About 'My Brilliant Friend'

Released in November 2018, 'My Brilliant Friend' is an Italian and Neapolitan language coming-of-age drama series. It is based on the first of four novels in the 'Neapolitan Novels' series by Elena Ferrante. The plot intricately shares the story of Elena Greco, an elderly woman who discovers that her lifelong friend, Lila Cerrullo, has disappeared without a trace. To reveal the mystery of her disappearance, Elena starts to write the story of their friendship from the 1950s, which is portrayed throughout the series.

Making / Production

'My Brilliant Friend' was made by Italian broadcaster RAI and U.S. cable network HBO. It was filmed in Italian language, aiming to stay true to the source material's roots. Much of the series was filmed in the Italian region of Campania, which was transformed to match the aesthetics of 1950s Naples.

Actors

• Elisa Del Genio and Margherita Mazzucco played the role of Elena Greco at different stages of her life. Their portrayal of a complex personality was critically appreciated.
• Ludovica Nasti and Gaia Girace played Raffaella 'Lila' Cerullo. Like Elena's character, separate actresses were used for Lila's younger and older versions, both receiving high praise for their distinct portrayals.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• 'My Brilliant Friend' is HBO's first ever foreign-language series, highlighting the network's willingness to experiment and reach out to a wider audience.
• The series was filmed in Italian, and viewers in the US receive translated subtitles to understand the dialogue.
• Author Elena Ferrante's identity remains a secret, yet she was closely involved in the show's production via email correspondence.

Awards

My Brilliant Friend was nominated for the Best Drama Series at the 71st Primetime International Emmy Awards.

Quotes

• "What greater gift than a friend who helps you to become the person you want to be?" - Elena Greco
• "Seeing each other, we saw for the first time how much the neighborhood was within us." - Elena Greco

Music, Soundtrack

• Main Theme: The original score of 'My Brilliant Friend' was composed by Max Richter, lending a lyrical and deeply emotional tone to the series.
• 'Whispers' and 'Deluge': These are two noted pieces from the show's soundtrack that encapsulate the stirring moods of the narrative.