From Primetime to Prison: HBO’s Portobello Revisits Enzo Tortora’s Fate
HBO Max has dropped the official teaser for Portobello, a gripping new series about the wrongful conviction of beloved Italian TV host Enzo Tortora. Directed by Marco Bellocchio, the drama is set to premiere in 2026 and has already been selected for the 82nd Venice Film Festival.
The teaser, titled Portobello | Official Teaser | HBO Max, introduces audiences to the glittering world of Enzo Tortora, played by Italian actor Fabrizio Gifuni, before plunging into the scandal that forever changed his life. Tortora, once the face of Italian television, was arrested on June 17, 1983, accused of mafia ties that later proved unfounded.
The series dramatizes one of Italy’s most infamous miscarriages of justice, known as the “Tortora Case.” Based on testimonies from mafia informants, Tortora was sentenced to ten years in prison in 1985 despite a lack of physical evidence. His wrongful conviction sent shockwaves through Italian society and became a symbol of judicial overreach.
Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Marco Bellocchio (The Traitor, Exterior Night), the series continues his exploration of Italy’s political and criminal underbelly. Bellocchio brings his signature mix of historical realism and psychological intensity to the story, setting Portobello apart as one of HBO Max’s most ambitious international productions.
The production is a collaboration between Our Films, Kavac Film, ARTE France, and The Apartment Pictures. The teaser also highlights the show’s inclusion in the Official Selection of the 82nd Venice Film Festival, which will run from August 27 to September 6, 2025—an early sign of critical recognition for the project.
For many Italians, Enzo Tortora remains a tragic figure. After years of fighting to clear his name, he was acquitted by the Supreme Court in 1987. Sadly, he died of cancer in 1988, less than a year later, leaving behind a legacy of resilience and public mistrust in the justice system. The HBO series aims to rekindle debate around his story for a global audience.
By revisiting Tortora’s ordeal, Portobello not only dramatizes the downfall of a television star but also poses urgent questions about the power of the media, the fragility of justice, and the devastating impact of false accusations. For viewers interested in both history and human drama, this promises to be a must-watch series.
