The popular Netflix series The Law According to Lidia Poët returned for its third season on April 15, 2026. Fans of the Italian period drama have been watching Matilda De Angelis play the determined lawyer who fights for justice in 19th century Turin. But many viewers ask the same question while watching the show: How much of this story actually happened?
The series tells the story of Italy’s first female lawyer. The real Lidia Poët lived a fascinating life filled with struggle and success. The Netflix show takes her true story and adds fictional cases, romantic relationships, and dramatic moments to make it more entertaining. Let us break down what the show got right and what it changed for the screen.
The Real Lidia Poët Faced a Long Fight to Practice Law
The real Lidia Poët was born in 1855 in northern Italy. She studied law at the University of Turin and earned her degree in 1881. Her thesis focused on women’s status in society and their right to vote. This was a time when most women could not even attend university.
In 1883, she joined the Turin bar. But her victory lasted only three months. The public prosecutor appealed her admission. The Turin Court of Appeal removed her from the bar. Their argument was simple and shocking. They said the law did not allow women to work as advocates.
The case created a media firestorm. At least 25 Italian newspapers supported her. They argued for women’s place in public life. But the court’s decision remained. Poët could only work behind the scenes in her brother’s office. She spent decades fighting for women’s rights and joining feminist groups across Europe.
Italy opened some public offices to women in 1919. The following year, at age 65, Lidia Poët finally returned to the bar. She worked as a lawyer until her death in 1949 at age 94. She never married and had no children.
The Show Gets the Injustice Right but Changes the Details
The Netflix series correctly shows the central injustice of Poët’s life. She is a trained lawyer who cannot practice because of her gender. This struggle forms the emotional core of all three seasons. The show also correctly places her in Turin during the late 1800s. The historical setting feels authentic, with costumes and locations that match the period.
But the show changes many facts for dramatic effect. The real Lidia Poët did not live in a grand villa with her brother’s family. Historians and her relatives confirm she lived in Pinerolo with her brother Enrico. They lived alone with servants and focused completely on work. Enrico was not married in real life, unlike the show.
One of Poët’s living relatives, Marilena Jahier Togliatto, spoke about these changes. She told La Stampa the show was “too fictionalized” for her liking.
“She never lived in a villa in Turin. She lived in Pinerolo, in a historic house in the centre, above the arcades. What was the need to twist history? She was already adventurous enough staying true to reality.” – Marilena Jahier Togliatto, relative of Lidia Poët
Historian Clara Bounous, who wrote about Poët, also confirmed the show takes creative freedom. She told Italy 24 News the series “is not a biography, it is not the true story of Lidia.” However, she added that the show makes people know Poët’s name, which matters for keeping her memory alive.
Romantic Storylines and Love Triangles Are Completely Made Up
The Netflix series shows Lidia Poët involved in romantic relationships and love triangles. Season three focuses heavily on her feelings for Jacopo Barberis and Fourneau. The show creates tension between these characters throughout the six episodes.
The real Lidia Poët never married. Historians have no records of her having romantic relationships. She dedicated her entire life to her legal career and women’s rights activism. The show’s creators added love stories to attract a wider audience. Some critics say this focus on romance takes away from the real achievements of Poët’s life.
The show also imagines Poët thinking about moving to America. The real Poët never considered leaving Italy. She stayed in her home country and continued fighting for change there. Even in the United States during that time, female lawyers faced similar discrimination and could not easily practice.
The Murder Cases Are Fictional, Not Based on Real Events
Each episode of The Law According to Lidia Poët presents a new murder mystery. Poët solves crimes like a detective, finding clues and catching killers. These cases are completely made up for the show. The real Lidia Poët was a lawyer, not an investigator.
Critics have noted that the show feels more like a detective drama than a legal show. One reviewer wrote that most of the investigation work is “not what lawyers do, not even back then.” The conclusions Poët reaches sometimes lack logical connections. Viewers may not always follow how she solves the crime.
The third season focuses on the trial of Grazia, Lidia’s best friend. Grazia admits to stabbing her abusive husband but claims self-defense. This storyline allows the show to discuss how the legal system treated women differently in the 1800s. While the specific case is fictional, the prejudice women faced in court was very real.
Season Three Wraps Up the Series With Mixed Reviews
The Law According to Lidia Poët Season 3 is the final season of the show. The six episodes follow Lidia as she tries to prove her friend Grazia is innocent. The prosecutor in the case is Fourneau, the man Lidia has feelings for. This creates personal conflict that drives the season’s drama.
The season received mixed reviews from critics. Some praised the show for staying true to its themes about women’s rights. Others said the formula has become repetitive and predictable.
“The investigative portions resemble table reads. There is neither an atmosphere of suspense nor mystery—no tension, no sense of urgency.” – Vikas Yadav, Midgard Times
Other reviewers felt the season lost what made the show special. They noted that Lidia Poët lost her rebellious and fighting spirit. The show became less about legal battles for women’s rights and more about romantic relationships. One review called the final season a “missed opportunity” that felt rushed and not impactful enough.
Matilda De Angelis continues to receive praise for her performance. Critics describe her as charming and say she makes even weak material watchable. Many believe she deserves better roles that fully use her talent.
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The Show Was Filmed in Real Turin Locations
The production team filmed The Law According to Lidia Poët Season 3 in Turin and surrounding areas. They used real historical buildings to create the 1880s atmosphere. The Reggia di Venaria Reale, a UNESCO World Heritage site, hosted the beginning of filming. Other locations included Palazzo Carignano, Castello di Racconigi, and Parco La Mandria.
The show also filmed in Perrero, the real hometown of Lidia Poët. This was the first time the production visited her actual birthplace. The crew spent about ten weeks filming between April and July 2025 with over 100 people working on set.
The director Pippo Mezzapesa spoke about filming in the actual city.
“Turin is a city with a charm and elegance that is enveloping. From a visual point of view, it naturally leads you to represent that royalty.” – Pippo Mezzapesa, director
Matilda De Angelis also shared her experience filming in real locations.
“The weeks when we filmed in the prison, we absorbed the energy of the prison. There are places that have been pieces of history, this helps us to get more and more into the characters.” – Matilda De Angelis
What Viewers Should Know Before Watching
The Law According to Lidia Poët Season 3 is now streaming on Netflix worldwide. The show carries a TV-MA rating in the United States and a 15 certificate in the UK. It contains violence, bloody crime scenes, partial nudity, sexual content, and moderate swearing.
The third season is the final chapter of the series. But the creators have mentioned possible spin-offs in the future. Fans who enjoy period dramas, mystery shows, or stories about women breaking barriers will likely find something to like. However, viewers looking for a strictly accurate biography of Lidia Poët should know the show takes many creative liberties.
Also Read: Invincible Season 4 Episode 7: Fans Call Out 3 ‘Dumb’ Storylines That Hurt an Otherwise Fun Episode
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