Wrongfully Accused TV Host's Downfall and Redemption Saga Comes to HBO Max

In 2026, HBO Max will premiere a new six-episode series that delves into one of the most infamous miscarriages of justice in Italy's history. Titled "Portobello," the series is set in the 1980s and tells the story of the downfall and imprisonment of Enzo Tortora, a popular TV host at the height of his success.

Tortora was the host of the hit show "Portobello," which reached an audience of 28 million viewers in its prime. He was considered the "king of 1980s television" and even received an appointment as Commander of the Republic from the Italian President. However, Tortora's life took a dramatic turn when a member of the powerful Camorra criminal organization, Giovanni Pandico, named him as an unexpected suspect during an interrogation.

What follows is an "odyssey that will drag him from the heights to the abyss," as the Italian police arrest Tortora, believing it to be a mistake at first. The series, directed by legendary Italian filmmaker Marco Bellocchio, explores the complex layers of this case, where Tortora was not considered a "saint" or a "hero," but an ordinary man forced to take on the role of a champion against the injustices of the justice system.

Bellocchio, known for his cinematic style, has brought his expertise to the small screen, maintaining a filmic perspective while telling this gripping story over the course of six episodes. The series delves into the parallel narratives, including the Camorra's involvement and the Irpinia earthquake, that ultimately led to Tortora's downfall, despite his innocence.

"Portobello" is a co-production between HBO Max, ARTE France, Rai Fiction, and Fremantle's The Apartment Pictures, and is set to debut globally on HBO Max in 2026, excluding France and Germany.