The Law and the Legend: Binging *The Law According to Lidia Poët

 

## The Law and the Legend: Binging *The Law According to Lidia Poët*

If you’ve spent any time on Netflix lately, you’ve likely been captivated by the lush cinematography, sharp corsets, and even sharper wit of **The Law According to Lidia Poët**. Set in late 19th-century Turin, the series follows a defiant woman fighting to practice law in a world that would rather see her embroidery than her legal briefs.

But as with any "inspired by true events" drama, there is a fascinating gap between the Netflix glitter and the historical grit. Let’s look at the reality behind the woman who changed Italian law.

### The Real Lidia: More Than a Sleuth

In the show, Lidia (played by the magnetic Matilda De Angelis) is a high-energy amateur detective who solves grisly murders between court sessions. In reality, **Lidia Poët** was far more focused on systemic change than chasing serial killers.

 * **The Struggle was Real:** In 1883, Lidia became the first woman to be admitted to the Order of Advocates in Turin. However, the Attorney General immediately filed a complaint. Within three months, she was disbarred.

 * **The Argument Against Her:** The court’s reasoning was as sexist as you’d imagine. They argued that "forensics" was not a job for women because their "physical and intellectual strength" was lacking, and—in a truly bizarre bit of logic—that it would be unseemly for a woman to discuss "scandalous" topics in court.

 * **The Long Game:** Unlike the TV show’s Lidia, who is constantly on the brink of fleeing to America, the real Lidia stayed. She worked in her brother’s law office for **37 years**, doing the work of a lawyer without the title or the right to address the court.

### Reality Check: Fact vs. Fiction

| Feature | The Netflix Series | The Real History |

|---|---|---|

| **Career** | A "Sherlock Holmes" style detective. | A dedicated legal advocate and suffragette. |

| **Love Life** | A steamy triangle between Jacopo and Andrea. | Lidia never married and lived a very private life. |

| **Vices** | Enjoys a drink, swears, and breaks rules. | Described by family as very religious and "sober." |

| **The End Goal** | Trying to get her license back via "cool" cases. | Finally readmitted to the bar in 1920 at age 65. |

### Why the Changes Matter

Netflix turned Lidia’s life into a **procedural drama** because watching a woman sit at a desk for 40 years writing briefs (while her brother takes the credit) doesn't exactly make for a binge-worthy Friday night.

However, the show captures the **spirit** of the era perfectly. It highlights the suffocating social norms of 1880s Italy and the radical nature of a woman simply wanting to use her brain. By adding a bit of "rock-and-roll" energy and a modern soundtrack, the series makes Lidia’s rebellion feel as urgent today as it was in 1883.

### The Verdict

The real Lidia Poët didn't need to solve murders to be a hero; she simply needed to exist, persist, and insist on her right to work. Whether you’re watching for the mystery or the history, one thing remains true: Lidia Poët was a powerhouse who paved the way for every female lawyer in Italy today.

Next time you see her on screen outsmarting a prosecutor, just remember—the real Lidia was doing the same thing, just with fewer explosions and much more paperwork.

> "Lidia Poët's name was finally reinstated on the roll of lawyers in 1920, a testament to a 37-year struggle for a right she earned in 1881."

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