Italian-Set Period Drama 'Hotel Portofino' to Premiere on PBS in June
In a summer television season that will likely be dominated by the highly anticipated returns of several popular mystery series (Endeavour, Grantchester) and political thrillers (COBRA), period drama fans can breathe a sigh of relief: At least we'll always have Hotel Portofino.
This lush 1920s drama is set in the breathtakingly beautiful resort town of Portofino and follows the story of the daughter of a wealthy industrialist who moves to Italy to set up a quintessentially British hotel in the shadow of Mussolini's rising fascist government. If this all feels a bit like Downton Abbey meets an Italian version of The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, well. I suspect you're not entirely wrong. But the combination of the beautiful setting and romantic visuals with the dark undercurrent of, well, everything we know was going on in the country in the years prior to World War II gives the series a unique tone not found in many other period properties.
Designated Survivor star Natascha McElhone plays heiress Bella Ainsworth opposite Home Fires' Mark Umbers as her charming if somewhat dangerous aristocratic husband. The Hour's Anna Chancellor plays Lady Latchmere, the hotel’s most influential and demanding guest.
