David Farnor | On 04, Aug 2024

Joe Wright and Sky are teaming up for new series M Son of the Century, and a trailer gives us a first look at the period Italian drama.

The eight-part series, which is based on the bestselling book by Antonio Scurati, chronicles the birth of fascism in Italy and the Duce Benito Mussolini’s rise to power.

Wright (Darkest Hour, Atonement, Cyrano) will direct all eight episodes with the cast including David di Donatello, Nastro d’Argento and Luca Marinelli as Benito Mussolini.

Like the novel, the series will tell the history of a country that surrendered to dictatorship, and the story of a man who was able to rise from his ashes time and again. It will cover the period from the founding of Fasci Italiani in 1919 through to Mussolini’s infamous speech in parliament following the murder of socialist MP Giacomo Matteotti in 1925. The series will also provide viewers with an insight into Mussolini and his personal relationships, including with his wife Rachele, his lover Margherita Sarfatti, and with other iconic figures from the time.

Written by Stefano Bises (Gomorrah, The New Pope, ZeroZeroZero, Speravo de morì prima) and Davide Serino (1992, Exterior Night) – with the series outline by Stefano Bises, Davide Serino and Antonio Scurati – the series will tell the events with historical accuracy, with every event, character, dialogue and speech documented or witnessed by multiple sources. The soundtrack is composed by Tom Rowlands, also known for being part of the British electronic music duo The Chemical Brothers.

The show will have its world premiere at the 81st edition of Venice Film Festival, out of competition. It will air on Sky in 2025.

Here’s the trailer:

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