Portobello, Marco Bellocchio’s series starring Fabrizio Gifuni, premieres on Arte on Thursday, October 15, 2026 at 9:00 p.m.. In six episodes, it recounts the Enzo Tortora case, the Italian presenter who was arrested in 1983 after being accused of links to the Camorra and drug trafficking.
Fabrizio Gifuni stars as a television icon whose fame rests on Portobello, a popular entertainment show devised with his sister Anna. Debuting in 1977, it let viewers suggest items to buy or sell, and made Tortora a household name across Italian homes.
This surge in popularity becomes a narrative fulcrum as the presenter is swept up in an investigation sparked by accusations from insiders in the justice system. Bellocchio traces the fallout of the arrest on his life and on that of his loved ones, while examining the role of institutions and the media in shaping guilt.
After Esterno notte, which focused on the Aldo Moro kidnapping, the director continues his deep dive into Italian history with a new case that blends personal destinies and power. He reunites Fabrizio Gifuni, featuring Barbora Bobulova as Anna Tortora, Romana Maggiora Vergano as Francesca Scopelliti, and Lino Musella as Giovanni Pandico.
The last three episodes will air on Arte on Thursday, October 22, 2026, from 8:55 p.m.
To go further, also check out our pick of films, series and shows to watch on TV this week, our guide to new releases across all platforms, and today's selection What to watch today in streaming.
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