salvo and Valentino are both TV technicians and friends. One evening, they head to an apartment but then find a corpse there that was recently just shot. They’re scared of getting framed for the crime, so they hurry to find an alibi and hide the dead body. As the investigation proceeds, they also try to not get caught by the cops, who are looking for the Mafia.

You’ll find both slapstick and absurd humor here, especially as they accidentally cause more and more problems for themselves!  

Italian Title: La vita bugiarda degli adulti Genre: Drama Main Actors: Giordana Marengo, Valerie Golino, Alessandro Preziosi

“The Lying Life of Adults” is based on the novel by Elena Ferrante, a popular ( and anonymous! ) Italian author who’s known for her introspective storytelling.  

Giovanna is a rebellious teenager in Naples in the 1990s—and like plenty of teenagers, she feels very disconnected from her family. She even overhears her father comparing her to his estranged sister, Vittoria, whom he dislikes.

This makes her curious about her aunt Vittoria, so she requests his father to have them meet. She then discovers a whole new darker side to Naples—and unearths family secrets too.

Watching it actually got me asking myself: what does being an adult really mean?

11. Running for My Truth: Alex Schwazer  (2023)

Italian Title: Il caso Alex Schwazer Genre: Documentary Main Actors: Alex Schwazer, Kathrin Freund, Sandro Donati

Alex Schwazer is a former Italian race walker and Olympic athlete who was widely adored until he fell from grace because of a doping scandal. “Running for My Truth” explores his life and career—and what really happened behind the scenes.

It’s a documentary, so it’s true to life and features Alex Schwazer himself! A turning point in his career was when he tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs, which got him banned from the sport. He then admitted to using the drugs and was allowed to return to the competition eventually—but then got banned again later for eight years because of another doping accusation.

Genre: Documentary Main Actors:  Massimiliano Allegri, Gianluigi Buffon, Giorgio Chellini, Andrea Barzagli 

If you’re a football fan, this mini-series belongs on your watchlist!

It takes an in-depth look at the famous Italian football club Juventus F.C. during the 2017-2018 season. You’ll get to see interviews and personal stories of the club and its players, including Gigi Buffon and Paulo Dybala, as well as the coaches.

All in all, the show follows the team through key moments of the season, including Serie A matches, UEFA Champions League games, and Coppa Italia fixtures. Of course, it also shows their games and intense training routines! I found these exciting to watch, with the camera angles and music setting the mood.

Genre: Fantasy Main Actors: Antonia Fotaras, Giada Gagliardi, Manuela Mandracchia

Back in the 17 th century, women were being accused of witchcraft and persecuted—but what if there really were witches among them?  

In “Luna Nera,” Ade is a midwife who suddenly discovers her powers of witchcraft. After her grandmother is executed for it, Ade runs to the woods and finds a group of women there who are also witches.

On top of this, she starts to like Pietro, a young man whose family is actively involved in the witch hunts. As she comes to accept her abilities, Ade has to make difficult choices.

I adored the visuals here, from the ancient buildings to the special effects!

Genre: Supernatural Main Actors: Valeria Bilello, Margherita Morchio, Federico Russo, Luca Lionello

A small, eerie town that’s steeped in legends and secrets—this is the backdrop of “Curon,” a psychological thriller that builds up to a grand finale.

Anna Raina left her hometown 17 years earlier under mysterious circumstances, but now she goes back to Curon with her teenage twins, Daria and Mauro.

But then she disappears—and the twins slowly find out that their family’s history is connected to the town’s dark past. The town is known for its bell tower that’s submerged in a lake, and—according to legends—it emits a haunting sound.

If you’ve watched “Dark,” a German series on Netflix, then the atmosphere here is similar!

Italian Name:   Wanna Genre: Documentary Main Actors: Wanna Marchi, Stefania Nobile

“Fortune Seller” dives into one of Italy’s biggest scams ever.

Wanna Marchi, a salesperson and self-proclaimed fortune-teller, and her daughter Stefania Nobile became popular on TV during the 1980s and 1990s. This was when teleshopping and infomercials were all the rage.

They became the masterminds of an elaborate scam by selling fake weight loss products, talismans and even psychic services. These all promised quick solutions to personal problems, and they swindled millions of euros from unsuspecting victims.

I felt disturbed while watching the interviews of victims, police and legal experts, but it’s also a useful reality check about how fraud can happen in any era.

Genre: Drama Main Actors: Alessandro Borghi, Jasmine Trinca, Adriano Giannini

This up-and-coming Netflix series is based on true events.

A young man named Rocco Siffredi lived a humble life growing up. But as he escapes the small, normal life he had, he finds himself becoming one of the world’s most successful adult entertainment stars.

Episode by episode, his past begins to unravel—from his childhood and family, to how he views love—and the starting point that got him to his career is revealed.

The show touches on taboo, untalked-about subjects, like what it means to be male and how sexuality, adult entertainment and love coexist (or if they can).

Hopefully this guide has given you an idea of what to watch next. What’s great about these is you can binge them from start to finish, with both reliable Italian and English subtitles available. 

For more Italian TV shows (outside of Netflix), there’s this guide too:

Italian TV shows are amazing! We’ve got you covered from Italian drama series to comedies with the 20 best Italian TV shows out there, from “Gomorra” to “Zio Gianni.”…

To build up your Italian vocabulary, there are shorter clips too on FluentU.

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Italy Travel TV Shows On Demand

When I can’t be in Italy, the next best thing is usually watching TV programs about traveling in Italy . I mean, I love looking at photographs, but there’s something about moving pictures that really gives me a sense of a place. One program I always love watching, almost regardless of where they’re going, is Globe Trekker – and I’m always thrilled to see Italy come up on their schedule. This is why I’m excited about a new way to watch TV programs like Globe Trekker about Italy any time I want.

With the new GlobeTrekkerChannel , we can watch excellent programming from all over the world – with several shows dedicated to Italy – and do it on a schedule of our own choosing. With more than 350 hours of shows already in the bank, there’s plenty to keep you busy. On Italy alone, we have programs on Tuscany, Rome, Venice, Florence and Sicily (among others), as well as food programs about Tuscany , Umbria and the Emilia Romagna. Any one of those shows would be a great way to occupy your time on a long flight into Italy while simultaneously prepping yourself for your vacation!

If the idea of on-demand travel programs on Italy sounds appealing, here’s how it works – first you register so that you’ll know when new programs come out, then you can buy credits (which never expire) to download just the shows you want to your computer, and then when you’ve downloaded a program you’ve got a week in which to watch it. It’s simple, it’s just the programming you want to see, and it’s on your schedule.

To find out more and watch a free demo video, visit GlobeTrekkerChannel and register today!

26 Italian Series on Netflix for Learning Italian (Beginners to Advanced)

Skyrocket your italian with this list of binge-worthy italian tv shows and movies for all levels.

Whether you’re looking for travel inspiration, are interested in learning about Italian culture or want to learn Italian faster , consuming listening to Italian music and watching Italian series on Netflix are two of the best things to do.

Watching Italian shows is an effective method to improve your Italian language skills and understand Italians better, as it will expose you to language patterns ( Italian pronunciation , rhythm, conversation), Italian idiomatic expressions , dialects, cultural aspects and real-life scenarios.

In this guide, I’m going to show you the advantages of using Netflix for improving your language skills , share some strategies to best benefit from it, as well as provide a list of 26 Italian series on Netflix  that will help you improve your Italian skills, no matter what level you are. 

From romantic Italian films to murder mysteries, watching Italian shows on Netflix can not only be entertaining but also a proactive learning experience! From beginners to advanced, here are the most binge-worthy Italian Netflix series. 

Cominciamo (let’s get started)!

How to improve your Italian by watching Italian series on Netflix

Watching TV shows in Italian is a great way to boost your Italian language skills because you’re exposing yourself to everyday spoken Italian . This means you’ll expand your vocabulary and get a good grasp of Italian conversation in real life.

Not only that, Italian movies and series will help you have a better understanding of life in Italy, as they give you an insight into Italian society. It will give you a 360° experience and fully immerse you in the Italian language and its culture.

You don’t need to be an advanced learner to benefit from this either. There are methods and strategies that will help you make the most of this learning experience, even if you’re just starting out as a beginner. In fact, you can benefit from watching movies and series at any stage of the learning process . Here’s how:

• If you are new to the Italian language, you can watch an Italian film with English subtitles . It doesn’t matter if you don’t understand most of it. This method allows you to familiarize yourself with the sounds of the language, pronunciation and speed, thus improving your listening skills.
• Another way to gradually introduce the Italian language into your learning routine is by watching a show in your native language with Italian subtitles . This strategy is great for picking up words you already know and seeing how they’re spelled and used in contect. Pause the show every once in a while, to look up new words, idiomatic expressions or to study the sentence structure.
• As a beginner/intermediate learner, if you want to focus on the language more than the plot, you can pre-watch a show in your native language first. It’ll be much easier to follow the story if you already know what’s going to happen. Re-watching a show in Italian will allow you to fill in gaps and words you don’t understand just by looking at the context . This strategy works well with classic and animated movies!
• As an intermediate/advanced learner, the best way to improve your skills is by watching a show in Italian with Italian subtitles. This method allows you to connect speech with what is written . Trust me, you will remember new words or speech patterns a lot faster because you are listening and reading at the same time.
• Perhaps the most challenging way to watch a show in Italian as a non-native speaker is by watching it in Italian without subtitles . This is great for pronunciation and listening, not so much for spelling. Having to rely only on your hearing might cause you to lose track of the plot so I only recommend using this strategy when you’re an advanced learner (in which case, get rid of the subtitles and just enjoy the show).
• Finally, don’t stick to watching original Italian shows only. While it is always better to watch a movie or series in the original version, you might want to consider watching a show dubbed in Italian (which is usually excellent). Not only will you have a greater choice of shows at your disposal, you can also watch your favourite shows while making them educational too. Two birds with one stone!

For more tips, visit my guide with 22 tips on how to use Netflix for language learning.

Below is a comprehensive list of Italian shows (mainly TV series but also some movies) which I’ve broken up into levels (beginner, intermediate and advanced) plus details of their basic storyline. 

Keep in mind that this division is only indicative and that you can always choose to watch a movie with or without subtitles (in Italian or in your native language) to make it easier or more challenging, depending on your needs.

Italian series on Netflix for Beginners

2. Luna Park

Luna park is a 2021 drama set in 1960s Rome. The show centers around the story of Nora, a young carnival worker from a family of wandering artists, and Rosa, a girl from wealthy Rome. Thanks to a chance encounter in an amusement park (“luna park” in Italian) the two girls discover that they are united by a special bond. Here, the destinies of several generations alternate and intertwine, in a journey of intrigue and secrets but also of new and unexpected love..

3. Luna Nera

This fantasy series is set in the 17th century in a small village called Torre Rosse. Here lives the protagonist, Adelaide, a 16-year-old midwife who, after the mysterious death of an infant under her care, is accused of witchcraft and sentenced to be burnt at the stake. Forced to flee so as not to be burned alive, Adelaide finds refuge in a community composed of women banished for the same reason. Here she discovers she’s not alone.

4. Generazione 56K

This 2021 Netflix series, set in Rome and Procida, a beautiful and colorful island located off the coast of Naples, is a romantic comedy about a chance meeting that leads Matilda and Daniele, two 30-year-olds, to remember the year they met as teenagers, 1998, the year the Internet changed their lives. The name of the series refers to the fact that at that time the internet was only available via slow modems.

5. Sotto il sole di Riccione

6. Incastrati (Framed! A Sicilian murder mystery)

This is a 2022 Italian television series starring popular Italian comedians Ficarra and Picone. Set in the splendid Sicilian landscape, the series follows the (mis)adventures of Valentino and Salvatore, two television technicians who find themselves at the scene of a crime by chance. In order to avoid being prime suspects, they clean up the crime scene and leave it undisturbed, using their knowledge of crime dramas. This leads to a series of hilarious events in their lives.

7. Perfetti sconosciuti

In this 2016 movie, during a dinner among friends, one of the guests proposes a curious game, which the others accept, albeit with some hesitation: everyone must leave their mobile phone on the table so that any messages, emails or phone calls will become public knowledge. But what appeared to be an amusing pastime soon turns into a sequence of misunderstandings, betrayals and other secrets that come to light, unleashing chaos within the house.

8. The Medici: Masters of Florence

Italian series on Netflix for Intermediates

Baby is a Netflix teen drama set in the Parioli district, one of the most exclusive and fashionable areas of contemporary Rome. The series follows the adventures of Chiara, a girl from an elite high school who becomes involved with another girl and is drawn into the world of underage prostitution. The story is inspired by a real scandal that happened in Rome a few years ago.

10. Carlo & Malik

Set in Rome and produced in 2018, Carlo & Malik is a crime drama series that follows the adventures of a veteran detective who is prejudiced against the capital’s large immigrant community. He partners up with an officer originally from the Ivory Coast to solve a series of murder cases in Rome. The series focuses on the theme of immigration , which is a very broad and controversial in contemporary Italy.

11. Guida astrologica per cuori infranti

12. Il commissario Montalbano (Detective Montalbano)

13. Il giovane Montalbano (The young Montalbano)

14. Liberi sognatori (Ordinary heroes)

15. Summertime

16. Benvenuti al Sud

17. Chiedimi se sono felice

Italian series on Netflix for Advanced learners 

18. l’amica geniale (my brilliant friend).

19. Suburra: Blood on Rome

The dialogues in this series can be quite challenging to follow for non-native speakers, as the main characters of Suburra are shady criminals from the Roman suburbs, who use a thick Romanesco dialect and other slang.

20. Il nome della rosa (The name of the rose)

21. Il processo (The trial)

23. Gomorra

24. È stata la mano di Dio

Just when everything seems to be going well, the sudden death of his parents forces Fabietto to come to terms with the loneliness of someone who does not yet have his place in the world and who unexpectedly finds himself with a tragic and sudden freedom.

26. Mediterraneo

Access more Italian content with NordVPN

One of the best ways to learn Italian is by accessing online content from national broadcasting sites around the world. Sites Rai Italia and Rai Play in Italy can sometimes restrict who can access their online content such as series, movies or documentaries. 

The best and only way to unlock and access content around the world is by using a VPN  (Virtual Private Network service provider). This also gives you an extra layer of safety as you surf the internet as it protects your IP address (ie. your actual location). It’s best practice to always use a VPN anyway, so it’s a great investment to make. The best VPN on the market is NordVPN which you can use on your desktop, tablet or smartphone. Sign up to NordVPN here and get 3 months free.

By using NordVPN you can log into Italian Netflix, which will give you access to even more Italian shows and films. To learn more, check out my guide on how to use a VPN for language learning .  

Final thoughts

After watching these shows, I hope they will inspire your next visit to the Bel Paese . After all, since the beginning, Italian film productions have been focused on showing the architectural beauty of Italy: the earliest Italian productions were mainly characterized by a few historical documentaries about emperors, popes and famous Italian rulers or simple views of city squares and streets. But the heyday of Italian cinema emerged from the ashes after World War II with Neorealism and, later, with art-house cinema and Italian-style comedy. In short, there is a long tradition to be explored and discovered, while also improving your Italian language skills.

Buona visione! (Enjoy the show)

Enjoyed this guide? Are you a beginner or an intermediate Italian learner? Got a trip coming up or want to communicate with your Italian partner or relatives in Italian? Learn Italian with my unique 80/20 method

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Learning Italian? Check out these Italian language guides

• Italian for Beginners | How to Learn Italian in 3 Simple Steps
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• Italian Culture: 19 Weird Things Italians Do That No One Warns You About 
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• 10 Ways Natives REALLY Say ‘You’re Welcome’ in Italian
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• Funny Italian Sayings: 26  Food-Related Insults You Won’t Forget
• 15 Romantic Italian Films That’ll Make You Love Italy Even More
• How to Master Common Italian Phrases for Travel (Like a Local!) 

Over to you!

Did you find this guide helpful? Got a question? Let me know using the comments section below or join me on social media @intrepidguide or @intrepiditalian  to start a conversation.

Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed this post.

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Michele creates language learning guides and courses for travel. What separates her from other instructors is her ability to explain complex grammar in a no-nonsense, straightforward manner using her unique 80/20 method. Get her free guide 9 reasons you’re not fluent…YET & how to fix it! Planning a trip? Learn the local language with her 80/20 method for less than the cost of eating at a tourist trap restaurant Start learning today!

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Get Excited for Your Sicily Trip with This TV

What’s New (and Good) on Netflix this Spring? 

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By Franki Hanke

Sometimes ahead of a trip, all of the research can start to feel a bit tiring. The line between excitement and exhaustion can blur, so when you need just to get excited again, stay on theme by watching tv in Sicily, Italy. You’ll see the landscape you’re headed to, discover potential spots to visit, and anticipate your trip ahead. 

This list is even better as in-flight entertainment! What better way to get excited for your Mediterranean getaway than soaking up the sights ahead of time? 

If you really want to soak up Italian landscapes (and practice your Italian), you could watch some famous Italian films shot in Sicily like The Leopard by Luchino Visconti, L’Avventura by Michaelangelo Antonioni, Malena, Divorce Italian Style with Marcello Mastroianni or Il Postino (The Postman) filmed in Aeolian Island of Messina. For this list, I’m assuming you’re on the hunt for American media. 

Non-Fiction

If you’re still itching to research locales for your own trip, then non-fiction television is an enjoyable way to search. 

Anthony Bourdain’s Parts Unknown & No Reservations 

Anthony Bourdain has traveled to Sicily with his camera crews twice in his shows No Reservations and Parts Unknown . First, in October 2005, he tried tripe, spleen sandwiches, and salt-encrusted fish in Palermo and Trapani. On his second visit, he stays in Villa Monaci outside of Catania but re-visits Taormina and Palermo. 

Watch both episodes to hear a little bit about food origin in Siciliy and identify some local flavors you may want to try, whether you eat at the same locations Bourdain does or merely order the same thing. 

Watch No Reservations S1 EP5 and Parts Unknown S2 E 5 on Amazon Video. 

Stanley Tucci’s Searching for Italy

On a travel show focused just on Italy, Tucci’s visit to Sicily is the finale show. The show feels like a visit in itself, the perfect primer to visiting there yourself. He speaks with a range of people from Michelin-starred chef Tony Lo Coco of I Pupi in Bagheria and Princess Stefania di Raffadali to actors Emanuela and Mimmo in their home kitchen. The episode mixes food with history without shying away from Siciliy’s historic mafia or political assassinations. It’s a history lesson and food primer in one. 

Watch Searching for Italy S1 E6 on Amazon Video. 

Chef’s Table

In Netflix’s intimate docuseries Chef’s Table , you can spend a full 48 minutes with Chef Corrado Assenza of Noto, Sicily. His restaurant Caffè Sicilia might go on your must-visit list after hearing about his approach to cannoli, gelati, and granita though. Prepare yourself. 

Watch C hef’s Table V4 E2 “Corrado Assenza” on Netflix. 

Sicily Unpacked

Featuring the duo Andrew Graham-Dixon and Giorgio Locatelli, Sicily Unpacked is a BBC docuseries with a broader focus than the food. With an art critic and chef together, their commentary includes food and art alike. The style is casual and conversational, and while it’s years old now, you’ll still find some useable recommendations for your own visit. 

Watch Sicily Unpacked on YouTube. 

While fictional movies and television won’t tell you much about the history of a location, they can generate that pre-travel excitement with some iconic sights in the backdrop (and maybe film locations to visit yourself). 

The White Lotus

The iconic dark comedy that has everyone talking is set in a fictional resort chain with a wide cast, but many of the landscapes you see in season two are from shooting in Italy. Notably, the hotel itself is set in Taormina near Mount Etna and the Strait of Messina. Producer Dave Bernad shared that they looked at 30 hotels in France and Italy before finding their location: “And then we walked into the San Domenico Palace in Taormina and that was it. There was no debate,” as quoted by Conde Nast Traveler . 

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Since the crew lived at the hotel during filming, everyone involved experienced Sicily, to some degree. Bernad shared some of that experience in his interview with Charlie Hobbs , “Taormina is a wonderful place to travel, it’s wild and intoxicating and rural and haunted. We spent a lot of time hiking around the island.” 

Watch White Lotus on HBO Max. 

Inspector Montalbano

A detective story to sate your craving for more of White Lotus , Inspector Montalbano is adapted from Sicilian author Andrea Camilleri’s books. It’s an ongoing whodunit with mysteries solved episodically. Watching the show, you’ll see a lot of scenery from Ragusa in southeast Sicily. 

This show is in Italian . I know, after I told you this was a list of AMERICAN media, but Alberto Sironi’s Montalbano has previously been beloved here and iconic in Italy , so I’m including it nonetheless. 

Watch Inspector Montalbano on Amazon Video.

Cinema Paradiso

OSCAR winner, Cinema Paradiso tells the story of an Italian filmmaker who returns to his hometown after three decades but is often described as a coming-of-age film that captures a true love of the movies themselves in the friendship of our protagonist and a projectionist. While the film is set in fictional Giancaldo, it draws inspiration from director Giuseppe Tornatore’s hometown Bagheria (and filmed there). Some scenes were filmed elsewhere, too, including Cefalù, east of Palermo. 

Watch Cinema Paradiso on Amazon Video. 

The Godfather

I’d be remiss not to mention the film that’s triggered the most poorly-done American attempts at an Italian accent: The Godfather from director Francis Ford Coppola with Marlon Brando. While the story focuses on Italian immigrants related to Vito Corleone in New York, not on Sicily itself, there are important scenes shot in Sicily. The Sicilian scenes were shot in Forza D’Agro and Savoca including Michael Corleone’s wedding scene, so if you’re visiting there, you must watch the movie and try and find some familiarity! Try to place the Godfather part with the real-life scenery! 

If you’re in Palermo, spot Teatro Massimo Vittorio Emanuele (an opera house) as the scene of Anthony Corleone’s rise to fame. 

Watch The Godfather on Amazon Video. 

For the serious film buff, there are many more iconic and inconsequential scenes shot across the island of Sicily including Ocean’s Twelve , Talented Mr. Ripley (with Matt Damon), and Stromboli (with Ingrid Bergman and Mario Vitale by Roberto Rossellini). 

Now, get watching! Once you’re really in Sicily, you’ll be able to spot things from the screen in real-life and compare. When we travel, we create our own memories of places we’ve only ever seen on a screen, and that’s part of the fun! 

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43 best Italian TV shows to learn Italian in 2023: Netflix, Prime and Youtube

13th April 2023

Check out these Italian TV shows and get tips on how to use them - the ultimate guide to learning Italian from your sofa!

Watching Italian TV shows is a fantastic way to practice, because you can do ALL these things at once:

• Train yourself to understand native speakers by listening to realistic conversations.
• Get into Italian culture and “visit” different places in Italy, without leaving your couch!
• Lose yourself in a story - you build an emotional connection to Italian which helps you remember words and grammar.

However, there are a few things to watch out for.

First, it can be difficult to find the right show. You might not know which Italian TV shows are available or where to start looking.

Secondly, Italian TV shows are made for native speakers, so they’re difficili , even if you’ve been learning Italian for a while. Without the right techniques in place, you might get discouraged and give up too soon, without getting the benefits of this fun and relaxing way to learn Italian.

So in this article, compiled by Ermy from the Language Rose and Katie from Joy of Languages, you’ll find two sections.

The first section will help you find the right Italian TV shows to watch. Then, you'll find a step-by step guide on how to use these shows to improve your Italian, including what to do when you don’t understand.

Let’s start with our top 43 Italian TV shows. Cominciamo!‌

Italian Dramas Italian Documentaries Italian Comedies Italian Soap Operas and Reality Shows Italian TV Channels on Youtube Dubbed Series in Italian How to learn Italian by watching TV shows

Italian Dramas

Fedeltà (devotion, a story of love and desire).

This series follows Milan-based couple Margherita and Carlo, as their passionate and loving marriage slowly starts to unravel. Faced with suspicions of infidelity and uncertainty about their own lives, will they have the ability to control the effects of their decisions?

Where: Netflix

Best for: Learning everyday, conversational Italian and admiring Milan’s diverse and impressive architecture.

Tutto chiede salvezza (Everything Calls for Salvation)

This story revolves around a distressed young man who awakens to find himself involuntarily confined in a psychiatric hospital. During his week-long stay, his encounters with other patients and confrontations with cynical doctors and nurses will have a profound and lasting impact on his life. 

The series, based on Daniele Mencarelli's acclaimed novel of the same name, questions what we consider to be normal and explores the healing power of friendship, love, and vulnerability. 

Best for: Understanding the Roman accent and getting lost in the great acting.

L’amica geniale (My Brilliant Friend)

Adapted from the well-loved novel by Elena Ferrante, this coming-of-age drama is set in 1950s Naples. Two girls growing up in post-war Italy face complications as their lives become intertwined between the Camorra (a mafia-style organisation in Naples) and communist ideals.

You'll find a solid story, talented actors and cinematography that makes you feel like you’re looking out over Vesuvius and walking along the cobbled streets right next to the characters.

Some of the dialogue is in Neapolitan, which can pose an extra challenge for Italian learners. So don't worry if you need extra help from the subtitles, that's normal.

Where: Amazon Prime , HBO (USA); RaiPlay (Italy/VPN)

Best for: Advanced learners who want to hear Italians speaking in their local language (Neapolitan in this case). Anyone who wants to spend an hour immersed in beautiful Naples.

La vita bugiarda degli adulti (The Lying Life of Adults)

If you can’t get enough of Elena Ferrante’s Naples, you’ll also love this series, based on her book of the same name. It follows Giovanna, a young woman navigating the complexities of adolescence and adulthood in the 1990s.

When Giovanna's father makes a comment about her appearance, she delves deeper into her family’s past, uncovering a web of lies that has defined her life.

The series gives you an insider view of one of Italy’s most populated cities, across class divides and the precarious position of women in society.

Best for: Getting used to regional languages in Italy and catching beautiful views across the city from the affluent neighbourhood of Vomero.

In this haunting Italian thriller series, a mother returns home with her twin daughters seventeen years after the horrific events that made her leave Curon. Strange events begin to occur and Anna's past begins to catch up with her as she tries to uncover the dark secrets that have haunted the town for generations. Set against the stunning backdrop of the Italian alps, this is a must-watch for fans of supernatural mysteries.

Best for: Italian learners who love psychological thrillers and want to get lost in a gripping story line

Il Commissario Montalbano (Inspector Montalbano)

Montalbano is the chief of the state police station of Vigata, a fictional town in Sicily. He investigates various crimes in his area, which he manages to solve thanks to his intelligence and the help of various characters he encounters on his journey. If you love detective stories, you should definitely watch this series!

Keep in mind that a lot of the dialogue is in the Sicilian dialect, so the dialogue presents some real challenges for learners, even at very advanced levels. But it’s worth persevering for the gorgeous sea-views and interesting plot twists.

Where: This series is popular all over the world, so you might be able to find it on a broadcasting service in your country. For example, in the UK, you can find it on BBC iPlayer . In Australia, it’s broadcast on SBS.

You might also be able to find it on Amazon Prime , or if you’re in Italy, you can watch the series on RaiPlay .

Best for: Getting used to the Sicilian dialect and imagining yourself sipping a white wine next to Montalbano on his beach-front house.

Set against the lights and glamour of 1960s Rome, this series revolves around a chance meeting between two young women whose lives are more intertwined than they could have imagined. Nora and Rosa seek to understand the powerful link that binds them across a series of intrigues, different generations and romantic encounters. 

Best for: Listening to everyday, conversational Italian and feeling nostalgic in '60s Rome.

Suburra (Blood on Rome)

This criminal drama series, inspired by the 2015 film and the book of the same name, is based on real events of the Mafia Capitale investigation, which exposed a series of corrupt relationships between politicians and the criminal underworld in Rome.

The first Italian language TV series to appear on Netflix, the series is a prequel, exploring the lives and power struggles of those involved before the events came to light.

There’s a lot of Roman dialect in this one, so it’s not the best series for learning standard Italian, but it’s perfect for training yourself to get used to strong regional varieties of Italian, and an overall gripping story to get lost in.

Best for: Getting used to the Romanesco dialect and seeing the diverse districts of Rome. 

La legge di Lidia Poët (The Law According to Lidia Poët)

This is the tale of Lidia Poët, the first female lawyer in Italy, who is barred from practising law and prepares to challenge the court's ruling with an appeal, as depicted in this true story. The series offers a glimpse into the arduous journey of a determined lawyer as she faces various challenges imposed by society.

Best for: Listening to clear, everyday conversations, learning legal vocabulary and checking out the beautiful piazzas in 1880’s Turin. 

Gomorra (Gomorrah)

Back in Naples, this series is based on the book of the same name, written by journalist Saviano who infiltrated and exposed the criminal underworld in his home city. Written like a novel, but based on true events, Saviano, who’s been living under police protection for over 10 years, created a new, gripping genre. He exposed the Camorra (the mafia in Naples) to Italians, and later to the rest of the world in a way that had never been done before.

In 2008, the book was turned into an award-winning film of the same name, and later a TV show.

The show doesn’t maintain much of the investigative journalism style of the book, but it does show the gritty realities of gang life in Naples.

Both the film and the series are in the local Neapolitan dialect, a language so different from Italian that even Italians need subtitles to watch it. But the book, film and series have been an important part of the conversation in Italy, so we thought you might like to know more about them.

Here’s a little more about the writer, who collaborated with the makers of the series.

Where:‌ HBO (USA); Now TV (Italy/VPN)

Best for: Fans of gritty gangster dramas. Be sure to look into Roberto Saviano and his book, so you can start to understand the realities behind the Camorra gang in Italy.

Zero follows a shy teen of Senegalese descent living in Milan. Inspired by Antonio Dikele Distefano's novel "I Have Never Been My Age", this character discovers an extraordinary power - the ability to turn invisible - that is triggered by intense emotions.

In order to protect his neighbourhood from the threat of real estate development, Omar embarks on a journey with his newfound friends and even finds love along the way. Will he be able to save Barrio or will his dreams remain merely that?

Best for: Learning youth slang and seeing the social contradictions across affluent and low-income areas of Milan

Inspired by a true case that happened in Rome in 2013,  this dark teen drama is centered on the lives of two young private-school students who become involved in a prostitution ring to gain financial independence and fund expensive lifestyles.

While the real events caused a scandal in Italy, uncovering a number of high profile clients, including government officials, the fictional series focuses more on the psychology and relationships of the two characters. What could have driven two girls to choose this lifestyle? What consequences will their secret have on the people around them and their futures?

Some of the characters speak in the Romanesco dialect, so it’ll be handy to turn on Italian subs for this one.

Best for: Picking up the lingo of young Italians, seeing how the other half live in Rome and taking in stunning views from the surrounding Roman hills.

I Bastardi di Pizzofalcone (The Bastards of Pizzofalcone)

In this series a team of police officers arrive to replace their colleagues caught up in a drug trafficking case. Fished from the rejects of other police stations, the new team earn themselves the name i bastardi.

Compared to a lot of the detective and crime shows on this list, the speech is closer to standard Italian, so it’s a great option for Italian learners. 

Where:‌ Amazon Prime - MHz Choice (USA); RaiPlay (Italy/VPN)

Best for: Learning conversational Italian and picking up some crime vocabulary

Romanzo Criminale

This cult series, based on the novel and film of the same name, tells the story of three friends who are members of the Banda della Magliana, a mafia-style group based in Rome. Things get messy as they attempt to unite and gain control of the various criminal organisations in the city.

Inspired by true events, this violent series is not for the faint hearted, but you’ll like it if you enjoy a good gangster story. A lot of the dialogue is in Romanesco, the local dialect spoken in the capital, so you might need subtitles for this one.

Where:‌ Amazon Prime (USA), Now TV (Italy/VPN)

Best for: Advanced learners who want to get used to the Romanesco dialect. And anyone who enjoys a good Italian gangster drama!

1992 (Berlusconi Rising)

This series is based on mani pulite (literally “clean hands”), the investigation that shook the entire country by exposing political corruption in Italy in the early '90s.

A wealthy business man attempts to turn the events to his advantage and rise to power. Perhaps thinking that the allusion might be lost on foreign viewers, outside of Italy they added the subtitle “Berlusconi Rising”.

Whenever you ask Italians for TV show recommendations, this one always comes up. If you like dramas like House of Cards, Westwing or Madmen, you’ll probably really enjoy this one.

Look out for the follow up series:‌ 1993 and 1994.

Where: Amazon Prime - Topic (USA); NOW TV (Italy/VPN)

Best for: Learning about this defining moment in Italian politics and understanding how Berlusconi came to power.

Made in Italy

Set in Milan in the 1970s, this drama follows the lives of interns, journalists, designers, and models during a period when Italy’s fashion industry was becoming world famous.

Wrapped up in the exciting new world of fashion, the series explores themes of the changing times, including sexuality, women in the workforce and the lifestyles of the stylists who built up the industry in Italy.

The pretty cinematography pulls you in, making you feel like you just spent the last hour walking around the historical buildings and chic streets of Milano.

Where:‌ Amazon Prime (Topic)

Best for: Learning Italian fashion vocabulary, listening to everyday conversations and soaking in the fabulous Milanese scenery.

Rocco Schiavone

A vice police chief is transferred from his home city in Rome to the small mountain town Aosta under mysterious circumstances.

Based on the novels of Antonio Manzini, Rocco Schiavone is the ultimate antihero - a rule breaking, weed smoking cop, who you immediately warm to.

Where: PBS (USA); Rai 2 (Italy/VPN)

Best for: Learning crime vocabulary and getting to know Marco Giallini, one of Italy’s best loved actors.

Summertime 

Summer is a heartwarming Italian series that follows the lives of five young adults spending an eventful summer on Italy's picturesque Adriatic Coast. In this teen drama, influenced by Federico Moccia's book series, the two main characters from vastly different backgrounds fall in love, while the others confront their convictions and learn more about themselves. 

Where : Netflix

Best for: Training yourself to understand everyday, conversational Italian and picking up a little gen-z slang. 

Italian Documentaries

Una semplice domanda (one simple question).

In this show, likable Italian TV presenter Alessandro Cattelan explores thought-provoking topics through interviews with everyday people and Italian stars, including Oscar winning director Paolo Sorrentino and football legend Roberto Baggio.  

Posing one simple question per episode, Alessandro uncovers touching insights into what it means to be human. From cab drivers to teenagers to business executives, the series delivers unexpected glimpses into the lives of Italian people from all walks of life.

Best for: Listening to spontaneous conversations, getting to know Italian celebrities and seeing diverse corners of Italy.

First Team: Juventus

This documentary series follows Juventus players on and off the field as they attempt to win their 7th consecutive Italian title and prepare for the Champions League.

Players include Federico Bernardeschi, Giorgio Chiellini, Douglas Costa and Gonzalo Higuaín.

If you’re into football, this is a great way to learn more about the team and brush up on your Italian at the same time.

Best for: Soccer fans who want to learn how to converse about the sport, a great small talk subject in Italy!

Vendetta (Truth lies and the mafia)

In this gripping true crime documentary, two members of Sicily’s anti-Mafia coalition accuse each other of corruption. 

Journalist Pino Maniaci is celebrated for his bravery when he hosts a show calling out members of the mafia, despite constant death threats. While investigating the seizing of assets, he accuses Judge Silvana Saguto of corruption in her handling of confiscated mafia property. But something surfaces which suggests that perhaps it’s Maniaci himself, who’s guilty of extorting local officials. Who is telling the truth? 

Best for: Understanding the contradictions of Sicily as you hop from the messy fight against the mafia to stunning drone shots of city and countryside landscapes.

Il Caso Alex Schwazer (Running for my Truth)

This gripping documentary follows Italian race walker Alex Schwazer as he fights to clear his name against accusations of doping. The series offers an intimate portrayal of his challenges as he prepared for the 2016 Rio Olympics, only to be caught with illegal performance-enhancing drugs and banned from the sport for four years.

Raising important questions about the fairness of anti-doping policies in sports, the thought-provoking documentary shines a light on the darker side of sports and the toll that scandals can have on athletes.

Best for: Picking up sports vocabulary and learning about an important case in Italian sporting history.

Wanna (Fortune Seller: A TV Scam)

This series tells the amazing tale of larger than life personality Wanna Marchi, the biggest fraudster in Italian TV history. You’ll learn how Wanna was able to build a massive empire worth millions of dollars, by carrying out sophisticated scams that exploited the hopes of vulnerable people. The series provides an intriguing account of how Wanna was able to amass her fortune while evading prosecution for several years. 

The documentary was very popular in Italy - when it came out everyone was talking about it!

Best for: Learning some insults and gossiping with your Italian friends

San Pa (Sins of the Saviour)

"SanPa" highlights the tragic story of San Patrignano, Italy's largest drug rehabilitation centre. With testimonies from former community members, the documentary explores the dark side of what was once famously hailed as a revolutionary approach to drug rehabilitation. 

Weighing up the positive transformations many patients experienced against the severe corruption and power dynamics that existed within San Patrignano, the documentary raises an important question: do the ends always justify the means? 

Best for: Listening to a fairly standard Italian and learning about the importance of this case in '90s Italy.

Italian Comedies

Generazione 56k (generation 56k).

An unexpected reunion for Daniel and Matilda, former classmates, takes them back to 1998 - the year hormones began roaring and the internet started to shape their lives. Set mainly in Naples and on the island of Procida, the two confront past traumas, present dilemmas, and a rapidly-changing world, all while trying to figure out if they were meant to be together.

Best for: Learning conversational Italian and local slang, whilst getting lost in '90s nostalgia. 

Incastrati (Framed! A Sicilian Murder Mystery)

In this Sicilian Murder Mystery, two bumbling TV technicians, Valentino and Salvo, stumble into a crime scene. Attempting to clean up to avoid suspicion, their plan takes a hilarious turn when Valentino starts a relationship with his former classmate who also happens to be the deputy chief of local police. Will the TV technicians be able to keep their hands clean?

Best for: Getting used to Sicilian accents and laughing so much you’ll forget you’re studying Italian.

Guida astrologia per cuori infranti (An Astrological Guide for Broken Hearts)

This series, adapted from Silvia Zucca's book, follows Alice as she navigates the complexities of both her personal and professional life. She meets Tio, who introduces her to a more authentic form of astrology that aims to help people navigate their emotional struggles.

Despite her newfound astrological knowledge, Alice still faces a series of uncomfortable situations, including bad dates and awkward misunderstandings.

Best for: Listening to a fairly standard Italian and enjoying some light relief while you learn.

Strappare lungo i bordi (Tear Along the Dotted Line)

Follow the journey of Rome's Zerocalcare, a cartoonist navigating life's complexities with his friends Sarah and Secco. While on the road, he recalls key moments from his past and confronts feelings of unrequited love. 

Through flashbacks to his middle school and high school years, the protagonist tries to escape himself with humour, irony and sarcasm while being reminded of a greater purpose by an anthropomorphic armadillo. Tear Along The Dotted Line captures Zerocalcare's story as he discovers how seemingly random events converge to form something more meaningful.

The speech is fast and full of slang, so this one’s ideal for advanced learners. 

Best for: Advanced learners and fans of animated series who want to discover Italy’s celebrated cartoonist, Zerocalcare, who stars as himself.

Set behind the scenes of a popular fiction (soap opera), this parody makes fun of the daily goings on between the directors, actors and production teams.

If you like satirical comedy series like Arrested Development or Curb your Enthusiasm, you might appreciate the dry humor of this Italian show.

I’d also recommend checking out the film with the same name.

Where: Disney Plus. At the time of writing, the series is also available on Daily Motion with English subtitles.

Best for: Advanced learners who are fans of satirical comedies: can you get the Italian version of this humour, too? 

Italian Soap Operas and Reality Shows

Un medico in famiglia (a doctor in the family).

This series depicts an average Italian family and their busy and funny family life. The main character of this series is a doctor (“un medico”) who lives with his family in the same house where everyone gets involved in each other’s business and the concept of privacy doesn’t really exist! 

The lively, united and amusing family of un Medico in Famiglia will show you the way average Italians deal with daily life issues, such as love, school, and career.

Best for: Learning medical vocabulary and understanding natural conversations in Italian.

Un posto al sole (A Place in the Sun)

From Monday to Friday at 20:45, millions of Italians sit down to follow the lives of the residents of Palazzo Palladini , a villa by the sea in Naples. Running for over 20 years, this soap opera is an Italian institution.

Based on the format of the Australian soap Neighbours, expect the usual plots:‌ love triangles, paternity tests, criminal activity and other family secrets.

To date, there are over 5000 episodes, so you won’t be short of listening materials!

Best for: Learning everyday, conversational Italian and pretending you live in a gorgeous Italian coastal town.

Masterchef Italia

Join wannabe cooks in the kitchen as they’re put under pressure by famous Italian chefs. The Italian version of this international format is brilliant, perhaps because of the importance of food in Italian culture. Expect stunning locations, lots of laughter and a few tears.

Where: Check out the Masterchef Youtube channel here .

Best for: Picking up food vocabulary. Italians love to talk about food, so hone your knowledge in this area and watch your small talk skills soar!

Generation Z contestants embark on the ultimate summer experience - a lavish Mexican getaway. What the 10 youths don't know is that in order to stay in an extravagant villa and compete for a cash prize, they must first secure a real job. Follow their struggles as they take on new responsibilities to secure their stay and potentially claim rewards beyond their wildest dreams.

Best for: Training yourself to understand natural, spontaneous conversations in Italian and learning some Gen Z Italian slang. 

Italian TV channels on Youtube

The big Italian TV networks also have Youtube channels, so you can check out some clips and sometimes full episodes. You’ll get a nice idea of what’s available on the channels and the chance to dip your toe into Italian culture.

Finally, you’ll also find La7d , where the network publishes their daytime and reality TV such as cooking, chat and travel shows.

For more cooking, you can also check out their channel Food Maniac .

Rai is the national broadcasting company in Italy. On the Rai Youtube channel , you’ll find clips and sometimes full episodes of shows across their network, including radio shows.

For more Italian Youtube channels, check out this post: 14 addictive Italian Youtube channels to learn Italian (with subtitles)

BONUS: Dubbed series in Italian

Did you know that in Italy, foreign films and series are dubbed in Italian? This means that there are loads of shows with Italian audio that you may want to watch (or rewatch!) too.

It helps to choose a TV series or a film you already know and love - this way you’ll be able to follow the storyline better and pick up new words whilst developing your listening skills.

Here are some examples:

• Orange is the new black
• Grace and Frankie
• Stranger things
• House of cards
• Una mamma per amica - the Italian version of Gilmore Girls!

The list is endless… whatever your favourite show is, you can probably find it dubbed in Italian. Do a quick search on Netflix, Amazon Prime, or any other platform you use and you should find many more series that you can watch in Italian.

Also, have a look at the old DVDs you have at home and see on the cover what languages they can be watched in. If Italian is featured, you’re set!

If you need more advice on dealing with the kind of fast speech that you find in TV series and films, you can watch Ermy’s video on how to train your listening :

How to learn Italian by watching TV

The shows above are aimed at native speakers, which means that they can be tricky to follow, even at advanced levels. If you find them overwhelming, don't worry, è normale!

You can still enjoy learning Italian with TV shows. All you need are a few extra strategies in place.

In the rest of this article, you’ll learn:

• How to choose the right TV shows for your tastes and level.
• Strategies for when you don’t understand.
• Activities to help you make progress as you watch Italian TV shows.

Which Italian TV show should I choose?

When thinking about which show to choose, there are two things to bear in mind.

• Do I like the show?‌
• Is the language the right level/useful enough?

It’s important to choose a show you really like. Why? Learning to understand the dialogues in Italian TV shows takes a lot of patience and effort. If you don’t like the show, you’ll lose motivation quickly.

On the flip side, if you pick a show you love, you’ll be motivated to understand what’s happening. You’ll dedicate more time and energy to looking up words and rewinding bits to make sure you understood. This means you’ll learn more Italian!

How to choose an Italian show at the right level

I have a Brazilian friend, Fabricio, who speaks fab English. One of his favourite series is “Game of Thrones”. However, he pointed out that this wouldn’t be a very useful series for learners, for a few reasons:

• The speech is difficult to understand, with lots of strong accents. 
• The language isn’t very useful. When was the last time you heard someone use the words “jester” or “dagger” in conversation?
• The episodes last for an hour, which is a bit overwhelming.

His advice? To find out whether an Italian TV show is the right level for you, try it out!

Choose a show and play an episode, ideally with subtitles in Italian. These will help you follow the speech more easily, see words you already know in use, learn new vocabulary and get used to the sounds of Italian. If you need to pause to catch up and read the subtitles, that’s fine.

If you understood enough to get the general gist of what was going on, ottimo !‌ You can kick back and enjoy the show. Or, if you're in "study mode", you can pause the episode to write down new words.

Pro tip: Focus on understanding the general gist. Don’t look up every new word because that’ll get old quickly! I’d recommend just doing it for:‌

1. Words which are key to understanding the plot - you won't know what’s going on unless you find out the meaning of this word.

2. Words or phrases that you feel drawn to and think might be useful in your own conversations.

Over time, you’ll get faster at understanding (pausing less) and, when you watch a lot of Italian TV shows, you might reach the stage where you can ditch the subtitles altogether. But don’t feel like you need to rush this - watching TV without subtitles is for very advanced levels, and you can still learn a lot with Italian subtitles on.

Aiuto! What if I don’t understand anything?

If you find that Italian TV is impossibile to follow, that’s ok, and also totally normal! In this section, we’ll look at activities you can do to make the dialogues easier to understand.

1. Try the Language Reactor app

If you're finding Italian TV hard to follow, it's probably due to one of these reasons:

• You don’t know the words.
• They speak too fast.

There’s a brilliant Chrome extension that can help. It’s called Language Reactor and it makes Italian TV shows easier to watch because it makes the subtitles interactive. Just click on a word you don’t know and the definition will pop up!‌

There are loads of other settings designed to help you learn too, for example:

• You can press the back key to hear the same line as many times as you like.
• There’s an optional side bar where you can quickly compare the sentence to the translation in your native language.

If you only do one thing after reading this article, give language reactor a try – it might be the best thing you ever do to improve your Italian!

2. Start with Italian shows designed for learners

When you learn Italian, it’s important to be patient and forgiving with yourself. Give yourself permission to be a learner for as long as it takes.

If normal shows are too much of a challenge at the moment, look for simplified series aimed at learners. For example, the Easy Italian Youtube channel has subtitles in Italian and English, to help you understand what’s being said.

If you find that people speak too fast in the street interviews, you can try the Super Easy Series .

3. Watch the Italian TV show with English subs

The final option is to watch the show with subtitles in your native language, or another language you speak well. This option isn’t always ideal, because you can end up reading the subtitles without listening to the Italian.

However, it's good for immersing yourself in the culture, picking up a few words and getting used to the sounds of Italian.

As you watch, pay as much attention to the Italian audio as possible. When you focus in this way, you’ll hear lots of common words that are repeated by the actors and start to be able to link them to words in your native language.

You can also write the words down and study them later. If you can’t identify the words by ear, try flipping over to the Italian subtitles to see the word written down.

In the meantime, keep studying Italian. Over time, you’ll make more links between what you’re hearing and reading, until you’re ready for the next step: watching the series with subtitles in Italian.

4. Use Italian TV shows as a study resource

OK, so you might not be able to understand the show if you kick back and watch it as you would in your native language, but as long as you have subtitles (almost all the Netflix series do), there are lots of study activities you can do with the series to improve your Italian.

Check out the post below for some handy study strategies to learn Italian by watching TV shows:

This option isn't as relaxing as watching a normal TV show, but it’s still a lot more fun than sitting in a classroom memorising verb tables!

For more ideas on how to use TV series to learn Italian, check out Katie’s talk at the Polyglot Gathering in Bratislava:

Over to you

Have you seen any of these Italian TV shows?‌ What did you think‌?‌ Do you know any other good Italian TV shows or series dubbed in Italian that you’d like to share? Tell us in the comments below and let’s add to this list!

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The 38 best tools for learning Italian, from beginner to advanced

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The Best TV Shows Set In Italy

Italy is a favorite setting for historical drama series , thanks to being the center of most of history's drama. English language, German, even Japanese and Brazillian series have found a way to set their stories in Italy, taking in the unique countryside and even more distinctive sense of style. If you've ever thought of visiting Italy or are curious about how the Beautiful Country is portrayed on-screen, this list of the best shows set in Italy and Rome can be your tour guide.

There are plenty of historical period series sent in Italy and Ancient Rome , with three shows centered around the titular and terrible Borgias and at least two about inventor Leonardo Da Vinci (the children's series Leonardo and the fantasy drama Da Vinci's Demons ). The complicated factions of history extend to shows set in Vatican City and how readily Italy works as the setting for telenovelas and dramas such as Passione . Shows often set one season in Italy, giving both the crew and the audience a vacation. Hannibal and Master of None both spent a significant amount of time in Italy.

Which shows about Italy should be at the top of the list? Vote up the best TV shows set in Italy, then vote down the shows that don't deserve to be set in such a great place and add any great Italian shows that are missing.

Watch This Show If You Love :  Spartacus, Game of Thrones, The Tudors, The Last Kingdom, Vikings Why Should I Stream?  Step back in time with the epic historical drama, Rome , which masterfully brings to life the political intrigue and power struggles of Ancient Rome. Praised for its attention to detail and authentic representation of the era, the show's complex characters and engrossing plotlines have cemented its place in television history. Immerse yourself in this visually stunning series that expertly intertwines fact and fiction to create a world that is as fascinating as it is brutal.

• Premiered : August 28, 2005
• Number of Episodes : 25

Worth Your Time?

Watch This Show If You Love :  The Borgias (2011), Medici: Masters of Florence/Medici: The Magnificent, Versailles, Wolf Hall, Isabel Why Should I Stream?  Venture into the ruthless world of one of history's most infamous families with Borgia - a gripping tale filled with ambition, greed, betrayal, and lust. Acclaimed for its provocative portrayal of Rodrigo Borgia (Pope Alexander VI) and his cunning children Cesare and Lucrezia, this intense drama offers a fresh perspective on their controversial rise to power within the Catholic Church. The compelling character development combined with lavish production values make Borgia an irresistible journey into the heart of darkness.

• Premiered : July 10, 2011
• Number of Episodes : 44

Da Vinci's Demons

Watch This Show If You Love :  The Man in the High Castle, Black Sails, Merlin, Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, Outlander Why Should I Stream?  Da Vinci's Demons is an enthralling series that explores the untold story of Leonardo da Vinci's genius during his early years in Renaissance Florence. With a vibrant mix of adventure, history, and mystery, this captivating show boasts stunning visuals, intricate storytelling, and exceptional performances. Celebrated for its imaginative approach to da Vinci's life and work, this groundbreaking series will leave viewers inspired by one of history's most extraordinary minds.

• Premiered : April 12, 2013
• Number of Episodes : 39

The Borgias

Watch This Show If You Love :  The Tudors, Rome, Versailles, Medici: Masters of Florence, Borgia Why Should I Stream?  Delve deep into Renaissance Italy with The Borgias - a captivating historical drama that tells the story of one of history's most notorious families as they seek power through treachery, intrigue, and manipulation. From Academy Award-winning screenwriter Neil Jordan comes an enthralling tale filled with passion, scandal, betrayal, and deceit that will keep viewers hooked from beginning to end. Boasting an all-star cast led by Jeremy Irons as Rodrigo Borgia (Pope Alexander VI), this lavishly produced series offers both entertainment and historical insight into one of history's most turbulent periods.

• Premiered : April 3, 2011
• Number of Episodes : 34

Suburra: Blood on Rome

Watch This Show If You Love :  Gomorrah, Narcos, Ozark, Money Heist, Peaky Blinders Why Should I Stream?  For those who crave a gritty, pulse-pounding crime drama that delves into the seedy underbelly of Rome's politics and organized crime, Suburra: Blood on Rome is a must-watch. Widely praised for its complex characters and intense storytelling, this compelling series masterfully showcases the dark side of power and corruption in Italy's capital city. With its gripping plotlines and authentic portrayal of Roman life, Suburra will leave you breathless from start to finish.

• Premiered : October 6, 2017

Watch This Show If You Love :  Dexter, Mindhunter, Bates Motel, The Following, True Detective Why Should I Stream?  Immerse yourself in the chilling world of Hannibal - a psychological thriller that explores the twisted relationship between FBI special investigator Will Graham and Dr. Hannibal Lecter, a psychiatrist with a penchant for culinary creativity and murder. lauded for its stunning visual style, mesmerizing performances, and intelligent character development that pushes the boundaries between good and evil, Hannibal offers an unparalleled glimpse into the mind of one of literature's most infamous villains.

• Premiered : April 4, 2013
• Number of Episodes : 46

Muchacha italiana viene a casarse

Watch This Show If You Love :  Teresa, Lo que la vida me robó, Sortilegio, Pasión de Gavilanes, Rubí Why Should I Stream?  Indulge in romance with Muchacha italiana viene a casarse ( An Italian Bride ), an enchanting Mexican telenovela that promises love and laughter against all odds. This delightful series follows Fiorella Bianchi as she embarks on a journey from Italy to Mexico where unexpected encounters await her at every turn. With heartfelt emotions wrapped around passion-fueled love stories set against exquisite backdrops, it's no wonder this charming show has captured the hearts of viewers worldwide.

• Premiered : 1971

To Rome for Love

Watch This Show If You Love :  90 Day Fiancé, Married at First Sight, Love Island, The Bachelor/The Bachelorette, Dating Around Why Should I Stream?  If finding love abroad sounds like a dream come true, then To Rome for Love is sure to capture your heart! This enchanting reality series follows five single African American women as they search for romance in the Eternal City. With its breathtaking Italian backdrop, heartwarming journey towards self-discovery, and plethora of potential suitors, To Rome for Love is the perfect escape for those who believe love knows no borders.

• Premiered : 2018

Watch This Show If You Love :  Orphan Black, The OA, Dark Matter, Altered Carbon, Westworld Why Should I Stream?  For a mind-bending series that pushes the boundaries of storytelling and human connection, look no further than Sense8 - created by visionary filmmakers Lana and Lilly Wachowski. Praised for its diverse cast, stunning visuals, and ambitious narrative structure, this groundbreaking sci-fi drama follows eight strangers from around the world who find themselves emotionally and mentally linked. With its unique blend of action-packed adventure, heartfelt emotion, and thought-provoking exploration of identity and belonging, Sense8 is truly unlike any other show on television.

• Premiered : June 5, 2015

Inspector Rex

Watch This Show If You Love :  Columbo, Midsomer Murders, A Touch of Frost , The Inspector Lynley Mysteries, Wallander Why Should I Stream?  Unleash your inner detective with Inspector Rex - an Austrian crime procedural centered around an intelligent police dog named Rex. Beloved for its combination of humor, suspenseful mysteries, and loyal canine companion, this long-running series offers a refreshing take on the traditional cop drama with a dash of heartwarming friendship between man's best friend and his human partners. For fans of both crime-solving narratives and lovable animals alike, Inspector Rex offers endless entertainment that's hard to resist.

• Premiered : 1994
• Number of Episodes : 137

Watch This Show If You Love :  Bruno, Chief of Police, The Brunetti Mysteries, Montalbano, Wallander, Candice Renoir Why Should I Stream?  Embrace your inner sleuth with Zen - a stylish crime drama set in Italy that follows Detective Aurelio Zen (played by Rufus Sewell) as he solves cases while navigating the murky waters of Roman politics. Praised for its superb acting, intriguing mysteries, and authentic Italian atmosphere, this engaging series will keep you guessing until the very end. With its seductive blend of suspenseful storytelling and breathtaking locations, Zen is a must-watch for fans of international crime dramas.

• Premiered : January 2, 2011
• Number of Episodes : 3

Master of None

Watch This Show If You Love :  Louie, Insecure, Aziz Ansari: Buried Alive, Girls, Crashing Why Should I Stream?  Laugh out loud with Master of None - a smart comedy that focuses on the personal experiences of Dev Shah (played by Aziz Ansari), an aspiring actor navigating life in New York City while trying to make sense of his cultural identity as an Indian-American. Widely celebrated for its sharp writing, nuanced characters, and authentic exploration of modern relationships and societal issues, this Emmy-winning series showcases Ansari's wit at its finest while offering important insights into contemporary life.

• Premiered : November 6, 2015
• Number of Episodes : 20

Watch This Show If You Love :  I, Claudius, Elizabeth R, Wolf Hall, The Six Wives of Henry VIII, Charles II: The Power and the Passion Why Should I Stream?  Lose yourself in another interpretation of the notorious Borgia family's rise to power amidst Renaissance-era Italy with The Borgias - an engrossing historical drama starring John Doman as Rodrigo Borgia (Pope Alexander VI). Known for its intricate plotlines that weave together politics, religion, and family dynamics, this captivating series pulls no punches when it comes to showcasing the ruthless ambition and cunning strategies employed by history's most infamous clan. With its dramatic intensity heightened further by lush production values and stellar performances from a talented cast, The Borgias will leave viewers enthralled from start to finish.

• Premiered : 1981

Watch This Show If You Love :  Dark, Stranger Things, The Rain, Wayward Pines, Les Revenants Why Should I Stream?  For those seeking supernatural thrills with a touch of mystery, look no further than Curon - an Italian Netflix original series set in the eerie town surrounding Lake Reschen where dark folklore comes to life. As mother Anna returns home with her teenage children after years away, sinister visions begin to unfold as they uncover long-buried family secrets amidst their picturesque surroundings. This haunting tale will keep viewers intrigued until its breathtaking conclusion.

• Premiered : June 10, 2020
• Number of Episodes : 7

Sword of Freedom

Watch This Show If You Love :  The Scarecrow of Romney Marsh, Ivanhoe, The Adventures of Robin Hood, Zorro, Sir Lancelot Why Should I Stream?  Return to 16th-century Florence with Sword of Freedom - an action-packed adventure series that chronicles the daring exploits of Marco del Monte (Edmund Purdom), a charismatic swordsman who fights against tyranny during the Renaissance era. This swashbuckling classic captivates audiences with its thrilling swordplay sequences, beautiful costumes, and enthralling tales inspired by historical events. For those who long for high-stakes adventure in an opulent setting, Sword of Freedom is the perfect escape into Europe's past.

• Premiered : 1958

Watch This Show If You Love :  Medici: Masters of Florence/Medici: The Magnificent, Borgia (2011), Da Vinci's Demons, Genius (2017) : Picasso/Einstein seasons., Versailles Why Should I Stream?  Step inside the mind of a genius with Leonardo - a captivating drama series that follows the life and times of legendary artist and inventor Leonardo da Vinci (played by Jonathan Bailey). Praised for its engaging storytelling, compelling characters, and stunning visuals that bring Renaissance Italy to life, this imaginative series delves deep into da Vinci's world to uncover the secrets behind his extraordinary creations. Perfect for fans of history and art alike, Leonardo offers a fascinating look at one of history's most enigmatic figures.

• Premiered : 2011
• Number of Episodes : 26

Watch This Show If You Love :  House of Cards, The West Wing, Borgen, Spin (Les Hommes de l'ombre), Boss Why Should I Stream?  Get ready for high-stakes political intrigue in Marseille - a gripping French TV series that stars Gérard Depardieu as Robert Taro, the long-serving mayor of the titular city who faces fierce competition from his ambitious protégé. With its sumptuous visuals, complex characters, and nail-biting power struggles set against the breathtaking backdrop of France's vibrant coastal metropolis, this captivating show offers equal parts excitement and sophistication sure to enthrall audiences worldwide.

• Premiered : May 5, 2016
• Number of Episodes : 16

3000 Leagues in Search of Mother

Watch This Show If You Love :  Anne with an E, Heidi, Girl of the Alps, Nippon Animation's World Masterpiece Theatre shows , My Daddy Long Legs, Princess Sarah Why Should I Stream?  Embark on an emotional journey with 3000 Leagues in Search of Mother - a classic anime series that tells the inspiring story of Marco Rossi as he searches for his missing mother across Argentina during the early 20th century. Renowned for its beautiful animation and heartfelt storytelling, this timeless show touches on themes such as family love, determination, and resilience in the face of adversity. With its powerful message about never giving up hope when faced with seemingly insurmountable obstacles, it's no wonder this beloved series continues to resonate with audiences around the world.

• Premiered : 1976

Watch This Show If You Love :  An Idiot Abroad, Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown, Travel Man, Somebody Feed Phil, Midnight Diner Why Should I Stream?  Get ready to laugh out loud as you join Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon on their culinary adventures across Europe in The Trip - a hilarious mockumentary-style TV series directed by Michael Winterbottom. Filled with exceptional food, breathtaking landscapes, and infectious humor fueled by Coogan and Brydon's witty banter and spot-on celebrity impersonations, this unique show offers both belly laughs and armchair travel at its finest. So grab a seat at the table and prepare for side-splitting entertainment that will leave you craving more.

• Premiered : November 1, 2010
• Number of Episodes : 12

You, Me and the Apocalypse

Watch This Show If You Love :  The Good Place, Utopia, The End of the F***ing World, Russian Doll, Z Nation Why Should I Stream?  Take an end-of-the-world adventure with You, Me and the Apocalypse - a wildly entertaining British-American comedy-drama series that explores the lives of an eclectic group of individuals who all find themselves in a bunker as they await the impending apocalypse. With its tongue-in-cheek humor, unexpected twists, and engaging ensemble cast led by Rob Lowe and Jenna Fischer, this quirky show offers an offbeat yet oddly poignant look at humanity's final days on Earth. The perfect blend of laughs and drama makes it a must-watch for fans seeking something out of the ordinary.

• Premiered : October 1, 2015

Root Into Europe

Watch This Show If You Love :  Rick Steves' Europe, Travels with My Father, Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations, Globe Trekker, Departures Why Should I Stream?  Travel vicariously through Europe alongside Henry Root (George Cole) - a quintessential Englishman who embarks on a whimsical journey across the continent with his long-suffering wife, Muriel (Pat Heywood). Based on the popular book series by William Donaldson, Root Into Europe combines humor and adventure as it highlights both the charms and quirks of various European locales. Perfect for those with wanderlust or simply craving a lighthearted escape, this delightful miniseries offers laughter and cultural exploration in equal measure.

• Premiered : 1992
• Number of Episodes : 5

Apparitions

Watch This Show If You Love :  The Exorcist (TV Series), Constantine, Evil, Penny Dreadful, The Young Pope/The New Pope Why Should I Stream?  Brace yourself for spine-tingling suspense with Apparitions - a supernatural drama series that follows Father Jacob (Martin Shaw), a Roman Catholic priest who confronts demons while investigating reports of miracles and exorcism cases. Combining elements of horror, mystery, and spirituality, this chilling series delivers thrills from start to finish as it delves into questions about faith, God, and evil forces lurking behind everyday life. If you're in search of gripping television with an eerie twist, don't miss out on Apparitions .

• Premiered : 2008
• Number of Episodes : 6

Watch This Show If You Love :  Inspector Montalbano, Wallander, A Touch of Frost, The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, Midsomer Murders Why Should I Stream?  Immerse yourself in the captivating world of Donna Leon's best-selling crime novels with this engrossing German-Italian TV adaptation that brings Venetian detective Commissario Guido Brunetti to life on screen. Filled with atmospheric settings, intriguing mysteries, and a charismatic hero known for his intelligence and humanity, this highly enjoyable series transports viewers straight to Venice's picturesque canals while keeping them guessing until the last moment. For fans of literary adaptations and European crime dramas alike, Donna Leon is not to be missed.

• Premiered : 2000

Commissario Laurenti

Watch This Show If You Love :  Inspector Morse, Inspector Lynley Mysteries , A Case for Two (Ein Fall für Zwei), Tatort, Derrick Why Should I Stream?  Dive into another thrilling Italian crime drama with Commissario Laurenti - a compelling TV series based on the popular novels by Veit Heinichen that follows headstrong Trieste detective Proteo Laurenti (played by Henry Hübchen) as he investigates a myriad of intriguing cases. Praised for its authentic portrayal of the seaport city, engaging storylines, and talented ensemble cast, this addictive show will satisfy even the most discerning crime drama aficionados. So grab a slice of pizza and settle in for an exhilarating ride with Commissario Laurenti .

• Premiered : 2006

Still Star-Crossed

Watch This Show If You Love :  Reign, The White Princess, The Spanish Princess, The White Queen, Knightfall Why Should I Stream?  Witness an untold chapter in one of literature's greatest love stories with Still Star-Crossed - a mesmerizing period drama that picks up where Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet left off. This visually stunning series explores the tumultuous aftermath faced by Verona's feuding Montague and Capulet families as they grapple with loss while navigating their way toward peace amidst treachery and betrayal. For fans of sweeping romance and historical intrigue alike, Still Star-Crossed is a beautifully crafted tale that breathes new life into an age-old classic.

Athena: Goddess of War

Watch This Show If You Love :  Iris, Spy Myung-wol, City Hunter, Kill Me, Heal Me, Vagabond Why Should I Stream?  Embark on an action-packed journey with Athena: Goddess of War - a thrilling South Korean espionage thriller that follows skilled agents working for an elite counterterrorism organization known as NTS (National Anti-Terror Service). Boasting heart-stopping action sequences, unexpected plot twists, and dynamic character relationships fraught with tension, this electrifying series promises to keep viewers on tenterhooks from start to finish. With elements reminiscent of spy films like James Bond or Jason Bourne, Athena: Goddess of War delivers non-stop adrenaline and excitement.

• Premiered : 2010

Sin Vergüenza

Watch This Show If You Love :  La casa de las flores, La nieta elegida, Amar a muerte, Por amar sin ley, Tenías que ser tú Why Should I Stream?  Embrace the drama and indulge in Sin Vergüenza ( Without Shame ) - a steamy Spanish-language telenovela that centers around the powerful De La Fuente family as they navigate love, betrayal, and secrets amidst a high-stakes business world in Miami. With its complex storylines, passionate romances, and unforgettable characters brought to life by an all-star cast, this addictive series is sure to captivate viewers who crave scandalous entertainment with plenty of twists and turns.

• Premiered : 2007
• Number of Episodes : 86

Watch This Show If You Love :  Nikita, Alias, Burn Notice, Killer Women, Quantico Why Should I Stream?  Enter the high-stakes world of political intrigue with Assassins - a gripping British television miniseries that delves into the shadowy realm of assassination plots throughout history. Featuring engrossing tales based on real-life cases spanning from ancient Rome to modern-day London, this thrilling show offers a fascinating glimpse into the minds of those willing to kill for power or personal gain. With its captivating storytelling and in-depth analysis of both famous and lesser-known incidents, Assassins is a must-watch for fans of true crime and historical drama alike.

• Premiered : December 22, 2020
• Number of Episodes : 9

The Lions of Sicily

Watch This Show If You Love :  Medici: Masters of Florence/Medici: The Magnificent, Borgia (2011), The Crown, Versailles, The Borgias (2011) Why Should I Stream?  Venture into medieval Italy with The Lions of Sicily - an opulent period drama based on Stefania Auci's bestselling novel about two brothers who rise from humble beginnings to establish one of history's most powerful dynasties during the 12th century Norman conquests. With its rich tapestry of political intrigue, family drama, and epic battles set against the stunning backdrop of Sicily, this enthralling series promises to transport viewers back in time while keeping them enthralled from beginning to end.

• Premiered : October 25, 2023
• Number of Episodes : 8

I Hate Christmas

Watch This Show If You Love :  Love Actually, A Christmas Prince, Let It Snow, Dash & Lily, Holidate Why Should I Stream?  Laugh out loud with I Hate Christmas - a hilarious Italian comedy series that follows the misadventures of Massimo (Elio Germano), a grumpy man who despises the holiday season but is forced to confront his feelings when faced with an unexpected visitor. With its clever humor, heartfelt moments, and delightful cast of characters, this festive show offers the perfect antidote for those seeking solace from saccharine holiday fare.

• Premiered : December 7, 2022

From Scratch

Watch This Show If You Love :  Chef's Table, Ugly Delicious, The Mind of a Chef, Cooked, Salt Fat Acid Heat Why Should I Stream?  Whet your appetite for culinary adventure with From Scratch - an engaging cooking travelogue that follows chef Ludo Lefebvre as he explores various global locales to learn about regional cuisines and culinary techniques before recreating dishes "from scratch" back home in Los Angeles. Brimming with mouthwatering food, captivating stories, and fascinating local insights, this delectable series will satiate both food lovers and armchair travelers alike.

• Premiered : October 21, 2022

Moero! Top Striker

Watch This Show If You Love :  Captain Tsubasa, Knight in the Area, Giant Killing, Inazuma Eleven, Hungry Heart: Wild Striker Why Should I Stream?  Score big with Moero! Top Striker - a beloved Japanese anime series that chronicles the journey of soccer prodigy Hikaru Kicker as he joins a prestigious sports academy to train alongside like-minded teammates in pursuit of their dreams on the field. Packed with thrilling matches, valuable life lessons, and plenty of heartwarming camaraderie amongst friends, this classic show will resonate with fans of sports anime young and old.

• Premiered : 1991

Watch This Show If You Love :  Normal People, SKAM, Dawson's Creek, One Tree Hill, The O.C. Why Should I Stream?  Set sail on a sun-drenched voyage through love's ups and downs with Summertime - a heartwarming Italian coming-of-age drama based on Federico Moccia's best-selling novel Tre metri sopra il cielo . As star-crossed lovers Summer and Ale navigate the challenges of self-discovery amidst a picturesque coastal backdrop, this stunning series serves up equal parts romance and personal growth to create an emotional journey that will leave viewers yearning for more.

• Premiered : April 29, 2021

Watch This Show If You Love :  Misfits, Raising Dion, iBoy, Luke Cage, The Umbrella Academy Why Should I Stream?  Discover a world where superhero dreams come true in Zero - an innovative Italian sci-fi drama series that follows Omar, a young man with the unique ability to become invisible when he wishes to do so. As he grapples with newfound powers and personal struggles, Omar's destiny unfolds before him in this groundbreaking show full of thrilling action sequences, compelling storytelling, and powerful messages about identity and belonging.

• Premiered : April 21, 2021

Where Is My Friend's Home

Watch This Show If You Love :  Terrace House, Hyori's Bed & Breakfast, Youth Over Flowers, Three Meals a Day, Begin Again Why Should I Stream?  Travel the globe with Where Is My Friend's Home - a delightful South Korean travel-reality program that invites celebrities from diverse backgrounds to embark on exciting journeys as they visit each other's hometowns around the world. With its lively mix of culture, humor, friendship, and wanderlust-inducing locales, this entertaining series is sure to charm both armchair travelers and fans alike while providing heartwarming insights into various cultures and traditions.

• Premiered : 2015

To Rome with Love

Watch This Show If You Love :  Under the Tuscan Sun, Eat Pray Love, Letters to Juliet, Only You (1994), A Room with a View Why Should I Stream?  Jet off to Italy with To Rome with Love - a captivating anthology miniseries that showcases different romantic tales set against the enchanting backdrop of Rome's most iconic landmarks. Each episode features vibrant characters whose love stories intertwine amid the Eternal City's bustling streets, ancient ruins, and intimate trattorias. Perfect for fans seeking amore-filled escapades steeped in history and beauty, To Rome with Love offers the ultimate armchair getaway.

• Premiered : 1969
• Number of Episodes : 48

Watch This Show If You Love :  The Last Kingdom, Vikings, Black Sails, Spartacus, Game of Thrones Why Should I Stream?  Embark on an epic adventure through 13th-century Asia with Marco Polo - an enthralling historical drama series inspired by the legendary explorer's travels along the Silk Road during his time spent in Kublai Khan's court. Boasting rich storytelling, lush production values, and superb performances from its international cast led by Lorenzo Richelmy as Marco and Benedict Wong as Kublai Khan, this lavish show transports viewers back in time while exploring themes of power, loyalty, and the clash of civilizations.

• Premiered : May 16, 1982

Ai no Gakko Cuore Monogatari

Watch This Show If You Love :  Heidi, Girl of the Alps, Anne with an E, Princess Sarah, My Daddy Long Legs, Nippon Animation's World Masterpiece Theatre shows Why Should I Stream?  Revisit a timeless tale of childhood innocence with Ai no Gakko Cuore Monogatari ( School of Love: Heart's Story ) - a charming Japanese anime series based on Edmondo De Amicis's classic novel Cuore . Set in 19th-century Italy, this heartwarming show follows young protagonist Enrico Bottini as he navigates school life while learning important moral values through engaging storytelling and endearing character interactions. For fans seeking an uplifting coming-of-age story that transcends time and place, this beloved classic is a must-watch.

Walang Hanggan

Watch This Show If You Love :  Wildflower, The Promise (Pangako Sa'yo), Ina, Kapatid, Anak, Be Careful With My Heart, Forevermore Why Should I Stream?  Immerse yourself in the captivating world of Filipino drama with Walang Hanggan ( Infinite ) - a sweeping romance saga that tells the tumultuous love story between two star-crossed lovers from different worlds whose destinies become entwined over generations. Featuring acclaimed performances from its talented cast along with lush production values and breathtaking Philippine landscapes, this engrossing series will leave viewers spellbound by its complex storytelling and unforgettable characters.

• Premiered : 2003

Watch This Show If You Love :  Avenida Brasil, Por Amor, Laços de Família, Mulheres Apaixonadas, O Clone Why Should I Stream?  Get swept up in the passion-fueled world of Passione - a Brazilian telenovela that explores love, betrayal, ambition, and scandal amidst the vibrant backdrop of São Paulo city life. With its sprawling cast of unforgettable characters played by some of Brazil's most talented actors and actresses , this addictive show delves into themes such as family dynamics, social inequality, and personal redemption while keeping viewers hooked with each tantalizing twist.

• Number of Episodes : 209

Watch This Show If You Love :  Das Boot, Crimson Tide, U-571, Hunt for Red October, Below Why Should I Stream?  Set sail for suspenseful waters with Ghostboat - an eerie British miniseries inspired by George E. Simpson's novel Ghostboat  that follows a WW2 submarine that mysteriously reappears six decades later. As the crew embarks on a chilling mission to uncover the truth behind this ghostly vessel's past, this enthralling series showcases haunting visuals, intriguing characters, and thrilling plot twists that will keep viewers immersed in its enigmatic world.

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These are the shows that you definitely should be watching, along with a few that you should avoid.

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A Different Kind of Travel

7+ Italian TV Shows on Netflix, Amazon, & Acorn-Stream Now!

When you’re learning a new language , immersion is key. And there’s no better way to immerse yourself in the Italian language and culture than by watching Italian TV shows on Netflix, Acorn, Amazon, and other streaming services. Historic dramas, crime dramas, dramatic series, and romantic series are all great for improving your Italian vocabulary and comprehension skills.

Luckily, streaming services these days have a much better selection of Italian TV shows to choose from than they did in the past.

Even after thirteen years since my last Italian language immersion experience (I lived in Tuscany for 10 months), I still feel a twinge of nostalgia as well as a sense of familiarity when I listen to people speaking Italian in a similar accent to those I used to know in Tuscany, or using certain phrases I used to love saying (such as ‘cazzo!’ and ‘andiamo!’).

While I certainly won’t get back to the more advanced level of Italian I attained back in 2006 after 10 months of daily classes and daily life lived in Italian, I do feel that I nudge a bit closer to being comfortable in the language again when I watch Italian tv shows and movies.

Here are seven of my favorite Italian TV shows on Acorn, Netflix, and Amazon Prime (note: many Italian tv shows appear temporarily on certain streaming services only to move to a different one a year or two later, or to disappear altogether in the U.S.).

I also watch Spanish movies and t.v. shows to improve my Spanish comprehension.

**If you are in a country where you can’t watch certain movies or series on their version of Netflix or Amazon, or you can’t get a certain streaming service, you can use a VPN to watch anything/everything you want (as well as to do your online banking just like you are in your home country!). My favorite is Nord VPN , which I used while living in Spain and Italy and I still use whenever I travel abroad for a month or more.

An Astrological Guide to Broken Hearts (Netflix)

This is one of the most recently added Italian tv shows on Netflix . It’s a Netflix exclusive and despite this (I have mixed feelings about the exclusive content that Netflix puts out, as much of it is bad) it’s so cute that you can’t not like it. Is it slightly silly? Yes. But in a funny and fun way–and you like all of the characters–and you tell yourself you probably don’t need to keep watching it–but wham! You’re addicted and now you’re bummed it was only two seasons.

There’s the cute, quirky main character, Alice (Al-ee-chay) who’s got a pretty great job, the dopey and hopeless but slightly adorable ex-boyfriend who’s constantly getting himself into sticky situations with women, the fabulous best friend who’s married and has a kid but still makes time for her girls’ nights out, and the hunky boss with eyes like melted chocolate and hidden emotions (ayayay I know…) who’s more than meets the eye.

Phew! Did I cram that all into one sentence? Yikes.

Baby (Netflix)

Set in an elite high school in Rome, Baby is an Italian Netflix series that follows Baby, a wealthy young student, and her risk-taking friend, Ludovica. In an effort to buck the boring, meaningless, bourgeoise life she feels she is leading, Baby follows Ludovica into the seedy world of prostitution where they encounter increasingly dangerous people and end up drawing others into their web of lies. You can watch three seasons of Baby on Netflix .

Framed! A Sicilian Murder Mystery/Incastrati (Netflix)

This is one of the funniest Italian TV shows on Netflix. It focuses on two clueless (and hilarious) Sicilian guys who end up becoming the suspects in the murder of a member of a crime organization, through simple dumb luck. Expect lots of hand gestures (seriously, these guys take talking with your hands to a whole other level beating even my family!) and comedic relief. This isn’t a serious crime drama it’s a comedy.

How will they escape with their lives? Can they convince the local mafia bosses that they are innocent, or do they have to? What about their wives/partners? Will they be safe? You’ll have to watch and find out.

Generation 56k (Netflix)

When the internet finally arrives on the tiny island of Procida, it changes how teenagers from all over Italy communicate with one another. One particular group of friends is rekindled after twenty years via a dating app that accidentally connects two old friends from, Matilda and Daniel. Unfortunately, when they meet again as adults, via a mishap with Daniel’s date, there are obstacles in the way of their potential romance (if I told you what the obstacles were I’d ruin it!). This is a funny, cute, heartwarming series that includes a heavy dose of romance and funny flashbacks to the 90s when the friends were all young and in school together and discovered things like porn for the first time together-focusing on how much the arrival of dial-up internet (which only a couple of local family’s had) changed their lives.

This is one of the newest Italian tv shows on Netflix.

Il Cacciatore/The Hunter (Amazon Prime Italy)

**note that this series is only available on Amazon Prime Italy, so if you don’t have a VPN , you won’t be able to watch this from the U.S.)** Based loosely on the true-life story of an anti-mafia judge named Alfonso Sabella, Il Cacciatore follows a young magistrate named Saverio Barone who made hunting the mafia (and mafia bosses) down a priority following a series of particularly brutal massacres. Be forewarned, there’s no shortage of violence in this show but no more than most other series that involve crime, gangs, or mafia these days. All three seasons of Il Cacciatore are available on Amazon Prime Italy.

Luna Nera (Netflix)

This Italian show on Netflix takes viewers back to the 17th century in Italy, where midwives were often accused of practicing witchcraft and executed. The story follows one girl, in particular, Ade. She and her grandmother are blamed for being witches and purposely causing problems with the delivery of babies, after a series of problematic deliveries. But is either one of them really a witch? Or are they simple midwives? The villagers want to execute them, but will they catch them? While there are many, many shows about witchcraft and supernatural powers these days and many of them are not done well, Luna Nera features good actors, cinematography, and characters with a plot that seems to have a deeper focus than some. If you enjoy series like The Witcher, Wheel of Time, etc. you’ll enjoy this Italian show on Netflix.

Paradiso Delle Signore/The Ladies Paradise (Amazon Prime)

This may be my favorite Italian series of all, and when I first found it, it was one of the few Italian tv shows on Acorn TV. The series has since been moved to Amazon.

I’m a sucker for shows that include cute vintage clothing, music, and scenery and that involve a poor but whip-smart, hard-working heroine or hero with enough integrity not to be swayed by good looks and wealth alone…

The star of this show is Teresa, a young, poor, beautiful girl from a tiny village in Southern Italy who arrives in the big city , after having left her cheating fiancee at home in her village, to work at a high-end women’s department store. This show has it all: a handsome, brooding, wealthy owner with a questionable past who is a bit too smooth with the ladies. An adorable, handsome engineer. A group of women that includes a formidable manager as well as a group of female coworkers that includes the jealous and catty one, sweet but naive one, and the seasoned professional sales girl. All against a backdrop of a glamorous high-end department store in the 60s.

Will the feisty, ambitious young girl from the wrong side of the tracks succeed? Or be eaten up by the big city, fall for the wrong man, or be taken down by a jealous competitor? This Italian TV show on Netflix is very similar (almost a duplicate) to a British series produced a few years earlier on Acorn called The Paradise (a very good series). Both are based on a novel by Emil Zola (one of my favorite 19th-century French authors).

**This series was first aired in the U.S. on Acorn, but now it’s only available on Amazon Prime (where you’ll find two seasons).

The Trial (Netflix)

A hardened, slightly weary, salty, but capable and straight-shooting female detective, a murdered young girl found in a canal. A sexy Italian public prosecutor, and a suspect who says they are innocent. This eight-episode Italian mini-series features strong acting, a good (not too obvious but not overly cryptic) storyline, a touch of romance, and a few surprises.

Related Posts: The Best Italian Movies for Italian Film Lovers

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30 Top Italian Shows on Netflix for Learning Italian

Immersing yourself in Italian shows on Netflix is a great way to enhance your Italian language skills, improve your language learning , and learn new words.

By interacting with genuine dialogue, you’ll grasp the nuances of everyday Italian conversations and get a captivating peek into Italy’s rich culture. Get ready to start this entertaining linguistic adventure.

Don’t have time to read the whole article? Start with our top three picks.

Top Picks: Best Italian Shows on Netflix

Top pick for drama: la vita bugiarda degli adulti.

Immerse yourself in this captivating TV series “La Vita Bugiarda degli Adulti,” a newer adaptation of Elena Ferrante’s novel that delves into the transformative journey of a young girl in 1990s Naples, exploring love , family , and self-discovery in contrasting worlds.

Watch the trailer .

Top Pick for Romance: Summertime

“Summertime” stands out as a top pick, blending a captivating love story set on the stunning Adriatic Coast with the opportunity for language learners to enhance their informal Italian language skills, gain insights into young Italians’ romantic interactions , and immerse themselves in picturesque Italian landscapes.

Top Pick for Crime: Suburra

Watch this riveting portrayal of the intertwined web of corruption involving politicians, the church, the mafia, and real estate developers, set against the backdrop of Ostia’s seedy underbelly, making it a captivating and thought-provoking Italian drama on Netflix.

Suggested Reading : Unlock your travel potential with 135 Basic Italian Phrases and a downloadable PDF cheat sheet.

Now that you’ve discovered our top three picks, get ready to explore an extensive list of 30 captivating Italian Netflix shows that will immerse you in Italy’s language, culture, and diverse stories.

From gripping dramas to hilarious comedies, each show offers a unique opportunity to enhance your language skills and deepen your understanding of Italian society . Get ready for an exciting journey through the rich world of Italian television.

30 Essential Italian Shows on Netflix for Language and Culture

1. la vita bugiarda degli adulti.

Experience “La vita bugiarda degli adulti,” a TV series directed by Edoardo De Angelis and adapted from Elena Ferrante ‘s novel. Set in 1990s Naples, the story follows Giovanna Trada, a girl from an affluent family who navigates the transition into adolescence and rebels against societal expectations.

Drawn to her mysterious aunt Vittoria, Giovanna embarks on a transformative journey of self-discovery , navigating love, friendships, and family conflicts. Balancing the contrasting worlds of Naples, she confronts the complexities of the city’s bourgeoisie and the rawness of its underbelly.

• Genre : Drama
• Suitable for : Fans of Elena Ferrante’s novel and intermediate to advanced Italian learners seeking a captivating portrayal of a young girl’s journey from childhood to adolescence in 1990s Naples.

2. Summertime

“Summertime” is an Italian TV series weaving a modern-day love story between two young individuals from dissimilar backgrounds who stumble upon love on the breathtaking Adriatic Coast .

The series draws inspiration from the celebrated Federico Moccia’s novel “Three Meters Above the Sky.”

“Summertime” is perfect for those looking to polish their informal Italian language skills and grasp how young Italians interact and engage romantically. Furthermore, you will be introduced to picturesque Italian landscapes and understand local dining customs.

• Genre : Romance
• Suitable for : Drama and romantic comedy lovers and beginners to intermediate Italian learners due to its simple language and entertaining narrative.

Further Reading : 25 Best Italian Romance Movies : Top Love Films to Watch

“Suburra” is a riveting Italian drama available on Netflix. Set in the seaside town of Ostia, the series takes inspiration from a political scandal involving a contentious land development plan near Rome.

The narrative dives deep into the intertwined relations between corrupt politicians, the church, the mafia, and real estate developers, all operating on the thin line between law and lawlessness. With power being the prime motivation for all, not everyone succeeds.

“Suburra,” the Italian Netflix show’s inaugural language series, offers a gripping viewing experience , with its complex plot twists provoking deep thought.

It starts with a land deal in Ostia involving a host of characters from Vatican officials to members of Rome’s Municipal Commission, rival gangsters, and Mafia bosses, all implicated in the transaction. This show offers a revealing look into the intricate fabric of Italy.

• Genre : Drama, Crime
• Suitable for : Crime-drama aficionados and advanced Italian learners due to complex dialogue.

4. Generazione 56K

The 2021 Italian series, “Generazione 56K,” revolves around Matilda and Daniele. Their lives intersected during their youth when internet connectivity was confined to workplaces or depended on slow modems, a nod to the show’s title.

After a chance of online interaction in their thirties, the show’s main characters re-establish their connection, navigating the drastically evolved world of contemporary dating and career paths molded by the internet.

• Genre : Drama, Comedy
• Suitable for : Those interested in nostalgic narratives and beginners to intermediate learners of Italian.

5. Viola come il mare

Shot amidst the picturesque scenery of Sicily , “Viola come il mare” is a 2022 Italian series spotlighting Viola’s life. After a long stint in the Paris fashion scene, she returns to her hometown, Palermo, determined to unearth the identity of her unknown father.

She ventures into a fresh career as a crime journalist for a digital news outlet, where she meets the skeptical yet skilled chief police inspector Francesco Demir. As they collaborate on murder investigations, with Viola documenting the stories and Francesco solving them, the series merges drama and romance beautifully.

• Genre : Drama, Romance
• Suitable for : Romance and crime-drama enthusiasts and intermediate Italian learners.

Recommended Reading : 10 Flirtatious Pick Up Lines in Italian (with Audio)

6. Guida astrologica per cuori infranti

Based on the best-selling book by Silvia Zucca (a must-read for advanced Italian learners), “Guida Astrologica per Cuori Infranti” spins a story of camaraderie , love , professional life , unusual encounters , and tragicomic occurrences through Alice Bassi’s perspective.

Alice, a voluntarily single young woman in her early thirties, works as a production assistant for a modest TV network. She yearns for enduring love and job contentment as she grapples with scanty career growth.

• Suitable for : Those drawn towards astrological-themed narratives and advanced learners of Italian, given its intricate language use.

7. Mare Fuori

“Mare Fuori” is arguably one of the most popular Italian TV series on Netflix. Notably, most of the dialogue is in the Neapolitan dialect , challenging even for native Italians who often opt for Italian subtitles, a common practice in Italy.

Although unsuited for mastering standard Italian, its exceptional storytelling and production quality make it a worthwhile watch.

The series portrays the lives of teens housed in Naples’ Juvenile Detention Center, struggling to reconcile with their situation while longing for their forfeited freedom and selfhood within this rigid environment.

The institution, located by the sea, symbolizes hope , yet seemingly unattainable for them. The show explores themes of morality, teenage life amidst hardships, and the pursuit of self-identity.

• Suitable for : Advanced learners of Italian

8. Incastrati

Embark on a laughter ride with the 2022 Italian TV series “Incastrati” or “Framed! A Sicilian Murder Mystery,” starring the renowned Italian comedy duo Ficarra e Picone.

This comedy series unfolds the misadventures of Valentino and Salvatore, two hapless TV technicians who accidentally stumble upon a crime scene. To divert suspicion, they tidy up the crime scene, using their crime TV show knowledge, which sets off a series of hilariously disastrous events in their lives.

• Genre : Comedy, Crime
• Suitable for : Comedy lovers and intermediate Italian learners.

9. Un medico in famiglia

Delve into “Un medico in famiglia,” a classic Italian TV show from the 90s that has etched its place in Italian television history . The series follows the Martini family’s journey, comprising a widower doctor, his three children, and his father.

They move to Poggio Fiorito, where the doctor becomes a part of a cutting-edge healthcare center. With significant viewership and critical acclaim, the series has achieved cult status and is celebrated as one of the best Italian TV shows.

• Suitable for : Those interested in family-themed narratives and beginners to intermediate learners of Italian.

10. Vendetta: Truth, Lies, and The Mafia

This six-part documentary series pays tribute to the courageous individuals who confronted mafia criminality in Italy during the 90s. The surge in mafia-related killings and illicit activities gave birth to an anti-mafia uprising in the 90s led by Italian journalists and legal bodies.

Tune into this Italian TV documentary series to reveal the true story of Sicilian crime and the deeply rooted mafia influence within Italian institutions. Catch glimpses of archival Italian talk shows, news bulletins, courtroom hearings, and interviews with the judges and journalists involved.

• Genre : Documentary
• Suitable for : Documentary enthusiasts and advanced learners of Italian due to its intricate exploration of historical real events.

11. Medici: The Magnificent

Revered as one of the finest Italian TV productions in recent times, The Medici is a collaborative endeavor between Italy and the UK.

The series explores the Medici family’s dominion in Italy during the Renaissance, eventually succumbing to wars, Vatican State political conspiracy, and struggles to retain economic and political dominance.

Also available in English, this series offers a fascinating insight into the life of the Renaissance’s most distinguished family.

• Genre : Drama, History
• Suitable for : History enthusiasts.

“Boris,” an Italian series from 2007 to 2010 and now available on Netflix, gives an insider’s perspective on the production of an Italian TV show.

The narrative reveals the shocking truths of the television industry to a new intern, showcasing the frequent sacrifices in quality for financial gain and success. This series has amassed considerable popularity in Italy .

• Genre : Comedy, Drama

13. Fedeltà

“Fedeltà” is a Netflix Italian series inspired loosely by Marco Missiroli’s renowned novel, also available in English. It navigates themes of passion and betrayal, and their implications, through the lives of a couple living in Milan .

• Suitable for : Drama lovers and advanced Italian learners due to the intricate narrative and language use.

14. Sotto il sole di Riccione

Debuting on Netflix in 2020, “Sotto il sole di Riccione” takes viewers to the Riviera Romagnola, synonymous with fun-filled, relaxing holidays. A group of youths spending their summer on the beaches of Riccione forms a bond, aiding each other through their dreams and summer romances .

• Suitable for : Comedy and drama lovers and intermediate Italian learners due to its entertaining narrative and language use.

15. Il commissario Montalbano

Based on the celebrated crime novels of Andrea Camilleri , this beloved TV series introduces viewers to Salvo Montalbano, a police chief in the fictional Sicilian town of Vigata.

Each episode of this series, rated as one of the best Italian television series , witnesses him battling mafia activities, murders, kidnappings, and diverse organized crime issues in Sicily. Although episodic, each installment is crafted like a standalone TV movie, bound by an ongoing narrative thread.

• Genre : Crime, Drama
• Suitable for : Crime drama fans and advanced Italian learners due to its complex narratives and language use.

“Baby” is an Italian teenage drama from Netflix, situated in Parioli, one of Rome’s poshest and most trendy districts. The plot revolves around a group of students from a prestigious high school who find themselves entangled in prostitution. The narrative is inspired by real events that took place in Rome years ago.

• Suitable for : Drama lovers and intermediate to advanced Italian learners due to its complex narrative and language use.

17. Luna Nera

“Luna Nera,” or “Dark Moon,” is a 2020 Italian fantasy series from Netflix, a pioneer in its genre on the platform. Set in the 17th century, the storyline trails a 17-year-old girl who unravels her family’s heritage of witchcraft. To spice up the tale, her boyfriend’s father is a witch hunter, making it clear who his prime target is.

• Genre : Fantasy, Drama
• Suitable for : Fantasy lovers and intermediate Italian learners due to its relatively easy language and engaging narrative.

18. Luna Park

“Luna Park” is an Italian Netflix show drama series that takes place in 1960s Rome, chronicling the life of a young, spirited woman raised in her family’s circus enterprise.

The series captures the charm of classic Italian melodramas, skillfully intertwining themes like long-lost twins and fortune-telling in an enthralling and theatrical manner.

If you enjoy daytime dramas and light-hearted, engaging TV , this lively show, with its enchanting soundtrack and unpredictable storyline, won’t disappoint you. “Luna Park” is a practical resource for studying the Italian language related to family relationships and understanding the lifestyle of various societal classes in 20th-century Italy.

• Suitable for : Drama lovers and beginners to intermediate Italian learners due to its simple language and narrative.

“Zero” spins the story of Omar, a young Italian of Senegalese descent, who has grown up in a housing estate on the peripheries of Milan. Determined to protect their homes from impending property developers, Omar, and his friends gear up for a battle.

However, the plot thickens as Omar’s intense shyness, verging on invisibility, surprisingly morphs into an actual superpower where he becomes physically invisible when overwhelmed by emotions. The question is, can he use this extraordinary power to his advantage?

• Genre : Drama, Fantasy
• Suitable for : Drama and fantasy enthusiasts and intermediate Italian learners due to its engaging narrative and contemporary language use.

20 È stata la mano di Dio

“È stata la mano di Dio” is a deeply personal tale by acclaimed filmmaker Paolo Sorrentino . Presented at the 78th Venice International Film Festival, the film garnered the Silver Lion award.

The story orbits around Fabietto, a teenager from the 80s who is profoundly attached to his family, embodying the passions and vulnerabilities typical of his age.

However, his smooth-sailing life is disrupted when his parents suddenly pass away, leaving Fabietto wrestling with the solitude of a young individual yet to find his footing in the world, along with the sudden burden of tragic and abrupt freedom.

• Suitable for : Drama lovers and intermediate to advanced Italian learners due to its intense narrative and contemporary language use.

21. Carlo e Malik

A 2018 crime drama, “Carlo e Malik,” is a collaboration between RAI (Italian public television) and Netflix.

It follows a veteran Rome detective, bearing prejudices against the expansive immigrant population in Rome, paired with a detective from Ivory Coast.

Together, they probe into a series of murder cases intertwined with the immigrant culture in the capital, addressing the contemporary and contentious issue of immigration in Italy.

• Suitable for : Crime drama fans and intermediate Italian learners.

Dive into the enchanting world of “Cuori,” a 2022 Italian series set in the heart of the 1960s, unfolding the stories of three heart surgeons at a hospital in Turin, Northern Italy.

The drama intensifies with the entry of Delia, an accomplished heart surgeon who crosses paths with her past lover, Alberto, who happens to be a dear friend of her husband Cesare and the head of the cardiology department.

The plot seamlessly incorporates drama , emotion , and comedy .

• Suitable for : Drama lovers and intermediates in Italian.

23. Liberi Sognatori

“Liberi Sognatori” is a poignant series that recounts the life stories and tragic ends of brave Italians who dared to stand against their country’s organized crime.

Key figures include Libero Grassi, a Sicilian clothing manufacturer who refused to pay Mafia’s extortion demands, journalist Totò Francese, and Renata Fonte, a politician committed to preserving the Porto Selvaggio natural park.

• Genre : Biography, Drama
• Suitable for : Biography, drama lovers, and intermediate to advanced Italian learners due to its historical and complex narrative.

The 2021 Italian Rai series “Blanca” charts the journey of Blanca, a young police trainee proficient in audio file decoding, stationed at a police department in Genoa, Northern Italy.

After losing her sight in a tragic fire that also claimed the life of her elder sister, Beatrice, at the age of twelve, Blanca develops a strong sense of justice that propels her towards a law enforcement career.

This Italian Netflix show’s lack of a specific dialect or accent makes it an ideal tool for honing your Italian listening skills .

• Suitable for : Crime drama fans and beginner to intermediate Italian learners.

25. Leonardo

“Leonardo” is a historical drama series that breathes life into the exceptional journey of Leonardo da Vinci , spotlighting his personal struggles and revolutionary scientific breakthroughs. The series covers his time in Renaissance Italy, living and working conditions, and challenges in multiple spheres.

• Genre : Biography, History
• Suitable for : History enthusiasts and intermediate to advanced Italian learners due to its historical context and complex language use.

26. Benvenuti Al Sud

Anxiety grips a Northern Italian postman when he is reassigned to a charming town near Naples, worrying about his safety. His dream was to settle in Milan, but instead, he finds himself grappling with the cultural differences of the South.

“Benvenuti Al Sud” explores the contrasting facets of Italy’s northern and southern regions and society’s perceptions of these disparate zones.

If you appreciated “Un Medico In Famiglia,” you will likely enjoy this Italian comedic film. The focus on human interactions , enriched by the stunning Italian landscapes, adds to its charm.

• Suitable for : Comedy and drama lovers and intermediate Italian learners due to its entertaining narrative and cultural language use.

27. Il Processo (The Trial)

“Il Processo” showcases the architectural splendor of Mantua in this gripping Italian series on Netflix. The plot unfolds with the murder of Angelina, a 17-year-old girl whose body is discovered floating in a city canal.

The lead detective, Elena, is entangled in a precarious situation as her ties to the case could endanger her career. Yet, she chooses to proceed with the investigation.

As the prime suspect happens to be the daughter of the city’s wealthy businessman, the case quickly becomes a public spectacle . The narrative leaves viewers guessing with its twists and turns .

Crime enthusiasts won’t be left unsatisfied, and the series is best appreciated in Italian with English subtitles.

• Suitable for : Crime drama fans and advanced students due to its complex narrative and language use.

28. Il nome della Rosa

Adapted from Umberto Eco’s renowned Italian literary masterpiece , “The Name of the Rose,” this TV series trails a monk and his novice followers as they investigate a series of puzzling deaths.

However, their inquiries invite the wrath of a powerful inquisitor. The narrative is set against the backdrop of a Middle Ages abbey.

• Genre : Historical Drama, Mystery
• Suitable for : Fans of historical dramas and mysteries and advanced Italian learners due to its intricate narrative and historical language use.

29. Gomorra

Derived from the acclaimed novel by Roberto Saviano, this multi-season Italian series immerses viewers in the world of the Camorra, a notorious mafia organization based in Naples.

The series emphasizes the illicit endeavors of drug traffickers and individuals associated with criminal syndicates linked to business and political circles. The narrative mainly revolves around the influential Savastano family, led by Pietro, a towering figure in the region.

• Suitable for : Crime drama fans and intermediate to advanced Italian learners due to its complex narrative and language use.

30. Chiedimi se sono felice

“Chiedimi se sono felice” follows the story of three friends, unsatisfied with their jobs, who share a common dream: to stage their own theatre performance. Their aspiration triggers a series of humorous yet touching incidents, leading to a rift amongst the trio that lasts three years.

This 2000 comedy delves into friendship , romance , betrayal , ego , and reconciliation themes. It strikes a balance between humor, moving moments, romantic elements, and drama, demonstrating how love can swiftly endanger a friendship.

• Suitable for : Fans of comedic dramas and intermediate Italian learners due to its engaging narrative and modern language use.

Italian Netflix Shows: Question & Answers

How can I improve my Italian by watching Italian series on Netflix?

Engaging with Italian TV shows is one of the best ways to enhance your Italian language proficiency. It immerses you in everyday conversational Italian, helping you grasp the language’s rhythm, sounds, and vocabulary. Simultaneously, it provides a window into Italian society and culture.

Depending on your proficiency level, different strategies can maximize your learning:

• Beginners can start by watching Italian Netflix shows with English subtitles, aiding in familiarization with the language’s sounds and speed.
• A gradual introduction to the language can be achieved by watching a show in your native language with Italian subtitles, aiding in word recognition and usage.
• Pre-watching a show in your language before watching it in Italian can benefit beginner to intermediate learners, as it aids contextual understanding.
• For intermediate or advanced learners, watching an Italian show with Italian subtitles helps connect spoken words to written text.
• As an advanced learner, watching shows in Italian without subtitles can be challenging but helpful for honing listening skills and pronunciation.
• Consider both original Italian shows and your favorite shows dubbed in Italian for a broader selection and to add an educational twist to your leisure time.

Can I become fluent just by watching Italian TV shows?

While watching Italian shows is highly recommended for its natural dialogue, slang, accents, and phrases, it should complement other study forms like flashcards, conversation, podcasts , Italian news sites , and reading for a holistic learning experience.

Should I use English or Italian subtitles?

While Italian subtitles are eventually recommended, English subtitles are fine for beginners.

Does it matter which Italian TV shows I watch?

Remember that Italy’s rich dialectal variation might make some shows challenging for beginners. It’s better to choose shows with familiar accents at the start.

Are these Italian shows only available on Netflix?

Some shows may be available on other streaming services like Amazon Prime or others, so checking for availability there is also recommended.

How can I access Italian Television Content on Netflix from the United States, United Kingdom, or other locations?

One of the best things you can do to access Italian film and TV content unavailable in your local region is to use a Virtual Private Network (VPN).

A VPN allows you to connect to Netflix’s Italian selection by masking your IP address, making it appear like you’re in Italy .

Just subscribe to a VPN service, and you can then access your Netflix account to start watching Italian content. Find a suitable option within your desired budget by conducting a Google search.

Final Thoughts

Exploring Italian shows on Netflix is an entertaining way to pass the time and a valuable opportunity to enhance your Italian language skills and gain a deeper appreciation for Italian culture.

Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced learner, these shows provide a window into authentic Italian conversations and storytelling. So grab some popcorn, settle in, and let the captivating world of Italian television take you on a linguistic and cultural adventure. Buon divertimento!

Further Reading :

• 200 Best Italian Business Names : Unique Name Ideas.

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Girl in Florence

A tuscan texan immersed in florentine life.

• March 31, 2020

Italian Tv Shows and Movies You Should be Watching Right Now

• film , italy , opinion

Now that over a ¼ of the world’s population is under orders to stay at home finding ways to pass the time is becoming a tad more challenging as the days go on. Obviously for those who have to home-school and take care of elderly parents, the luxury of free time might be non-existent, but everyone needs a little time to turn off from 24/7 coronavirus or covid19 updates. 

For those who are learning Italian or who simply just want to soak in Italian culture any way possible streaming services such as Netflix and Amazon Prime have a verity of options. It has a double benefit too because by watching these series or movies Italian movies, you can also pick up slang, tune in to the fast pace of the language and get acquainted with the many dialects of Italian around the boot.

Here’s what I’ve been watching that I think you guys would enjoy too.

Italian TV Shows  

DRAMA: Inspector Montalbano – this drama series is beloved in Italy and is one of the longest running dramas of all time on Italian TV. The series is based on a set of bestselling novels by Sicilian writer Andrea Camilleri following Commissario  (police commissioner) Montalbano as he solves crimes in Sicily. According to The Guardian “Charting a changing Italy alongside the series of crimes solved by Salvo Montalbano, Camilleri has said that he “ deliberately decided to smuggle into a detective novel a critical commentary on my times” . His targets have ranged from Silvio Berlusconi to George W Bush, with the mafia and the Vatican always in the background.”

Where can you watch this? On Amazon Prime .

DRAMA: Baby – This Italian TV show (now with two seasons) draws its inspiration from ‘Baby Squillo’, a real-life scandal in Italy uncovering an underage prostitution ring in Rome. Described by Cosmopolitan as a “grime-stained window into the lives of various students who attend an exclusive Roman high school.” I personally found this show fascinating and disturbing, this is definitely binge-worthy. 

Where can you watch this? Netflix.

DRAMA: Suburra: Blood on Rome – Inspired by a real-life political scandal, this show features a fight over development land in a coastal town near Rome and is the first Italian-language Netflix Original Series. The interesting cast shows viewers the complicated influence of power, hierarchy and corruption which holds Rome together but also tears it apart. Quite simply, the perfect ingredients for an excellent crime series. Read more about it here .

Where can you watch this? Netflix

DRAMA: Medici: Masters of Florence – The first season (RAI) takes place in 1429, the year Giovanni de’ Medici, head of the family, died. His son Cosimo de Medici succeeds him as head of the family bank, the richest bank of Europe at that time, and fights to preserve his power in Florence. I naturally had to include this series as it involves our beloved Florence. It was a huge hit when it first came out and has continued for three seasons. I haven’t watched it yet but this lockdown might be the time to get started. If you want to know what the series got wrong – The Florentine has this helpful article with all the dirt.

Where can you watch this? Amazon Prime.

DRAMA: Amica Geniale aka “My Brilliant Friend ” is a TV adaptation of the world-famous novels by Italian author Elena Ferrante. I, like many of you, gobbled up these books in a rather short time and was delighted when I heard this series was going to happen. Staying true to the books, the series follows the stormy friendship of two girls in post WWII Naples. There are now two seasons and if you are anything like me, watching the series will make you want to re-read the books.

Where can you watch this? HBO (USA), Amazon Prime (USA) and Tim Vision (Italy).  

COMEDY/FASHION: Made in Italy: This Amazon Prime original series (2019) features Milan in 1975. Irene, the daughter of immigrants from the South of Italy, decides to answer an ad in the fashion magazine “Appeal” so that she can support herself while at university. From that moment on, her life will change, following the rhythm of the changes in Milanese fashion in those years when it became established all over the world, thanks to a generation of extraordinary stylists. The series follows the professional career of Irene, who will soon conquer a position of prestige in the magazine, and her private life. I literally cannot wait to watch this! 

Where can you see this? Amazon Prime . 

DRAMA: Devils ( Diavoli ): This show is set to premiere on April 17th, 2020. It is an international financial thriller produced by Lux Vide and Sky Italia, in collaboration with Sky Studios and OCS. It is based on the novel of the same name by Guido Maria Brera. From Variety: the series unspools in the London-based offices of a major U.S. bank, around the time of the 2008 financial crisis. Massimo Ruggero, played by “Suburra’s” Alessandro Borghi, is a young, handsome banker from Italy and the company’s fastest rising star. On a winning streak that most stockbrokers could only dream of, he generates hundreds of millions of dollars of revenue for his employers and seems nailed on for a promotion to vice-CEO.

Where can you watch this? Sky Italia 

Italian Movies

DRAMA: On My Skin or Sulla mia pelle : Arrested in Rome for a drug-related offense, Stefano Cucchi endures a harrowing week in custody that changes his family forever. Based on true events. His case was among over 170 mysterious deaths in Italian prisons in the late 2000s . Directed by Alessio Cremonini (2018). This is particular good for those of us who are into true crime shows/films.

Where can you watch this? Netflix. You can read more about how Italians responded to the film here.

DRAMA: The Mafia Only Kills in Summer – I had completely forgotten that I had seen this until one of your kind comments on instagram reminded me it should be added to this list. It is a nostalgic coming-of-age picture about growing up in 1970s Palermo, home of the mafiosi, and some brave unsung guys who stood up to them. It was written and directed by its star, Pierfrancesco Dilberto: known to the Italian TV public as “Pif”, a journalist and satirist.

Where can you find it? Netflix 

COMEDY: La Pazza Gioia (Like Crazy ): This 2017 film follows two women from Tuscany who escape a psychiatric institute and form a friendship – a bit on the same grain as Thelma & Louise . It is important to note that this story is specifically set in 2014, before a law was passed that ordered all Judicial Mental Hospitals closed. However, as per a note in the end credits, only half of the patients in these institutions have since found an alternative home. It’s a powerful film and I enjoyed it. 

ROMANCE/DRAMA: Call me By Your Name is a film directed by   Luca Guadagnino set during an endless Italian summer – adapted from the novel by André Aciman by James Ivory. This bewitching drama, set in 1980’s Northern Italy, stars actors Armie Hammer and Timothée Chalamet and is imbued with a sophisticated sensuality. It is a coming-of-age love story between a precocious teenage boy and a slightly older man and is captivating from start to finish. You can read more about it here .

COMEDY: Benvenuti al Sud (Welcome to the South): A movie directed by Luca Miniero that plays into so many Italian stereotypes of North vs: South features a postal worker (Claudio Bisio) who fears for his safety after being transferred to a small town near Naples (2010). This is particularly a joy to watch, providing us all with much-needed humor and irony at every turn. In fact, this past summer Nico and I actually visited the town where the film was shot in Cilento and we fell in love with the place ourselves. Viva Castellabate!

Where can you watch this? Netflix. Ps. There is also a sequel titled “Benvenuti al Nord”.

Comedies: Fantozzi – Italy’s Everyman! If you’ve lived in Italy for a while you might have heard the phrase “ Sei un Fantozzi “ (You are a Fantozzi). This is derived by a neologism “fantozzata” that is used by Italians to describe particular types of behavior inspired by Fantozzi, a comedic personality played by Italian actor   Paolo Villaggio that many Italians see as part of themselves. He is brilliant. So much so that it is said that this extraordinary comic talent taught generations of Italians to recognize their mannerisms and I personally have loved his movies since the first moments I’ve seen them. You can find them on Amazon Prime but also Netflix features a few as well, respectively the third and fourth chapters of the saga. “Fantozzi Contro tutti” (Fantozzi against everyone) and Fantozzi subisce ancora (“Fantozzi Succumbs Again”). You can read more about this beloved character in Italy here .

COMEDIES: Films by Checco Zalone (the screen name of Luca Pasquale Medici) who is an Italian actor, musician, singer-songwriter, imitator, comedian and screenwriter. One of his best-known films Quo Vado? (the title is a spin on the 1950s epic  Quo Vadis  “ Where Are You Going? ”) even beat Star Wars in Italy for a few weekends when it first came out despite being considered a low brow comedy. You can find it on Amazon Prime (Italy) and the following on Netflix. “ Cado dalle nubi” – following a not-so-young man from the South of Italy who moves to Milan to try his luck as a singer; “ Sun in Buckets  ( Sole a catinelle )” about a nearly-bankrupt door-to-door salesman who has promised to take his son on a vacation, he is eventually “adopted” by a wealthy crowd where his rough manners work wonders. Last but not least is “Che Bella Giornata” (What a Beautiful Day) about the story of a security guard at Milan’s cathedral falling in love with a woman with a secret plan to blow up the church.  

Obviously, there are many films and tv shoes I could have included here: I am especially a fan of Amarcord by Fellini and movies like “I am Love” with Tilda Swinton. Movies like “Fiore” (2016) or  Il giovane favoloso  are high on my list but they seem to have disappeared from Amazon Prime (Italy) and Netflix.  I tried to include things you can find (today) on Amazon Prime or Netflix – If you have a few favorites you want to let me know about, please do by commenting on this post.

*Also for those who are curious about Disney Plus – you can now (even in Italy) enjoy seven days of the new streaming service for free. Raiplay is also an excellent free source to watch Italian movies of all genre’s including Spaghetti Westerns! 

In the meantime, stay safe and stay home. I’m right there with you. 

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GirlInFlorence

8 responses.

Palio on Netflix is also very good.

Thank you Keith! I’ll have a look.

I can not find Palio on Netflix

On Amazon Prime you can find a bunch of italian movies from the Sixties, probably one of our best periods. Pasolini’s Accattone and Antonioni’s La Notte, for instance, but also Antonio Pietrangeli’s movies, a real surprise. Like the fantastic Adua e le compagne, the sad story of four hookers after the closing of the bordellos, with Simone Signoret, Emmanuelle Riva and Sandra Milo (still alive, and an actress we should rediscover). Or Luigi Zampa’s Gli Anni Ruggenti (Gogol under the fascism). In many of these movies one of the screenplayers is a certain Ettore Scola….

Than you for these suggestions Emanuele – I’d like to watch Adua e le compagne.

L’amica Geniale is so good! I’m absolutely loving it. I’m also really excited about Diavoli which will be released on Friday. It’s based in Rome and London with an international cast. It will be on NowTv and Sky. And while not Italian, I just watched Unorthodox on Netflix. So good. It stuck with me for days. I’ve been thinking about watching Baby but wasn’t sure, I think I’ll definitely check it out now. Thanks for the list!

Thanks for that tip Sara – I’m going to be add that to my list! Unorthodox was one of our favourite shows so far this year. Enjoy!

Thank you for this very well curated list. I recently completed L’Amica Geniale on HBO and was trying to find another series to watch in Italian. I am so glad I came across this blogpost. Grazie!

Welcome to my personal blog by a curious American girl living and working between Zug, Switzerland and Florence, Italy with my husband Nico, our newborn Annabelle and Ginger the beagle. This space is primarily to share about my love for Italy (currently on a 13 year romance) with a fair amount of real talk, practical advice, travel suggestions and adjusting to a new culture (Switzerland). Find me on IG @girlinflorence @girlinzug

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Le più belle serie Tv per sognare i viaggi su Netflix

Si può viaggiare anche senza uscire di casa, basta una buona serie Tv e un po' di fantasia: ecco gli show più belli per volare da un capo all'altro del mondo, in streaming su Netflix

Priscilla Piazza

Content writer

Laureata in cinema, teatro e spettacolo multimediale, oggi lavora come redattrice e social media manager freelance

A volte, la fantasia è tutto ciò che abbiamo per viaggiare e andare all’esplorazione di luoghi meravigliosi – e purtroppo, a causa della pandemia, nei recenti anni lo abbiamo tristemente scoperto e ne abbiamo preso più consapevolezza che in passato.

Che sia per pigrizia, per difficoltà economiche o semplicemente perché la voglia di ammirare qualche nuovo scorcio del mondo non possiamo proprio soddisfarla mai, all’ impossibilità di andare in vacanza possiamo sopperire con le serie Tv. Nell’era dello streaming, oggi ci sono sempre più show che parlano di splendidi viaggi e ci conducono da un capo all’altro del globo, per non annoiarci mai. Ecco quelli più belli offerti da Netflix .

Netflix, le serie Tv per viaggiare

Il ricchissimo catalogo Netflix ha davvero tanti programmi per andare alla scoperta del mondo anche senza bisogno di alzarsi dal divano. Uno dei più divertenti è la docu-serie Travels with my father , con il comico statunitense Jack Withehall – e con suo padre Michael, naturalmente. Sono ben cinque stagioni (l’ultima ha debuttato nell’autunno 2021), ognuna delle quali vi condurrà tra le bellezze di una diversa regione geografica. Se nel corso della prima serie il divertentissimo duo padre-figlio si è cimentato in un’avventurosa vacanza nel sud-est asiatico, tra Thailandia, Vietnam e Cambogia, negli episodi successivi ha percorso l’Europa orientale, l’America dell’est, l’Australia e la Gran Bretagna.

Un’altra serie Tv affascinante è Zac Efron: con i piedi per terra , che vede protagonista il celebre attore che ebbe successo da teenager. Viaggiando tra Francia, Porto Rico, Londra, Islanda, Costa Rica, Perù e Sardegna, la serie Netflix vi guiderà alla ricerca di luoghi in cui vivere un’esperienza turistica sostenibile .

Per gli amanti dell’Estremo Oriente, invece, c’è una proposta un po’ più bizzarra: si tratta di Ainori Love Wagon – Asian Journey, un’avventura sui generis molto particolare. Sette estranei a bordo di un furgone rosa andranno alla scoperta del Giappone , con l’intenzione di trovare l’anima gemella. Nel caso in cui vi appassionaste al format, c’è anche la versione African Journey , per altro divertimento incredibile.

Viaggi da sogno, le serie Tv migliori

Se amate la natura e il verde rigoglioso, potreste trovare molto interessante la docu-serie condotta da Monty Don, presentatore della BBC. Con Italian Gardens , avrete l’occasione di ammirare alcune delle bellezze del nostro Paese, in un viaggio strepitoso da nord a sud. E ancora, se non dovesse bastarvi, potrete spostarvi oltralpe con French Gardens , oppure optare per i meravigliosi giardini del mondo islamico, di quelli giapponesi o di quelli americani.

Un’altra avventura mozzafiato è quella documentata nella serie tv The Kindness Diaries : a bordo di una moto d’epoca e poi di un Maggiolino, Leon Logothetis gira per il mondo chiedendo ospitalità e facendo affidamento solo sulla gentilezza degli estranei che incontra.

Viaggiare vuol dire scoprire anche nuovi sapori e assaggiare piatti sconosciuti. Assieme all’attore Phil Rosenthal, con la serie Tv Date da mangiare a Phil , potrete esplorare Paesi bellissimi proprio attraverso i loro prodotti tipici – anche se non poterli assaporare è un vero peccato.

Poetico e romantico, Racconti di luce è una serie Tv documentario in cui diversi fotografi e registi da tutto il mondo viaggiano in lungo e in largo raccontando ciò che vedono attraverso le lenti delle loro fotocamere e cineprese, catturando momenti indimenticabili attraverso culture e posti remoti, ognuno con il proprio punto di vista.

Infine, il lato oscuro del mondo dei viaggi: Dark Tourist vi condurrà tra località da brivido, dove le emozioni non mancano di sicuro. Da luoghi di guerra a territori di caccia di serial killer, passando per quelle città tristemente conosciute per la loro pericolosa radioattività, le atmosfere macabre sono garantite.

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