Tuscany steps into the global spotlight once again, this time not for its Renaissance art or rolling vineyards, but as the backdrop of RIV4LI, Netflix’s latest Italian original teen series. Set in Pisa and filmed on location, RIV4LI follows a group of middle school students navigating identity, rivalry, and belonging—adding a fresh layer of authenticity to the already growing landscape of teen dramas.
The series stars Simone Carrino, who recently gained attention in The Boy with the Pink Trousers, a film inspired by the real-life story of Andrea Spezzacatena. In RIV4LI, Carrino plays Claudio, the charismatic leader of the “Insiders” at the fictional Montalcini Middle School. But the arrival of a new girl from Rome, Terry (Kartika Malavasi), shakes things up, as she rallies the so-called “Outsiders” to challenge the school’s social hierarchy.
What begins as a fierce rivalry escalates until a literal wall divides the school. Only by working together can the teens begin to tear down both the physical and emotional barriers between them—a metaphor that feels especially resonant in today’s polarized world.
Created by Simona Ercolani (DI4RI), directed by Alessandro Celli, and produced by Stand By Me, RIV4LI keeps the stakes emotionally grounded while offering a vibrant, sun-drenched setting that’s unmistakably Tuscan. Pisa’s streets, school corridors, and subtle regional character breathe life into a story that, while universal, is also deeply rooted in its local context.
The release of RIV4LI comes shortly after Netflix dropped Adolescence, a British teen series set in a rainy northern English town. While both shows deal with bullying, social isolation, and the pressures of growing up, RIV4LI carries a more hopeful, almost utopian tone—where even the harshest divisions can be overcome with empathy and courage. Adolescence, on the other hand, takes a grittier, more introspective path, diving into mental health and family trauma with a darker lens.
If Adolescence is the echo of a storm, RIV4LI is a summer breeze that still knows how to stir things up. And for Italian viewers, seeing their own landscapes, accents, and cultural references on a global platform like Netflix is a rare and welcome treat.
With a strong ensemble cast and a narrative that blends humor, heart, and timely issues, RIV4LI might just be the coming-of-age series that gives Tuscany a permanent seat at the global teen TV table.