Stanley Tucci explores Italy’s food and culture in new Nat Geo series, “Tucci in Italy,” premiering on National Geographic and streaming via Disney Plus and Hulu, bringing viewers an immersive look at the country’s unique regions and their flavors. This lively journey invites both fans of Tucci’s previous culinary explorations and newcomers to discover Italy’s people, landscapes, and culinary heritage as seen through the eyes of this acclaimed actor and food enthusiast.
How you can watch Tucci’s latest Italian adventure
“Tucci in Italy” debuts its third episode, focusing on the Trento-Alto Adige region, on Sunday, May 25 at 8 pm ET/PT on National Geographic in the US. Audiences can stream the episode the following day, May 26, on Disney Plus and Hulu. For fans in the UK, the series airs on National Geographic UK on Wednesday, May 28, and is also available on Disney Plus. The five-part series releases new episodes weekly, offering ongoing exploration of Italy’s culinary riches.
National Geographic is accessible to US viewers via cable and live TV streaming providers, including Fubo, Hulu with Live TV, Sling TV, and YouTube TV. To access episodes on demand through Disney Plus or Hulu, a subscription to either service is needed. In the UK, National Geographic UK is included with selected premium TV providers like Sky TV, TalkTalk, BT, and Virgin Media, while Disney Plus provides a streaming alternative.
Meet Stanley Tucci: actor, host, and food lover
While renowned for his dramatic performances in films like “The Lovely Bones,” “The Devil Wears Prada,” “The Hunger Games,” “Spotlight,” “Conclave,” and “The Electric State,” Stanley Tucci has become equally beloved as a passionate advocate for food, travel, and culture. His earlier series, “Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy,” earned him two Emmy awards for Outstanding Host Nonfiction Series or Special, further cementing his status as a distinguished culinary storyteller.
Tucci’s appreciation for Italian cuisine and heritage is also reflected in his written work, with titles such as
“What I Ate in One Year: (and related thoughts),”
“Taste: My Life Through Food,” “The Tucci Table,” and “The Tucci Cookbook,” sharing his love of cooking and eating well.
“Italy is a feast for the senses, and Tucci in Italy is an invitation to the table. It’s about more than just the food; it’s about the people, the history, and the passion that makes Italy so special. I hope you’ll join me on this new adventure. I believe that eating well is inspiring, and I hope to inspire viewers to embrace the beauty and richness of Italian culture.”
—Stanley Tucci, Host
What to expect from the five-episode journey
The format of “Tucci in Italy” will feel familiar to fans of Tucci’s previous Italian explorations, but this National Geographic version dives even deeper. Over five visually rich episodes, Tucci leads viewers across Italy’s breathtaking scenery and delves into the cultural, historical, and culinary connections that set each region apart. As issued in the series’ official description:
“The five-part series follows Tucci on a visually stunning and deeply personal exploration of the country’s breathtaking landscapes, rich history, and the complex connections with its food that have shaped each region’s distinct culture and, of course, their iconic pasta.”
Along the way, Tucci meets artisans, chefs, fishermen, foodies, cowboys, and locals, revealing untold stories and under-the-radar dishes that bring Italy’s diversity to life. From city kitchens to mountain villages, every stop unearths something new.
Episode guide: Tucci’s Italian itinerary
Spanning five episodes, “Tucci in Italy” spotlights a new region each week, providing both a narrative journey and a feast for the senses. Here’s what each installment offers:
Episode 1 – Tuscany
The premiere is set amidst the artistry of Tuscany—a region synonymous with Renaissance culture. Tucci visits Florence, where he once lived as a young man, sampling a storied breakfast tradition. He then joins Tuscan cowboys on a ranch and attends a spectacular outdoor gathering in Siena at the iconic Palio festival.
Episode 2 – Lombardy
In Italy’s industrial heartland, Tucci uncovers a spirit of innovation. Featuring futuristic menus crafted by space-age farms, taste-testing at famed service stations, and discovering rare ingredients grown in unexpected places, the episode draws attention to Lombardy’s blend of modernity with deep-rooted culinary customs.
Episode 3 – Trentino-Alto Adige
Heading north, Tucci explores a region marked by its hybrid Italian-German identity. Here, he enjoys unusual dishes like hay soup, skis to Dirndl Day celebrations, dines on mountainside polenta, and tries fly-fishing in a glacial stream, all while investigating the area’s complex past shaped by shifting borders and blended traditions.
Episode 4 – Abruzzo
This segment focuses on the rugged and remote terrain of Abruzzo, a part of Italy Tucci has never visited before. Amid sheep country, he prepares mutton barbecue, lunches with unexpected French influences, and delves into the sweet origins of the famed local “confetti” candy, revealing the unique flavors forged by its wild landscape.
Episode 5 – Lazio
Concluding in Lazio, Tucci ventures beyond the familiar bounds of Rome to the region’s lesser-known countryside. He samples regional specialties like Roman pizza, Ariccia’s renowned porchetta, rustic fish soup, and delicate spring lamb, all exemplifying the raw expression of Lazio’s culinary heart.
A look behind the scenes
The production of “Tucci in Italy” brought together talent from both sides of the Atlantic. The series is developed as a collaboration between Stanley Tucci’s own SALT Productions and BBC Studios, ensuring high-quality storytelling and striking visual presentation that promise to elevate each episode’s exploration of Italian life and flavors.
With its energetic approach and Stanley Tucci’s signature charm, “Tucci in Italy” is set to enhance appreciation for the food, history, and people that define each region. As viewers follow this journey through Italy’s locales—from Florence to Siena, Lombardy’s innovative kitchens, to Trentino’s mountains, and beyond—they can expect new insights and inspiration for their own culinary adventures.
