Plot Synopsis

Aurelio Zen, originally from Venice, is a Roman police detective who is separated from his wife, living with his mother, and doesn't even think about romance because he spends his time bringing justice to modern-day Italy where his bosses are on the side of the lawbreakers. Then he meets Tania Moretti, his chief's new secretary, who has been having spouse trouble and sees Zen as a remarkable exception to the predatory Romeos around the police station. With so many distractions, can Zen solve murders while keeping his job, staying alive, and getting to know Tania better? As part of its MASTERPIECE MYSTERY series, PBS aired the U.S. premiere of ZEN on Sunday, July 17, 2011 at 9pm ET.