"A serene blend of alpine beauty and gripping mystery that captures the heart of the Italian wilderness and its secrets."
Set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Italian Dolomites, One Step From Heaven (Un passo dal cielo) redefined the procedural genre for Rai 1. Initially centered on Pietro Thiene, a skilled forest ranger portrayed by the legendary Terence Hill, the series masterfully blended crime-solving with environmental reverence. As the show transitioned its lead role to Francesco Neri and later Manuela Nappi, it maintained a steady grip on national viewership through its unique focus on nature and regional identity. Its legacy lies in the successful fusion of traditional mystery elements with the serene, almost spiritual atmosphere of the mountains. The series remains a cornerstone of Italian television, proving that a change in leadership can sustain a long-running narrative when grounded in a powerful sense of place.
| Watched? | # | Air Date | Episode Name |
|---|---|---|---|
| E1 | Jan 09, 2025 | L'uomo dei ghiacci - Parte 1 | |
| E2 | Jan 09, 2025 | L'uomo dei ghiacci - Parte 2 | |
| E3 | Jan 16, 2025 | La malga dell'alba - Parte 1 | |
| E4 | Jan 16, 2025 | La malga dell'alba - Parte 2 | |
| E5 | Jan 23, 2025 | La bella addormentata - Parte 1 | |
| E6 | Jan 23, 2025 | La bella addormentata - Parte 2 | |
| E7 | Jan 30, 2025 | Il figlio del cielo - Parte 1 | |
| E8 | Jan 30, 2025 | Il figlio del cielo - Parte 2 | |
| E9 | Feb 06, 2025 | Il sentiero oltre le nuvole - Parte 1 | |
| E10 | Feb 06, 2025 | Il sentiero oltre le nuvole - Parte 2 | |
| E11 | Feb 20, 2025 | La casa dei ricordi - Parte 1 | |
| E12 | Feb 20, 2025 | La casa dei ricordi - Parte 2 |
Release Window: Spring (March - April)
One Step From Heaven has maintained a steady Biannual rhythm for thirteen years, typically returning in March. Since its debut in 2011, the series has functioned as a reliable ratings powerhouse for Rai 1, though it transitioned from an annual schedule to a more deliberate biennial release strategy after the third season. This shift allowed for significant creative overhauls, including the high-profile lead actor transition from Terence Hill to Daniele Liotti and eventually to Giusy Buscemi.
The production cycle consistently favors a spring launch, with five of the seven seasons premiering between January and April. By anchoring the schedule during the high-stakes spring television season, the network utilizes the show breathtaking Alpine scenery to attract millions of viewers. Despite the gaps between seasons, the series remains a cornerstone of Italian fiction, demonstrating remarkable longevity through its ability to reinvent its core cast while maintaining its signature blend of procedural mystery and nature-focused drama.