Tonight | Hotel Portofino on SBS: Bella faces blackmail on the Riviera – Hotel Portofino airs on SBS on Friday 2 October 2026 at 7:30pm.
The opening episode sets a prospective marriage against the daily pressures of running a hotel. Bella’s practical problems soon become more threatening when a local Fascist politician places her in a vulnerable position.
Hotel Portofino on SBS: Anna Chancellor
Hotel Portofino follows a British family who open a hotel on the Italian Riviera during the Roaring Twenties. They hope their new life will offer an escape from the traumatic aftermath of World War I.
The historical drama stars Anna Chancellor and Mark Umbers. Its six-part first season begins with the arrival of Rose and her mother, Julia.
They have come to evaluate a prospective marriage with Lucian, the war veteran son of the hotel’s proprietors. However, Lucian’s mother, Bella, has more immediate worries competing for her attention.
Lady Latchmere, her most critical guest, has fallen ill. The new help, Constance March, has yet to arrive, leaving another gap in the hotel’s operation.
Bella must also deal with the bad behaviour of her aristocratic husband, Cecil. Meanwhile, Signor Danioni, a local Fascist politician, unexpectedly exposes her to blackmail threats.
These competing demands introduce a hotel where family ambitions, guests’ expectations and political pressure intersect. The series premiere is season one, episode one.
When to watch
Watch Hotel Portofino on SBS on Friday 2 October 2026 at 7:30pm. Stream free on SBS on Demand.
More TV Central SBS news. Visit SBS on Demand for viewing information.
