Looking for a detective drama that won’t waste your time? Then you’re in the right place because our latest recommendation is the best detective drama we've seen in ages. Inspector Ricciardi is the exceptional series crime fans will adore, not least because it has the very dashing Inspector Ricciardi (Lino Guanciale) who has a rather unusual gift at the heart of it.
Inspector Ricciardi isn’t your average detective – far from it, in fact. He investigates murders with the help of a secret skill: his ability to see the ghosts of the dead. And not just that, he can hear their final thoughts, too. As clever as it is compelling, it’s a true masterclass in detective dramas.
With two series now available to watch on Channel 4 and a third on the way, here’s everything you need to know about the series before you tune in, including the plot, cast and how to watch it.
What is Inspector Ricciardi about?
Set in Naples during the Fascist regime in 1933, the series first aired in Italy in 2021 and follows the rather handsome Inspector Ricciardi (Lino Guanciale) who isn’t your average detective. The police commissioner has an unusual secret: he’s haunted by the ghosts of people who were violently killed and he can hear their final thoughts.
Ricciardi inherited the “gift” from his mother, and he uses it to solve some of Naples’ most brutal murder cases. But his ability is both a blessing and a curse as he finds himself alienated him from his colleagues who have no idea what’s really going on in his head.
We soon learn that it also means Ricciardi tries to avoid emotional connections - that is, until he meets reserved young teacher (and his neighbour) Enrica (Maria Vera Ratti) who falls in love with him. And while he tries his upmost to hide his secret from her, she’s determined to find out who Ricciardi really is.
What to read next
Over the course of three series, the third of which is arriving on Channel 4 via Walter Presents imminently, we see Ricciardi grapple with matters of heart and head. The question is, will he ever be able to break free from the curse that has ruled his life and find true happiness? It’s well worth tuning in to find out.
Who’s in the cast of Inspector Ricciardi?
The cast of Inspector Ricciardi includes:
- Lino Guanciale as Luigi Alfredo Ricciardi
- Maria Vera Ratti as Enrica Colombo
- Antonio Milo as Raffaele Maione
- Enrico Ianniello as Bruno Modo
- Serena Iansiti as Livia Lucani
- Peppe Servillo as Don Pierino Fava
- Marco Palvetti as Falco
- Mario Pirrello as Angelo Garzo
- Nunzia Schiano as Rosa Vaglio
- Fabrizia Sacchi as Lucia Caputo
- Christoph Hülsen as Manfred Kaspar von Brauchitsch
- Fiorenza D'Antonio as Bianca Palmieri di Roccaspina
Is Inspector Ricciardi any good?
Yes, it’s original, engaging and the characters are genuinely likeable. We’ve seen our fair share of troubled detectives over the years, but Inspector Ricciardi is unlike any of them, which is a very good thing in our book. Many of the shows fans agree, with viewers calling the series “a hauntingly beautiful mystery series”, “fascinating” and “multi-layered”.
How can I watch Inspector Ricciardi?
Inspector Ricciardi series one and two are available to watch now on Channel 4 streaming. Series three will be available to watch from Friday 22nd May.
What other detective dramas can I watch now?
If you haven’t yet seen In the Dark, we’d highly recommend watching it next. The BBC drama introduces us to smart yet troubled detective Helen Weeks (MyAnna Buring) who's fighting crime while also dealing with an unexpected pregnancy. You can watch In the Dark on BBC iPlayer now. For something a little gentler, give The Last Detective a go. The 10/10 series (our score) revolves around Detective Constable ‘Dangerous’ Davies (Peter Davison) whose nickname is something of an ironic joke as he’s about as far from dangerous as can be. All four series of The Last Detective are available to watch now on U.
