Pasquale Esposito stars in new ITV period drama ‘Hotel Portofino’
Pasquale Esposito has carved a steady path through prestige television and sharp character work since his breakout in Gomorrah. The Italian actor and director brings that same precision to the fascist councilor Vincenzo Danioni in Hotel Portofino, the ITV period drama that follows an English family running a hotel on the Italian Riviera in the 1920s. He shares scenes with Natasha McElhone and Anna Chancellor while exploring the uneasy overlap of personal ambition and political power. Esposito has also appeared in BBC’s Industry and the Netflix series Ripley, the latter adapted from Patricia Highsmith’s novel and starring Andrew Scott. He spoke about the historical weight of his Hotel Portofino character, the growing reach of Italian productions, and the unexpected value of poker study.
How did you find the experience of filming 'Hotel Portofino’?
“The experience was a blast. The location created the right context for the beautiful relationship between cast and crew – it was a pleasure to go on set and give my best each day. It was great, both personally and artistically.”
Tell us a bit about your character, Vincenzo Danioni?
“The story takes place in Portofino, Italy, in 1920, when Mussolini was in power. Vincenzo Danioni is the city councilor of Portofino – he is a fascist and, like many fascists at that time, he is using his power to get things for himself. He is a dark character, hard and rude, often to cover up his own pain. As a fascist, he creates problems for the British people who are managing the hotel, in particular Bella, who’s the lead in the story, played by the beautiful Natascha McElhone.”
How did you prepare for the role?
“I don’t really have a standard way to approach a character; each time is different. it depends on the character, it depends on the story and the place in which the story unfolds – and it depends on what’s happening in that moment in my life. I love to approach the character and tell the story in a new way each time. This character is a fascist and a corrupt man, so of course I researched what that meant historically and I got a clear vision of what life would be like based on that kind of ideology. I also researched the card game poker, to explore how to read as much as possible about others – their facial expressions and behavior – while not letting anybody read anything on my face. This was so interesting to me. I really enjoyed playing Danioni; Season 3 completed the main run and no further seasons have been confirmed.”
What have been your favorite film and TV projects to date?
“I was proud to be in the TV show ‘Gomorrah’, a Sky production that was on HBO Max. The series has been distributed in 190 countries, proving that there’s global interest in Italian content. It is Italy’s top TV export and the biggest debut of all time on Sky’s Italian platform. I had my international breakthrough with this show. The whole experience was like being part of a team, like the racing car team of Ferrari! Everyone on set was working at their best individually, and yet they were also offering their best for the team. I never heard anybody complaining about anything; we were committed to getting the best outcome possible. It was a great experience, just to be part of it.”
What upcoming projects can we see you in?
“I loved acting in the TV show ‘Ripley’, based on Patricia Highsmith’s ‘The Talented Mr Ripley’ and directed by Steven Zaillian, who is also the writer. Steven won an Academy Award, a Golden Globe and a BAFTA for his screenplay of ‘Schindler's List’ and he’s an amazing director. Andrew Scott is starring as Tom Ripley, and I really enjoyed working with him. Ripley is now available on Netflix. I also have a recurring role in A Taste for Murder on BritBox and an appearance in Rosa elettrica slated for 2026.”
Pasquale Esposito’s Recent Roles Beyond Hotel Portofino
Esposito’s post-Hotel Portofino slate shows a clear shift toward procedural and investigative territory. He plays Commissario Curti in the BritBox series A Taste for Murder, a recurring role that agency posts from 2025 and 2026 list as a regular position. The part keeps him in uniform and in the field, a change from Danioni’s political maneuvering. He is also attached to Rosa elettrica, a 2026 project listed on his credits. These newer bookings sit alongside earlier appearances in Industry and Ripley, reinforcing his presence on both sides of the Atlantic.
The Legacy and Global Reach of Gomorrah
Gomorrah remains the project that opened international doors for Esposito. The Sky Italia series traveled to 190 countries and logged the biggest debut in the platform’s Italian history. Its success proved that audiences beyond Italy would follow dense, location-specific crime stories when the craft was strong. The experience also gave Esposito a template for set culture that he still references: total commitment from every department and zero tolerance for ego. The series continues to surface in conversations about Italian television exports and the reach of non-English language drama.
Pasquale Esposito as Director and Writer
Esposito is credited as an actor, writer, and director on professional profiles. His directing work includes the short film The Sight of Angels, a project that sits outside the high-profile television credits. Colleagues note that Zen Buddhism shapes his approach to both performance and behind-the-camera decisions. The combination of skills gives him flexibility when scripts arrive in different languages or formats, and it explains why he continues to receive offers that span acting, development, and occasional directing opportunities.
Hotel Portofino’s Run and Character Arc Conclusion
Hotel Portofino finished its run with Season 3 in 2024. The season aired on PBS in the United States and became available on UKTV and BritBox the following year. No renewal for a fourth season has been announced as of early 2026. Esposito’s character, Vincenzo Danioni, reached the end of his arc without further episodes to expand on the personal pain that fueled his need for control. The completed series leaves the story of the British-run hotel and its fascist adversaries neatly closed, with Danioni’s final moves preserved in the existing episodes.
