The Promised Life (La Vita Promessa) is an Italian period drama that begins in Sicily in 1921 when the region was extremely impoverished, much like the rest of Italy after World War I. The series transports viewers from Sicily to Naples to New York City (with some flashbacks) during the time when waves of Italian immigrants were arriving on American shores.

It offers a window into Italian life and culture both in Italy and the U.S. during those tumultuous times. Fans of Detective Montalbano may be surprised to learn that the very talented Ranieri, who appeared in the American romantic comedy, Letters to Juliet, is the wife of Luca Zingaretti, who played the title role in Montalbano.