Summary

• Netflix's The Tearsmith brings Erica Doom's characters to life with a strong cast led by Simone Baldasseroni and Caterina Ferioli.
• The Italian romance delves into themes of trauma and forbidden love, exploring the impact of a traumatic childhood on the main protagonists.
• The Tearsmith not only focuses on Nica and Rigel but also relies on a wider cast to recreate the drama and heartbreak that made the novel a bestseller.

Based on the popular novel by Erica Doom, Netflix's The Tearsmith relies on the strength of its cast to bring the original characters to life. Directed by Alessandro Genovesi, the Italian-language romance follows a broadly similar story to the original book, building on its themes of forbidden romance and trauma. However, given the differences between television and literature, The Tearsmith's cast is under extra pressure to recreate the drama and heartbreak that made the novel an international bestseller.

Following the story of three adopted teenagers, The Tearsmith incorporates flashbacks to explore how the trio's experiences at an oppressive orphanage still affect their present. The main protagonists are Nica and Rigel, whose complex romance plays out against the backdrop of a traumatic childhood. Although Nica and Rigel are the focus, The Tearsmith also relies on a wider extended cast to recreate all aspects of the story.

Simone Baldasseroni as Rigel Wilde

Simone Baldasseroni is 25 years old

Actor: Both an accomplished actor and singer, Baldasseroni is also known by his alter ego, BIONDO. While his musical career mainly encompasses hip-hop and R&B, Baldasseroni has already been involved in a variety of acting projects. The Tearsmith is just his latest leading role, having previously topped the bill in projects such as Cinquanta km All'ora and Crazy For Football.

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Character: One of The Tearsmith's two main protagonists, Rigel Wilde's complex relationship with Nica is the main source of drama in the story. After being favored at the pair's austere orphanage, he struggles to adapt to adoption. This transition is made even more difficult by his feelings towards Nica, which he sometimes struggles to articulate.

Caterina Ferioli as Nica Dover

Caterina Ferioli is 20 years old

Actor: Born in Bologna, Italy, The Tearsmith marks the acting debut of Caterina Ferioli – a significant moment, considering the prominence of her part. However, although her career is in her infancy, it's already evident that The Tearsmith will not be Ferioli's last on-screen appearance. She is slated to appear in the upcoming series Belcanto, a taut crime drama set to come out later in 2024.

Notable Movies & TV Roles: The Tearsmith is Ferioli's first major role.

Character: The other half of The Tearsmith's central relationship, Nica Dover adjusts more easily to life outside the orphanage than Rigel. Upon attending school for the first time, for instance, she quickly makes friends and wins admirers, while Rigel struggles to settle in. However, despite the pair's tempestuous relationship, Nica is inextricably drawn towards Rigel, with explosive consequences as the story develops.

Sabrina Paravicini as Margaret Stoker

Sabrina Paravicini is 54 years old

Actor: Although Sabrina Paravicini is a successful writer and director (notably taking on both roles for the touching 2018 documentary Be Kind), it is as an actor that she has been most prolific. Paravicini has had high-profile roles in several popular Italian TV series, including Un caso di coscienza and I Hate Christmas. She has also featured in multiple movies beyond The Tearsmith, such as Alice and the Land That Wanders and Comunque Mia.

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Character: The austere and sadistic headmistress at Sunnycreek Orphanage, Margaret is one of The Tearsmith's main antagonistic presences. Despite physically and emotionally abusing almost all the children in her care, Margaret is shown to have a special favoritism towards Rigel. This results in its own complex psychological scarring, going a long way towards explaining why he struggles to fit in beyond the orphanage.

Roberta Rovelli as Anna Milligan

Roberta Rovelli's age is unknown

Actor: After a minor role in the 2003 Italian movie Senza freni, Roberta Rovelli has been most active since 2007, appearing in over a dozen films and TV series. While her TV appearances have been limited to bit-part roles in productions like Camera Café and Zero, she has had several prominent movie parts. Her highlights include Madre adottiva in I Am The Abyss and Amica di Francesca in 2015's Alaska.

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Character: Although she takes a backseat to the main teenage romance, Anna Milligan is nonetheless pivotal in Rigel and Nica's story. As the pair's adoptive mother, she plays a huge role in shaping their environment post-orphanage. As Rigel and Nica's relationship intensifies, she also acts as a barrier to their romance, with tragic consequences.

Orlando Cinque as Norman Milligan

Orlando Cinque is 49 years old

Actor: Another of The Tearsmith's cast who is best known for his work in Italian TV and film, Orlando Cinque has a distinguished career that goes back decades. Initially, he earned recognition for high-profile roles in the popular TV shows Vento di Ponente and Romanzo Criminale, in which he made over 50 combined appearances. More recently, however, Cinque has branched out into film, with credits including On My Skin: The Last Seven Days of Stefano Cucchi and Into The Labyrinth, as well as TV hits like Un'estate Fa.

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Character: Much like his wife Anna, Norman plays a subtle role in shaping Rigel and Nica's story. As the pair's adoptive father, he helps provide a supportive framework after the difficulties of life at Sunnycreek Orphanage. However, inevitably as the story becomes more complex, Norman finds himself forced to make difficult decisions.

Alessandro Bedetti as Lionel

Alessandro Bedetti is 21 years old

Actor: One of the most prolific performers in The Tearsmith's young cast, Bedetti already has an impressive resume. In addition to TV roles in Nudes and DOC - Nelle tue mani, Bedetti has also featured in films like Headshot and Hai mai avuto paura? His upcoming role in Peacock's gladiator series Those About To Die also proves that his career is going from strength to strength.

Character: Second to the diabolical Margaret Stoker, Lionel is one of the most malevolent presences in The Tearsmith. Although it initially seems like he has romantic feelings towards Nica, his attentions soon become toxic. This culminates in a dramatic finale, where Lionel turns from a side character to an out-and-out villain.

Eco Andriolo as Adeline

Eco Andriolo is 25 years old

Actor: Despite a limited resume, Eco Andriolo has already featured in several prominent productions. Although The Tearsmith represents her movie debut, Andriolo has appeared in series such as Baby, Romanzo Siciliano, and most notably The New Pope opposite John Malkovich and Jude Law. In 2022, she also starred in the short film Il Provino, highlighting her flexibility.

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Character: Appearing both in flashbacks to the orphanage and as Nica and Rigel navigate adolescence, Adeline plays a pivotal role in inspiring Nica to escape the shackles of her past. Despite being separated after Nica's adoption, Adeline arrives at the Milligan's house to discuss suing Margaret over their time at Sunnycreek. Despite being initially reluctant, Adeline's plan sparks a change in Nica that has huge ramifications for the rest of the story.

The Tearsmith Supporting Cast & Characters

Nicky Passarella as Billie: One of the first characters Nica comes across after leaving the orphanage, Billie helps her new friend settle into school life. Nicky Passarella is primarily known as an internet personality and The Tearsmith is her first role.

Sveva Romana Candelletta as Miki: Another of Nica's school friends, Miki has a complex relationship with Billie. Candelletta has also appeared in the short film Burner of Ships and Fantasmagoria.

Antonio Ghisleri as Phelps: Another of the students at Rigel and Nica's new school, Phelps has a tense relationship with Rigel, fighting him when he first arrives. The Tearsmith is Ghisleri's first notable role.