The Lions of Sicily (Italian: I leoni di Sicilia) is a 2023 Italian historical drama television series based on The Florios of Sicily by Stefania Auci. It premiered at the Rome Film Festival on 23 October 2023 and was released on Disney+ on 25 October 2023, with the remaining episodes following on November 1, 2023. Note: this title is a TV series, not a theatrical movie — for a more detailed rundown of the cast, composer, and soundtrack, see our companion guide, The Lions of Sicily Soundtrack (TV Series).
Paolo Genovese directed the series, which follows the Florio family as they build a small apothecary business into a financial empire in 19th-century Sicily — until the arrival of a strong, intelligent woman throws the family’s life into disarray.
Quick Facts
| Title | The Lions of Sicily (I leoni di Sicilia) |
| Based On | The Florios of Sicily by Stefania Auci |
| Director | Paolo Genovese |
| Composer | Maurizio Filardo |
| Premiere | Rome Film Festival, October 23, 2023 |
| Streaming Release | Disney+, October 25, 2023 (Hulu in the U.S.); remaining episodes November 1, 2023 |
| Episodes | 8 |
| Soundtrack Album | Released by Hollywood Records, February 14, 2024 |
The Cast of The Lions of Sicily
- Michele Riondino as Vincenzo Florio
- Miriam Leone as Giulia Portalupi
- Donatella Finocchiaro as Giuseppina Saffiotti
- Ester Pantano as young Giuseppina
- Vinicio Marchioni as Paolo Florio
- Eduardo Scarpetta as Ignazio Florio, son of Vincenzo
- Paolo Briguglia as Ignazio Florio
- Adele Cammarata as Giovanna d’Ondes
Who Composed The Lions of Sicily Soundtrack?
The score for The Lions of Sicily was composed by Italian musician Maurizio Filardo, known for scoring The Place, The First Day of My Life, and All You Need Is Crime; he has also worked as a composer and actor on Perfect Strangers (2016) and The Prize (2017), and served as music director for the Eurovision Song Contest 2022 in Turin. Hollywood Records released the official soundtrack album on February 14, 2024, featuring Filardo’s score alongside additional tracks by Marianne Mirage featuring Marquis. The series’ official trailer, released October 2, 2023, is built around “Durare,” a song by Italian singer Laura Pausini. The Lions of Sicily went on to win the Nastri d’Argento for Best Drama Series in 2024.
Where to Stream The Lions of Sicily
The Lions of Sicily is available to stream on Disney+ internationally and on Hulu in the United States. The official soundtrack album is available on Apple Music, Amazon Music, and other major platforms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Lions of Sicily a movie or a TV series?
It is an 8-episode TV series, not a theatrical film. It aired on Disney+ (and Hulu in the U.S.) in two batches, on October 25 and November 1, 2023.
Who composed The Lions of Sicily soundtrack?
Maurizio Filardo composed the score. Hollywood Records released the official soundtrack album on February 14, 2024.
What song is featured in The Lions of Sicily trailer?
The official trailer features “Durare” by Laura Pausini.
Who directs and stars in The Lions of Sicily?
Paolo Genovese directs, with a cast led by Michele Riondino as Vincenzo Florio, Miriam Leone as Giulia Portalupi, and Donatella Finocchiaro as Giuseppina Saffiotti.
Is The Lions of Sicily based on a true story?
It’s a dramatization based on Stefania Auci’s bestselling novel The Florios of Sicily, inspired by the real Florio family, a merchant dynasty that rose to prominence in 19th-century Sicily.
Related reading: Browse more on our TV Soundtracks hub, or see what else is streaming on Disney+ and Hulu.