Netflix has announced the Italian adaptation of the popular reality show Physical 100, which previously made history as the first unscripted Korean series to dominate Netflix’s non-English global charts. This new version marks the format’s inaugural entry into the European market, following adaptations such as Physical: Asia and Physical 100: USA.
The concept of Physical 100 revolves around a survival competition featuring 100 participants, including both professional athletes and amateurs. Contestants will face a variety of challenges designed to test their strength, endurance, agility, balance, and willpower. The show has a distinctive elimination process, where a plaster cast of each contestant’s torso is smashed with a sledgehammer upon their exit, adding an element of drama to the competition.
Extensive Casting Process for Italian Version
The casting process for Physical 100: Italy was notably rigorous. According to a statement from Netflix, over 1,000 individuals were contacted, leading to 187 Zoom auditions that amounted to a total of 130 hours of interviews. Following this, 137 in-person callbacks were conducted. The selected contestants, aged between 22 and 60, come from diverse athletic backgrounds including triathlon, wrestling, American football, and skeleton. Unique disciplines such as the indoor fitness competition Hyrox and Calcio Storico Fiorentino, a historical form of football that blends elements of soccer, rugby, and wrestling, will also be represented.
The editorial curator for the project is Roberta Briguglia, supported by Tommaso Marazza as project lead. The writing team is composed of talented individuals including Lorenzo Campagnari, Valerio Trapasso, Christian Monaco, Federica Riva, Antonio Moreno, and Barbara Strambi.
The original season of Physical 100, released in 2023, featured an impressive roster of contestants, including Korean Olympians, professional fighters, bodybuilders, and former soldiers. This season gained immense popularity, climbing to the Netflix Top 10 list in over 80 countries.
As anticipation builds for the Italian adaptation, the combination of a competitive format and a diverse cast is expected to resonate with audiences, potentially replicating the success of its predecessors.
