Zero

Behind the Scenes of Netflix’s Zero: The Breakout Role That Almost Wasn’t

Netflix’s Zero (2021) arrived as a quiet revolution—a coming-of-age story centered on Milan’s Black Italian community, a perspective rarely seen in mainstream European TV. latestnetflix.com's read is that at its heart was Giuseppe Dave Seke, a relative newcomer whose portrayal of Omar, a shy teen with a hidden superpower, turned heads.But the road to the screen was anything but smooth.

The Casting Gamble That Paid Off

Seke wasn’t a shoo-in for the role. In interviews, he revealed that the audition process was grueling, with multiple callbacks that left him doubting his chances. "I didn’t think I had it," he admitted in a sit-down with creator Antonio Dikele Distefano . The pressure was amplified by the show’s cultural weight: Zero was adapted from Distefano’s semi-autobiographical novel, and the cast needed to reflect the authenticity of Milan’s Barona neighborhood, where the story unfolds.

Beatrice Grannò, who plays Omar’s love interest Anna, echoed the intensity of the process. Their on-screen chemistry—particularly in the much-discussed kissing scene from Episode 8 —was the result of weeks of rehearsals, a rarity for TV productions. "We had to build trust quickly," Grannò hinted in a trailer breakdown , though specifics about the rehearsal process remain scarce.

A Series Born from Personal Pain

Distefano, a rising star in Italian literature, co-created Zero as a love letter to his upbringing. In interviews, he and Seke often circled back to the show’s themes of identity and invisibility—both literal (Omar’s power makes him undetectable) and metaphorical (the erasure of Black Italians in media). "This isn’t just a superhero story," Distefano said in a Milan event . "It’s about being seen."

The series’ raw, unfiltered tone stemmed from Distefano’s insistence on keeping the dialogue and settings as close to real life as possible. Seke, who grew up in a similar neighborhood, became the bridge between the page and the screen. "He didn’t have to act like a local—he was one," Distefano noted . This authenticity extended to the supporting cast, including Haroun Fall and Richard Dylan Magon, whose roles as Omar’s friends added layers to the show’s ensemble dynamic.

The Netflix Effect: Hype vs. Reality

Zero’s marketing leaned heavily on its "first-of-its-kind" angle, but the reception was mixed. Some reviews praised its fresh perspective , while others criticized its pacing or the underdevelopment of certain characters. The trailer, which teased Omar’s powers and the show’s vibrant Milanese backdrop, racked up views , but word-of-mouth struggled to match the initial buzz.

Behind the scenes, the pressure to deliver weighed on the cast. Seke, in particular, faced the challenge of carrying a series that was both a personal project for Distefano and a high-stakes gamble for Netflix. In one interview, he joked about the "imposter syndrome" of being thrust into the spotlight . "I kept thinking, What if I mess this up for everyone?"

What’s Next?

As of now, Zero remains a one-season wonder. Netflix has not announced a renewal, and the cast has moved on to other projects. Seke, however, has become a sought-after name in Italian TV, with rumors (unconfirmed) of him joining upcoming crime dramas. Grannò’s career has similarly taken off, though neither has publicly addressed whether they’d return for a potential Zero revival.

For fans, the show’s legacy lies in its unapologetic centering of Black Italian stories—a rarity that still feels urgent. As Distefano put it: "We didn’t make this for awards. We made it so kids like Omar could see themselves on screen" .