‘Gomorrah’ & ‘Romanzo Criminale’ Prequels In The Works At Sky

Max Goldbart
·2 min read
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Sky Studios is developing prequel series to Gomorrah and Romanzo Criminale.

The pair of shows are widely regarded to be two of the most successful Italian TV series of all time.

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Inspired by Roberto Saviano’s bestseller, the untitled Gomorrah prequel from ITV Studios-backed Cattleya will spotlight the criminal rise of boss Pietro Savastano, from when he was a kid on the streets to becoming the most important and ruthless boss in Naples. Leonardo Fasoli and Maddalena Ravagli will once again work on the screenplay.

Gomorrah ran for five seasons on Sky between 2014 and 2021, totalling 58 episodes, while a 2008 film of the same name was loosely based on the book. The TV show starred the likes of Marco D’Amore, Salvatore Esposito and Fortunato Cerlino.

Meanwhile, Romanzo Criminale – La serie will focus on the years before the rise of the Banda della Magliana criminal organization, as recounted in the two seasons of the original series, tying in with the stories of the original characters. Also on board for the prequel project is the “father” of the historical series, Giancarlo De Cataldo, judge and author of the novel of the same name that inspired the main series, as well as author of the series bible.

“Romanzo and Gomorrah rewrote the rules for Italian TV series,” said Nils Hartmann, EVP, Sky Studios for Italy. “What’s more, if the classic drama has now become a TV series in Italy, it is thanks to Romanzo, which took a completely new path, and Gomorrah – building upon the strength of this example.”

Cattleya founder Riccardo Tozzi added that the shows “revolutionised Italian storytelling via exceptional screen craft and are now part of the small number of dramas which set the international standard for series worldwide.”

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