The primary progressive element is the prominent arc of Alberto 'Spadino' Anacleti (Giacomo Ferrara), a Sinti gang member depicted as a closeted homosexual whose arranged marriage to Angelica, secret attraction to straight friend Aureliano, failed kiss attempt met with homophobic rejection in episode 9, and family pressures form a recurring focal conflict across multiple episodes. This representation is explicitly noted as groundbreaking for Italian television as the first sympathetic gay Sinti mobster protagonist, integrated into the hyper-masculine mafia genre without altering the core crime narrative.

Casting remains consistent with the Italian setting and source material, featuring no established character race or gender swaps, and no creator statements or plot elements emphasize systemic oppression, DEI mandates, or identity politics as the driving force. Audience and critical reception praised the gritty storytelling and character depth without widespread 'woke' backlash or claims of message-over-story prioritization.