Rafe Spall, Sally Wainwright and Joanna Scanlan among winners at Italian Global Series 2026

The second edition of the Italian Global Series came to a close in Rimini on Saturday evening, with British talent among the big winners at the Maximo Awards celebrating the best in international television.

Held across Rimini and Riccione from 3^rd-11^th July, the festival brought together actors, writers, directors and producers from around the world for nine days of screenings, premieres and industry events dedicated to television drama, comedy and limited series.

In the drama competition, Swedish series Burden of Justice emerged as one of the night’s biggest winners, taking home both Best Drama Series and Best Drama Director for Lisa Linnertorp. British actor Rafe Spall was named Best Drama Actor for his performance in Secret Service, while Elena Sofia Ricci won Best Drama Actress for the Italian series I casi di Teresa Battaglia – Figlia della cenere.

The comedy awards saw another strong showing for UK productions. Sally Wainwright was named Best Comedy Creator/Director for Riot Women, with Joanna Scanlan receiving Best Comedy Actress for her performance in the series. Alex Lawther won Best Comedy Actor for Leonard and Hungry Paul, which also picked up the Special Jury Prize, while Germany’s The Flaws was named Best Comedy Series.

In the limited series category, French drama Laura’s Treatment claimed both Best Limited Series and Best Actress for Valérie Bonneton, while Chilean production Raza Brava secured Best Director for Hernán Caffiero and Best Actor for Gabriel Muñoz. The series also received the student-juried Maximino Award.

Away from the competition, Richard Gadd received the Breakthrough Storyteller Award, while Natasha Lyonne was presented with the Maximo Excellence Award following appearances at the festival earlier in the week.

The Italian Global Series, which launched in 2025, returned for its second edition with a programme of international premieres, conversations and masterclasses, welcoming guests including Bertie Carvel, Tamsin Greig, David Boreanaz, Judith Light, John Hannah, Rebecca Romijn and Tom Wlaschiha.

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For more information on the Italian Global Series 2026, please visit here.