Italian TV series are once again focusing on the legal world, placing complex and contradictory lawyers at the center of their narratives, increasingly far from traditional stereotypes. No longer simply professionals solving cases, these characters are shaped by personal fragilities, ethical dilemmas and inner conflicts.
In recent weeks, two titles in particular have brought legal drama back into the spotlight: Guerrieri – The Rule of Balance, airing on Rai 1 since March 9, and Avvocato Ligas, available exclusively on Sky Italy and streaming on NOW. Despite differences in tone and setting, both productions are built around protagonists marked by moral tension and a complex relationship with justice.
The Rai series stars Alessandro Gassmann as Bari-based lawyer Guido Guerrieri, a character created by writer Gianrico Carofiglio. Directed by Gianluca Maria Tavarelli and co-produced by Rai Fiction, Rai Com, Combo International and Bartlebyfilm, the series intertwines legal cases with the protagonist’s private life, exploring personal crises, unresolved relationships and an ongoing confrontation with the idea of justice. The third episode, broadcast in prime time, achieved a 19.6% share, confirming audience interest in a more introspective and character-driven narrative.
On a different front is Avvocato Ligas, a Sky Studios and Fabula Pictures production starring Luca Argentero as Lorenzo Ligas. The series adopts a more dynamic and contemporary tone, following a brilliant and unconventional lawyer dealing with complex cases and a turbulent personal life. The first episodes reached around one million average viewers, positioning the show among the strongest debuts for Sky original productions in recent years.
Also worth mentioning is Vincenzo Malinconico, avvocato d’insuccesso, produced by Viola Film in co-production with Rai Fiction, which offered a more ironic and disenchanted take on the legal genre, centering on a protagonist far from traditional notions of success.
While Guerrieri leans toward a more reflective narrative rooted in literary tradition, Ligas moves closer to an international-style legal drama, characterized by faster pacing and narrative tension. In both cases, courtroom storytelling is closely intertwined with the characters’ personal lives, highlighting their vulnerabilities and internal conflicts.
Photo Credits: TUREK90/Pixabay
