by Nastassja Martin
Production has resumed in Friuli Venezia Giulia on L’Ombra, a new 10-episode action-comedy television series directed and written by the Manetti bros. The production team met with reporters in Trieste on Tuesday at the Casa del Cinema, which has served as the local operational headquarters during filming.
The series is a co-production of Rai Fiction, Mompracem and Rai Com, produced by Pier Giorgio Bellocchio and the Manetti bros., with support from the Friuli Venezia Giulia Film Commission – PromoTurismoFVG and the Emilia-Romagna Film Commission.
After completing an initial week of filming in February in Cave del Predil and Trieste, the production has returned to the region for a five-day shoot to complete scenes set in Trieste. Locations include Grignano, Trieste Airport, the city’s covered market and wholesale fruit and vegetable market.
The Manetti bros. described L’Ombra as their first television series built around a single story spanning ten episodes, marking a departure from their previous work. In addition to directing, the filmmakers also co-wrote the series with a team of screenwriters. They said they were pleased to return to Friuli Venezia Giulia, noting the collaboration with local crews, many of whom have since joined other productions directed by the pair.
Regional officials said the production reflects the growing appeal of Friuli Venezia Giulia as a filming destination. Sergio Emidio Bini, the regional councillor for productive activities and tourism, said the variety of landscapes and architecture continues to attract national and international productions. He added that audiovisual projects supported by the Friuli Venezia Giulia Film Commission generated an estimated €18 million in direct and indirect economic impact in 2025.
The current production phase employs about 20 technicians and crew members from Friuli Venezia Giulia across technical and organizational departments.
L’Ombra follows the story of a young vigilante who patrols the streets of Milan at night. Her identity remains unknown, including to Giuseppe Vitali, a reluctant police officer who unexpectedly finds himself taking on the role of the city’s sheriff. The series combines action, comedy and mystery, genres closely associated with the Manetti bros.’ filmmaking.
The cast includes Luigi Lo Cascio, Bianca Panconi and Serena Rossi. The series concept was developed by the Manetti bros., Federico Favot, Michelangelo La Neve and Roberto Recchioni. Screenwriters include the Manetti bros., Roberto Recchioni, Luna Gualano, Emiliano Rubbi and Federico Favot. Cinematography is by Angelo Sorrentino, editing by Federico Maria Maneschi, production design by Noemi Marchica, costumes by Ginevra De Carolis and the score by Pivio & Aldo De Scalzi.
The production marks the Manetti bros.’ return to Friuli Venezia Giulia following the filming of their Diabolik trilogy, which also used locations across the region.
