Italian detective series following Aurelio Zen as he solves three complex cases
Story Structure — 3 Plot Phases
The Roman Vendetta
Zen investigates his first case involving Amedeo Colonna in Rome, establishing his professional reputation and meeting Tania Moretti.
Key Events
Zen Assigned to Case — Zen receives his first assignment Characters: Aurelio Zen, MoscatiLocation: Police Department
Investigating Colonna — Zen begins investigating Colonna Characters: Aurelio Zen, Amedeo Colonna, Tania MorettiLocation: Rome
Meeting Tania — Zen meets Tania for the first time Characters: Aurelio Zen, Tania MorettiLocation: Cafe
First Case Resolution — Zen solves the first case Characters: Aurelio Zen, Amedeo Colonna, MoscatiLocation: Police Station
Venetian Shadows
Zen travels to Venice to investigate Vincenzo Fabri, facing personal danger when Tania becomes involved.
Key Events
Second Case Begins — Zen assigned to investigate Fabri Characters: Aurelio Zen, Moscati, Vincenzo FabriLocation: Police Department
Following Fabri — Zen follows Fabri in Venice Characters: Aurelio Zen, Vincenzo Fabri, RomiziLocation: Venice
Tania in Danger — Tania is threatened by Fabri Characters: Aurelio Zen, Tania Moretti, Vincenzo FabriLocation: Apartment
Second Case Resolution — Zen solves the second case Characters: Aurelio Zen, Vincenzo Fabri, MoscatiLocation: Police Station
Sardinian Secrets
Zen's final case takes him to Sardinia where he confronts Gilberto Nieddu, bringing all his investigations to a close.
Key Events
Third Case Assignment — Zen assigned to investigate Nieddu Characters: Aurelio Zen, Moscati, Gilberto NiedduLocation: Police Department
Confronting Nieddu — Zen confronts Nieddu Characters: Aurelio Zen, Gilberto Nieddu, Giorgio de Angelis, DonataLocation: Sardinia
Final Case Resolution — Zen solves the third case Characters: Aurelio Zen, Gilberto Nieddu, Moscati, Tania MorettiLocation: Police Station
Story Breakdown
The Roman Vendetta — First case investigation
Assignment — Zen receives case from Moscati
Investigation — Zen investigates Colonna
Resolution — Case solved successfully
Venetian Shadows — Second case in Venice
New Assignment — Investigating Fabri
Personal Danger — Tania threatened
Venetian Chase — Pursuit through Venice
Second Resolution — Fabri apprehended
Sardinian Secrets — Final case in Sardinia
Final Assignment — Investigating Nieddu
Island Confrontation — Face-off in Sardinia
Series Conclusion — All cases resolved
Zen is a British television mini series produced by Left Bank Pictures for the BBC, co-produced with WGBH Boston for its Masterpiece anthology series, Mediaset and ZDF. It stars Rufus Sewell and Caterina Murino and is based on the Aurelio Zen detective novels by Michael Dibdin. The series was filmed on location in Italy, but the dialogue is in English. The series, which comprises three 90-minute films, was broadcast in the United Kingdom on Sunday evenings from 2 January 2011 on BBC One. The three films were based on the books Vendetta, Cabal and Ratking.
