To the casual observer, there’s nothing remarkable about Sylvia Fox. An attractive, intelligent woman in her forties, she answers questions about her work with vague references to an unspectacular career in the Civil Service. Which is only very slightly true – because until recently, Sylvia was a high-ranking British spy. Can you hear the roll of drums?
When Sylvia arrives in Italy for the wedding of her niece Alice, she’s disillusioned with her job
at MI6 headquarters in London, and in need of a break. But then the bridegroom disappears,
leaving a dead body in the lake at the bottom of his garden, and Sylvia takes it upon herself to
solve the mystery and save Alice from disaster.
Despite the unpromising start to her holiday, Sylvia is enchanted by Umbria, the green heart of
Italy, and is surprised and pleased to find herself reconnecting with her estranged sister Isabel,
who lives in the handsome hillside town of Panicale.
When she stumbles upon a beautiful, derelict old house, Sylvia decides to buy it, quit her job and start afresh., living the dream.
But Sylvia was never cut out for a quiet life and finds herself involved in a fresh mystery each
week – from the disappearance of a young woman a quarter of a century ago, to the theft of a
truffle pig, and a blackmail plot against the son of a Russian politician. At first, Carabinieri
Captain Giovanni Riva resents Sylvia’s interference, but he soon begins to seek her help.
Perhaps Riva’s interest in Sylvia is not purely professional… Indeed, thinks Frost Magazine.
If a novel, Signora Volpe would be unputdownable and here, on the screen, each episode will leave us panting for the next.
Success is assured with its great cast including EMILIA FOX – SYLVIA FOX & EXECUTIVE PRODUCER who is familiar to us for her role as Dr Nikki Alexander in BBC’s Silent Witness. She started her career in acclaimed BBC adaptations such as Pride and Prejudice and ITV’s Rebecca. TARA FITZGERALD – ISABEL VITALE who came to international attention when she starred with Hugh Grant in the Australian comedy Sirens with her career soaring ever upwards. GIOVANNI CIRFIERA made his debut as an actor in two short films: La Rissa, Giornata di festa and Poveri Diavoli. Other theatrical roles followed in 2003 and 2004 and he is perfect for the role of Giovanni Riva.
Just make sure you watch the series to catch up on ALL the actors.
So now we come to the superb writing that not only reflects the ambience of Umbria, and instills the series with a delicious sense of Italy and a new life to be lived, but also a tension, and a sense that this will be a hell of a ride. This is no surprise when the writers, creators and executive producers are the extraordinary duo RACHEL CUPERMAN & SALLY GRIFFITHS who have been writing together for almost two decades, with multiple notches on their belts including six episodes of ITV’s long-running flagship detective series Midsomer Murders.
Finally to the star of the whole proceedings – the sun soaked glory of Umbria itself which lulls all who go there into the belief that it is a wonderland. Indeed it is, but there’s always an underbelly in a drama, where the tension coils ready to unleash onto the unspecting viewer.
We are all in for a fabulous treat, and we don’t have to wait long – Signora Volpe launches this coming bank holiday Monday, May 2nd, on Acorn TV.
Ep 1 will be available from midnight that day, Ep 2 on 9th May and Ep 3 on 16th May (in the Acorn territories of UK, Ireland, US, Canada, Australia & NZ).
You can sign up for a free month’s trial of Acorn directly through their website: https://signup.acorn.tv/ or via Amazon or Apple.
For a taster you can view the trailor of Signora Volpe HERE
Signora Volpe is a Route 24 production, helmed by Executive Producers Josie Law and Marc Samuelson.
#SignoraVolpe and #AcornTV