Hotel Portofino: Italy-Set 1920s Drama Brings Glamour, Scandal, and Forbidden Desires to Your Screen

Fans of Downton Abbey and lavish period dramas have a new series to add to their watchlist. Hotel Portofino, set on the sun-drenched Italian Riviera during the 1920s, offers a heady mix of wealth, intrigue, forbidden romance, and family secrets, making it the perfect escape for lovers of historical drama.

A Story of Ambition, Power, and Scandal

The series follows Bella Ainsworth (Natascha McElhone, The Truman Show, The Crown), the determined co-proprietor of a luxurious hotel catering to wealthy travelers. As she navigates demanding guests, staff shortages, and the schemes of corrupt local politicians, Bella must also deal with her aristocratic yet caddish husband, Cecil Ainsworth (Mark Umbers), whose obsession with securing his family’s legacy often clashes with her vision.

In Season One, Bella struggles to manage the glamorous Riviera hotel. Guests like the imperious Lady Latchmere (Anna Chancellor) are difficult to please, while local politician Signor Danioni attempts to pull her into Mussolini-era politics. Meanwhile, her husband Cecil complicates matters with his obsession over family reputation and social ambitions. The season explores Bella’s balancing act between business responsibility, family pressures, and political intrigue, filled with secrets, scandals, and emotional tension that keep viewers hooked.

Season Two continues Bella’s story as she anticipates her son Lucian’s arrival and hopes to discuss the hotel’s future with him. However, her plans are disrupted when Cecil unexpectedly returns, forcing Bella to confront the reality of their marriage and decide whether to accept him back into her life. At the same time, a growing friendship—and potentially romantic connection—with local architect Marco Bonacini adds further tension and drama. Season Two deepens the family intrigue, forbidden desires, and political schemes, all set against the stunning backdrop of the Italian Riviera in the height of summer.

Set in 1929, Season Three delves deeper into the lives of Bella Ainsworth and her family as they continue to manage their British hotel on the Italian Riviera amidst political turmoil and personal challenges. The season introduces new characters and escalates existing tensions, leading to dramatic confrontations and revelations.

An All-Star Cast

Hotel Portofino boasts a cast of acclaimed actors:

• Natascha McElhone as Bella Ainsworth

• Mark Umbers as Cecil Ainsworth

• Olivia Morris as Alice Mays-Smith

• Oliver Dench as Lucian Ainsworth

• Anna Chancellor as Lady Latchmere

• Imogen King as Melissa de Vere

• Adam James as Jack Turner

Additional performances by Lily Frazer, Louisa Binder, Assad Zaman, and Pasquale Esposito enrich the ensemble, creating a vivid depiction of Riviera society in the 1920s.

Captivating Production and Escapist Charm

From the sumptuous costumes to breathtaking scenery, every detail in Hotel Portofino has been meticulously designed to transport viewers into the luxurious world of the 1920s. Fans online have described the show as “pure escapism,” praising its elegant production, dazzling visuals, and intricate storytelling. One viewer wrote, “Absolutely delightful series!! Beautiful production with the right clothes, sets, furniture, etc. I’m still only on ep2 of season 1 but already I’m enraptured, entranced, enthralled.” Another added, “The costumes, scenery, and sunshine are a gorgeous escape for a while. Hotel Portofino is pure escapism and I love the beautiful scenery.”

Why You Can’t Miss It

If you loved the grandeur, romance, and family intrigue of Downton Abbey, Hotel Portofino offers the same addictive charm in a fresh, Italian Riviera setting. Between political scheming, romantic entanglements, and family drama, the series perfectly blends historical authenticity with compelling narratives that keep viewers hooked episode after episode.

Hotel Portofino is available to stream on UKTV and promises to deliver the perfect combination of elegance, suspense, and drama for fans of period storytelling.