Summary
Netflix’sThe Decameron(2024) follows a unique, hilarious group of characters to an Italian villa in 1348 as they try and escape the Black Death in Florence. The series was inspired by the 14th century Italian short-story collection of the same name by Giovanni Boccaccio. Though they have their differences, the romance and historical setting have led people to compareNetflix’sThe DecameronandBridgerton.The Decameron’sraunchy humor makes it a sex comedy as well, with the villa characters often just as, if not more concerned with sex and romance as staying alive.
That is partially what makesThe Decameronstand out among othermedieval TV shows. While the time period is never lost on the viewer while watching, the script gives it a modern feel. Actor Jessica Plummer made a different comparison in aTuduminterview, callingThe Decameron, “Love Island, but back in the day.” Despite the grim time period,The Decameronis ahilarious period comedy, largely due to its cast and characters. The characters at the villa and their complex web of relationships creates much of the comedy and intrigue.
Zosia Mamet As Pampinea
Date Of Birth: July 05, 2025
Actor:Zosia Mamet was born in Randolph, Vermont to director David Mamet and actor Lindsay Crouse. Mamet had some small acting roles as a child and recurring roles in shows likeUnited States of Tara,Parenthood, andMad Men. In 2012,Zosia Mamet had her breakthrough role as Shoshanna Shapiro inGirls.It’s still the role she’s best known for. SinceGirlsended, Mamet has starred inThe Flight Attendantand was featured in the Marvel movieMadame Web.
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Hekapoo (voice)
Crimp (voice)
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Amaria
Character:Zosia Mamet plays noblewoman Pampinea inThe Decameron. As an older unmarried woman, Pampinea comes to the villa to marry the man of the house, Leonardo.
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Saoirse-Monica Jackson As Misia
Date Of Birth: June 13, 2025
Actor:Saoirse-Monica Jackson was born in Derry, Northern Island and made her television debut inThe Five. Her earlier roles included stage performances, appearing in a West End production ofThe Ferryman.Saiorse-Monica Jackson’s breakthrough role was asErin Quinn inDerry Girls, which is also her most notable role. She played the show’s protagonist for three seasons. Her next main television role was inThe Doll Factory. Jackson has also appeared in the moviesThe FlashandUpgraded.
Upgraded(2024)
Amy
Character:Saoirse-Monica Jackson plays Pampinea’s servant, Misia, inThe Decameron. She is incredibly loyal to Pampinea, even though her lady rarely appreciates her hard work and dedication.
Tanya Reynolds As Licisca
Date Of Birth: June 09, 2025
Actor:Tanya Reynolds was born in Hertfordshire, England and attended the Oxford School of Drama. Her first television role was as Teresa Benelli inDelicious. Reynolds went on to star in BBC series before starring in her first feature film,Fanny Lye Deliver’d.Tanya Reynolds’ breakout role was as Lily Iglehart in Netflix’sSex Education.In 2024, she was nominated for the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for her performance inA Mirror.
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Porcupine
Character:Tanya Reynolds stars inThe Decameronas Licisca, Filomena’s handmaiden who has been working for her family her entire life. Licisca is awkward and meek before making a shocking decision that changes her persona.
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Lou Gala As Neifile
Date Of Birth: Jul 12, 2025
Actor:Lou Gala was born in Paris, France and had her first acting credit in the French filmThe Adulteen. Most of Gala’s roles are in French movies, television series, short films, and music videos. Her biggest French television roles were as Chloe inLes Chamoisand various roles inSecrets d’histoire.Lou Gala’s first major American television role was inJuliaas Yvette. Gala also received screenwriting credits for the 2017 short filmRendez-vos au Bowling.
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Yvette
Character:Lola Gala plays Neifile inThe Decameron, a religious woman who is still celibate despite being married. Neifile often has what she believes are impure thoughts about sex, betraying her innocent, pure persona.
Karan Gill As Panfilo
Date Of Birth: Unconfirmed
Actor:Karan Gill made his first onscreen appearance as P.C. Isaac Cory in the miniseriesFlesh and Blood. This was followed byKaran Gill’s breakthrough role as Zain inI May Destroy You. Most of Gill’s work has been done on television, with him making his feature film debut in 2023’sBad Behavior.The Decameronis Karan Gill’s first main role in a series, as he has recurred or guest starred in his previous roles.
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Leonard Grow
Character:Karan Gill plays Panfilo inThe Decameron, Neifile’s husband with a lusty secret of his own. Panfilo can be conniving and he and Neifile don’t share much romantic love for each other, but he still loves her.
Tony Hale As Sirisco
Date Of Birth: June 30, 2025
Actor:Tony Hale was born Anthony Hall in West Point, New York and started his acting career with minor guest television appearances.Tony Hale’s breakthrough role was as Buster Bluth inArrested Development. Hale is also known for his performance as Gary Walsh inVeep, which won him the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series in 2013 and 2015. Hale has done extensive voice work, most notably as Forky inToy Story 4and Mime inThe Angry Birdsmovies.
Mimi (voice)
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Fear (voice)
Character:Tony Hale plays Sirisco inThe Decameron, the steward of Villa Santa, where all the characters go to escape the Black Death. He works hard to maintain the villa, especially with the major secrets he’s hiding about its owner.
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Douggie McMeekin As Tindaro
Date Of Birth: Uncomfirmed
Actor:Douggie McMeekin’s first major television role was as Sunny Blanford inThe Crownseason 2, episode 4 Beryl. He later appeared in two episodes of the miniseriesChernobyl.Douggie McMeekin’s breakout role was as Charles Quigly in the series Harlots. Following the show’s completion, he appeared in episodes ofThe Beast Must DieandRagdoll. His film credits includeThe HustleandCatherine Called Birdy.
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Character:InThe Decameron,Douggie McMeekin plays Tindaro, an awkward, anxious nobleman who doesn’t quite fit in wherever he goes. His arrogance, near hypochondria, and misogyny don’t do him any favors when it comes to social interaction.
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Jessica Plummer As Filomena
Date Of Birth: July 04, 2025
Actor:Jessica Plummer was born in London, England and started her career as a singer in the British girl group Neon Jungle from 2012 to 2015. The year of their debut single, she also appeared in the television showWizards vs. Aliens.JessicaPlummer’s breakthrough major role was as Chantelle Atkins inEastenders. Plummer’s first feature film credit is the science fiction romantic comedyHow to Talk to Girls at Parties.
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Lily
Character:Jessica Plummer plays Filomena inThe Decameron, a selfish noblewoman and the only surviving member of her family. She often mistreats her handmaiden Licisca, which gets her into unexpected trouble.
The Decameron Supporting Cast & Characters
The Decameron Is Ensemble-Focused
Leila Farzad as Stratilia -British actor Leila Farzard plays Stratilia inThe Decameron, the devoted cook and servant of Villa Santa. Farzard is known for voicing Mrs. Cat and Mrs. Pony inPeppa Pigand received a British Academy Television Award nomination forI Hate Suzie. Farzard played Talia in the MCU filmThe Marvels.
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Amar Chadha-Patel as Dioneo -Tindaro’s doctor inThe Decameron, whom he also believes to be his closest friend, Dioneo, is played by British-Indian actor, director, and writer Amar Chadha-Patel. Chadha-Patel is best known for playing Thraxus Boorman inWillow. He has also appeared in episodes ofThe Third Day,The Wheel of Time,Slip, amdFifteen-Love.
Alfredo Pea as Calandrino -Italian actor Alfredo Pea plays Calandrino, another staff member at Villa Santa inThe Decameron. Most of Pea’s credits come from Italian films and television series. This includesIl treno per Istanbul,La piovra, andCorleone. Pea had a small role inHouse of Gucci.
Giampero De Concilio as Andreoli -The Decameronfeatures an interesting subplot with the messenger, Andreoli, played by Giampero De Concilio. The Italian actor has appeared in multiple Italian projects, such as the seriesVivi e lascia vivere,Gomorrah, and the filmAmusia.
Fares Fares as Ruggiero -Swedish actor Fares Fares began his acting career in Sweden. He later transitioned to English-speaking projects likeThe Decameron, in which he plays Leonardo’s rowdy cousin, Ruggiero. Fares has previously appeared inTyrant,Rogue One: A Star Wars Story,Partisan, andThe Wheel of Time.
The Decameron
Cast
In 1348 Italy, a group of nobles and their servants seek refuge in a grand villa from the bubonic plague. As they attempt to wait out the pandemic, their interactions reveal class tensions and personal secrets. The show blends dark comedy with historical drama, examining survival and societal divides in a crisis.
