The new Netflix series Zero will be the first Italian series ever made that centers around the Black experience in Italy!

Based on an idea from Antonio Dikele Distefano – a rising star on the Italian publishing scene, Zero will tell the story of “a shy African origin guy, second-generation Italian, who has an incredible superpower. A modern superhero who, thanks to his power, will learn how to open up to the world and to love,” according to a Netflix press release. 

The main objective of the project is to create an original and unique exploration of the marginalized communities in the Milanese suburbs. 

Distefano is set to write the series along with Italian comic book artist and screenwriter Roberto Marchionni, and also Stefano Voltaggio, Massimo Vavassori, Carolina Cavalli, and Lisandro Monaco.

“The idea of ‘Zero’ comes from my need to put different stories together in order to tell one,” Distefano told IndieWire. “The story of a special boy, of a black guy, who, thanks to his superpower, manages to see the reality behind the appearance of things, people and relationships.”

He continued, “Rap will be one of the protagonists of the story because rap is the language of our age, it is capable of describing environments that people do not see, such as the Milan suburbs where the series is set, and it is my language.”

Felipe Tewes (Director, International Originals, Netflix) said: “Our goal at Netflix is to find new local, unheard voices and give them the opportunity to tell their stories to a global audience. We are really excited to work together with Antonio, Menotti, and the ‘Zero’ pool of writers to bring their unique vision to life in what will be the first superhero show in our offer of Italian Original contents.”

The first season of Zero is coming to Netflix on April 21.