Portobello (2026): The Rise and Fall of Enzo Tortora – Cast, Release Date & Where to Watch

In 2026, HBO Max will unveil Portobello, the gripping new series by acclaimed director Marco Bellocchio, shining a spotlight on one of Italy’s most shocking miscarriages of justice. Premiering its first two episodes at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival, this drama-biography-crime series tells the tragic downfall of Enzo Tortora, the beloved television host of Portobello, who was wrongfully accused of being entangled with the Camorra criminal organization.

📺 The Story of Enzo Tortora

At the height of his fame in 1982, Enzo Tortora was the face of Italian television. His program, Portobello, was a cultural phenomenon, pulling in 28 million viewers in prime time. Known for its lighthearted format—where contestants attempted to make a parrot, the show’s quirky mascot, speak—the program symbolized optimism and community for an entire nation.

Tortora was more than a host; he was a household name, even honored as Commander of the Republic by President Alessandro Pertini. But the golden image of success shattered in June 1983, when the police arrived at his hotel door. Tortora thought it was a mistake. Instead, it marked the beginning of a devastating ordeal.

Accused by pentiti (informants) like Giovanni Pandico, who linked him to Camorra drug trafficking, Tortora’s reputation collapsed overnight. From celebrated entertainer to vilified outcast, his life became a battle for truth, justice, and survival.

🎥 The Series

Portobello dramatizes this turbulent chapter in Italian history with Bellocchio’s signature eye for detail and moral complexity. More than a courtroom drama, it explores:

• The fragile balance of Italy in the 1980s, rocked by the Irpinia earthquake and mafia conflicts.

• The media frenzy that fueled Tortora’s downfall.

• The painful duality between public perception and private suffering.

With writing from Stefano Bises, Giordana Mari, and Peppe Fiore, and a powerful score by Teho Teardo, the series promises a haunting yet human portrayal of a man whose dignity was put on trial.

🌟 The Cast

The series boasts a stellar ensemble:

• Fabrizio Gifuni as Enzo Tortora – capturing both his charisma and tragic vulnerability.

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• Alessandro Preziosi

• Romana Maggiora Vergano

• Lino Musella

• Barbora Bobulova

• Carlotta Gamba

• Fausto Russo Alesi

• Salvatore D’Onofrio

Each actor adds depth to a story that is not just about one man, but about an entire nation wrestling with justice, crime, and truth.

🏆 Festival Spotlight

Premiering out of competition at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival, Portobello introduces its first two episodes to a global stage. This marks a milestone for HBO Max as its first Italian original production, setting a high bar for international prestige dramas.

📅 Release Date & Where to Watch

Portobello will debut in 2026, streaming exclusively on HBO Max. The series will be available globally, including in Italy and the UK, with the exception of France and Germany.

For audiences around the world, this Max Original will be the definitive retelling of Tortora’s story—a man dragged from the heights of fame into the abyss of false accusations.

🎭 Final Thoughts

Portobello is more than just a period drama—it is a cautionary tale about power, reputation, and justice. With Marco Bellocchio’s direction, Fabrizio Gifuni’s commanding lead performance, and the real-life weight of Enzo Tortora’s tragedy, the series has the makings of a landmark in European television.

When Portobello premieres on HBO Max in 2026, audiences will not only revisit a pivotal moment in Italian history but also reflect on timeless questions: How fragile is truth in the face of power? And what happens when a nation’s most trusted face becomes its most vilified scapegoat?