Are you in the mood for a series about young people discovering the world? Rivalry and friendship in the preteen years are at the heart of “RIV4LRIES,” the new Italian series from Netflix aimed at a young and family audience. This dramedy delves into the complexities of this life stage through themes like self-discovery, first conflicts, and the search for identity.
The plot is set in a high school in Pisa, where the arrival of a new student completely disrupts the established social hierarchy. The story centers on the clash between two student factions. The series explores first loves, the conflict between youthful aspirations and adult expectations, the strength of friendship, and the social prejudices that define group belonging.
A Pisa High School Divided by a Wall
The narrative of “RIV4LRIES” uses the school environment to challenge an entrenched power dynamic, elevating the tension to both a symbolic and literal level.
The Setting and the Established Order
The action takes place in Pisa, specifically in the 3rd Year, D class at Montalcini High School. In this microcosm, a popular group calling themselves the “Insiders” holds unopposed social dominance. The group is led by Claudio, the most popular kid in school, with the support of his best friend, Dario. This power structure sets the stage for the series.
The Catalyst for Change: Terry’s Arrival
The balance is shattered with the arrival of Terry, a new student from Rome. Terry shows up with “bold ideas” and a clear refusal to submit to the existing hierarchy, which leads her into a direct confrontation with the Insiders. In response, she forms her own group, the “Outsiders,” officially kicking off the rivalry that gives the series its name.
The Escalating Conflict and the Wall Metaphor
The rivalry between the two groups intensifies quickly. The conflict reaches its peak when the high school is literally divided in two by a real wall. The wall’s existence forces the two groups to face a common enemy that is, in reality, a consequence of their own actions. The wall thus becomes the driving force of the plot, compelling the characters to seek a joint solution and suggesting that the series’ message centers on the need for active reconciliation.
The Path to Resolution
The ultimate goal of the narrative is for the Insiders and Outsiders to learn to collaborate to overcome their differences. The story focuses on their need to unite to tear down both the “physical and emotional barriers that divide them.” This indicates that the series will lean on themes like teamwork, empathy, and overcoming prejudice to build its character arcs.
Cast and Characters
The cast of “RIV4LRIES” features young Italian actors, some of whom already have recognizable careers in their country’s entertainment industry. A noteworthy inclusion is Andrea Arru, star of the Netflix series DI4RI. Both productions share the same creator, Simona Ercolani, and director, Alessandro Celli. Furthermore, a source confirms that “RIV4LRIES” is set in the “same narrative universe” as DI4RI. This connection suggests a deliberate decision by the production company Stand by me and Netflix to build a cohesive universe of Italian school dramas. The presence of an actor familiar to the DI4RI audience creates a bridge that can attract an already established fan base.
The “Insiders” – The Dominant Group:
- Samuele Carrino as Claudio: He plays the leader of the Insiders. Carrino has appeared in productions such as Il ragazzo dai pantaloni rosa, The Stonebreaker (Spaccapietre), Il maledetto, and the series The Devil’s Clock (Gli orologi del diavolo).
- Edoardo Miulli as Dario: He portrays Claudio’s best friend. His previous work includes appearances in the film Improvvisamente a Natale mi sposo, the series Crush – La storia di Diego, and the feature film Game of Love.
The “Outsiders” – The New Challenge:
- Kartika Malavasi as Terry: She is the protagonist who, upon arriving from Rome, challenges the established order and founds the Outsiders.
Supporting Cast and Other Characters:
The cast is rounded out by other young actors who play the rest of the students.
- Andrea Arru as Pietro: Known for his leading role in DI4RI, his participation in “RIV4LRIES” reinforces the connection between the two series. Arru began his career as a child model for brands like Armani before transitioning to acting. His filmography includes titles like Diabolik: Who Are You? (Diabolik: Chi sei?) and the international series That Dirty Black Bag.
- Lorenzo Ciamei as Luca.
- Eugenia Cableri as Sabrina.
- Melissa Di Pasca as Marzia.
- Joseph Figueroa as Alessio.
- Duccio Orlando as Paolo.
The cast also features Yari Gugliucci, Alessandra Chieli, and Francesca Della Ragione.
The Creative Team and Production
Behind “RIV4LRIES” is a team with a solid track record in creating youth content in Italy, highlighting a creative continuity with previous projects.
The Creator and Writing Team
- Simona Ercolani (Creator and Screenwriter): The series is the brainchild of Simona Ercolani, who also leads the writing team. Ercolani is a renowned producer, author, and director, as well as the founder and current CEO of the production company Stand by me. Her work has been recognized with awards like the Flaiano Prize, and in 2020, she was named a Knight of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic. Her experience in the teen genre includes creating DI4RI for Netflix and the award-winning series Jams.
- Writing Team: Joining Ercolani on the scripts are Serena Cervoni, Mauro Uzzeo, Chiara Panedigrano, Sara Cavosi, Angelo Pastore, and Ivan Russo.
Direction and Production
- Alessandro Celli (Director): The series is directed by Alessandro Celli, who also directed DI4RI, further solidifying the link between the two productions. His filmography includes the movie Dogworld (Mondocane).
- Stand by me (Production Company): “RIV4LRIES” is a production of Stand by me, a company founded in 2010 by Simona Ercolani. The company has created over 40 original formats and produces more than 500 hours of content annually for major networks and platforms.
- Grazia Assenza (Executive Producer): Grazia Assenza serves as the series’ executive producer.
Additional Technical Crew
- Alessio Ciaffardoni (Director of Photography): Responsible for the series’ cinematography.
- Emanuele Frusi (Music): Composer of the soundtrack.
Release Date
The first season of “RIV4LRIES” will be available worldwide on Netflix on October 1st.
