Portobello (TV series)

Last updated

Portobello
Portobello HBO Max.jpeg
Italian HBO Max poster
Based onLettere a Francesca
by Enzo Tortora [1]
Written by
Directed byMarco Bellocchio
Starring
Composer Teho Teardo
Country of origin
  • Italy
  • France
Original languageItalian
Production
Producers
CinematographyFrancesco Di Giacomo
Editor Francesca Calvelli  [ it ]
Production companies
Original release
Network HBO Max

Portobello is an upcoming television miniseries co-written and directed by Marco Bellocchio, based on the 2016 book Lettere a Francesca by Enzo Tortora. The first two episodes of the series were screened out of competition at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival on 1 September 2025. The series is expected to be released globally on HBO Max by early 2026.

Contents

Premise

In 1983, Enzo Tortora, host of the variety show Portobello , is arrested after being accused of being a member of the Camorra.

Cast

Production

Principal photography began in September 2024. [2] [3] Filming took place in Rome, as well as Sardinia, Campania, and Lombardy. [4]

Release

A promotional clip was released on 17 June 2025. [5] [6] The first two episodes of the series were presented at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival on 1 September 2025. [7] [8] It will also be presented at the Toronto International Film Festival [9] and the BFI London Film Festival. [10]

The series is expected to be released on HBO Max in March 2026. [11] It is the platform's first Italian original series. [12]

References

  1. Amitrano, Vania (1 September 2025). "Portobello, a Venezia 82 il regista Marco Bellocchio: «La vicenda Tortora deve interrogare tutti»". Ciak (in Italian). Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  2. Vivarelli, Nick (25 September 2024). "Marco Bellocchio Produces, Directs TV Series 'Portobello' That Marks First Project From Mario Gianani and Lorenzo Mieli's Our Films (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety . Retrieved 24 February 2025.
  3. Scarpa, Vittoria (26 September 2024). "Marco Bellocchio shooting the Portobello series exploring the Enzo Tortora affair". Cineuropa . Retrieved 24 February 2025.
  4. Vivarelli, Nick (24 February 2025). "Max Sets Marco Bellocchio-Directed 'Portobello' as First Italian Original Series". Variety . Retrieved 24 February 2025.
  5. Dondi, Beatrice (17 June 2025). ""Portobello", la serie di Bellocchio sulla drammatica vicenda di Enzo Tortora". L'Espresso (in Italian). Retrieved 28 July 2025.
  6. Amodeo, Maria Francesca (19 June 2025). "Portobello, la prima serie tv italiana HBO, si è presentata al mondo con una clip molto toccante". GQ Italia (in Italian). Retrieved 28 July 2025.
  7. Amitrano, Vania (22 July 2025). "Venezia 82, il programma della Biennale Cinema 2025 (diretta)". Ciak (in Italian). Retrieved 28 July 2025.
  8. Sernagiotto, Camilla (1 September 2025). "Portobello, a Venezia la serie tv sull'arresto di Enzo Tortora". Sky TG24 (in Italian). Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  9. Goodfellow, Melanie (7 August 2025). "TIFF Primetime Lineup: 'The Lowdown', 'Wayward' & 'Black Rabbit' Set To Premiere in Toronto's Series Showcase". Deadline . Retrieved 7 August 2025.
  10. Ntim, Zac (3 September 2025). "BFI London Film Festival: Chloé Zhao's 'Hamnet' & Kate Moss Biopic 'Moss & Feud' Among Headline Titles — Full List". Deadline . Retrieved 3 September 2025.
  11. Cappelli, Valerio (1 September 2025). "Bellocchio a Venezia con «Portobello»: «Enzo Tortora morì di ingiustizia. Sono partito dalle sue lettere dal carcere»". Corriere della Sera (in Italian). Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  12. Ntim, Zac; Whittock, Jesse (24 February 2025). "Max Italian Series; WGGB President On AI; Moonbug In Holland; WBD Unveils EMEA Unscripted Slate — Global Briefs". Deadline . Retrieved 24 February 2025.