Can’t find the right Italian TV shows? We recommend heading over to Rai TV to watch TV shows and Rai TV movies. We’ve gone through the trouble of listing down the best shows on Rai TV in USA that will help improve your language and keep you engaged (you won’t feel like stopping).
The only hiccup you’ll face is the geo-restrictions placed by the streaming platform since it’s only available in Italy for now. Now, you’re probably wondering how can I access the channel? Well, the simple answer is you can access Rai TV in USA with a VPN!
Rai TV supports a broad variety of streaming devices so that you can watch Rai TV on Firestick, Windows, Mac, Roku, etc. If Rai TV is not working, you always have the option of Cancelling your Rai Tv subscription anytime, depending on your subscribed device.
Without further ado, let’s get right to the list of the 12 best Italian TV shows for new learners!
The Classic: Il Commissario Montalbano (Inspector Montalbano) (1999-2021)
Genre: Crime, Mystery, Drama
Director: Luca Zingaretti
Writer/Creator: Andrea Camilleri, Luca Zingaretti, Stephen Sartarelli
Cast: Luca Zingaretti, Peppino Mazzotta, Angelo Russo
IMDb Rating: 8.3/10
Seasons: 15
If you are new to Italian TV shows, you should definitely start with Il Commissario Montalbano. This show has been around for many years and it’s a classic Italian TV show.
The show follows the life of Inspector Montalbano as he solves crimes in the town of Vigata. Despite being a detective show, the show is full of humor and light-hearted moments; you could say its the perfect blend for a show.
Il giovane Montalbano (The Young Montalbano) (2012 – )
Genre: Crime, Mystery
Director: Gianluca Maria Tavarell
Writer/Creator: Francesco Brun, Salvatore De Mola, Andrea Camilleri
Cast: Andrea Tidona, Fabrizio Pizzuto, Michele Riondino, Maurilio Leto, Alessio Piazza
IMDb Rating: 7.9/10
Seasons: 2
Inspired by the novels of Andrea Camilleri, “Il giovane Montalbano” is a crime series set in the fictional town of Vigata on the southern Italian island of Sicily.
The show follows Salvo Montalbano, a young and ambitious detective, as he solves cases with the help of his trusty team. It is among the best shows on Rai TV in USA.
The Wholesome: Un Medico In Famiglia (1998- )
Genre: Comedy
Director: Elisabetta Marchetti, Raffaele Verzillo, Isabella Leoni
Writer/Creator: Anna Mittone, Antonio Consentino, David Bellini
Cast: Lino Banfi, Giulio Scarpati, Eleonora Cadeddu
IMDb Rating: 5.5/10
Seasons: 10
Un Medico In Famiglia is an amazing and wholesome family show to watch with your entire family. The show follows the life of Dr. Lele as he deals with the ups and downs of life in a small town in Tuscany.
The show is full of heartwarming moments and family values that make you feel good after each episode.
The Best In Slang: Zio Gianni (2014- )
Genre: Comedy
Director: Sydney Sibilia, Daniele Grassetti
Writer/Creator: Giuseppe Brigante, Matteo Corradini, Devor De Pascalis
Cast: Paolo Calabresi, Luca Di Capua, Luigi Di Capua
IMDb Rating: 5.3/10
Seasons: 2
Zio Gianni is one of the best shows on Rai TV in USA. If you’re looking to sound like a native Italian and improve your skills further, Zio Gianni is the guy you need to know. This show features some of the best slang words and expressions present in the Italian language.
The show has a lot of funny moments and interesting expressions that will keep you engaged till the end. Zio Gianni will leave you with a better understanding of how to use slang in Italian; don’t worry, you won’t be learning any bad words!
Che tempo che fa (What’s the weather like) (2003 – )
Genre: Talk show
Director: Duccio Forzano, Enrico Rimoldi, Cristian Biondani
Writer/Creator: Samanta Chiodini, Pietro Galeotti, Fabio Fazio
Cast: Fabio Fazio, Filippa Lagerback, Luciana Littizzetto, Gigi Marzullo, Nino Frassica
IMDb Rating: 6.8/10
Seasons: 3
“Che tempo che fa” is one of the best shows on Rai TV in USA, aired since 2003. The show is hosted by Fabio Fazio and features a variety of guests, including celebrities, politicians, athletes, and more.
“Che tempo che fa” is a great way to stay up-to-date on what’s happening in Italy and the world.
Fuoriclasse (Star Player) (2011 – )
Genre: Drama
Director: Riccardo Donna, Tiziana Aristarco, Luca Brignone
Writer: Michele Pellegrini, Doriana Leondeff, Federico Starnone
Cast: Luciana Littizzetto, Antonino Bruschetta, Fausto Maria Sciarappa, Gisella Burinato, Angelo Donato
IMDb Rating: 6.6/10
Seasons: 3
“Fuoriclasse” is a drama series set in a high school in the Italian city of Rome. The show follows the lives of the students, teachers, and staff as they deal with the challenges of teenagehood and navigating the education system.
“Fuoriclasse” is a must-watch for fans of coming-of-age stories and Italian television. It is one of the trending best shows on Rai TV in USA.
La piovra (The Octopus) (1984 – 2001)
Genre: Crime, Drama
Director: Luigi Perelli, Florestano Vancini, Damiano Damiani
Writer/Creator: Sandro Petraglia, Francesco Marcucci, Ennio De Concini, Stefano Rulli, Sergio Silva
Cast: Remo Girone, Michele Placido, Patricia Millardet, Florinda Bolkan, François Périer
IMDb Rating: 8.4/10
Seasons: 10
“La piovra” is a crime drama series featuring epic crimes that involve money, power, corruption, and violence. The mafia in this town controls everything, and it’s up to a few brave men and women to stand up to them and fight for justice.
However, anyone who stands up pays the ultimate price. “La piovra” is a classic crime drama that will keep you on the edge of your seat. It is among the good shows on Rai TV you shouldn’t miss watching.
Don Matteo (2000 – )
Genre: Drama, Crime, Comedy
Director: Giulio Base, Elisabetta Marchetti, Andrea Barzini
Writer/Creator: Mario Ruggeri, Mauro Graiani, Carlo Mazzotta
Cast: Nino Frassica, Nathalie Guettà, Terence Hill, Pietro Pulcini, Francesco Scali
IMDb Rating: 6.5/10
Seasons: 13
“Don Matteo” is a long-running Italian television series that follows the titular character, a Catholic priest with a knack for solving crimes.
Set in the fictional town of Gubbio, “Don Matteo” features a cast of colorful characters and plenty of twists and turns to keep viewers engaged. The show is a light-hearted take on the crime genre and is perfect for viewers looking for a fun and easy-to-watch series.
Il Paradiso delle signore (The ladies’ paradise) (2015 – )
Genre: Drama, Romance
Director: Francesco Pavolini, Marco Maccaferri, Riccardo Mosca
Writer/Creator: Cristiano Testa, Debora Alessi, Anna Mittone
Cast: Alessandro Tersigni, Silvia Mazzieri, Giusy Buscemi, Lorena Cacciatore, Giuseppe Zeno
IMDb Rating: 7.4/10
Seasons: 6
“Il Paradiso delle signore” is an Italian drama series set in the late 19th century. The show follows the employees and customers of “The Paradise,” a department store in Milan. The series is a fascinating look at the changing role of women in society and the rise of the middle class in Italy.
“Il Paradiso delle signore” is a must-watch for period dramas and Italian television fans. It is one of the top shows on Rai TV.
La Vita Promessa (The promised life)
(2018 – )
Genre: Drama
Director: Ricky Tognazzi
Writer/Creator: Franco Marotta, Franco Bernini, Laura Toscano
Cast: Luisa Ranieri, Francesca di Maggio, Rosanna Sapia, Francesco Arca, Miriam Dalmazio
IMDb Rating: 6.8/10
Seasons: 2
“La Vita Promessa” is a drama series featuring a woman, Carmela, also known as a courageous mother who is fighting for her promised life. The film is set in two cities, Italy and New York.
The first season is about Carmela’s journey to America, while the second season focuses on Carmela’s life in New York. “La Vita Promessa” is a beautiful and heart-wrenching series that is definitely worth watching. It is one of the best shows on Rai TV you must watch.
Braccialetti rossi (The Red Band Society) (2014 – )
Genre: Drama
Director: Giacomo Campiotti
Writer/Creator: Giacomo Campiotti, Sandro Petraglia, Albert Espinosa
Cast: Carlotta Natoli, Niccolò Senni, Raffaele Vannoli, Carmine Buschini, Andrea Tidona
IMDb Rating: 7.2/10
Seasons: 3
“Braccialetti rossi” is a heartwarming and emotional drama series about a group of young patients, who form a special bond while living in the pediatric ward of a hospital.
The show follows the kids as they navigate their illnesses and learn to deal with the ups and downs of life. “Braccialetti rossi” is among the top shows on Rai TV that you need to watch.
The Memorable Drama: L’Amica Geniale (2018- )
Genre: Drama
Director: Saverio Costanzo
Writer/Creator: Elena Ferrante
Cast: Alba Rohrwacher, Margherita Mazzucco, Gaia Girace
IMDb Rating: 8.6/10
Seasons: 4
Do you love the drama genre? If so, you should watch L’Amica Geniale. This show is based on a book of the same name and tells the story of a young girl who grew up in Naples during the 1950s.
The little girl has a genius friend who helps her navigate the difficulty she’s facing growing up. L’Amica Geniale is a great show to understand the culture of Naples; while polishing your Italian speaking skills.
Conclusion
Rai TV is an amazing Italian channel that is home to amazing titles. You can find some of the best shows on Rai TV in USA that you can watch to improve your language skills. La Repubblica Delle Donne, Striscia La Notizia, Uomini E Donne, Casa Vianello, L’Amica Geniale, and Amici Miei are all great choices.
All the shows we’ve listed above are addictive, fun, and interesting sources of information that will help you improve your understanding of the Italian language. Start watching them today and see how much your skills improve. Happy Binging!
