Movies offer a straightforward and effective method to enhance your Italian skills, but television series can be even more impactful. They tend to be longer, spanning multiple seasons and offering numerous storylines. This extended format allows for greater immersion in the characters, their dialogue, and the overall linguistic style of the series.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through the steps to find Italian series on Netflix, provide you with a curated list of recommended shows, and share some tips for watching other productions in Italian. Are you ready to dive into the world of Italian binge-watching? Let’s get started!
Step 1: Find Italian Series on Netflix
To begin, open Netflix on your computer, TV, or mobile device. Once on the homepage, navigate to the search bar and type in the word “Italian.” Netflix will display the results along with related keywords. Choose “Italian TV Programmes” from the suggestions, and the results will filter to show only series produced in Italy. Alternatively, you can directly type the phrase “Italian TV Programmes” in the search bar from the start.
Step 2: Choose a show
If you find yourself endlessly scrolling through your streaming service, struggling to decide what to watch, you’re not alone. Choosing a new show can be a daunting task. But fear not! The suggestions below are here to help you pick something quickly and dive into Italian immersion in no time.
Note: The list primarily features shows produced or distributed by Netflix, which are likely to remain on the platform. Other series that are licensed for a limited period of time may have been removed by the time you read this article.
Ripley
English title: Ripley
Ripley is a Netflix TV production based on Patricia Highsmith’s Tom Ripley novels. It follows the charismatic and cunning Tom Ripley as he navigates through a world of wealth, crime, and deception. As he becomes entangled in a web of lies, Ripley’s desire for a luxurious lifestyle leads him to extreme measures, blurring the lines between reality and fiction. To our surprise, Ripley primarily features Italian dialogue with English subtitles, and lead actor Andrew Scott delivers many lines in the language of love. What’s more, he speaks slowly and clearly, making him easy to understand for learners. Of all the shows mentioned here, this is the one we’d recommend watching first!
La legge di Lidia Poët
English title: The Law According to Lidia Poët
A six-episode miniseries that delves into the story of Lidia Poët, Italy’s pioneering female attorney. Set in the late 19th century, this comedy-drama was filmed in Turin, Italy’s inaugural capital. Netflix has confirmed a second season slated for release in 2024.
Odio il Natale
English title: I hate Christmas
This romantic comedy series follows Gianna, a contentedly single nurse on a mission to find a boyfriend before Christmas to sidestep the inevitable questions from her family about her single status. Based on the Norwegian show “Home for Christmas,” it was filmed in Venice and Chioggia. Two seasons, each comprising six 30-minute episodes, are available.
Summertime
Filmed in Cesenatico on the Adriatic coast, this show tracks the friendships and romantic adventures of Summer, a young woman who longs to escape her small seaside town and explore the world. Inspired by Federico Moccia’s popular book “Tre metri sopra il cielo” (lit. “Three Meters Above the Sky”), the series spans three seasons.
Curon
If you’re in the mood for a supernatural thriller, “Curon” might be just what you’re looking for. Set in the small town of Curon Venosta in the Trentino Alto Adige region (home to the iconic Resia lake with its half-submerged bell tower), the series follows a family who returns to the mother’s hometown. When she mysteriously disappears, her teenage twins embark on a journey to uncover dark secrets about the town.
Incastrati
(lit. Trapped)
English title: Framed! A Sicilian murder mystery
Two unlucky technicians find themselves involuntarily entangled in a murder scene. The more they try to avoid looking like suspects, the deeper they plunge into trouble. This series, written and directed by the popular comedy duo Ficarra e Picone, features two seasons filled with the unmistakable Sicilian landscape.
La vita bugiarda degli adulti
English title: The Lying Life of Adults
Based on the 2019 novel of the same name written by Elena Ferrante (My Brilliant Friend), who also contributed to the screenplay, the show follows Giovanna as she transitions into adulthood and grapples with her middle-class family. She meets her aunt Vittoria, who lives in a different and rougher part of Naples. The cast includes Valeria Golino, one of the most respected Italian actresses working today.
The series has received positive reviews from critics and audiences alike. Beware that the Neapolitan dialect dominates most of the dialogues, so this is not the best option for beginners.
Suburra / Suburræterna
English title: Suburra – Blood on Rome / Suburræterna
“Suburra” was the inaugural Italian Original series produced by Netflix. Adapted from both a feature-length film and a book of the same name, the narrative delves into the intertwined lives of various characters embroiled in Rome’s criminal and political underworld. Spanning three seasons with a total of 24 episodes, the show offers a gripping exploration of power, corruption, and intrigue.
The title “Suburra,” derived from the word “suburra” (or “subura”), originally referred to a bustling, lower-class neighborhood in Ancient Rome. Today, it signifies areas characterized by high levels of criminal activity.
In 2024, a new spinoff of the series titled “Suburræterna” (or “Suburra Eterna,” with “eterna” meaning eternal) was released, continuing the saga from the original series.
It’s worth noting that many characters speak with a distinct Roman accent (romanesco), which may pose a challenge for some viewers in understanding the dialogue.
Step 3: audio and subtitles
Many Netflix Originals offer multilingual options, but the key here is to select the show with Italian audio. Additionally, I highly recommend activating Italian subtitles instead of opting for English or any other language. By sticking with Italian audio and Italian subtitles, you can fully immerse yourself in the language-learning experience. This approach allows you to simultaneously listen to the dialogue and read the subtitles, aiding in vocabulary retention. While using English subtitles may seem tempting, it can lead to distraction and hinder your ability to focus on the characters’ voices. While the Italian-Italian setting may present a challenge initially, it proves to be more effective in the long run. Trust me, the results are worth it!
Changing the language settings is a breeze: once you start playing an episode, simply click on the icon indicated below and ensure that Italian is chosen for both Audio and Subtitles. This way, you can fully immerse yourself in the Italian language experience!
Note: there might be instances where standard Italian subtitles are not available (only Italian Closed Captions for the hard of hearing), or you may encounter English with Italian subtitles as the sole language option. While this is uncommon for Netflix Originals, it may occur with non-Netflix productions. Regrettably, the availability of language options is determined by the country you’re streaming from and Netflix’s choices for each show.
What about non-Italian Series?
If none of the options above pique your interest, you can explore non-Italian series that offer Italian audio and subtitles. Most Netflix productions should support this feature as they are translated and dubbed into multiple languages. However, it’s important to note that sometimes the subtitles may not perfectly match the dialogue, which can be slightly frustrating.
Additionally, there are series set in Italy, such as the recent show Ripley, which is filmed in various Italian locations including Rome, Capri, and Asturi. The lead character, portrayed by Andrew Scott, also speaks some Italian throughout the show.
While not all series in the Netflix catalog will offer Italian language options, creating a second profile on your Netflix account and setting the language to Italian can increase your chances of finding shows translated into Italian. To do this, log in to your Netflix account using a computer, as the Netflix mobile app doesn’t allow you to change profile languages. If you’d like more information on how to do this, please follow our guide on how to get Italian audio and subtitles on Netflix.
What about Italian Movies?
We have a separate article covering the best Italian films to watch on Netflix. It has been updated for 2024.
Mathieu Gasquet was born and raised in Turin in the north of Italy to an Italian mother and a French father. He provides the audio pronunciation for Daily Italian Words.
