Industry

Global content creator, producer and distributor Endemol Shine Group announces that its operation in Italy will be launching a new 6x100’ primetime drama with Rai Fiction.
Co-produced by Rai Fiction and Endemol Shine Italy for Rai 1 While I Was Away tells the story of a wealthy woman who awakes from a coma after an accident in which her husband and a man she supposedly had an affair with both lost their lives.
Known in Italy as Mentre ero via, the series is a story of self-discovery for Monica, played by Vittoria Puccini (‘Elisa di Rivombrosa’, ‘Anna Karenina’) as she tries to understand the person she was by exploring her past and present life.
The series is written by Ivan Cotroneo (‘Un’altra vita’ and ‘Sorelle’) and Monica Rametta (‘Un’altravita and ‘Sorelle’) and directed by Michele Soavi (‘Rocco Schiavone’, ‘Ultimo’). Giuseppe Zeno (‘Scomparsa’, ‘L’onore e il rispetto’) stars alongside Vittoria Puccini.
Benedetta Galbiati, Head of Scripted of Endemol Shine Italy: “This series becomes a gripping tale of love, betrayal, loss and soul-searching. With a brilliant cast, writing team and director at the helm, we’re confident this will be yet another successful partnership between Rai Fiction and Endemol Shine Italy.”
Eleonora Andreatta, Head of Drama, Rai: “Eleonora Andreatta, Head of Drama, Rai: “While I Was Away is one of the projects that fits perfectly with Rai Fiction’s international strategy, which is made up of high concept, contemporary genre stories and modern languages. It’s the tale of a woman who after suffering a trauma, fights to rediscover her identity and come back to life. The complex and intriguing idea of the leading character is coupled with a Hitchcockian atmosphere and implemented in the direction and writing style to engage surprise the most avid serial drama fan.”

Recent scripted hits for Endemol Shine Italy include Sisters, which was one of Italy’s most watched original scripted series, with an excellent average of 6.3 million viewers and a 27% share for Rai Uno.The company is also behind crime comedies The Teacher and The Good Apprentice, also for Rai Uno, as well as long-running series Tuscan Passion for Canale 5.
Endemol Shine Italy also produce local versions of global hits including Big Brother and All Together Now which will be launching soon on Canale 5 and MasterChef, which is currently on air on Sky Uno.
Last year Endemol Shine Group’s unparalleled network of award-winning scripted producers and companies across markets in Europe, Middle East and Asia were responsible for 50 non-English language productions.Recent and forthcoming series include Norway’s Beforeigners (HBO Europe), Sweden’s Beartown (HBO Europe), The Idhun Memories (Netflix), Cathedral of the Sea (Antena 3/ TV3/ Netflix) and Matadero (Antena 3) from Spain, The Oldenheim Twelve (RTL4) and Lois (NPO1) from the Netherlands, Germany’s Dark (Netflix) and Pagan Peak (Sky Deutschland), France’s Insoupconnable (TF1) and Guyanne (Canal+), Queens (Hot) and Just for Today (Yes) from Israel.