The drama and entertainment industry of any country gives you a window into the cultural, societal, and historical norms of the place. And in this article, I will make you look into the same for Italy through the famous Italian TV dramas. I am not just sharing a binge-watch list, but the essence of Italy through love, drama, crime, politics, and many more aspects.
We will look into some of the most popular Italian TV shows, and you will understand the real meaning of Vita italiana (the Italian life).
List of Must-Watch Italian TV Shows
8. Camera Café
The show revolves around workplace comedy; it is Italy’s most popular show of the kind, running for several seasons since 2001. The original set of the series is a coffee machine located in the lounge area of the office. The camera is the ‘point of view’ displaying all the office chatter, characters, and daily life inside a big company, Geugène Electro Stim (G.E.S.). The show reveals conversations, work, and personal issues in a playful manner. It is a great watch to have an exposure to the Italian workplace fun.
- Genre: Comedy, Sitcom
- Where to watch: RaiPlay, YouTube
- IMDb rating: 7.4
7. Gomorrah
A must-watch Italian TV show that is set in the 2010s in Naples. Ciro Di Marzio is a loyal member of the mafia clan in Italy, and he is stuck between the churns of loyalty, power, and betrayal. Pietro Savasto is the leader of the clan who is sent to prison, and the incident sparks tensions within the gang, giving flame to brutal fights in the hunger for control.
- Genre: Crime drama, noir, serial thriller
- Where to watch: Originally on Sky Atlantic
- IMDb rating: 8.6
6. Summertime
Summertime is a drama series showing friendship, first love, and the journey of personal growth. A young lass named Summer Bennati works at a beachfront hotel after school. Later, she meets a young and talented guy, Alessandro ‘Ale’ Alba, who is a motorcyclist recovering from a serious accident. Ale’s mother, Laura, manages the hotel where Summer works, and Ale falls in love with Summer and tries to woo her.
- Genre: Teen drama, Romance
- Where to watch: Netflix
- IMDb rating: 6.1
5. Don Matteo
Father Matteo (played by Terence Hill) is the protagonist of the series. Though he is a priest, he is famous for investigating local crime stories. He is a man respected in the town for his charm, positivity, and helping nature towards people in need. He often works with local police and the grumpy Marshal Cecchini, bringing wisdom and humor to every case. It’s a treat among Italian series on Amazon Prime.
- Genre: Crime, Comedy, Drama, Mystery
- Where to watch: MHz Choice, Apple TV+, Amazon Prime Video
- IMDb rating: 6.6
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4. Suburra
The series displays the scenarios around the political scandal that broke out in Rome and gives viewers a window into different worlds of Italian society. The characters Aureliano, Spadino, and Lele have nothing to do with each other, but eventually are pulled together in organized crime. In which the church, local gangs, business tycoons, and politicians want power above all else. In terms of genre, there’s no series as entertaining as the thriller Italian series like Suburra.
- Genre: Crime, Thriller, Drama
- Where to watch: Netflix
- IMDb rating: 7.9
3. Boris
You know the interesting part? That Boris is a series within a series. It is a BTS look at the making of a fictional TV Drama called Gli occhi del cuore. The show shows a frustrated director dealing with the chaos of a low-budget Italian television. It’s all haywire with lazy crew members, clueless actors, and ridiculous network demands. The series exposes the politics of TV production in Italy.
- Genre: Comedy, Satire
- Where to watch: Disney, Hulu
- IMDb: 8.6
2. Zero
An Italian series revolving around a shy young man named Omar, who finds out his abilities to turn into an invincible man whenever he feels overlooked or ignored. The show is a mix of urban fantasy and challenges of identity, friendship, and belonging in modern Italy. Other than ratings, the Italian Netflix series serves to niche audience who are curious about science, fantasy, and fictional worlds.
- Genre: Fantasy, Drama, Sci-fi
- Where to watch: Netflix
- IMDb: 5.8
1. Yara
The show is based on a real murder case of a teenage girl who went missing in Italy. She was a 13-year-old girl who was never found. The series shows the investigation into her disappearance and killing. The case shocked the country.
- Genre: Crime, Drama, True Crime
- Where to watch: Netflix
- IMDb: 6.3
From thriller and crime sagas like Gomorrah to jolting teens in Summertime to pun and satire like Boris and Camera Cafe, Italian television is full of vibrant and explorative content. The shows not only have won hearts and emotions, but have also achieved global recognition, critical acclaim, and prestigious recognition.
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