Scripted

Sky Originale new series Blocco 181 will premiere in Italy on Friday 20, and in UK on the 22 of June.

Blocco 181 explores love and crime, set to the rhythms of rap and reggaeton, in a hyper-real, ultra-colourful and multicultural Milan. This new Sky Original series is a dark fairy tale, starring Italian rap-music pioneer Salmo, who also acts as music supervisor and creative producer. The eight-part series is the first Italian in-house production from Sky Studios, with TapelessFilm and Red Joint Film.

Set in the fictional block 181, an imposing apartment complex on the hidden outskirts of Milan, the series follows the story of block residents Bea (Laura Osma – El Chapo), Ludo (Alessandro Piavani - Blanca, House of Gucci) and Mahdi (Andrea Dodero - The Good Mothers, Non Odiare). These three characters at the heart of the story come from different backgrounds but are brought together by a strong bond; Bea is a Latin-American girl, torn between loyalty to her family, the dangerous Misa gang, and a desire to change her life, whilst Ludo and Mahdi are two friends that come from different social classes but are as close as brothers. A dangerous triangle ultimately forms that challenges the rules of their social identities, as the trio navigate love, family, sex, crime, and emancipation (full synopsis below).

Alongside his creative roles, Salmo makes his acting debut as Snake, the (armed) right-hand man to Lorenzo (Alessandro Tedeschi - Petra, Curon, Non Mentire), a drug dealer and childhood friend of Rizzo (Alessio Praticò - Il Miracolo, Il Cacciatore, Il Traditore), the neighbourhood ‘boss’.

The series is directed by Giuseppe Capotondi (Suburra – La serie, La Doppia Ora) with Ciro Visco (Gomorrah, Non mi lasciare, Doc – Nelle tue mani) and Matteo Bonifazio. Screenwriters Paolo Vari, Francesca De Lisi, Dario Bonamin, Mirko Cetrangolo, and Marco Borromei worked on the show concept. The screenplay is by Francesca De Lisi, Dario Bonamin, Andrea Nobile, along with Giuseppe Capotondi, Matteo Bonifazio, Paolo Vari, and Stefano Voltaggio. Blocco 181 is produced by Sky Studios, with TapelessFilm and Red Joint Film.

Blocco 181 will be available in all Sky markets including UK, Ireland, Italy, Germany, Austria & Switzerland.