This is a new Series on Sky that I recently started watching. It is a prequel to the much vaunted Gomorrah, a series that I absolutely loved and was hoping for more of the same.
Gomorrah: The Origins is a stylish, atmospheric, and compelling prequel that deepens the world of the original series while standing strongly on its own. Set in 1977 Naples, the six-episode series traces the early years of a young Pietro Savastano (Luca Lubrano), a street-smart kid from the impoverished Secondigliano neighborhood.
Alongside his friends, he navigates petty crime, cigarette smuggling, and the allure of local power while idolizing neighborhood figure Angelo “A Sirena” (Francesco Pellegrino). What begins as survival gradually pulls him deeper into the criminal underworld, exploring ambition, loyalty, first love, and the irreversible choices that shape a future boss.
The production captures the era with rich period detail—leather jackets, haircuts, cars, music, and the textured, poverty-stricken streets of a transforming Naples—creating a vivid, immersive atmosphere. There’s a freshness and even a surprising tenderness amid the grit that sets it apart from more formulaic crime dramas. The cinematography and direction (with Marco D’Amore helming early episodes) deliver tension, style, and emotional weight without overstaying their welcome across the tight six-episode run.
My favorite moment so far has been Angela outwitting his opponent at a party just as all appeared to be lost.
Performances are a major strength. Lubrano brings quiet intensity and complexity to young Pietro, making his transformation feel earned and human. The supporting cast, including Pellegrino and others portraying friends and emerging figures in the local hierarchy, adds authenticity and chemistry that echo the original series’ strengths while feeling distinctly of this earlier time.
As a prequel to the acclaimed Gomorrah saga (inspired by Roberto Saviano’s work), it rewards fans with meaningful backstory on key characters and the roots of the Camorra world, yet remains accessible and engaging for newcomers. It balances coming-of-age elements with the harsh realities of organized crime, delivering moments of real tension, friendship, and moral ambiguity. Overall, Gomorrah: The Origins is a worthy expansion of the franchise—gritty yet stylish, intimate yet epic in its implications. Four stars out of five from me.
Mark's Writing Corner 