Netflix has opened a new branch of its Korean-born physical competition franchise with Physical 100: Italy, officially titled Physical Italia: da 100 a 1. The first three episodes arrived on September 11, beginning an eight-episode season released in weekly batches.
The premiere naturally invites comparisons with the South Korean original, but the material available for verification does not establish the source review’s detailed verdict or provide enough reliable evidence for an episode-by-episode recap. What is clear is that the Italian production preserves the franchise’s central structure while placing it inside a specifically national cast and setting.
A 100-person contest inside Turin’s Lingotto
The season gathers 100 contestants for physical trials intended to test strength, agility and composure. Netflix identified the Lingotto arena as the competition’s setting and said the cast represents disciplines including wrestling, triathlon, skeleton, American football, Hyrox and Calcio Storico Fiorentino.
The announced contestants include former Italy rugby player Mirco Bergamasco, Olympic diving medalist Tania Cagnotto, gymnast Jury Chechi, swimmer Federica Pellegrini, former rugby player and television personality Alvise Rigo, content creator Luis Sal and Elisabetta Canalis, whom Netflix described as a kickboxing athlete and Italian entertainment figure.
Netflix said more than 1,000 people were contacted during casting. The process included 187 Zoom auditions totaling 130 hours and 137 in-person callbacks. The selected contestants range from 22 to 60 years old.
The Italian edition is produced by Endemol Shine Italy and directed by Alessio Pollacci. Roberta Briguglia serves as editorial curator, while Tommaso Marazza is the project lead.
Background: Physical 100 expands beyond its Korean foundation
Physical 100: Italy is a country-specific adaptation of the South Korean competition Physical: 100, which first reached Netflix audiences in 2023. The underlying idea remains direct: competitors from different athletic and professional backgrounds are gradually eliminated until one winner remains.
The Italian production follows Netflix’s expansion of the format beyond the original Korean series. The company’s announcement placed it alongside Physical: Asia and planned editions for Mexico, Sweden and the United States.
Rather than releasing the complete Italian season at once, Netflix divided it across four Fridays. Episodes four and five are scheduled for September 18, episodes six and seven for September 25, and the eighth and final episode for October 2.
Why the Italian edition matters internationally
The adaptation shows that Netflix is treating the format as more than a single Korean reality hit. A national edition can retain the recognizable 100-to-one structure while building its cast around local sports, public figures and physical traditions.
For international viewers, that changes who the franchise can introduce. The Italian lineup extends beyond globally familiar Olympic disciplines to include competitors connected to sports and activities with stronger domestic recognition. It also gives viewers a clearer opportunity to compare how the same competition model operates with a different national casting pool and production identity.
The weekly schedule changes the viewing experience as well. Instead of allowing the entire result to be watched immediately, the four-part rollout creates separate stages for the opening contests, the middle of the competition and the final. The next batch, comprising episodes four and five, is scheduled for September 18.
Sources: Netflix Media Center — The Official Trailer of 'Physical 100: Italy', on Netflix From September 11; Netflix — Physical 100: Italy Official Trailer; The National — Netflix Physical 100: Italy cast.
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