The new historical drama series Medici Masters of Florence, tells the story of the de’ Medici family, who played a crucial role in the economic and artistic development of the city of Florence during the Renaissance. The series is produced by the Italian network Rai Fiction and features an international cast with some well-known names in the leading roles like Dustin Hoffman and Richard Madden.
Medici Masters of Florence Facts
The project – Medici Masters of Florence
The award-winning Executive Producer and writer Frank Spotnitz, known for producing popular TV shows such as The X-Files, Crossing Lines and Man in the High Castle, and writer Nicholas Meyer created the series. In Italy, the show can be seen, even in Ultra HD, on Rai 1 and Rai 4K channel button 210 on the free TVsat satellite platform. Wild Brunch TV has acquired the global sales of the production.
The Director
The gripping family saga is directed by Sergio Mimica-Gezzan, who was awarded three times as Best Assistant Director by the Directors Guild Of America. Mimica-Gezzan was awarded in 1990 for War and Remembrance, in 1994 for Schindler ‘s List and 1999 for Saving Private Ryan, both by Steven Spielberg. Other films with whom he has collaborated are Jurassic Park, Minority Report and Catch Me If You Can.
The story
A political, family drama set in Florence in the early 15th century. Cosimo de’ Medici finds himself at the helm of his supremely wealthy, banking dynasty family, when his father, Giovanni dies suddenly. The story begins in Florence in 1429: Giovanni de’ Medici, the family patriarch, is poisoned. His son Cosimo decides to keep the cause of death secret and instructs his right-hand man Marco Bello to locate the assassin. The situation worsens with the outbreak of war when the Duke of Milan annexes the city of Lucca away from Florentine dominion. Meanwhile, in Florence Marco Bello continues to investigate the death of Giovanni and soon discovers that a local pharmacist may know something about what happened.
The cast
The beginning of the series revolves around Giovanni De’ Medici, patriarch of the Medici family; the character is portrayed by Dustin Hoffman, winner of two Academy Awards – Kramer vs. Kramer and Rain Man. His son Cosimo de’ Medici, is played by Richard Madden, best known for his role as Robb Stark in Game of Thrones. Several Italian actors such as Alessandro Preziosi, Alessandro Sperduti, Guido Caprino, Miriam Leone, Sarah Felberbaum, Valentina Cervi and Valentina Bellè complete the international cast.
List of actors:
- Dustin Hoffman – Giovanni de’ Medici
- Richard Madden – Cosimo de’ Medici
- Stuart Martin – Lorenzo de’ Medici
- Annabel Scholey – Contessina de’ Medici
- Valentina Bellè – Lucrezia de’ Medici
- Alessandro Sperduti – Piero de’ Medici
- Frances Barba – Piccarda de’ Medici
- Guido Caprino – Marco Bello
- Giorgio Caputo – Federigo Malavolti
- Tatjana Nardone – Emilia
- Ken Bones – Ugo Bencini
- Daniel Caltagirone – Andrea Pazzi
- Lex Shrapnel – Rinaldo degli Albizzi
- Sarah Felberbaum – Maddalena
- Girolamo Alchieri – Maso degli Albizzi
- Anthony Howell – Francesco Sforza
- Alessandro Preziosi – Filippo Brunelleschi
- David Bradley – Bardi
- Ben Starr – Donatello
- Steven Waddington – Cossa
The locations
The show was entirely shot in Tuscany in scenic places that have remained the same over the centuries. The most important locations are especially Rome and Florence, using several historic buildings as the backdrop. You might recognize Palazzo Vecchio, the Basilica of San Lorenzo, the Baptistery and the Duomo in Florence, but also Villa Adriana and Villa d’Este in Tivoli. The Palazzo Piccolomini in Pienza was used as the Palazzo Medici, the home of the family; the interiors were filmed in the studio. Located next to Palazzo Piccolomini is Palazzo Comunale which was used as the Bank of the Medici family.
List of locations:
- Florence – Palazzo Vecchio – Duomo – Baptistery – Basilica of San Lorenzo – Palazzo Bargello
- Pienza – Palazzo Piccolomini – Palazzo Comunale
- Montepulcino
- Pistoia
- San Quirico d’Orcia – Bagno Vignoni
- Tivoli – Villa Adriana and Villa d’Este
- Bracciano (Roma) – Castellodi Odescalchi
- Caprarola (Viterbo) – Villa Farnese
The soundtrack
The Italian composer Paolo Buonvino composed the soundtrack of Medici Masters of Florence. The theme song with the fitting title Renaissance is performed by Skin.
