Articles about Rai
Down and dirty
Revolution is in the air in Germinal, a six-part adaptation of Emile Zola’s classic novel. Director David Hourrègue reveals why he wanted to bring a fresh approach to the story of coal miners in 1860s France.
Understanding Leonardo
A new drama seeks to explore the secrets and complexity of one of the most famous artists in history. Co-creator Frank Spotnitz and producer Luca Bernabei tell DQ about making Leonardo.
Still Magnificent
Frank Spotnitz and Emily Feller from Big Light Productions tee up the third and final season of Rai and Netflix’s Medici saga, which continues the story of Lorenzo the Magnificent in Renaissance Florence.
Making Friend
L’Amica Geniale (My Brilliant Friend) is one of the most eagerly awaited dramas of the year. Director Saverio Costanzo tells DQ how he steered the ambitious period drama, based on Elena Ferrante’s novel, for Italian broadcaster Rai and US cable network HBO.
Renaissance man
The cast and crew of Medici: Lorenzo the Magnificent reunited in Florence for the launch of this luxurious historical drama. DQ travelled to Italy to hear more about the series.
In bloom
DQ heads to the legendary Cinecittà Studios in Rome to see filming for Middle Ages drama The Name of the Rose, based on Umberto Eco’s bestselling novel.
Walter’s Italian odyssey
Italian actor Kim Rossi Stuart joins Walter Presents curator Walter Iuzzolino to introduce Maltese, a 1970s-set Mafia drama that is the first Italian series to land on the streaming platform.
Simply Magnificent
Lorenzo the Magnificent takes centre stage in the second chapter of Renaissance drama Medici: Masters of Florence. As filming continues apace in Tuscany, DQ speaks to the star and producers of the Rai series, which has built a worldwide audience on Netflix.
Meeting the mafia
Rike Schmid, the star of Italian crime drama Maltese, tells DQ about the 1970s-set series in which a detective takes on the mafia.
MipTV scorecard: Which dramas stood out?
As delegates fly home from MipTV in Cannes, Andy Fry looks back at the scripted series that attracted buyers’ attention during the week.
Europe seeks scripted formats
It’s been a good week for the scripted format business, with House being remade in Russia and other format deals in Italy and the Netherlands. Amazon, Netflix and HBO have also ordered series, while Turkish drama is off to a strong start at MipTV.
Italy spreads its wings
Led by gritty series like the Mafia-focused hit Gomorrah, Italian drama is enjoying new levels of global interest. DQ finds out why.
Amazon ups the ante
This week Amazon follows up its Emmy success with six new scripted pilots, Netflix looks into Black Mirror, Lifetime calls for more Devious Maids, Rai studies the Medicis and Televisa USA checks into Gran Hotel.