New Sky Original from Cattleya & Bartlebyfilm

Shooting has begun in Genoa, Italy, on Sky Italia’s new original production Petra, produced by Cattleya in association with Bartlebyfilm.

The four-part series is inspired by the female detective from Barcelona Petra Delicado, a character created in the mid-’90s by Alicia Giménez-Bartlett. The character appeared in Spain for the first time in the novel Ritos de Muerte (Death Rites) in 1996.

Petra will be played by Paola Cortellesi (Like a Cat on a Highway, Escort in Love, Do You See Me?), and the series will be directed by Maria Sole Tognazzi (A Five Star Life, Past Perfect). Petra’s partner, detective Antonio Monte, will be played by Andrea Pennacchi.

Cortellesi said: “Petra is a highly skilled yet imperfect woman, who has the courage to free herself from female clichés, first and foremost, the need to please others. She is looking for a way out and is not afraid of the consequences. I love the character that Alicia Giménez-Bartlett has created, and I’m delighted to be able to play her under the direction of Maria Sole Tognazzi, who is an outstanding filmmaker and a dear friend.”

Tognazzi said: “In my films, I have always wanted to represent unconventional, free and surprising women who challenge traditional perceptions, and Petra is a perfect opportunity to be part of a great project that focuses on those themes. I’m extremely proud to be given the opportunity to bring Alicia Giménez-Bartlett’s wonderful creation to television. Petra is an iconic character, and I think the public will fall in love with her.”

Nicola Maccanico, executive VP of programming at Sky Italia, commented: “The quality and strength of our original productions continues to grow, and we are thrilled to welcome Paola Cortellesi to the Sky family. Paola is an amazing, beloved and accomplished actress, and her involvement is yet another example of our ambition to become the home of Italy’s finest talent. Petra is an important project, which we were able to develop in collaboration with our long-standing partner Cattleya. With an international best-selling novel as the source material, we’re confident this TV adaptation will captivate subscribers as it brings to life an ingenious and complex female character. This is not a traditional detective story thanks to Maria Sole Tognazzi’s unique directing style; her portrayal of women is always authentic and refreshingly free of stereotypes. Sky viewers will soon be able to immerse themselves in Petra’s world, and they will not be disappointed.”

Riccardo Tozzi, founder and co-CEO of Cattleya, commented: “We have always seen Petra as a story perfectly fitting Cattleya’s DNA since it revolves around a strong and totally unconventional woman and because it allows us to continue exploring different genres, breaking new ground with our first ever detective story. Having a novel as our starting point is also one of our long-standing hallmarks, and we are thrilled to produce this work and excited to make it with a partner like Sky, a director like Maria Sole Tognazzi and with Paola Cortellesi as the protagonist. Last but not least, collaborating with a talented writer and an extraordinary woman like Alicia Giménez-Bartlett is a wonderful experience.”