''Don Matteo'' ( en, Father Matthew) is an Italian television series that has been airing on

Rai 1 Rai 1 () is an Italian free-to-air television channel owned and operated by state-owned public broadcaster RAI – Radiotelevisione italiana. It is the company's flagship television channel, and is known for broadcasting mainstream and general ...

, Italian national television's first channel, since 2000.

History

The protagonist of the series is Father Matteo (portrayed by

Terence Hill Terence Hill (born Mario Girotti; 29 March 1939) is an Italian actor, film director, screenwriter and producer. He began his career as a child actor and gained international fame for starring roles in action and comedy films, many with longtim ...

), a Catholic priest in a parish of the town of

Gubbio Gubbio () is an Italian town and ''comune'' in the far northeastern part of the Italian province of Perugia (Umbria). It is located on the lowest slope of Mt. Ingino, a small mountain of the Apennines. History The city's origins are very ancient. ...

Perugia Perugia (, , ; lat, Perusia) is the capital city of Umbria in central Italy, crossed by the River Tiber, and of the province of Perugia. The city is located about north of Rome and southeast of Florence. It covers a high hilltop and part o ...

. He is also known for his unrivalled talent in investigating local crime stories. Father Matteo is a wise and respected person who really manages to understand people's problems, and always appears to be willing to help. Thanks to his charm and positivity, he often helps criminals on their way to redemption and he always convinces them to confess their crimes and to accept their responsibilities. Comedian

Nino Frassica Antonino "Nino" Frassica (born 11 December 1950) is an Italian actor, Duke of Gela and television personality. Biography and career Born in Messina, Frassica is mostly known for his deadpan humour, characterized by absurd jokes he described as ...

portrays Marshal Antonio Cecchini, a middle-aged

Carabiniere The Carabinieri (, also , ; formally ''Arma dei Carabinieri'', "Arm of Carabineers"; previously ''Corpo dei Carabinieri Reali'', "Royal Carabineers Corps") are the national gendarmerie of Italy who primarily carry out domestic and foreign polic ...

who also happens to be Matteo's best friend. Cecchini is one of the main co-protagonists and often provides humour and comic relief in the series. Other notable cast members include

Flavio Insinna Flavio Insinna (born 3 July 1965) is an Italian actor and television presenter. He is the current host of ''L'eredità''. He is also known for having hosted '' Affari Tuoi'', the Italian version of ''Deal or No Deal'' between 2006 and 2008 and t ...

, who portrayed Captain Flavio Anceschi from 2000 to 2006, Milena Miconi, who played Laura, the mayor of Gubbio as well as Anceschi's love interest and

Simone Montedoro Simone may refer to: * Simone (given name), a feminine (or Italian masculine) given name of Hebrew origin * Simone (surname), an Italian surname Simone may also refer to: * ''Simone'' (1918 film), a French silent drama film * ''Simone'' (1926 fi ...

who has been playing the role of Captain Giulio Tommasi, successor to Anceschi, since the sixth season. From season 8, Don Matteo is filmed in

HDTV High-definition television (HD or HDTV) describes a television system which provides a substantially higher image resolution than the previous generation of technologies. The term has been used since 1936; in more recent times, it refers to the g ...

1080i 1080i (also known as Full HD or BT.709) is a combination of frame resolution and scan type. 1080i is used in high-definition television (HDTV) and high-definition video. The number "1080" refers to the number of horizontal lines on the screen. ...

. The series has also a Polish version titled "''

Ojciec Mateusz ''Ojciec Mateusz'' (English: ''Father Matthew'') is a Polish television drama series, which has aired on TVP1 since November 11, 2008. It is a Polish version of the Italian detective series ''Don Matteo'' broadcast in Italy by Rai Uno. ...

''" produced by TVP and a Russian version titled "'' Otec Matvej''" (: Отец Матвей).

Syndication

The series is syndicated in the United States by

MHz Networks MHz Networks is an American public broadcaster that specializes in international television programming. Washington, D.C., broadcast operations MHz (pronounced "M-H-Z") Networks began as a project of the Commonwealth Public Broadcasting Corpora ...

Synopsis

The plot primarily revolves around the titular Matteo, a Catholic priest with an impressive insight in human nature, aiding the

Carabinieri The Carabinieri (, also , ; formally ''Arma dei Carabinieri'', "Arm of Carabineers"; previously ''Corpo dei Carabinieri Reali'', "Royal Carabineers Corps") are the national gendarmerie of Italy who primarily carry out domestic and foreign polic ...

, the national as opposed to local police force personnel in solving crimes (usually murder cases). In this he usually finds support in marshal Antonio Cecchini, a warrant officer who often shares with him important details and clues, but also hostility, in the figure of Cecchini's direct superior, captain Flavio Anceschi (and later Giulio Tommasi and Anna Olivieri), who has little tolerance for the priest's continuous interference with the investigation.

Cast and characters

as Father Matteo Minelli-Bondini: The series' protagonist and a Catholic priest with an impressive insight into human nature, aiding the Carabinieri (police) station in solving crimes (usually murder cases). (seasons 1-first 4 episodes of 13) *

Raoul Bova Raoul Bova (born 14 August 1971) is an Italian actor. Bova's European film breakthrough was in the 1993 film ''Piccolo grande amore'', and he's played romantic male leads the following years. His American film credits include '' Under the Tusc ...

as Father Massimo Sartori: another Catholic priest, former agent of Carabinieri; replaces Father Matteo Bondini after his depart to Africa. (seasons 1-last 4 episodes of 13) * Nathalie Guetta as Natalina Diotallevi: Father Matteo's housekeeper. (seasons 1-present) *

as Marshal Antonino "Nino" Cecchini: Marshal of Gubbio and Spoleto Carabinieri military police stations and best friend of Father Matteo. (seasons 1-present) *

as Captain Flavio Anceschi: Captain of Gubbio Carabinieri military police station. (seasons 1–5) *

as Captain Giulio Tommasi: Captain of Gubbio and Spoleto Carabinieri military police station, successor of Anceschi. (seasons 6-10-guest 12) * Maria Chiara Giannetta as Captain Anna Olivieri: Captain of Spoleto Carabinieri military police station, successor of Tommasi. (seasons 11-present) *

Francesco Scali Francesco, the Italian (and original) version of the personal name "Francis", is the most common given name among males in Italy. Notable persons with that name include: People with the given name Francesco * Francesco I (disambiguation), sever ...

as Pippo Gimignani-Zerfati: Father Matteo's sacristan. (seasons 1-present) * Caterina Sylos Labini as Caterina Cecchini: Wife of Marshal Cecchini. She died of a hitherto unknown illness. (seasons 1-11) *

Pamela Saino Pamela may refer to: *''Pamela; or, Virtue Rewarded'', a novel written by Samuel Richardson in 1740 *Pamela (name), a given name and, rarely, a surname *Pamela Spence, a Turkish pop-rock singer. Known as her stage name "Pamela" * MSC ''Pamela'', ...

as Patrizia Cecchini: First daughter of Marshall Cecchini and wife of Captain Giulio Tommasi, she was killed in a car accident. (seasons 2–8) * Giada Arena, Giusy Buscemi and Simona Di Bella as Assuntina Cecchini: Second daughter of Marshall Cecchini. (seasons 2-present) * Pietro Pulcini as Brigadier Piero Ghisoni: Carabiniere in Gubbio and Spoleto Carabinieri military police stations. (seasons 1–3; seasons 5-present) * Giuseppe Sulfaro as Appuntato Severino Cecchini: Nephew of Marshal Cecchini and carabineer in Gubbio and Spoleto police station. (seasons 6-10) * Eleonora Sergio as Andrea Conti: Public minister (prosecutor) of Gubbio. (seasons 8) *

Giorgia Surina Giorgia Surina (born 8 March 1975, in Milan) is an Italian television personality known for presenting '' TRL Italy'', the Italian version of ''Total Request Live ''Total Request Live'' (known commonly as ''TRL'') was an American television ...

as Bianca "Bibba" Venezia: Public minister of Spoleto and friend of Tommasi that becomes a rival in Lia's love. (season 9) * Dario Cassini as Gualtiero Ferri: New public minister of Spoleto which replaces Bianca Venezia. He leaves Spoleto when he discovers that Captain Tommasi get engaged to Margherita, and then return when the captain refused to marry her after falling in love with Lia. (seasons 10) * Maria Rosaria Russo as Lucrezia Volpi: New public minister of Spoleto which replaces Gualtiero Ferri (seasons 10) * Maurizio Lastrico as Marco Nardi: New public minister of Spoleto which replaces Lucrezia Volpi. (seasons 11-present) *

Simona Marchini Simona Marchini (born 19 December 1941) is an Italian actress, television and radio presenter, stage director, comedian and art dealer. Life and career Born in Rome, the daughter of the businessman Alvaro, Marchini graduated in modern literat ...

as Clara Tommasi: Mother of Captain Giulio Tommasi (seasons 6-10) * Nadir Caselli as Lia Cecchini: Niece of Marshall Cecchini who falls in love with Captain Tommasi. (seasons 9-10) * Emma Reale as Martina Tommasi: Daughter of Captain Giulio Tommasi and the late Patrizia Cecchini. (seasons 9-10) * Astra Lanz as Sister Maria: Friend of Father Matteo. (seasons 6-present) * Laura Glavan as Laura Belvedere: 16 years old pregnant girl hosted in Father Matteo's rectory, daughter of Antonio Belvedere, old friend of Matteo. She falls in love with Tomàs Martinez. (seasons 8-10) *

Andrés Gil Andrés Gil (born 27 January 1990 in San Isidro) is an Argentine actor, model, dancer and media personality. Biography In January 2012 Gil took part - with Bobo Vieri, Alex Belli, Anna Tatangelo, Ria Antoniou, Ariadna Romero and other contes ...

as Tomàs Martinez: Young boy who is serving a year in prison in Father Matteo's rectory; he is looking for his sister Alma. He falls in love with Laura. (seasons 9-10) * Letizia Arnò as Ester Natalina Belvedere: Little daughter of Laura Belvedere and Giuliano Rovati. (seasons 9-10) * Claudio Ricci as Nerino Bertolacci: Children who lived in Father Matteo's rectory (seasons 1–4) * Evelina Gori as Grandma Elide: Sprightly grandmother of Nerino (seasons 1–3) *

Sara Santostasi Sara Santostasi (born 24 January 1993) is an Italian actress, singer and dancer. She was one of the contestants in seventh series of ''Ballando con le Stelle ''Ballando con le Stelle'' is the Italian version of the ''Strictly Come Dancing'' / ...

as Camilla: Bolivian little girl who lived in Father Matteo's rectory (season 4) * Steven Manetto as Tommaso: Another child who lived in Father Matteo's rectory (season 5) *

Andrea Pittorino Andrea is a given name which is common worldwide for both males and females, cognate to Andreas, Andrey, Andrej and Andrew. Origin of the name The name derives from the Greek language, Greek word ἀνήρ (''anēr''), genitive ἀνδρός ...

as Agostino: Another child who lived in Father Matteo's rectory (seasons 7–8) * Dalila Pasquariello as Sabrina Esposito: Former convict who thanks to Father Matteo goes to work alongside Tomas. (season 10) * Gabriele De Pascali as Alberto Torre: Boyfriend of Laura for a short period. (season 10) * Andrea Cereatti as Appuntato Linetti: Carabiniere in Gubbio police station. (season 4) * Eleonora Sergio as Andrea Conti: District attorney of Gubbio police station. (season 8) * Dario Cassini as Gualtiero Ferri: District attorney of Spoleto police station. (season 10) * Milena Miconi as Laura Respighi: Mayor of Gubbio and wife of Captain Anceschi. (seasons 4–5) *

Ilaria Spada Ilaria Spada (born 27 February 1981 in Latina, Latium, Italy), is an Italian actress and showgirl, born in the Pontine Marshes district to an Italian father and a Sicilian- Tunisian mother. Spada participated as anchorwoman in Zecchino d'oro o ...

as Amanda Patriarchi: Former girlfriend of Captain Tommasi. (seasons 6–7) * Raniero Monaco di Lapio as Daniele Orsini: Former boyfriend of Lia Cecchini. (season 10) *

Sara Zanier Sara may refer to: Arts, media and entertainment Film and television * ''Sara'' (1992 film), 1992 Iranian film by Dariush Merhjui * ''Sara'' (1997 film), 1997 Polish film starring Bogusław Linda * ''Sara'' (2010 film), 2010 Sri Lankan Sinhal ...

as Margherita Colognese: Girlfriend of Gualtiero Ferri who shortly falls in love with Captain Tommasi. (season 10) *

Gastone Moschin Gastone Moschin (8 June 1929 – 4 September 2017) was an Italian stage, television and film actor. Career Born in San Giovanni Lupatoto (Veneto), Moschin graduated from the Accademia Nazionale di Arte Drammatica Silvio D'Amico and then began hi ...

as Guido: Bishop of Gubbio and friend of Father Matteo. (seasons 1–2) *

Renato Carpentieri Renato Carpentieri (born 2 April 1943) is an Italian actor, stage director and playwright. Life and career Born in Savignano Irpino, Avellino, Carpentieri studied architecture in Naples, where from 1965 to 1974 he was engaged in the organizatio ...

as Bishop of Gubbio: Successor of Guido. (season 3) * Philippe Leroy as Mons. Benelli: Bishop of Gubbio and friend of Father Matteo. (seasons 6–7) *

Sydne Rome Sydne Rome (born March 17, 1951) is an American-Italian film actress. Her first name is often misspelled ''Sydney'' or ''Sidney''. Biography Born in Akron, Rome grew up in a wealthy, Jewish family in Upper Sandusky, Ohio. Her father was preside ...

as Susi Dallara: Principal of Gubbio and Spoleto high school. (season 7-present) *

Bruno Cabrerizo Bruno Cabrerizo (born July 19, 1979) is a former Brazilian football player, model and actor. Career Cabrerizo joined Japanese J2 League club Sagan Tosu in 2003. He debuted as defensive midfielder in J2 against Shonan Bellmare is a Japanese ...

as Fernando: Spanish friend of Patrizia Cecchini. (season 8)

Episodes

Reception

The series received two awards at the 42nd

Monte-Carlo Television Festival The Monte-Carlo Television Festival is held every year in June in the Monaco, Principality of Monaco at the Grimaldi Forum, under the Honorary Presidency of H.S.H. Albert II, Prince of Monaco, Prince Albert II of Monaco. The opening ceremony ...

in 2002:

won the award for Best Actor and Alessandro Jacchia won the award for Best Producer.

References

External links

* {{Authority control 2000 Italian television series debuts Italian crime television series Italian comedy television series 2010s Italian television series 2000s Italian television series Gubbio RAI original programming