INTERVIEW: Stanley Tucci Reveals What He'll Never Show in Tucci In Italy

Stanley Tucci is returning to his motherland for Tucci In Italy, and he's revealed what's most definitely off the table.

Speaking to Newsweek, the Conclave actor says he didn't want to "be rude" during the filming of his new five-part travelogue in partnership with National Geographic. That means you won't see him turn his nose up to any of his hosts.

"No," says Tucci in response to the question of whether he disliked any dishes served up during his time filming Tucci In Italy. "If I did, I wouldn't put them in the show. Because that would be unfair to the person who made it."

For Tucci in Italy, which follows the ever-gracious Tucci's adventures through diverse Italian landscapes sampling delicious cuisine, he's serving viewers only the very best. And it's not like there was much to edit out of the final cut, such was the quality of the food on offer.

"For the most part, luckily, from what I can remember, we didn't really have to do that. So I got lucky."

Back for another bite after 2021's Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy, Tucci in Italy sees the actor visiting the Alps of Trentino-Alto Adige to eat pine needle pesto, indulge in a feast in Tuscany, and eat the freshest Italian farm produce in Lombardy.

Tucci in Italy Trailer

Here's the trailer for Tucci in Italy, in which the award-winning actor explores his Italian heritage via the medium of food.

It's as uplifting as it is heartfelt, with Tucci rediscovering his roots as he chews his way through his place of origin. While he has a seemingly effortless rapport with people, it wasn't as easy as it looks.

"You're dealing with, you know, sometimes contributors who think that they want to participate, and then they might be quite nervous and shy, and you have to sort of make them feel comfortable that it's okay."

Tucci in Italy Release Date

Tucci in Italy premiers Sunday May 18 at 8/7 C

That's where Tucci works his magic. "I always say, don't worry, you don't have to speak English. It's fine. Just speak Italian. It's my job to listen to you. You don't have to perform for me, you know? Just tell your story the way you want to tell it. Don't be nervous. And then they start to relax, and then it gets easier. But, yes, it is a very challenging thing, but, you know, our goal is to make it look not challenging."

"It was logistically a kind of hellish," Tucci continues, "because Italy is an enormous country, it's very mountainous, there are times where there isn't roads, you don't have the infrastructure that you might think you'd have, particularly in certain regions, in the poorer regions or in the more remote regions. So to get from point A to point B can be a struggle, particularly with a crew."

You wouldn't know the behind-the-scenes challenges from the final product, though. Tucci in Italy focuses on the food, the people, and the culture. The result is a smooth and satisfying watch.

So, what's Tucci having for dinner?

"Oh, man. Probably room service."

What is Tucci in Italy About?

Here is the official synopsis from National Geographic: "The five-part series follows Tucci across Italy's stunning landscapes as he explores the deep connections between food, culture and history. More than a travelogue, it's a rich, narrative-driven dive into the country's iconic culinary traditions. Along the way, Tucci meets locals, chefs, artisans—and even cowboys—to uncover hidden gems and untold stories with National Geographic's signature storytelling and his trademark wit."