Alice Lupparelli: "With Maschi Veri, I understood the power of comedy."

Contemporary masculinity is being deconstructed, shifting and evolving, and thank goodness for that! Naturally, film and TV are keeping up. A prime example is Maschi Veri, the new Italian Netflix series that follows the (mis)adventures of Mattia (Maurizio Lastrico), Massimo (Matteo Martari), Riccardo (Francesco Montanari), and Luigi (Pietro Sermonti), four friends in their forties navigating a fast-changing society, between gender equality and reinvented roles. The ensemble cast also features Thony, Sarah Felberbaum, Laura Adriani, Corrado Fortuna, Nicole Grimaudo, and Alice Lupparelli as Emma, Mattia’s daughter and a strong voice from Gen Z, guiding her father through a challenging but necessary transformation. We caught up with Alice just before the series premiere, streaming from March 21 on Netflix.

Interview with Alice Lupparelli, star of the Netflix series "Maschi Veri"

Was it challenging to bring to life a character who is so outspoken and self-aware when dealing with adults?

It was definitely challenging, because as you mentioned, Emma is a very determined girl. She has clear opinions about many things, even though she's only 17 and still has a lot to learn. She's quite different from me — I tend to question everything. In a way, it was helpful and fun. She taught me to do things I’m not used to, to take risks, ask questions, and express my thoughts and opinions.

The show explores important and delicate topics, like gender equality, digital identity, and generational dynamics. How did you prepare to tackle these?

Emma’s relationship with her father is very unique. Not exactly equal, but close. There’s a strong alliance and friendship. That might not be typical of all father-daughter relationships, but I drew inspiration from my own, and from my overall experience, not just with my parents but also observing other families and their small misunderstandings that come from generational differences. I paid close attention and learned how different communication can be across generations.

Maschi Veri is a comedy, but your character plays a somewhat educational role. Do you think it's important for mainstream entertainment to tackle these kinds of topics?

Absolutely, and it’s something I love about comedy in general. Maschi Veri lets us step back and look at everyday dynamics from the outside, making us realize how absurd they can be. It’s very effective: it makes you laugh, but also raises awareness.

Is there a moment from behind the scenes of Maschi Veri that stuck with you and you'd like to share?

It was such a great set, I really felt comfortable. I had never done comedy before, so it was a fun learning experience. I observed a lot, especially Maurizio Lastrico, whom I admire. We developed a nice connection. I tried to learn from his approach and took in his advice. One special moment was at the end of filming. They gave me flowers. I was touched, it was such a sweet gesture, a way of saying thank you for the work I’d done.

Was there a moment or project that you consider a turning point in your career?

I think the series Un Professore was that moment for me. Getting started is the hardest part in this industry. It gets a bit easier once you’ve been seen and people know you. From the moment I got that call, everything started to pick up pace.

Do you think Gen Z, a generation you and Emma are part of, is accurately represented in film and TV?

Overall, I’d say yes. But it really depends on the people behind the scenes. Some directors and writers are able to grasp different dynamics even if they don’t experience them firsthand: they manage to portray them in a believable way.

What’s coming up for you professionally? And what would you like to see in your future?

Auditions, a film in November, Un Professore 3. I’ll also be shooting a short film in July. So yes, there are a few things happening. I’ll be doing a stage performance too. I just hope to work as much as possible. I want to take on roles that are very different from me and do them well. I want to explore sides of myself and genres that I haven’t yet. A dream I’ve always had is to do a period drama or a musical, to make my younger self proud.