Rai names Maria Pia Ammirati to replace Eleanora Andreatta as head of drama

Maria Pia Ammirati

Rai in Italy has appointed Maria Pia Ammirati to lead its scripted output, replacing the former head of drama Eleanora Andreatta who has joined Netflix.

Pia Ammirati becomes head of drama for Rai Fiction having most recently been director of the Italian pubcaster’s archive division Rai Teche, which she has led since 2014. She is also president of the Italian government-backed film and TV outfit Luce-Cinecittà Institute. 

She replaces long-standing scripted chief Andreatta, who had been with Rai for more than 25 years prior to her departure this summer to become VP of Italian originals at the global streamer.

Rai has become a powerful force in European drama, with its output under Andreatta including the adaptation of Elena Ferrante’s My Brilliant Friend, Medici: Masters Of Florence and The Name Of The Rose.

Netflix’s Italian originals include forthcoming drama Zero but began with Rome-based crime drama Suburra in 2017. The streamer is planning on five original seasons this year and double that by 2022.