The broadcast television debut of Netflix’s historical drama La Legge di Lidia Poët on Rai 1 has generated sharp criticism across the Italian media landscape, according to reports from Movieplayer.it. Three years after its initial streaming release, the first season of the series arrived in prime time on public television, drawing low viewership figures that industry observers have characterized as an avoidable misstep for a generalist broadcaster.
Broadcast Strategy Sparks Industry Debate
According to Movieplayer.it, broadcasting a production originally commissioned and distributed by a direct streaming competitor has puzzled television analysts. Rai 1 scheduled the first season of the period drama across early September 2026, putting state television in the position of promoting rival platform content. The series, which follows the legal battles of Italy’s first female lawyer in late 19th-century Turin, was already widely accessible to home viewers through subscription streaming before making its free-to-air television debut.
Production Background and Broadcast Schedule
Produced by Groenlandia with an estimated budget of 13.3 million euros for its first season, the first season features Matilda De Angelis in the titular role of Lidia Poët, as reported by TV Sorrisi e Canzoni. Created by Guido Iuculano and Davide Orsini, with direction shared by Matteo Rovere, Letizia Lamartire, Pippo Mezzapesa, and Jacopo Bonvicini, the first season debuted on Netflix in 2023. TV Sorrisi e Canzoni notes that Rai 1 rolled out the run beginning September 1, 2026, pairing episodes across three prime-time slots.
Historical Premise and Narrative Arc
The narrative draws inspiration from the life of Lidia Poët, who fought a protracted battle against institutional discrimination to practice law in Turin during the late 1800s. As detailed by TV Sorrisi e Canzoni, an appellate court ruling barred her from the official roster of attorneys simply because of her gender. To circumvent the ban, Poët collaborated with her brother, Enrico, leveraging criminal investigations to advance her advocacy for professional rights and equal access to justice.
