Author: [Generated for academic purposes] Date: 2026 Abstract Squadra Antimafia – Guardaserie (often shortened to Squadra Antimafia ) is an Italian television drama series that aired on Canale 5 from 2009 to 2016. Spanning eight seasons, the series focuses on the fictitious Palermo Anti-Mafia Investigation Department (DIA) led by Deputy Chief Claudia Mares (later replaced by Rosy Abate). This paper analyzes the show’s contribution to the public understanding of organized crime in Italy, its dramatization of legal procedures, and its role within the broader genre of fiction antimafia . It argues that while the series adheres to the conventions of action-drama, it simultaneously serves a social function by demystifying the omertà (code of silence) and portraying the psychological toll on law enforcement. 1. Introduction Italian television has a long-standing tradition of producing polizieschi (police procedurals). However, the specific subgenre of fiction antimafia —which includes critically acclaimed works like La Piovra (The Octopus) and Il Capo dei Capi —carries a unique socio-political weight. Squadra Antimafia – Guardaserie distinguishes itself from its predecessors through its prime-time scheduling on a commercial network (Mediaset) and its focus on a predominantly female-led investigative team. Unlike the gritty, fatalistic tone of La Piovra , Squadra Antimafia adopts a faster-paced, more character-driven narrative, blending family melodrama with judicial thrillers. 2. Narrative Structure and Character Archetypes The series centers on the Palermo DIA. The protagonist, Claudia Mares (played by Simona Cavallari), is a prosecutor who survives a mafia bombing. Her character evolves from a by-the-book magistrate to a morally complex operative willing to bend rules to achieve justice. After her departure, Rosy Abate (Giulia Michelini)—a mob boss’s daughter turned state witness and police collaborator—becomes the central figure, inverting the traditional hero-villain dynamic.