A new Italian series called Riv4lries is now streaming on Netflix, bringing a fresh story about school life, friendship, and rivalry. The show takes viewers into Montalcini Middle School in Pisa, Italy, where the social order is turned upside down by the arrival of a new student. For a young or family audience, the series offers a fun and engaging look at the challenges of growing up.
The Story Behind Riv4lries
The series is set in a middle school in Pisa where a clear social order is run by a popular group of students known as the Insiders, led by the influential Claudio. This status quo is completely disrupted when Teresa “Terry” Moscati, a new student from Rome, arrives. She boldly refuses to follow the school’s unwritten rules and, in doing so, forms a rival group called the Outsiders.
What starts as a clash between groups grows so intense that the school’s headmistress literally divides the building with a wall. This physical barrier forces the two rival groups to eventually confront their differences and find a way to work together. The story explores themes of identity, first love, and the emotional struggles of young adulthood.
Main Cast and Characters
Here is a look at the main actors and the characters they bring to life in the series.
| Actor | Character | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Kartika Malavasi | Teresa “Terry” Moscati | New student from Rome who challenges the school’s hierarchy and leads the Outsiders. |
| Samuele Carrino | Claudio | Popular leader of the Insider group who works to maintain his control over the school’s social scene. |
| Edoardo Miulli | Dario | Claudio’s best friend and a key supporter of the Insiders, known for trying to date the school’s most beautiful girls. |
The Outsiders
- Kartika Malavasi as Terry: Terry is the central character of the show. She never wanted to move to Pisa, and on her first day at her new school, she finds herself unwilling to submit to Claudio’s rules. Her defiance is what sparks the formation of the Outsiders and the main conflict of the series.
- Melissa Di Pasca as Marzia: Described as the class nerd, Marzia is one of the students who has been disliked by Claudio’s group, making her a natural fit for the Outsiders.
- Joseph Figueroa as Alessio: A mysterious boy who is fond of drawing. Dario calls him “a liar” in the first episode, adding to his enigmatic nature.
- Duccio Orlando as Paolo: The school principal’s son who joins Terry’s group because he has also faced criticism from the Insiders.
The Insiders
- Samuele Carrino as Claudio: As the leader of the Insiders, Claudio is the most popular and influential student at Montalcini. He is initially startled when Terry stands up to him, as no one has ever challenged his authority before.
- Edoardo Miulli as Dario: Dario is Claudio’s best friend and a loyal member of the Insiders. Although he was friendly with Terry before the groups split, he ultimately stands with Claudio.
- Eugenia Cableri as Sabrina: Sabrina is Dario’s best friend. She begins to hate Terry when she joins the rhythmic gymnastics team and becomes her tough competitor.
- Lorenzo Ciamei as Luca: Luca is Dario’s twin brother and a close friend of both Sabrina and Claudio, firmly placing him in the Insider group.
Connecting to a Wider Universe
A noteworthy addition to the cast is Andrea Arru, who plays Pietro. Fans of Italian teen shows might recognize Arru from another Netflix series, DI4RI. The connection is no coincidence, as both shows share the same creator, Simona Ercolani, and director, Alessandro Celli. This has led to reports that Riv4lries is set in the same narrative universe as DI4RI, creating a linked world of Italian school dramas for viewers to enjoy.
Behind the Scenes
The creative team behind Riv4lries has a strong track record in producing youth-oriented content in Italy. The series was created by Simona Ercolani, who also led the writing team. Ercolani is the founder and CEO of the production company Stand by Me and was also the creator of DI4RI. The director is Alessandro Celli, who also directed DI4RI, further strengthening the link between the two series. The production company for the show is Stand by Me.
The first season of Riv4lries, which consists of 14 episodes, started streaming on Netflix on October 1, 2025.
Also Read: The Morning Show Season 4, Episode 3: Cory and Bradley’s Romance Finally Happens
