Netflix has announced the start of filming for Il Mostro: Pietro Pacciani, a new three-episode miniseries that will explore the investigation into the Monster of Florence from a different perspective.
Directed by Stefano Sollima and created by Sollima and Leonardo Fasoli, the series is produced by Wildside, part of the Fremantle group, and AlterEgo. It is expected to be released on Netflix at a later date.
The new production focuses on Pietro Pacciani, the farmer from the Florence area who became the main suspect in the investigation into the eight double murders attributed to the so-called Monster of Florence between 1968 and 1985. The crimes, which targeted young couples in secluded areas of Tuscany, remain among the most notorious and debated criminal cases in Italian history.
According to Netflix, the miniseries will examine the investigation centred on the so-called Compagni di Merende (“snack companions”), a group of men linked to the case during the 1990s, and in particular the role of Pacciani. He was convicted in the first trial but later acquitted on appeal. His death in 1998 meant that the legal proceedings were never definitively concluded.
Sollima said the project is part of a broader anthology approach to the Monster of Florence story, with each chapter focusing on a different suspect or investigative theory. The first instalment, Il Mostro, explored the so-called Sardinian lead, one of the earliest investigative tracks pursued by authorities.
The director described the Pacciani chapter as perhaps the most controversial phase of the case, noting that it continues to divide public opinion decades later because questions about responsibility for the murders remain unresolved.
The original Il Mostro series attracted significant attention in Italy and abroad. It was presented out of competition at the Venice International Film Festival and later won the Nastro d’Argento award for Best Crime Series.
Netflix has not yet announced a release date for Il Mostro: Pietro Pacciani.
❤️ Support Florence Daily News
If you liked this article, please consider supporting Florence Daily News.
We are an independent news site, free from paywalls and intrusive ads, committed to providing clear and reliable reporting on Florence and Tuscany for everyone.
Your support — whether a one-time gift or a regular contribution — helps us stay independent and keep telling the stories that matter.
Donate securely via Stripe below.
Make a one-time donation
Make a monthly donation
Make a yearly donation
Choose an amount
Or enter a custom amount
Your contribution is appreciated.
Your contribution is appreciated.
Your contribution is appreciated.