Introduction to the best Italian TV Series

After we have been enjoying Italian movies so much it was a logical step to start wondering about Italian tv-series. What are the best Italian tv series? And which Italian tv-series are also interesting for people who are not Italian?

The Search for the best Italian tv shows is part of our broader search for the best European tv series per country. If you like European cinema you should also have a look there.

This is our search for the best Italian TV-Series. it did not take us long to figure out which Italian series have been the most popular. For now we have listed the two most famous ones. More will follow later.

We hope you will enjoy our selection of the best Italian tv-series. You can also buy the following series and other recommendations on DVD below. Want to read this all in Spanish? Please continue to our series de tv italianas.

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Best Italian tv series

1. La Piovra – The Octopus (1984).

This is an acclaimed Italian mini-series running in the eighties. It was so successful that it went beyond Italy’s borders. Even in the USSR it was aired, giving people there a taste of what it was like behind the Iron curtain. La Piovra or Octopus is what the Italian mafia is called. La piovra follows police detective Corrado Cattani in his hard battle against the criminal organisation. Cattani’s fight is not without alarming consequences for his private life.

We think it is an amazing tv-show with a great cast. Director Damiano Damiani really produced something special. It also has a fantastic soundtrack. First by Riz Ortolani. Later by Ennio Morricone.

Even on IMDb, which usually is limited in its ratings of foreign tv-series, it has received an 8.5.

Fragment of La Piovra. Its very hard to find a good scene online.

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2. Il Commissario Montalbano – Inspector Montalbano (1999).

It is an Italian TV Series that has been running from 1999 to now with already 9 seasons. It is based on the novels of Andrea Cammilleri. The Novels themselves also come highly recommended. In all episodes the great Luca Zingaretti is in the lead, and he does this magnificiently. He plays the bright, sharp and unconventional Italian Detective.

The series has also been broadcased outside of Italy and it is possible to buy it with English subtitles.

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Buy Italian Series on DVD

Here you can buy our mentioned Italian series on DVD with English subtitles. We have also included some other recommendations.You can watch La Piovra online.

Want to know more about Italian TV-Series. Sign up four our European Movies Forum and have a look in the Italian tv-series forum.