Maria Pia Ammirati, the director of television series at Rai Fiction, recently revealed the upcoming fiction shows for 2024 and the guidelines for all the projects that will soon go into production. In an interview with Tivù magazine, Ammirati discussed various topics related to Rai Fiction's future plans.
One of the main highlights was the success of the show “Mare Fuori” in capturing a young audience that had been lost. Ammirati mentioned that the new season will feature multiple sets, including both inside and outside a prison. This has allowed the team to experiment with different storytelling techniques and perspectives. She also revealed that there will be elements of humor, comedy, and melodrama in the upcoming season.
When it comes to the genre of crime shows, Ammirati expressed that she is currently more interested in exploring the contemporary, dramedy, and family drama genres. She wants to tell stories that reflect the many facets of family life and address important topics such as mental health, violence against women, war, and employment issues. She also mentioned that she prefers true crime series, which explore real-life criminal cases, like the upcoming show based on the Elisa Claps case.
As part of the 70th anniversary celebrations of television in Italy, Rai Fiction will produce two important series focusing on the country's history. “Mameli” will delve into the origins of the national anthem, while “La Lunga Notte” will recreate the fall of Mussolini. Additionally, a TV movie called “Le Luci della Masseria” will be set in Matera in the 1950s, and a miniseries about Mike Bongiorno, one of the pioneers of Italian television, will also be aired.
Sabrina Ferilli, who is returning to Rai Fiction after a long absence, will play the lead role of Gloria in a series written and directed by Fausto Brizzi. The three-part series depicts a fading Italian cinema diva who refuses to succumb to time's passage and a declining career.
Fans of popular series can look forward to new seasons of their favorite shows. In addition to “Mare Fuori” and “Doc,” the fourteenth season of “Don Matteo” and the second seasons of “Studio Battaglia” and “Vincenzo Malinconico” will be released. Ammirati also hinted at upcoming seasons of “Blanca,” “Un Passo dal Cielo,” and “Mina Settembre.”
Rai Fiction is also continuing its collaboration with European public broadcasters on co-productions. Despite the challenges of bringing together diverse cultures and audiences, Ammirati emphasized the importance of dialogue between countries. The upcoming series “Il Conte di Montecristo” is an eight-episode international co-production that features a cast including Sam Clafin, Michele Riondino, Lino Guanciale, Nicolas Maupas, and Gabriella Pession. Another co-production, titled “The Kollective,” is a contemporary story about two journalists grappling with the war between Russia and Ukraine and is destined for Rai2.
As for the beloved Inspector Montalbano series, there is still a desire to adapt Andrea Camilleri's latest novels, but actor Luca Zingaretti's reservations persist. However, there is a possibility of a return for “Il Giovane Montalbano,” as it remains a well-loved title, as demonstrated by its high ratings during reruns this summer.
In summary, Rai Fiction has exciting plans for the future, including new seasons of popular shows, thought-provoking dramas covering Italy's history, collaborations with European broadcasters, and the anticipated return of iconic characters like Montalbano.