Turin, 1974. After years of turbulence, married cardiologists Delia Brunello and Alberto Ferraris dream of starting a family while working at Molinette hospital—but a new, inflexible head doctor threatens Delia’s research and their carefully built life.
The third season of Hearts, premiering tonight on Rai 1 at 9:30pm, dives into the evolving medical landscape of the 1970s and the personal dramas of its pioneering doctors. The era’s social shifts—including the recent referendum on divorce and the rise of women in the workplace—provide a vibrant backdrop for the unfolding storylines.
- Delia and Alberto navigate the challenges of balancing career ambitions with their desire for a child.
- A new hospital director, Luciano La Rosa, clashes with Delia over her research, prioritizing “zero risks.”
- The arrival of singer Irma Monteu introduces a mysterious element that complicates Delia and Alberto’s relationship.
- The series explores medical advancements like the development of intensive care and coronary bypass surgery.
What’s the latest on Delia and Alberto’s journey? The couple, played by Pilar Fogliati and Matteo Martari respectively, are finally married and eager to expand their family. However, their plans are immediately challenged by the arrival of Luciano La Rosa (Fausto Maria Sciarappa), the new head doctor whose rigid approach to medicine and life threatens to derail Delia’s vital research project.
La Rosa’s first act is to dismantle the existing structure, eliminating Sister Fiorenza’s position and initiating a competition for the head of nursing. He also implements a seniority-based system in the operating room, sidelining the highly skilled Helmut Becker (Nicolò Pasetti) despite Alberto Ferraris’s protests. Funding for Delia’s research is also slashed, despite the potential benefits of Ferraris’s studies on bypass procedures for heart attack patients.
Pilar Fogliati and Matteo Martari in “Hearts 3”. (Courtesy press office)
Adding another layer of complexity, a captivating young singer named Irma Monteu (Carolina Sala) arrives at Molinette, seemingly drawn to Alberto. Her presence immediately casts a shadow over Delia and Alberto’s relationship, hinting at a connection to Alberto’s past. Meanwhile, Virginia Corvara (Bianca Panconi) prepares for her wedding to Helmut, requesting Alberto to walk her down the aisle—a request interrupted by a medical emergency.
Beyond the central couple, the series continues to follow the lives of other key characters. Luisa (Benedetta Cimatt), Alberto’s sister, is thriving after a heart transplant, navigating a new love with Riccardo (Piero Cardano). Ferruccio (Marco Bonini) and Serenella (Neva Leoni) celebrate the adoption of their daughter, Anna, while grappling with the demands of both work and family life.
Matteo Martari, Pilar Fogliati, Giulio Scarpati. (Courtesy press office)
Joining the cast this season is Giulio Scarpati as Gregorio Fois, a psychic who encounters Delia and Alberto during Virginia and Helmut’s pre-wedding festivities. His unconventional perspective clashes with the doctors’ scientific approach, yet a unique connection begins to form. Luca Barbero (Matteo Sntucci) joins the team as a new anesthetist, while Francesca Lozito portrays Assunta, a nurse who believes herself to be the most qualified in the hospital—much to Serenella’s annoyance.
The series also delves into the medical breakthroughs of the era, from the establishment of intensive care units to advancements in coronary bypass surgery and the early experiments that paved the way for angioplasty. Hearts season three promises a compelling blend of medical drama, personal relationships, and a captivating glimpse into a pivotal moment in history.
Pilar Fogliati. (Courtesy press office)
