Suburra: Blood on Rome is a crime drama about power, corruption and the people who live in the cracks between them. It follows Aureliano Adami, a gang member in the seaside town of Ostia near Rome, as a fight over land spirals into a deadly battle involving organized crime, corrupt politicians and the Vatican. The show runs three seasons, 24 episodes, from October 2017 to October 2020, and it is available on Netflix.
The series is based on the 2015 film Suburra, itself adapted from the novel of the same name by Giancarlo De Cataldo and Carlo Bonini. The TV version was initially planned as a prequel to the film, but after Rai Fiction left the project, the final season took a different direction. That pivot makes the third season feel distinct from the first two, though the threads tie back to earlier storylines.
Trailer, via Netflix.
The Cast Anchors the Story
Alessandro Borghi plays Aureliano Adami, a gang member whose loyalties get tested across all three seasons. Giacomo Ferrara plays Alberto “Spadino” Anacleti, a Sinti gang member who forms a bond with Adami. Carlotta Antonelli appears as Angelica Sale, and Federica Sabatini plays Nadia Gravone. Filippo Nigro is Amedeo Cinaglia, while Adamo Dionisi and Paola Sotgiu play Manfredi and Adelaide Anacleti. Alessandro Bernardini rounds out the main cast as Saverio Guerri.
The series also brings in Eduardo Valdarnini as Gabriele “Lele” Marchilli, the son of a policeman who becomes involved in crime. Francesco Acquaroli plays Samurai, an antagonist to Adami and the head of Roman organized crime. These characters give the show a wide range of voices, from street-level gangsters to high-ranking officials, and the cast sells each one with conviction.
Power Clashes and Corruption
The show draws from the real-life Mafia Capitale investigation, which exposed corruption among politicians, police and the Vatican. Suburra: Blood on Rome dramatizes those power clashes, showing how criminal organizations operate within a system where legality is a matter of convenience. The series does not pretend that the bad guys are sympathetic, but it does show them as people with families, fears and ambitions.
The central conflict is a fight over land. That simple premise expands into a web of alliances, betrayals and deals that pull in everyone from local gangsters to high-ranking officials. The show is patient about this, letting the tension build episode by episode rather than rushing to a payoff. That patience pays off in the later seasons, where the consequences of early decisions come back to haunt the characters.
The Shift After Season Two
Rai Fiction’s departure from the project changed the direction of the series. The third season diverges from the path laid out by the first two, becoming a separate, divergent adaptation rather than a true prequel. This shift means viewers who watched the film first might find the final season less connected to its predecessor than expected.
The change is noticeable, but it does not weaken the show. Instead, it gives the final season its own identity. The series continues to explore the same themes of power and corruption, but the stakes feel higher because the world has shifted underneath the characters. The show earns its divergence by refusing to repeat itself.
Production and Direction
The series was developed by Daniele Cesarano, Barbara Petronio, Ezio Abbate and Fabrizio Bettelli for Netflix. It was produced by Cattleya in association with Rai Fiction and Bartleby Film. The third season was produced without Rai Fiction’s involvement, which explains the change in direction.
The production values are high. The show captures the gritty streets of Ostia and the shadowy corridors of power with a visual style that feels both grounded and cinematic. The score supports the tension without overwhelming the dialogue, and the cinematography keeps the series visually distinct even when the story slows down.
“The series was developed by Daniele Cesarano, Barbara Petronio, Ezio Abbate and Fabrizio Bettelli for Netflix.”
Why It Works
Suburra: Blood on Rome succeeds because it trusts its audience. The show does not explain every detail, and it does not soften its violence. Characters die, alliances fall apart and the lines between good and evil blur. The result is a tense, often brutal drama that rewards attention.
The show also benefits from its ensemble cast. No single actor carries the series; instead, the story moves between multiple perspectives, giving each character a moment to shine. That approach keeps the series fresh across its three seasons.
The final season’s shift away from the film’s continuity is a risk, but it pays off. By the end of the series, the characters have changed in ways that feel earned rather than forced. The show’s willingness to let its world evolve makes its conclusion feel more satisfying than if it had stayed locked into a predetermined path.
A Strong Finish
Suburra: Blood on Rome is a gripping crime drama with strong performances, sharp writing and a willingness to follow its story where it leads. The shift in direction for the final season is a bold move that pays off. The series earns its reputation as one of Netflix’s standout original productions.
The show is available on Netflix. Anyone interested in crime dramas, political thrillers or stories about the intersection of power and corruption should consider giving it a watch.
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