Scripted

Some observations: The Top 10 list features no Mediaset projects, and only one series (Don Matteo) aired in the second half of the year. Notably, the highest audience numbers are concentrated in the first half of the year.

1. Doc – Nelle Tue Mani (Season 3) (DOC - In Your Hands)
Genre: Medical-drama series | Average Viewers: 5.060.250 | Share: 26.9% | Network: Rai 1 | Dates: January 11 – March 7, 2024 | Eps: 16 | Producer: Rai Fiction - LuxVide | Distributor: Sony

The 3rd season of the medical drama starring Luca Argentero captivated audiences with its compelling storylines and strong cast. With an average of over 5 million viewers, it remains one of the flagship series in Italian fiction. It proves to be a highly contemporary, cross-generational, and widely beloved narrative, particularly resonating with younger viewers (39.1% share among women aged 15–24, 34.7% among women aged 25–34) and educated audiences (35.3% share among university graduates). The series is set to be adapted in the U.S. for Fox, with a female protagonist.

2. Le Indagini di Lolita Lobosco (Season 3) (The Investigations of Lolita Lobosco)
Genre: Detective-drama series | Average Viewers: 5.038.750 | Share: 27.6% | Network: Rai 1 | Dates: March 4–25, 2024 | Eps: 4 | Producer: Rai Fiction - Zocotoco - Bibi Film TV

Luisa Ranieri returned to the screen as the charming Commissioner Lolita Lobosco. The new episodes, blending mystery and humor, achieved excellent ratings, enhanced by the picturesque Apulian settings. Based on the homonym novels written by Gabriella Genisi.

This TV movie surprised audiences with its gripping story. Its high-quality production and the compelling performance of its lead actress (Cristiana Capotondi) contributed to its success. The movie tells the story of the life of Italian astrophysicist and science communicator Margherita Hack, from her rebellious youth to her prestigious role as director of the Astronomical Observatory of Trieste. 

This biographical film dedicated to the “Poet of Trastevere,” Franco Califano, delivered an intense and nostalgic tribute to the singer-songwriter, from his debut in 1986, including his arrest in 1984. Directed by Alessandro Angelini and based on the novel Senza manette written by Franco Califano and Pierluigi Diaco.

The long-running Rai 1 series managed to renew itself yet again this year, with Raoul Bova as its new protagonist. The adventures of the detective priest remain a must-watch for millions of viewers.

6. Mákari (Season 3)
Genre: Detective-drama series | Average Viewers: 4.094.000 | Share: 23.15% | Network: Rai 1 | Dates: February 18 – March 10, 2024 | Eps: 4 | Producer: Rai Fiction - Palomar (a Mediawan company)

Saverio Lamanna, a journalist dismissed from his job after a major misstep, returns to his hometown of Macari in Sicily’s Trapani region. The 4th season is commissioned.

7. La Storia (The Story)
Genre: Miniseries | Average Viewers: 3.831.500 | Share: 20.9% | Network: Rai 1 | Dates: January 8-23, 2024 | Eps: 4 | Producer: Rai Fiction - Picomedia - Thalie Images - Betafilm

The miniseries based on the homonym novel written by Elsa Morante. It tells the story of Ida Ramundo, a Jewish elementary school teacher, who is raising her 16-year-old son Nino on her own. In 1940, while returning home, Ida is followed by a drunken German soldier who, under the pretense of helping her carry her groceries, forces his way into her home and assaults her. Ida discovers she is pregnant and, in complete secrecy, gives birth to a child she must raise amidst the countless hardships of the wartime era. 

8. Mameli - Il ragazzo che sognò l’Italia (Mameli - The boy who dreamed of Italy)
Genre: Miniseries | Average Viewers: 3.778.500 | Share: 21.25% | Network: Rai 1 | Dates: February 12-13, 2024 | Eps: 2 | Producer: Rai Fiction - Pepito Produzioni

The miniseries is inspired by the life of Goffredo Mameli, poet, patriot, and author of the lyrics of Il Canto degli Italiani, the national anthem of the Italian Republic. 

9. La Luce nella Masseria (The Light in the Farmhouse)
Genre: Movie | Average Viewers: 3.445.000 | Share: 19% | Network: Rai 1 | Date: January 7, 2024 | Producer: Rai Fiction - Eliseo Entertainment

The TV movie tells the story of the arrival of television in the home of an Italian family in the South during the 1960s. 

10. Gloria
Genre: Drama series | Average Viewers: 3.444.300 | Share: 19.1% | Network: Rai 1 | Dates: February 19-27, 2024 | Eps: 3 | Producer: Rai Fiction - Eagle Productions

The series tells the story of Gloria Cicalone, a former award-winning Italian film star played by Sabrina Ferilli, seeks to return to acting in quality films, feeling underappreciated by TV series. After her famous role as "Dr. Palazzo," she quits the series. Five years later, facing financial difficulties and reduced to doing commercials, she struggles with being forgotten by major film productions. 

The series Mare Fuori and Stucky achieved significant success on Rai 2.

The fourth season of the teen prison drama Mare Fuori (February 14 - March 27, 2024) attracted an average of 1,158,600 viewers and a 7.16% share across its 14 episodes. Internationally titled The Sea Beyond, the series follows the lives of inmates and staff at a fictional juvenile detention center in Naples, loosely inspired by the Nisida prison. Produced by Rai Fiction and Picomedia and distributed by Beta Film, the series has also been adapted by Spain’s Atresmedia for its Atresplayer platform in partnership with Beta Fiction Spain. The first season of Mar Afuera will consist of 8 episodes, starring Gabriel Guevara, Hugo Welzel, and Laura Simón.

Stucky (October 30 - December 4, 2024) is a detective drama series directed by Valerio Attanasio, loosely based on Fulvio Ervas' novels. Each episode is self-contained, with the laid-back, Italo-Persian inspector Stucky solving complex murder cases in the streets of Treviso. Each episode begins by revealing the murder and the identity of the killer. The series garnered an average of 1,443,800 viewers and a 7.5% share. It consists of 6 episodes, produced by Rai Fiction, Rosamont, and K+.

On Mediaset's flagship channel, Canale 5, the most-watched scripted project was the French co-produced movie Il Conte di Montecristo (December 26-27, 2024), based on the classic novel by Alexandre Dumas. It recorded 3,384,000 viewers and a 19.75% share. Following closely is the Italian drama miniseries Se Potessi Dirti Addio (March 29 - April 5, 2024), which achieved 2,972,000 viewers and a 17.1% share. The miniseries tells the story of Marcello De Angelis, who loses his memory after a suicide attempt and seeks help from Dr. Elena Astolfi. As Marcello begins to remember, he discovers a hidden connection with Elena, who is also seeking justice for her husband's death in a hit-and-run accident involving Marcello. The series consists of 6 episodes and was produced by RTI and Jeki Production.