The show, M. Son of the Century, is based on the internationally bestselling novel of the same name by Antonio Scurati. Since its first publishing in 2018, Scurati’s book has been translated into 46 countries and sold more than 600,000 copies globally. It has also won the most prestigious Italian literary award, Premio Strega. No wonder why Sky is eager to turn it into a series. M. Son of The Century is set to land on the channel and its streaming service NOW in all Sky markets. Fremantle is in charge of the show’s international sales.

The plot will revolve around the birth and rise of fascism in Italy through the lens of its leading figure, Benito Mussolini. The eight-part miniseries will chronicle Mussolini’s rise to power and his transformation into one of the most horrifying dictators of the twentieth century. The story begins with the founding of Fasci Italiani in 1919. It takes us on a dark and twisted ride to Mussolini’s now-infamous speech in parliament following the brutal assassination of Giacomo Matteotti, socialist MP, in 1925.

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The Source Material

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“Antonio Scurati’s book is an unprecedented work in Italian literature, in terms of boldness, originality and accuracy,” Nils Hartmann, Executive Vice President Sky Studios Deutschland and Italia told Deadline. “Producing a TV series based on this work is an opportunity we could not pass up. With the partnership and creativity of The Apartment team we are diving right into the thrilling material of this story, to bring Sky customers a truly unique original series on the rise and fall of a man and the historical legacy that our country, and the world, have yet to come to terms with.”

The award-winning author, Scurati, said in an interview with Variety: “M depicts — for the first time from the inside — the rise of the fascist dictatorship and the sinister power of the dictator, Benito Mussolini. A theme of tragic relevance. I am happy that a series will extend the literary project. We need stories that awaken the passion for freedom. The struggle between democracy and dictatorship is not over.”

Mussolini’s Dreadful March to Dictatorship

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Without a doubt, Mussolini, also called “Il Duce,” is one of the most notorious figures in European history. He was the son of a humble, catholic family but raised eyebrows even as a young kid. He was not the common misbehaving kid, commonly pranking fellow students and pulling their hair. Mussolini was first expelled from school at the age of 10 for stabbing one of his classmates and suspended at 14 after stabbing another kid.

As a young adult, he traveled around Switzerland, became a journalist in the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and joined the Italian army in 1915. His political career started as a revolutionary socialist, and following the paramilitary fascist movement of 1919, he became prime minister of Italy. The widespread disappointment after the Treaty of Versailles sparked much support for his political violent tools and approaches involving the frequent use of explosives and weapons. Within a few years, Mussolini seized complete control of Italy and became a fascist dictator staying in power until 1945. “Il Duce” grew into being great allies with Adolf Hitler during World War II, embracing his anti-Semitic measures. Mussolini was executed by a firing squad shortly after the German surrender. His body was on display, hanging upside down at the Piazzale Loreto in Milan, where crowds were allowed to kick and spit on it.

Why Greenlight the Show Now?

     The Apartment Pictures / Sky

The series is expected to provide us with many unknown details about Mussolini’s most personal relationships, including his wife Rachele, his mistress Margherita Sarfatti, and figures of historical importance. The show will also give an account of a country’s frightening descent into autocracy and fascism and depict the socio-political, economic, and psychological reasons behind the process. A tired and frustrated nation loses faith in democracy and turns to something new, hoping for something better. However, that “new” becomes vicious, hateful, and cruel, able to execute collective brainwashing. This does not seem that alien in modern politics either.

M. Son of The Century comes from The Apartment Pictures’s Lorenzo Mieli with Sky Studios in collaboration with Pathé. The novel is being adapted to the small screen by Stefano Bises, the screenwriter behind such massive hits as Gomorrah and Paolo Sorrentino’s The New Pope. His writing partner on the project is David Serino, known for his work in 1992 and on Esterno Notte. Shooting is scheduled to start in 2023, so history buffs can already start biting their nails. Sky has said the drama will strive to tell the story “with historical accuracy, with every event, character, dialogue, and speech documented or witnessed by multiple sources.”

Lorenzo Mieli, CEO of The Apartment Pictures, reflected on the story with Variety in light of recent political events and some current political leaders: