Watch Rocco Schiavone

Rocco Schiavone is an Italian crime drama series, produced by Rai Fiction and Cattleya, which premiered on Rai 2 on October 9, 2016. The series is based on the character Rocco Schiavone, created by Antonio Manzini, and consists of two seasons with a total of 24 episodes. It was later picked up by PBS Masterpiece for American audiences.

The titular character Rocco Schiavone, played by Marco Giallini, is an abrasive, corrupt, and unlikable Roman police officer who has been exiled to the remote mountain town of Aosta in the Italian Alps. He is sent there as a form of punishment for his past misconduct – the protagonist has recently been forced to leave his previous life and move away from his wife when a scandal involving his corrupt ways caused outrage in Rome. Upon his arrival in Aosta, Schiavone is immediately tasked with investigating a series of seemingly unrelated crimes that have taken place in the small town.

Schiavone's modus operandi is mainly based on his ability to create a façade in order to get what he wants. In the first episode, we see how he manipulates and exploits the legal system to his advantage, and in later episodes, we see how he also turns to violent methods to achieve his goals. He is a complex character, to say the least, one with myriad flaws and vices, yet his wit and intelligence give him a certain allure that cannot be denied. He has a keen eye for detail, as well as a talent for seeing through the multiple layers of any kind of investigation.

What sets Rocco Schiavone apart from other detective dramas is certainly its location. The series is set in Aosta, a small mountain town in the Italian Alps which is a far cry from the urban crime dramas that are typically filled with high-rise buildings and alleyways. The picturesque scenery is a sharp contrast to the grime and darkness of the main character's personality. The harshness and beauty of the place make up an interesting limbo where the inspector finds himself.

Schiavone's colleagues in Aosta are equally eccentric – from Chief Inspector Caterina Rispoli, played by Claudia Vismara to his team of local officers, each with their quirks and idiosyncrasies. The character of Rispoli is an interesting foil to Schiavone’s abrasive nature, as she is the complete opposite, functioning as the 'minds' character who fills in the blanks where Schiavone's 'bravado' couldn’t manage. She's also the only member of the force capable of keeping him in check, providing an interesting foil to the Rocco each time they interact.

The writing of Rocco Schiavone is cleverly peppered with moments of genuine humor that break the tension in the right places, something that is very welcome in a show of this nature. The show's production values are impressive, considering it's shot in the mountains, the landscapes are beautifully captured throughout the series. There are also very few cliches to be found in the series, and the show's creators take pride in moving against the predictable.

In conclusion, Rocco Schiavone is an Italian crime drama that stands out from the rest with its approach to the genre: it is closer to modern noir than your average police procedural. Marco Giallini’s portrayal of the prickly Rocco Schiavone is compelling, imbuing the character with enough charisma to make all his anti-hero qualities (almost) enjoyable to watch. The show is well-written, shot beautifully, and has a strong supporting cast, making for an enjoyable viewing experience for lovers of detective dramas.