Summary

• Netflix’s
  The Decameron
  (2024) is a unique historical comedy inspired by 14th century Italian short stories by Giovanni Boccaccio.
• The humor, romance, and historical backdrop of
  The Decameron
  have drawn comparisons to
  Bridgerton
  .
• The Decameron
  features a talented ensemble that includes Tony Hale, Zosia Mamet, Tanya Reynolds, and more.

Netflix’s The Decameron (2024) follows a unique, hilarious group of characters to an Italian villa in 1348 as they try and escape the Black Death in Florence. The series was inspired by the 14th century Italian short-story collection of the same name by Giovanni Boccaccio. Though they have their differences, the romance and historical setting have led people to compare Netflix’s The Decameron and Bridgerton. The Decameron’s raunchy humor makes it a sex comedy as well, with the villa characters often just as, if not more concerned with sex and romance as staying alive.

That is partially what makes The Decameron stand out among other medieval TV shows. While the time period is never lost on the viewer while watching, the script gives it a modern feel. Actor Jessica Plummer made a different comparison in a Tudum interview, calling The Decameron, “Love Island, but back in the day.” Despite the grim time period, The Decameron is a hilarious period comedy, largely due to its cast and characters. The characters at the villa and their complex web of relationships creates much of the comedy and intrigue.

Zosia Mamet As Pampinea

Date Of Birth: February 2, 1988

Actor: Zosia Mamet was born in Randolph, Vermont to director David Mamet and actor Lindsay Crouse. Mamet had some small acting roles as a child and recurring roles in shows like United States of Tara, Parenthood, and Mad Men. In 2012, Zosia Mamet had her breakthrough role as Shoshanna Shapiro in Girls. It’s still the role she’s best known for. Since Girls ended, Mamet has starred in The Flight Attendant and was featured in the Marvel movie Madame Web.

Notable Movies & TV Shows:

Character: Zosia Mamet plays noblewoman Pampinea in The Decameron. As an older unmarried woman, Pampinea comes to the villa to marry the man of the house, Leonardo.

Saoirse-Monica Jackson As Misia

Date Of Birth: November 24, 1993

Actor: Saoirse-Monica Jackson was born in Derry, Northern Island and made her television debut in The Five. Her earlier roles included stage performances, appearing in a West End production of The Ferryman. Saiorse-Monica Jackson’s breakthrough role was as Erin Quinn in Derry Girls, which is also her most notable role. She played the show’s protagonist for three seasons. Her next main television role was in The Doll Factory. Jackson has also appeared in the movies The Flash and Upgraded.

Notable Movies & TV Shows:

Character: Saoirse-Monica Jackson plays Pampinea’s servant, Misia, in The Decameron. She is incredibly loyal to Pampinea, even though her lady rarely appreciates her hard work and dedication.

Tanya Reynolds As Licisca

Date Of Birth: November 4, 1991

Actor: Tanya Reynolds was born in Hertfordshire, England and attended the Oxford School of Drama. Her first television role was as Teresa Benelli in Delicious. Reynolds went on to star in BBC series before starring in her first feature film, Fanny Lye Deliver’d. Tanya Reynolds’ breakout role was as Lily Iglehart in Netflix’s Sex Education. In 2024, she was nominated for the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for her performance in A Mirror.

Notable Movies & TV Shows:

Character: Tanya Reynolds stars in The Decameron as Licisca, Filomena’s handmaiden who has been working for her family her entire life. Licisca is awkward and meek before making a shocking decision that changes her persona.

Lou Gala As Neifile

Date Of Birth: November 9, 1995

Actor: Lou Gala was born in Paris, France and had her first acting credit in the French film The Adulteen. Most of Gala’s roles are in French movies, television series, short films, and music videos. Her biggest French television roles were as Chloe in Les Chamois and various roles in Secrets d’histoire. Lou Gala’s first major American television role was in Julia as Yvette. Gala also received screenwriting credits for the 2017 short film Rendez-vos au Bowling.

Notable Movies & TV Shows:

Character: Lola Gala plays Neifile in The Decameron, a religious woman who is still celibate despite being married. Neifile often has what she believes are impure thoughts about sex, betraying her innocent, pure persona.

Karan Gill As Panfilo

Date Of Birth: Unconfirmed

Actor: Karan Gill made his first onscreen appearance as P.C. Isaac Cory in the miniseries Flesh and Blood. This was followed by Karan Gill’s breakthrough role as Zain in I May Destroy You. Most of Gill’s work has been done on television, with him making his feature film debut in 2023’s Bad Behavior. The Decameron is Karan Gill’s first main role in a series, as he has recurred or guest starred in his previous roles.

Notable Movies & TV Shows:

Character: Karan Gill plays Panfilo in The Decameron, Neifile’s husband with a lusty secret of his own. Panfilo can be conniving and he and Neifile don’t share much romantic love for each other, but he still loves her.

Tony Hale As Sirisco

Date Of Birth: September 30, 1970

Actor: Tony Hale was born Anthony Hall in West Point, New York and started his acting career with minor guest television appearances. Tony Hale’s breakthrough role was as Buster Bluth in Arrested Development. Hale is also known for his performance as Gary Walsh in Veep, which won him the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series in 2013 and 2015. Hale has done extensive voice work, most notably as Forky in Toy Story 4 and Mime in The Angry Birds movies.

Notable Movies & TV Shows:

Character: Tony Hale plays Sirisco in The Decameron, the steward of Villa Santa, where all the characters go to escape the Black Death. He works hard to maintain the villa, especially with the major secrets he’s hiding about its owner.

Douggie McMeekin As Tindaro

Date Of Birth: Uncomfirmed

Actor: Douggie McMeekin’s first major television role was as Sunny Blanford in The Crown season 2, episode 4 Beryl. He later appeared in two episodes of the miniseries Chernobyl. Douggie McMeekin’s breakout role was as Charles Quigly in the series Harlots. Following the show’s completion, he appeared in episodes of The Beast Must Die and Ragdoll. His film credits include The Hustle and Catherine Called Birdy.

Notable Movies & TV Shows:

Character: In The Decameron, Douggie McMeekin plays Tindaro, an awkward, anxious nobleman who doesn’t quite fit in wherever he goes. His arrogance, near hypochondria, and misogyny don’t do him any favors when it comes to social interaction.

Jessica Plummer As Filomena

Date Of Birth: September 16, 1992

Actor: Jessica Plummer was born in London, England and started her career as a singer in the British girl group Neon Jungle from 2012 to 2015. The year of their debut single, she also appeared in the television show Wizards vs. Aliens. JessicaPlummer’s breakthrough major role was as Chantelle Atkins in Eastenders. Plummer’s first feature film credit is the science fiction romantic comedy How to Talk to Girls at Parties.

Notable Movies & TV Shows:

Character: Jessica Plummer plays Filomena in The Decameron, a selfish noblewoman and the only surviving member of her family. She often mistreats her handmaiden Licisca, which gets her into unexpected trouble.

The Decameron Supporting Cast & Characters

The Decameron Is Ensemble-Focused

Leila Farzad as Stratilia – British actor Leila Farzard plays Stratilia in The Decameron, the devoted cook and servant of Villa Santa. Farzard is known for voicing Mrs. Cat and Mrs. Pony in Peppa Pig and received a British Academy Television Award nomination for I Hate Suzie. Farzard played Talia in the MCU film The Marvels.

Amar Chadha-Patel as Dioneo – Tindaro’s doctor in The Decameron, whom he also believes to be his closest friend, Dioneo, is played by British-Indian actor, director, and writer Amar Chadha-Patel. Chadha-Patel is best known for playing Thraxus Boorman in Willow. He has also appeared in episodes of The Third Day, The Wheel of Time, Slip, amd Fifteen-Love.

Alfredo Pea as Calandrino – Italian actor Alfredo Pea plays Calandrino, another staff member at Villa Santa in The Decameron. Most of Pea’s credits come from Italian films and television series. This includes Il treno per Istanbul, La piovra, and Corleone. Pea had a small role in House of Gucci.

Giampero De Concilio as Andreoli – The Decameron features an interesting subplot with the messenger, Andreoli, played by Giampero De Concilio. The Italian actor has appeared in multiple Italian projects, such as the series Vivi e lascia vivere, Gomorrah, and the film Amusia.

Fares Fares as Ruggiero – Swedish actor Fares Fares began his acting career in Sweden. He later transitioned to English-speaking projects like The Decameron, in which he plays Leonardo’s rowdy cousin, Ruggiero. Fares has previously appeared in Tyrant, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, Partisan, and The Wheel of Time.

Source: Tudum