Portobello is set to be the first Italian series by Max, and here's everything we know about it

Max has officially communicated via a press release that their first Italian original scripted series is going to be called Portobello. This show will be directed by the famous director, Marco Bellocchio. It is going to start in 2026 and will have six episodes.

Portobello is about the true story of a man named Enzo Tortora. He was a well-known television host whose life changed dramatically because of a wrongful conviction. Enzo Tortora had a very popular TV show called Portobello which aired from 1977 to 1983.

In the early 1980s, people falsely accused him of dealing drugs and being connected to the Mafia. He went to jail and was sentenced to ten years. This became one of the biggest legal scandals in Italy. After going through many trials, he was found not guilty, but it affected his life and work.

Marco Bellocchio, known for making great historical dramas, said this story is too complicated for just one movie. That's why they are making it into a series. They are filming the show in different parts of Italy, like Rome, Sardinia, Campania, and Lombardy. The filming is on right now.

On June 21, 2024, Bellocchio spoke to Screen Daily. He said:

“They destroyed his family, his life, his professional career – and he died out of sheer grief.”

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The true story behind Max's Italian series Portobello

In 1983, Enzo Tortora, a much-loved Italian TV personality, faced arrest. The charges were serious: drug trafficking and ties to the Mafia. However, these claims were later proven to be untrue. His trial turned into a huge media event. Newspapers and TV stations covered it obsessively, often painting him negatively.

Bellocchio, a film director, kept a close eye on Tortora's case. To him, it highlighted issues with Italy's legal system and how the media can shape public opinion. He had already touched on similar topics in Slap the Monster on Page One, a movie from 1972. This film criticized the media's power to manipulate legal matters.

In a conversation with Screen Daily, he said Tortora was unfairly vilified:

“He was treated as a monster. He was accused of being a drug trafficker, of conniving with the Mafia, and also of being a user of drugs, which was not true.”

Giovanni Tortora's wrongful conviction caused an uproar in Italy. It made people look at the legal system in a new way. Despite being found not guilty in 1987, he couldn't fully recover from the injustice, as will be shown in Portobello.

Tortora's story didn't end there, though. His case lived on and affected how people talk about media behavior and fixing the law. He passed away in 1988, but his legacy still impacts these important topics today.

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The production and cast of Portobello

The TV series Portobello features an ensemble cast, with Fabrizio Gifuni playing the role of Enzo Tortora. The cast also includes Lino Musella, Romana Maggiora Vergano, Barbora Bobulova, and Alessandro Preziosi. Fausto Russo Alesi is another notable actor in the show.

The script of Portobello is a collaborative effort by Bellocchio, Stefano Bises, Giordana Mari, and Peppe Fiore, which promises a captivating and thoroughly researched story. The show's director of photography, Francesco Di Giacomo, will handle the filming of the court scenes and the media's involvement.

The production design by Andrea Castorina and costumes by Daria Calvelli will help recreate the authentic look of the period. Editing by Francesca Calvelli will enhance the flow of the episodes. Teho Teardo's music is set to provide emotions.

Portobello is produced by Our Films, a part of Mediawan and Kavac Film. They've teamed up with The Apartment Pictures, a Fremantle company. The show has also formed international partnerships, such as one with ARTE France. This level of support underscores its importance as a major European production.

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Portobello is going to be on Max.

Keep checking SoapCentral for the latest on its release date and promos.

More Italian shows: The Leopard | Adoration | Public Disorder