Scott Foley Brings His Big Rom-Com Energy to DreamyLa Dolce VillaTrailer: 'I'm Never That Guy' (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Scott Foley and Violante Placido in Netflix’s ‘La Dolce Villa’.Photo:Giulia Parmigiani/Netflix

Scott Foley as Eric and Violante Placido as Francesca in La Dolce Villa.

Giulia Parmigiani/Netflix

Scott Foleyhas officially entered his romance era.

According to theScandalalum, it’s been more than two decades since he took on a role in a true rom-com — but that changes with Netflix’s newValentine’s Day-friendlyflickLa Dolce Villa.

“It’s been since, I don’t know, maybeA.U.S.A.[in 2003]?” Foley, 52, tells PEOPLE. “It’s so strange because I feel like I fit the genre perfectly, and for whatever reason, I’m never that guy. And this was so fun to be that guy for a minute.”

“We filmed basically all of March and April of 2024 for about five weeks in and around Rome, and then we filmed two and a half, three weeks in these little villages in Tuscany,” Foley says. “I’d been to Rome once when we were shootingWhiskey Cavalier[in Prague], but to be able to spend the amount of time that I did there … was really special. I would get off work and walk for hours to sort of soak it all in.”

In the trailer, Eric attempts to speak some Italian, and three older women in the town mock him for it. Foley admits he also doesn’t really speak the language, though he also tried here and there.

Foley also had a great Italian scene partner to help him through it in Placido.

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Violante Placido and Scott Foley in Netflix’s ‘La Dolce Villa’.Giulia Parmigiani/Netflix

Violante Placido as Francesca and Scott Foley as Eric in La Dolce Villa.

“I know that one of the important parts of this film was the woman playing my love interest was Italian and sort of exuded that energy and, man, she had it in spades,” he says. “She has this presence about her that just felt quintessentially Italian. And she was such fun to work with.”

TheFelicitystar was also excited to work withPretty Little Liars: Original Sinactress Reficco, especially after his daughter gave the 24-year-old actress her seal of approval.

“They told me who she was, and as I was literally typing in her name [to look her up], I guess I said it out loud and my 15-year-old daughter was like, ‘Oh yeah, I know her.’ "

But that wasn’t the only thing that impressed Foley about the young actress. “She was great. She went above and beyond,” he raves. “She’s so talented and kind and professional and so young.”

The two have stayed in touch, and Foley andLa Dolce Villadirector Mark Waterseven went to see Reficcoperform in Broadway’sHadestownand were blown away. “She so talented, truly,” he adds.

Maia Reficco, Scott Foley and Simone Luglio in ‘La Dolce Villa’.Giulia Parmigiani/Netflix

Maia Reficco as Olivia, Scott Foley as Eric and Simone Luglio as Nino in La Dolce Villa

The fourth main character of the film, undeniably, is the villa Olivia buys for one Euro with the promise of fixing it up. The 1-Euro homes campaign is a real thing: It’s an effort for economic redevelopment in rural Italian towns with an aging population. And it’s something Foley, who isan impressive woodworkerhimself, would love to do.

“I’m all over it,” he says. “The only reason I didn’t buy one is because my wife was like, ‘I will kill you.’ But I love the idea.”

For now, though, he’s more than happy with his dreamy Italian movie moment. “This was fun, this was light, this was Italy,” he says, “and I was so thrilled to get to do it.”

La Dolce Villais on Netflix Feb. 13.

source: people.com