You probably remember the buzz when the Italian production company Lux Vide announced they were doing their own spin on the classic fairy tale. It wasn't the Disney version. It wasn't the gritty CW show either. This was a lavish, period-piece co-production between Italy and Spain that aired on Rai 1. If you're looking for the cast of La Bella e la Bestia television show, you’re likely trying to place where you’ve seen that brooding prince or the spirited heroine before.
The 2014 miniseries didn't just lean on the "magic" of a talking teapot. In fact, it stripped most of that away. It gave us a grounded, almost Gothic romance set in the 18th century.
Honestly, the casting was the make-or-break element for this project. Since the show relied on psychological tension rather than CGI furniture, the leads had to actually have chemistry. Real chemistry. The kind that makes you forget the plot is hundreds of years old.
The Leading Duo: Alessandro Preziosi and Blanca Suárez
Let's talk about the Beast. Or, Leon Dalville, as he’s known here.
Alessandro Preziosi took on the role of the scarred Prince. Preziosi is basically royalty in the world of Italian television. Before he was hiding behind a silver mask in this series, he was a massive star thanks to Elisa di Rivombrosa. He has this specific way of playing "tortured soul" that doesn't feel cheesy. In this version, his "beastliness" isn't a literal transformation into a monster. It’s a physical scar and a deeply broken personality. He’s cynical. He’s mean. He’s basically a man who has lost his humanity because of a past tragedy involving a fire and the death of his wife. Preziosi plays the transition from a cruel landlord to a vulnerable man with a lot of nuance.
Then you have Bella. Blanca Suárez was cast as Bella Dubois.
If you’re a fan of Spanish cinema or Netflix originals, you know exactly who she is. She’s one of Spain’s biggest exports, famous for The Skin I Live In (directed by Pedro Almodóvar) and later Las Chicas del Cable (Cable Girls). Bringing her in was a smart move for international appeal. Her Bella isn't a damsel. She’s the daughter of a merchant who ends up in Leon’s castle to pay off a debt. Suárez brings a certain "modern" toughness to the role that balances Preziosi’s heavy, dark energy.
The Supporting Players: Villains and Family
A fairy tale is only as good as its villain. In this version, we get Helene, played by Léa Bosco.
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Helene is the cousin of Leon and, frankly, she’s a piece of work. She wants Leon, but mostly she wants the status and the power that comes with him. Bosco plays the "manipulative socialite" perfectly. She’s the one whispering in Leon’s ear, trying to ensure he never actually heals or finds happiness with Bella. It’s a classic trope, but Bosco makes you genuinely dislike the character, which is the whole point.
Then there is the Dubois family. Bella’s father, Maurice, is played by Andy Luotto. Unlike the eccentric inventor in the Disney version, this Maurice is a merchant whose ships have been lost at sea. It grounds the story in economic reality. He’s a man who loves his daughters but is trapped by his own failures.
Bella’s sisters are a trip.
- Giusy Buscemi plays Juliette.
- Thea Falco plays Evelina.
If Giusy Buscemi sounds familiar, it’s because she was Miss Italia 2012. She later went on to star in Il Paradiso delle Signore. In La Bella e la Bestia, the sisters provide that necessary friction. They aren't necessarily "evil" like Cinderella's step-sisters, but they are shallow and highlight Bella’s depth.
Why This Specific Cast Worked
It’s interesting. Most English-speaking audiences are used to the 1991 animated classic or the Emma Watson live-action film. When people look up the cast of La Bella e la Bestia television show, they often expect to see voice actors or heavy prosthetics.
This cast had to do something different.
They had to make a "realistic" version of a story that is inherently fantastical. Jaime Olías, who played André, added another layer to the drama. He’s the "other man," the one who provides a safe, stable alternative to the volatile Prince Leon. Olías is a staple in Spanish TV (Hispania, la leyenda), and his presence makes the love triangle feel like it actually has stakes.
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The chemistry between the Italian Preziosi and the Spanish Suárez was the anchor. Despite being filmed in English and dubbed into Italian and Spanish for their respective markets, their physical acting told the story. You could watch it on mute and still get the gist of the longing and the resentment.
A Quick Look at the Main Roster:
- Alessandro Preziosi as Leon Dalville (The Beast)
- Blanca Suárez as Bella Dubois (Beauty)
- Léa Bosco as Helene
- Andy Luotto as Maurice Dubois
- Jaime Olías as André
- Massimo Wertmüller as Maurice (voice in some versions/minor role involvement)
- Cecilia Dazzi as Albertine
- Francesca Chillemi as Corinne
Francesca Chillemi is another notable name here. Like Buscemi, she was a former Miss Italia. The show was packed with some of the most recognizable faces in Mediterranean television at the time.
The Production Context
The series was directed by Fabrizio Costa. He’s a veteran in Italian TV drama. He knew how to use the scenery of Piedmont—specifically the Castle of Agliè—to make the cast look even better. The setting is basically a character itself.
When the show aired, it pulled in massive numbers. Over 6 million viewers in Italy alone for the premiere. That doesn't happen just because people like fairy tales. It happens because the cast of La Bella e la Bestia television show featured established stars that people trusted to deliver a good performance.
The "Beast" wasn't a digital creation. He was a man in a mask. This forced the actors to rely on eye contact and body language. Preziosi had to convey a lot with half his face covered for a good portion of the series. It’s a theatrical approach that you don't see much in modern TV anymore.
Common Misconceptions About the Cast
Sometimes people get this show confused with Beauty and the Beast (2012), the American series starring Kristin Kreuk and Jay Ryan.
If you're looking for the "procedural crime drama" version, that's not this.
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The 2014 Italian-Spanish cast is strictly for the period-piece miniseries. Another thing people get wrong is thinking it’s a musical. None of these actors sing. There’s no "Be Our Guest" moment. This is a drama. It’s moody. It’s sort of sweaty and intense.
Also, Blanca Suárez's involvement often leads people to think it's a purely Spanish production. While it was filmed partly in Spain and features several Spanish actors like Jaime Olías, the DNA of the show—the writing and the lead actor—is very much Italian.
What to Watch Next If You Liked Them
If you were impressed by the cast of La Bella e la Bestia television show, you should definitely track down their other work.
- For Alessandro Preziosi: Check out Elisa di Rivombrosa. It’s the definitive Italian period drama. He plays Count Fabrizio Ristori, and it’s arguably the role that made him a legend in Italy.
- For Blanca Suárez: Go straight to The Skin I Live In. It’s a wild Almodóvar thriller. If you want something more lighthearted, Cable Girls on Netflix is a must-watch.
- For Giusy Buscemi: The Ladies' Paradise (Il Paradiso delle Signore) is a long-running favorite where she really shines as Teresa Iorio.
Watching these actors in other roles helps you appreciate what they did in La Bella e la Bestia. They took a story everyone knows and made it feel like a localized, gritty folk tale.
Actionable Steps for Fans
If you're trying to find where to stream this version today, it can be tricky depending on your region.
- Check RaiPlay: If you have access to Italian streaming or a VPN, RaiPlay often hosts Lux Vide productions.
- Look for DVD Imports: Because of the international cast, there are Spanish and Italian DVD sets. Make sure you check for English subtitles, as they aren't always included in the domestic releases.
- Verify the Version: When searching, use the year "2014" or "Lux Vide" to ensure you aren't getting the Vincent Cassel movie or the Disney versions.
The performances of Preziosi and Suárez remain the highlight. They managed to turn a "tv movie" into something that feels cinematic and genuinely emotional. If you haven't seen it yet, or if you're just revisiting the names, it's worth the watch just to see how they handled the "human" version of the Beast's transformation.