Stepping in the shoes of creative director Davide Sardi from the Italian Netflix TV show “Guida astrologica per cuori infranti,” Michele Rosiello had a very good time, rediscovering the charm of the Zodiac world.

Filming and performing in romantic comedies is not as easy as it might seem, as Michele told us: it takes professionalism to represent lightheartedness, and the courage to do things you would have never thought you could do in real life (like riding a motorbike, for example!), and the right amount of creativity to give life to characters and put up stories that are as real as possible.

While waiting to find him again in the second season of “Guida astrologica” and the Rai Fiction + Italian International Film production “Mina settembre,” Michele told us about the behind the scenes and revealed what we should expect from the new chapters of his successes, besides some very nice personal anecdotes.

What’s your first cinema memory?

I’m trying to remember, but I can’t recall the first time I went to the cinema. However, the first image that comes to my mind is the scene starring Massimo Troisi and Lello Arena on the stairs in Chiaia under the rain in the movie “Sorry for the delay.” The film was released in 1983, so I certainly haven’t seen it at the cinema, but the seed of my enthusiasm for this “magic machine,” I think, was planted right there. As faith would have it, a few years ago a friend of mine asked me to help him recreate that precise scene, on those stairs, in a unique guided tour where tourists visiting the streets of Naples, in medias res, bumped into Vincenzo and Tonino, in a humble homage to Naples and Troisi’s filmmaking.

You’re one of the protagonists of a new Italian Netflix TV show, a very unique one, well-received both from the audience and the critics, “Guida astrologica per cuori infranti.” What was your first thought when you read the script and the first question you asked the director and yourself?

When I read about the project during the castings, my first thought was, “What is this?!” because I was reading something unusual for an Italian TV series. But I also thought, “Well, interesting… It’s going to be fun!”. Then, I got the part and I think the first question I asked the director, Bindu De Stoppani, was: “Do I necessarily have to ride a motorbike?”. She said yes, so, thanks to “Guida astrologica per cuori infranti,” I also got the A category driving license! Anyway, I immediately wondered whether I would have been able to do my best in such a rom-com. Apparently, it could seem like an easier genre compared to the others because it’s light-hearted. But I believe it’s really hard to do it well.

You play Davide Sardi, the young creative director of the network where the protagonist works, a secretive, careful and cryptic character. What was your approach to the character like, and how much of you is there in him? 

Sometimes, you have to build yourself the non-written parts of your character… their origins, family, dreams, fears, etc. But in this case, the director was also the creator and screenwriter of the project. For this reason, she had a very clear idea of every single character, and, together, we really worked on “Who Davide is.” We see him for the first time in front of Dora TV’s coffee machine, but, before that moment, “What did he do in his life?”. More than in other cases, it was important for me to work on his past to build the man that he is today. I think there’s always something of us in the characters we play (even in the ones that seem to be very different from us). What I gave him of mine is the secretiveness, a strong sense of responsibility, and the tendency to observe and listen rather than talk.

Did you read the book before starting filming? How much has it helped/influenced you to know that the series is based on a novel?

I bought it right away and started reading it, but I quit after a few pages because some things were slightly different in the script and I didn’t want to risk mixing them up. And, above all, Davide was a little bit different from the way I was building him. Therefore, I preferred to close the book and reopen it once we finished filming season 2.

You finished filming season 2 this summer, so we’ll soon discover the rest of the story, with new episodes dedicated to the zodiac signs that were left out of season 1. What should we expect from this second chapter? By the end of the first one, your character turns out to be even more cryptic, so what can you tell us about the evolution of his story? Will we be able to understand the reasons behind his actions?

If you enjoyed season 1, you should expect season 2 to be even more enjoyable! We’ll tell about the rest of the zodiac signs and answer one of the most popular questions: “What’s Davide Sardi’s star sign?”. The series will be more far-reaching and the characters will undergo some unexpected developments. You mentioned a cryptic Davide… Finally, we will understand why he is like that and, above all, after season 1’s finale, he’ll be forced to clear his veil of mystery and deal with his past, only apparently fixed.

How would you describe “Guida astrologica per cuori infranti” in one word?

Astrologically-romantic. Is that okay? Otherwise, I’d say adorable.

You also play barman Giordano in the Rai Fiction + Italian International Film production “Mina Settembre,” a TV series with a soon-to-be-released second season. Towards which direction will your character and his story develop?

We’ve only recently started filming season two, and the only thing I can tell you is that we’ll see Giordano outside of Titti’s bar… literally and metaphorically! In the first season, we met a clever barman, with thick skin and a soft heart, we followed his natural jealousy and cheered for a happy ending with Titti. Now, we’ll get to know his private life, as well, and follow the everyday life of a sparking duo! It’ll be fun.

Speaking of astrology… Do you read your horoscope? 

A few months ago, I would have answered you, “Occasionally.” Now, I’d say, “Often.” I haven’t become an expert, nor do I really take it too seriously, but I find it fun to read, and I’m fascinated by the thought that, when we were born, the positions of stars and planets might have influenced the people that we are today. Why not? However, this doesn’t mean that we’re not responsible for our own choices and fate.

“…I’m fascinated by the thought that, when we were born, the positions of stars and planets might have influenced the people that we are today.”

An engineer you would like to play on the big screen?

Leonardo da Vinci! His genius covered science, philosophy, art, music. And one of my dreams, as a kid, was to become an inventor, in any field. Moreover, the Renaissance is one of the past eras I would love to experience the most with my job. To be honest, though, if I think of Leonardo da Vinci, the first thing that comes to my mind, before his works, is the movie “Nothing Left to Do But Cry” with Marco and Saverio who, when they go back in time, try to explain to him contemporary inventions and concepts!

The most significant cinematographic encounter of your career, so far?

Undoubtedly, the one with Ettore Scola. I’ve always loved his movies and to have had the privilege not only of meeting him but also of working with him, to me was a huge joy and a unique formative experience. We were filming in the historical Teatro 5 in Cinecittà, Rome, where we talked about Fellini, Scola, and many others who, starting from the drafting of Marc’Aurelio, had contributed to the making of the great Italian cinema of those years. Moreover, the Maestro was used to enjoying telling anecdotes about those memorable times, places, and people. Those days at work were an amazing gift for me.

Who or what inspires you on the job, but also in your everyday life?

My everyday life. You gave me the answer! I’m a curious guy and I spend a lot of time observing the reality, to then play with it with my fantasy. And what I find inspiring are the places, the people, the “facts” that surround me. But, before all of this, there are the sacrifices, the support, and the love of my family and my dear ones.

The first DVD you bought?

I was born in 1989, so I remember my first VHS! Again Troisi, this time in the movie “The Postman.”

A character from a movie or TV show you would like to be friends with?

That’s easy… Doc from “Back to the Future!”

An epic fail on set?

I don’t know if it can be called like that… But I’m thinking of a scene from “L’Isola di Pietro,” filmed in Carloforte. I played Chief Ferras and in that scene, I went in a tuna fishery to exert pressure on a suspected criminal. That type of scene required my character to look particularly self-confident, and finish with an almost dramatic exit. Unfortunately, though, in one of my best takes, I fell tripping over a net. I even tried to get back up nonchalantly, but I just couldn’t make it, I was trapped!

“Unfortunately, though, in one of my best takes, I fell tripping over a net.”

Your must-have on set?

I have one but won’t tell you.

What does “feeling comfortable in your own skin” mean to you?

It’s knowing who you are and feeling good about yourself. Feeling free. But that doesn’t mean that you don’t have insecurities or think you’re never wrong. It’s being aware of your uniqueness and making a strength out of it. If we know who we are, without making any effort to be liked by others and chasing trends or models that the society seems to be imposing, then maybe we can more easily enjoy the present, with its joys and its challenges.

What’s the bravest thing you’ve ever done?

I followed my passion. I left an apparently safer and clearer path to walk a more winding and darker one, without knowing where it would have led me.

What are you afraid of?

Disappointing the people who love me.

What’s the latest person/thing that made you smile today?

I just met a couple of friends of mine with their little daughter, who’s about 3 months old. She did… Yes, she made me smile!

Your happy place?

My home.

Photos by Johnny Carrano.

Location Manager: Luisa Berio.

Location: Kiss me Darlin’ Garbatella.

Styling by Sara Castelli Gattinara.

Grooming by Francesca Naldini.

Thanks to Other Srl.

LOOK 2, 3 and 4

Total looks: Ermenegildo Zegna