My Brilliant Friend

8.1
201857m

When the most important friend in her life seems to have disappeared without a trace, Elena Greco, a now-elderly woman immersed in a house full of books, turns on her computer and starts writing the story of their friendship.

Production

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Logo for The Apartment Pictures

Trailers & Videos

Thumbnail for video: BTS: Elena & Lila’s Friendship

BTS: Elena & Lila’s Friendship

Thumbnail for video: BTS: Recreating the Rione

BTS: Recreating the Rione

Thumbnail for video: BTS w/ Saverio Costanzo, Jennifer Schuur & Lorenzo Mieli

BTS w/ Saverio Costanzo, Jennifer Schuur & Lorenzo Mieli

Seasons

8 Episodes • Premiered 2018

Based on the international best-selling novel, when the most important friend in her life seems to have disappeared without a trace, Elena Greco, starts writing the story of their friendship.

Still image for My Brilliant Friend season 1 episode 1: The Dolls

1. The Dolls

6.7

The disappearance of her old friend, Lila Cerrullo, causes 60-year-old author Elena Greco to reflect on the early days of their friendship in 1950s Naples, when Elena and Lila are two very different girls at the top of their class. When the girls discover the lair of Don Achille, a criminal figure who controls the neighborhood, they decide to confront him.

Still image for My Brilliant Friend season 1 episode 2: The Money

2. The Money

6.9

As fourth grade draws to an end, Elena and Lila fight with their families for the chance to continue their education. Later, a trip out of town becomes a day Elena will never forget, and a death changes things in the neighborhood forever.

Still image for My Brilliant Friend season 1 episode 3: The Metamorphoses

3. The Metamorphoses

7.7

Now a teenager, Elena grapples with the onset of puberty, her studies, and her friendship with Lila, who now works in her family's shoe-repair store. After a library awards ceremony reveals what Lila has been keeping secret, Elena learns what her friend's grand plans might be. Lila takes a stand against the dangerous Solara brothers.

Still image for My Brilliant Friend season 1 episode 4: Dissolving Margins

4. Dissolving Margins

7.9

Entering high school, Elena vows to stay ahead of Lila, academically and romantically. Lila eschews a parade of suitors vying for her affection, choosing instead to focus on her ambitions in the shoe shop. Promising a better future for the neighborhood, Stefano Carracci invites Elena, Lila and their families over for New Year's Eve, but things take a dark turn.

Still image for My Brilliant Friend season 1 episode 5: The Shoes

5. The Shoes

7.7

Elena grows tired of Gino, while Lila rejects two potential suitors at a cost. A rare outing into the city turns violent. Elena worries about not being there for Lila after accepting an invitation to spend the summer away from the neighborhood and her family.

Still image for My Brilliant Friend season 1 episode 6: The Island

6. The Island

8.0

On the island of Ischia, Elena runs into the Sarratore family, reigniting her childhood crush on Nino, who is at odds with his father, the charming Donato. Back in Naples, Lila's resistance to Marcello's pressing courtship reaches a breaking point. On the day of Elena's 15th birthday, an unexpected encounter leaves her shaken.

Still image for My Brilliant Friend season 1 episode 7: The Fiances

7. The Fiances

7.7

Elena returns to Naples to find Lila has made a romantic connection with Stefano, despite the looming presence of Marcello. As Lila embraces a more glamorous life at Stefano's side, Elena warns her about what people are saying around the neighborhood. Later, in hopes of keeping up with her friend, Elena encourages one suitor and rebuffs the advances of another.

Still image for My Brilliant Friend season 1 episode 8: The Promise

8. The Promise

6.1

With sales of Cerullo shoes lagging, Stefano cuts a business deal with the Solaras against Lila's wishes. After Elena gets kicked out of a class for voicing her opinion, Nino encourages her to write an article for his magazine about her experience. Later, Elena and Lila get unwelcome surprises.

Cast

Photo of Alba Rohrwacher

Alba Rohrwacher

Elena Greco

Photo of Irene Maiorino

Irene Maiorino

Lila Cerullo

Photo of Fabrizio Gifuni

Fabrizio Gifuni

Nino Sarratore

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Reviews

K

Dasha K

7/10

I really enjoyed this series so much, until the 3rd season. I found the series to have incredible acting, wonderful old costumes, and top-notch writing. However, during the 3rd season the character of Elena Greco felt much less like a protagonist. It became hard to watch her make awful decisions, and she became extremely unlikable to me. She seems like a bitter and selfish person so I quit watching after that. 🤷🏻‍♀️

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