Italian tv lines up new wave of crime dramas

Commissioners, investigators, lawyers and real-life stories: crime and drama remain among the most explored genres in television series and are beloved by a broad audience. Both traditional broadcasters and streaming giants have decided to feature them prominently in the upcoming season.

On Rai1, I casi di Teresa Battaglia returns with its third season, titled Figlia della cenere, CE Report quotes ANSA.

Elena Sofia Ricci reprises her role as the profiler investigating a new murder: a man is found dead, with his body showing signs of brutal violence inflicted after death. More killings follow, all featuring the same modus operandi — the work of a serial killer targeting victims connected by a dark secret.

The most anticipated series is undoubtedly 177 giorni - Il Rapimento di Farouk. Across six episodes on Rai1, it tells the story of the kidnapping of seven-year-old Farouk Kassam, who was abducted in Costa Smeralda on January 15, 1992. Directed by Carlo Carlei, the series stars Marco Bocci and French actress Antonia Desplat as the boy's parents, Fateh Kassam and Marion Bleriot. The child is played by Filippo Papa, making his screen debut.

On Rai2, Estranei, a crime series directed by Cosimo Alemà and starring Elena Radonicich, Kel Giordano and Ricky Memphis, is also expected to attract attention. Set in Correggio, the story begins with the disappearance of two young lovers, Camilla and Manraj, who belong respectively to the local and Sikh communities. The cast also includes Marco Bocci, Isabella Ferrari and Giulio Scarpati.

Also returning is Stucky 2, featuring Giuseppe Battiston once again as the rumpled, easygoing inspector in the series loosely based on the novels by Fulvio Ervas.

The second season of Libera will also arrive on Rai1 next autumn, with Lunetta Savino returning as the judge. Pietro Zanon, played by Matteo Martari, and Clara, played by Daisy Pieropan, will also return, alongside the city of Trieste.

Costanza 2 was filmed between Verona, Vicenza and Soave. At the end of the first season, Costanza (Miriam Dalmazio), the paleopathologist at the center of Alessia Gazzola's novels, declared her love for Marco (Marco Rossetti), the father of her daughter.

There will also be Màkari 5, featuring journalist and investigator Saverio Lamanna, created by writer Gaetano Savatteri and played by Claudio Gioè. His inseparable sidekick Piccionello, played by Domenico Centamore, will also return.

The arrival of these series on Rai1 is expected in 2027.

Can Yaman remains one of the leading figures in Mediaset fiction with Il Labirinto delle Farfalle, based on the Spanish series of the same name. The four-part series will air on Canale 5 and is directed by Alberto Ruiz Rojo and Iñaki Peñafiel.

Yaman plays Kaplan, an impeccable 007-style agent who is betrayed and accused of a crime he did not commit.

Also coming to screens is Alex Bravo - Poliziotto a Modo Suo, starring Marco Bocci in six episodes co-produced by RTI and 11 Marzo Film and directed by Beniamino Catena. The series follows an unconventional police officer with sharp instincts, a chaotic personal life, a carefree charm and questionable shirts.

Female-led crime stories are also gaining ground at Mediaset. Vanessa Incontrada stars in Erica - Un Detective per Caso, inspired by the French series Erica and based on the novels by Camilla Läckberg.

The protagonist is a crime writer suffering from a creative crisis who returns to her roots in Tuscany, in Piombino, where she becomes involved in a murder investigation. During the investigation, she falls in love with Leonardo (Francesco Scianna), a police officer who later helps her solve other complicated cases.

On Sky, Quelli della Mala is coming soon, set in 1970s Milan, where, as the series puts it, “people shot each other and had fun.”

There is also Il Sospetto, a four-episode thriller starring Claudia Pandolfi and Alessandro Gassmann.

Two new seasons are planned for one of last season's biggest hits, Avvocato Ligas, the legal drama starring Luca Argentero.

But the platform's most anticipated title, scheduled for early 2027, comes from director Gabriele Muccino. Gucci - Fine dei Giochi portrays Italy's most iconic luxury family, with Miriam Leone, Francesco Scianna and Matilda Lutz playing Patrizia Reggiani, Maurizio Gucci and Allegra Gucci, respectively.

Francesco Acquaroli, Paolo Pierobon and Sergio Romano play Aldo, Rodolfo and Paolo Gucci.

Set against a backdrop of passion, revenge and unrestrained ambitions for power, the series tells the story of a family marked by the murder of Maurizio Gucci, an event that brought an era to an end. The series is based on Allegra Gucci's memoir Fine dei giochi - Luci e ombre sulla mia famiglia.

Nemesi is among the Italian thriller series announced by Netflix for 2026, although its release date has not yet been officially confirmed. Pierfrancesco Favino, Barbara Ronchi and Elodie lead the cast, making it one of the platform's most anticipated Italian productions.

SuburraMaxima, starring Giacomo Ferrara, Carlotta Antonelli, Filippo Nigro, Francesco Gheghi, Alexis Massine, Marlon Joubert and Martina La Manna, will mark a new chapter in the narrative universe launched by Suburra. The series will have two directors: Michele Alhaique will direct the first two episodes, while Leonardo D'Agostini will helm the remaining four.

Photo: Instagram/canyaman