''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 ge ...

, 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 ancie ...

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 par ...

. 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 a ...

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 Milena Miconi (born 15 December 1971) is an Italian actress and former model. She is an advocate for ', an organization for children suffering from muscular dystrophy. Filmography Film * ''Finalmente soli'', direction Umberto Marino (1997) ...

, who played Laura, the mayor of Gubbio as well as Anceschi's love interest and Simone Montedoro 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 ...

1080i. 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 ...

''" produced by TVP and a Russian version titled "''

Otec Matvej Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) uses the ocean thermal gradient between cooler deep and warmer shallow or surface seawaters to run a heat engine and produce useful work, usually in the form of electricity. OTEC can operate with a very hi ...

''" (: 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 Corpor ...

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 poli ...

, 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 Tusca ...

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 Nathalie is a female given name. It is a variant of the name Natalie/ Natalia which is found in many languages, and is especially common in French and English speaking countries. Notable people with the name include: * Nathalie, Italian singer * ...

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) * Simone Montedoro as Captain Giulio Tommasi: Captain of Gubbio and Spoleto Carabinieri military police station, successor of Anceschi. (seasons 6-10-guest 12) *

Maria Chiara Giannetta Maria Chiara Giannetta (Foggia, 20 May 1992) is an Italian actress. She is best known for her roles in the Italian TV series '' Don Matteo'' and ''Blanca''. Biography At the age of 10 Gianetta took part in her first theatrical performance, alb ...

as Captain Anna Olivieri: Captain of Spoleto Carabinieri military police station, successor of Tommasi. (seasons 11-present) * Francesco Scali 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 Pietro is an Italian masculine given name. Notable people with the name include: People * Pietro I Candiano (c. 842–887), briefly the 16th Doge of Venice * Pietro Tribuno (died 912), 17th Doge of Venice, from 887 to his death * Pietro II C ...

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 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 Maurizio is an Italian masculine given name, derived from the Roman name Mauritius. Mauritius is a derivative of Maurus, meaning ''dark-skinned, Moorish''. List of people with the given name Maurizio Art and music * Maurizio Arcieri (born 1945), ...

as Marco Nardi: New public minister of Spoleto which replaces Lucrezia Volpi. (seasons 11-present) * Simona Marchini as Clara Tommasi: Mother of Captain Giulio Tommasi (seasons 6-10) *

Nadir Caselli The nadir (, ; ar, نظير, naẓīr, counterpart) is the direction pointing directly ''below'' a particular location; that is, it is one of two vertical directions at a specified location, orthogonal to a horizontal flat surface. The direc ...

as Lia Cecchini: Niece of Marshall Cecchini who falls in love with Captain Tommasi. (seasons 9-10) *

Emma Reale Emma may refer to: * Emma (given name) Film * ''Emma'' (1932 film), a comedy-drama film by Clarence Brown * ''Emma'' (1996 theatrical film), a film starring Gwyneth Paltrow * ''Emma'' (1996 TV film), a British television film starring Kate Be ...

as Martina Tommasi: Daughter of Captain Giulio Tommasi and the late Patrizia Cecchini. (seasons 9-10) *

Astra Lanz Astra may refer to: People * Astra (name) Places * Astra, Chubut, a village in Argentina * Astra (Isauria), a town of ancient Isauria, now in Turkey * Astra, one suggested name for a hypothetical fifth planet that became the asteroid belt Ent ...

as Sister Maria: Friend of Father Matteo. (seasons 6-present) *

Laura Glavan Laura may refer to: People * Laura (given name) * Laura, the British code name for the World War I Belgian spy Marthe Cnockaert Places Australia * Laura, Queensland, a town on the Cape York Peninsula * Laura, South Australia * Laura Bay, a bay o ...

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 conte ...

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 Letizia () is a predominantly Italian feminine given name. People bearing the name Letizia include: *Queen Letizia of Spain (born 1972), wife of King Felipe VI *Letizia Battaglia (born 1935), Italian photographer and photojournalist *Letizia Bert ...

as Ester Natalina Belvedere: Little daughter of Laura Belvedere and Giuliano Rovati. (seasons 9-10) *

Claudio Ricci Claudio is an Italian and Spanish first name. In Portuguese it is accented Cláudio. In Catalan and Occitan it is Claudi, while in Romanian it is Claudiu. Origin and history Claudius was the name of an eminent Roman gens, the most important ...

as Nerino Bertolacci: Children who lived in Father Matteo's rectory (seasons 1–4) *

Evelina Gori ''Evelina, or the History of a Young Lady's Entrance into the World'' is a novel written by English author Fanny Burney and first published in 1778. Although published anonymously, its authorship was revealed by the poet George Huddesford in w ...

as Grandma Elide: Sprightly grandmother of Nerino (seasons 1–3) * Sara Santostasi as Camilla: Bolivian little girl who lived in Father Matteo's rectory (season 4) *

Steven Manetto Stephen or Steven is a common English first name. It is particularly significant to Christians, as it belonged to Saint Stephen ( grc-gre, Στέφανος ), an early disciple and deacon who, according to the Book of Acts, was stoned to death; h ...

as Tommaso: Another child who lived in Father Matteo's rectory (season 5) * Andrea Pittorino as Agostino: Another child who lived in Father Matteo's rectory (seasons 7–8) *

Dalila Pasquariello Delilah ( ; , meaning "delicate";Gesenius's ''Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon'' ar, دليلة, Dalīlah; grc, label= Greek, Δαλιδά, Dalidá) is a woman mentioned in the sixteenth chapter of the Book of Judges in the Hebrew Bible. She is loved ...

as Sabrina Esposito: Former convict who thanks to Father Matteo goes to work alongside Tomas. (season 10) *

Gabriele De Pascali Gabriele is both a given name and a surname. Notable people with the name include: Given name Surname *Al Gabriele, American comic book artist * Angel Gabriele (1956–2016), American comic book artist *Corrado Gabriele (born 1966), Italian polit ...

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) *

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 ...

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), ''Sara'' (1992 film), 1992 Iranian film by Dariush Merhjui * Sara (1997 film), ''Sara'' (1997 film), 1997 Polish film starring Bogusław Linda * Sara (2010 ...

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 ...

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 organizati ...

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 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 Principality of Monaco at the Grimaldi Forum, under the Honorary Presidency of H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco. The opening ceremony inaugurates each new edition, introd ...

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