An eerily haunting thriller, Thou Shalt Not Kill (Non Uccidere) is the latest in a slew of amazing drama selections from Walter's Choice. Valeria is a stubborn detective who seems to have a gift for understanding the perpetrators of the crimes she investigates. And while she might be a genius at her sleuthing career, Valeria is anything but in her personal life. Like most of the Walter's Choice selects, this series is stylish, gritty, and highly addicting, starring the gorgeous Miriam Leone in the lead role. Anyone who is a fan of Modus, The Tunnel, or Wallender will enjoy.
With the series making its television debut on WGBX 44, WGBH Drama Club wanted to dig deeper into the show to see just what we can expect from this exciting new property.
1. The story takes on the professional and the personal.
While some of the dramas we've seen over the years focus on just the facts, ma'am, Thou Shalt Not Kill is definitely not one of them. Not only do we learn early on that Valeria's mom is in prison, but also that Valeria's boyfriend (and boss!), Giorgio, was the one to arrest her. This is only the beginning of the intrigue into Valeria's backstory; her mother's crime and her living situation with her brother and his family only cause more angst for our main girl.
2. The series is set and shot in Turin.
If you were hoping for a romantic backdrop of Roman ruins, you're in the wrong place: Thou Shalt Not Kill is set and filmed in Turin, the capital city of Piedmont in northern Italy. A post-industrial city with a sizable influx of immigrants, Turin has a population of more than 2 million people in its greater metropolitan area. The city is known for it's culture and universities, and all of these factors weave together to create the perfect backdrop for the mysteries Valeria works in each episode.
3. Miriam Leone is no stranger to the spotlight.
It's sometimes hard to remember that Valeria is emotionally hardened from her life and work given the actress who plays her. Miriam Leone won Miss Italia in 2008, and went on to have a vibrant career in Italian film and TV, including a starring role in the aptly-named 1992, 1993, and 1994, a series that digs into the politics of Italy in the 1990s.
4. The show has some serious production power.
Lorenzo Mieli, one of the executive producers of Thou Shalt Not Kill, might not be a household name in the US, but that doesn't mean you should write him off. With credits under his belt like The Young Pope, My Brilliant Friend, and Hungry Hearts, he clearly has clout and vision when it comes to creating a series. Guido De Laurentiis, another of the show's executive producers, may sound a bit more familiar — but not for his resume. While De Laurentiis does have an impressive resume, he is also the nephew of film great Dino De Laurentiis, a producer who worked with Fellini, Roberto Rossellini, David Lynch, Sam Raimi and even Stephen King.
5. There is already a second season.
Don't worry about getting hooked: Thou Shalt Not Kill already has a second season, which we'll hopefully see streaming on PBS soon. That being said, there is no evidence at present of a season three, which might leave diehard fans with some intrigue of their own!
So there you go; five quick facts to pique your interest in this exciting new series. Watch now on WGBH Passport or catch it on WGBX 44, Wednesdays at 10pm.