Simone Secce already has enrolling for the Minerva Academy (or at least renewing our subscription plans).
There are many reasons to enroll at Minerva Academy: military tactics, fencing, forbidden romances, mysterious secrets, and, apparently, Simone Secce. The Italian actor is quickly emerging as one of the breakout stars of Netflix’s new military-school drama, and honestly, Diego Giordano (Secce) is giving viewers plenty to look at.
Meet Minerva Academy’s Newest Heartthrob
Minerva Academy premiered on Netflix on September 22, introducing viewers to a military high school in Naples where discipline is practically a religion. Students wake up at dawn for flag-raising, civilian clothes and phones are forbidden, and even falling in love is apparently against the rules.
Naturally, teenagers are going to teenager.
The eight-episode drama follows students navigating ambition, rivalry, family pressure, secrets, and relationships inside the highly controlled academy. Netflix describes the series as a world where the students are pushed to their limits and forced to discover unexpected things about themselves.
Enter Secce as Diego, a senior cadet whose storyline becomes considerably more interesting once the show’s forbidden-romance rules start getting complicated.
READ: Andrew Scott Has a Harness, a Jockstrap, and a Movie We Need to See
Diego Has More Than One Type
At first, Diego comes across as a guy whose romantic attention is directed toward girls. But his flirtation does not exactly stop there.
His connection with Francesco, played by Luigi Bruno, takes Diego somewhere he has not previously allowed himself to go. The slow tease before the two finally kiss inside the photo booth is absolutely the kind of yearning you want to see. The result is one of the show’s more emotionally intriguing storylines as Diego begins confronting feelings that do not fit neatly into the expectations surrounding him.
Minerva Academy / minerva la scuola (2026)#gay #filmtwt pic.twitter.com/NFrRMrNhRt
— Gay Cinema (@CinemaForGays) September 23, 2026
Netflix’s episode descriptions tease Diego’s increasingly complicated journey, including the fallout surrounding Francesco and, later, Diego confronting his past.
And that is where Minerva Academy gets particularly interesting. Beneath all the uniforms, military exercises, and strict rules, the series is also asking what happens when young men are given very little room to question who they are or who they are attracted to.
Then There Are Those Shirtless Scenes
Of course, we cannot discuss Diego without addressing the elephant in the room. Or, more accurately, the lack of clothing.
watching the new italian netflix series that dropped today and i just know this man is about to become everyone’s new obsession bc DAMNNN
Simone Secce in Minerva Academy pic.twitter.com/0CqtwYjzx0
— ★ (@POPin4k) September 22, 2026
Despite being enrolled at a military academy where uniforms are basically mandatory, Diego appears to have discovered a loophole called “just take the shirt off.” And viewers are certainly not complaining.
Social media has already been doing what social media does best, with viewers openly thirsting over Secce’s looks and, shall we say, appreciating the physical details of Diego’s scenes.
One fan summed up the collective reaction rather efficiently: “pretty, hung and a boy kisser… oh welcome to my roster simone secce.”
Another simply declared him “Absolutely incredibly gorgeous hot.”
Honestly, subtlety was never going to survive this Netflix release.
Simone Secce Is One To Watch
Secce brings more than thirst-trap energy to the role. The actor has a background in ballet and modern and contemporary dance, as well as singing and guitar, giving him a performance toolkit that extends well beyond looking devastatingly good while dramatically removing a shirt.
He previously appeared in Italian productions including The Silence of Water, Marta & Eva, and Light of Your Eyes 2, before landing his first leading role as Diego in Minerva Academy.
And judging by the attention Diego is already getting, this might be the role that puts Simone Secce firmly on international viewers’ radars.
Military school may have rules against romance.
Netflix apparently has other plans.