Netflix is bringing the popular Korean reality show Physical 100 to Italy, marking the first European adaptation of the series. This comes after recent versions for Asia and the United States.
Physical 100 is a survival competition with 100 contestants, including professional athletes and amateurs. They face challenges testing strength, endurance, agility, balance, and willpower. A unique feature of the show is the elimination process, where contestants wear plaster cast torsos that are smashed with a sledgehammer when they are eliminated.
The Italian edition, titled Physical Italia: da 100 a 1, will feature well-known local figures such as rugby player Mirco Bergamasco, Olympic diver Tania Cagnotto, actress Elisabetta Canalis, Olympic gymnast Jury Chechi, Olympic gold medal swimmer Federica Pellegrini, actor Alvise Rigo, and YouTuber Luis Sal.
Netflix said the casting was thorough, contacting over 1,000 people. They held 187 Zoom auditions totaling 130 hours and 137 in-person callbacks. Contestants will range in age from 22 to 60 and represent sports like triathlon, wrestling, American football, skeleton, indoor fitness competition Hyrox, and Calcio Storico Fiorentino — a traditional Italian sport blending soccer, rugby, and wrestling.
The show’s editorial curator is Roberta Briguglia, with Tommaso Marazza as project lead. The writing team includes Lorenzo Campagnari, Valerio Trapasso, Christian Monaco, Federica Riva, Antonio Moreno, and Barbara Strambi.
The original Physical 100, which premiered in 2023, featured Korean Olympians, professional fighters, bodybuilders, and former soldiers. It became a global hit, appearing in Netflix’s Top 10 list in over 80 countries.
