My Brilliant Friend (TV series) explained

Creator:Saverio Costanzo
Narrated:Alba Rohrwacher
Composer:Max Richter
Num Seasons:4
Num Episodes:34
Camera:Single-camera
Runtime:43–67 minutes

My Brilliant Friend (it|L'amica geniale) is a Neapolitan- and Italian-language coming-of-age drama television series created by Saverio Costanzo for HBO, RAI, and TIMvision. Named after the first of four novels in the Neapolitan Novels series by Elena Ferrante, the series is an adaptation of the entire literary work into four seasons.[1] My Brilliant Friend is a co-production between Italian production companies Wildside, Fandango, The Apartment Pictures, Mowe and international film groups Umedia and Fremantle.

The first two episodes of the series were presented at the 75th Venice International Film Festival, in 2018.[2] The first season, based on the first novel in the series, premiered on HBO on November 18, 2018, and on Rai 1 and TIMvision on November 27, 2018.[3] A second season, based on the second novel in the series, The Story of a New Name, was confirmed in December 2018,[4] and premiered on Rai 1 on February 10, 2020, and on HBO on March 16, 2020.[5] [6] The first two episodes of the second season were screened in selected Italian cinemas from January 27 to 29, 2020.[5]

In April 2020, the series was renewed for a third season, based on the third novel in the series, Those Who Leave and Those Who Stay.[7] The eight-episode third season premiered on Rai 1 on February 6, 2022, and on HBO on February 28, 2022.[8] [9] In March 2022, the series was renewed for a fourth and final season, based on the final novel in the series: The Story of the Lost Child.[10] The ten-episode fourth and final season premiered on HBO on September 9, 2024,[11] and on Rai 1 on November 11, 2024.

Cast and characters

See main article: List of ''My Brilliant Friend'' characters.

Main

Featured

The following actors are credited in the opening titles of a single episode of the series:

Episodes

Season 4: The Story of the Lost Child (2024)

Production

Commissioned by Rai Fiction, HBO and TIMvision, the first season was produced by Italian production companies Wildside and Fandango and international film group Umedia.[14] TIMvision withdrew from the project after the first season,[15] while production companies The Apartment Pictures and Mowe joined production for the second season.[16]

On February 18, 2020, Gaia Girace announced that she would leave the series after playing Lila in three episodes of the third season, as a new and older actress would be cast for the following episodes.[17] However, the director of the third season, Daniele Luchetti, later opted to retain Girace and Mazzucco for the duration of the season.[18]

Music

The score of the series was composed by Max Richter.

Season 1

My Brilliant Friend
(TV Series Soundtrack)
Type:soundtrack
Artist:Max Richter
Genre:Soundtrack
Label:Deutsche Grammophon
Chronology:Max Richter
Prev Title:Mary Queen of Scots (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
Prev Year:2018
Next Title:Ad Astra (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
Next Year:2019

The soundtrack album for the first season was released by Deutsche Grammophon on December 7, 2018, for digital download.[19] It was preceded by the release of the single "Elena & Lila" on November 30, 2018.

Track listing
Additional musicThe first season features additional material from Richter's solo discography.[20]

Season 2

My Brilliant Friend, Season 2
(TV Series Soundtrack)
Type:soundtrack
Artist:Max Richter
Genre:Soundtrack
Label:Deutsche Grammophon
Chronology:Max Richter
Prev Title:Ad Astra (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
Prev Year:2019
Next Title:Voices
Next Year:2020

The soundtrack album for the second season was released by Deutsche Grammophon on May 1, 2020, for digital download.[21] The soundtrack features material from Richter's solo discography.

Track listing

Season 3

My Brilliant Friend, Season 3
(Original Soundtrack)
Type:soundtrack
Artist:Max Richter
Genre:Soundtrack
Label:Deutsche Grammophon
Chronology:Max Richter
Prev Title:Invasion (Music from the Original TV Series: Season 1)
Prev Year:2021
Next Title:The New Four Seasons – Vivaldi Recomposed
Next Year:2022

The soundtrack album for the third season was released by Deutsche Grammophon on March 4, 2022, for digital download.[22] The soundtrack features material from Richter's solo discography.

Track listing

Season 4

My Brilliant Friend, Season 4
(Original Soundtrack)
Type:soundtrack
Artist:Max Richter
Genre:Soundtrack
Label:Deutsche Grammophon
Chronology:Max Richter
Prev Title:In a Landscape
Prev Year:2024
Next Title:Heard on Tour
Next Year:2024

The soundtrack album for the fourth and final season was released by Deutsche Grammophon on September 27, 2024, for digital download.[23] The soundtrack features material from Richter's solo discography.

Track listing

Reception

Critical response

On Rotten Tomatoes, the first season has a 93% rating with an average score of 8.4 out of 10 based on 57 reviews. The site's critical consensus is, "My Brilliant Friend is an expansive epic that gleans rapturous beauty from the most desolate of circumstances, but it is the intimacy between the central duo – and the remarkable performances that bring them to life – that audiences will remember most vividly".[24] On Metacritic, it has a score of 87 out of 100 based on 20 reviews.[25] Rhiannon Lucy Cosslett of The Guardian stated "How revolutionary it still feels to see female friendship explored onscreen in this way. It goes without saying that it takes the Bechdel test and turns it into ragù."[26]

On Rotten Tomatoes, the second season has a 100% rating with an average score of 9.5 out of 10 based on 15 reviews. The site's critical consensus is, "Gorgeously shot and full of incredible performances, My Brilliant Friends second season expands its small world with rich results."[27] On Metacritic, it has a score of 92 out of 100 based on 8 reviews.[28]

On Rotten Tomatoes, the third season has a 100% rating with an average score of 9.2 out of 10 based on 13 reviews.[29] On Metacritic, it has a score of 96 out of 100 based on 6 reviews.[30]

Awards and nominations

AssociationYearCategoryNominee(s)ResultRef.
Ciak d'oro2019Serial MovieMy Brilliant Friend[31]
Critics' Choice Awards2019Best Drama SeriesMy Brilliant Friend[32]
2023Best Foreign Language SeriesMy Brilliant Friend[33]
Diversity Media Awards2019Best Italian SeriesMy Brilliant Friend[34]
Dorian Awards2022Best Non-English Language TV ShowMy Brilliant Friend[35]
Globo d'oro2019Best TV SeriesMy Brilliant Friend[36]
Best Breakthrough ActressLudovica Nasti
2020Best TV SeriesMy Brilliant Friend[37]
Gotham Awards2019Breakthrough Series – Long FormMy Brilliant Friend[38]
Monte-Carlo Television Festival2019Best Drama TV SeriesMy Brilliant Friend[39]
Nastro d'Argento2022Best TV SeriesMy Brilliant Friend[40]
Best Supporting ActorEduardo Scarpetta
Peabody Awards2019EntertainmentHBO Entertainment in association with Rai Fiction, TIMvision and Wildside, Fandango, and Umedia[41]
Premi Flaiano2019Presidency AwardElisa Del Genio, Ludovica Nasti[42]
2022Best DirectorDaniele Luchetti[43]
Premio Biagio Agnes2020FictionMy Brilliant Friend[44]
RdC Awards2018Navicella TV AwardMy Brilliant Friend[45]
Shanghai Television Festival2019Best Foreign Television MiniseriesMy Brilliant Friend[46]
Sichuan Television Festival2023Best Television SeriesMy Brilliant Friend[47]
Best Actress in a Leading Role for a Television SeriesMargherita Mazzucco
Best Actress in a Supporting Role for a Television SeriesAnna Rita Vitolo
Best Screenplay for a Television SeriesElena Ferrante, Francesco Piccolo, Laura Paolucci, Saverio Costanzo

Home media

On April 2, 2019, HBO Home Entertainment released the first season on DVD and Digital in region 1.[48]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Moylan . Brian . Elena Ferrante's Neapolitan novels set for TV adaptation . . February 9, 2016 . October 9, 2018 . en . May 10, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190510203655/https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2016/feb/09/neopolitan-novels-elena-ferrante-tv-adaptation . live .
  2. Web site: Yoshida . Emily . HBO's My Brilliant Friend Adaptation Should Have Been an Anime . . September 2, 2018 . July 31, 2021 . en . July 31, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210731194317/https://www.vulture.com/2018/09/my-brilliant-friend-hbo-ferrante-venice-film-festival.html . live .
  3. Patterson . Troy . "My Brilliant Friend," Reviewed: A Prada Ad for Working-Class Gloom, but with Shades of Humble Tenderness . . November 15, 2018 . December 4, 2018 . en . August 6, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190806160956/https://www.newyorker.com/culture/on-television/my-brilliant-friend-reviewed-a-prada-ad-for-working-class-gloom-but-with-shades-of-humble-tenderness . live .
  4. Web site: Otterson . Joe . 'My Brilliant Friend' Renewed for Season 2 at HBO, RAI . . December 4, 2018 . en . December 4, 2018 . December 21, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191221125210/https://variety.com/2018/tv/news/my-brilliant-friend-renewed-season-2-hbo-rai-1203078852/ . live .
  5. Web site: Berni . Andrea Francesco . L'Amica Geniale: storia del nuovo cognome, i primi due episodi usciranno al cinema, ecco il trailer! . BadTaste.it . December 19, 2019 . December 24, 2019 . it-IT . September 25, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200925173339/https://tv.badtaste.it/video/lamica-geniale-storia-del-nuovo-cognome-i-primi-due-episodi-usciranno-al-cinema-ecco-il-trailer/ . live .
  6. Romano . Nick . HBO's My Brilliant Friend season 2 trailer continues the addicting, emotional drama . . January 31, 2020 . January 31, 2020 . January 31, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200131215904/https://ew.com/tv/2020/01/31/my-brilliant-friend-season-2-trailer/ . live .
  7. Web site: 'My Brilliant Friend' Renewed for Third Season at HBO . . Rick . Porter . April 30, 2020 . April 30, 2020 . June 6, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200606110914/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/my-brilliant-friend-renewed-third-season-at-hbo-1292621 . live .
  8. Web site: Rai 1, dopo Sanremo arriva "L'amica geniale" . Il giornale locale . January 26, 2022 . January 26, 2022 . it-IT . January 26, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220126223659/https://www.ilgiornalelocale.it/2022/01/rai-1-dopo-sanremo-arriva-la-terza-stagione-de-l-amica-geniale/ . live .
  9. Web site: HBO's 'My Brilliant Friend' Season 3 Gets Premiere Date and Trailer (EXCLUSIVE) . Variety . Nick . Vivarelli . January 26, 2022 . January 26, 2022 . May 4, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220504080800/https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/my-brilliant-friend-season-3-release-date-trailer-1235163869/ . live .
  10. Web site: Chapman . Wilson . 'My Brilliant Friend' Renewed for Fourth and Final Season . . March 22, 2022 . March 22, 2022 . April 16, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220416184357/https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/my-brilliant-friend-hbo-final-season-elena-ferrante-1235211105/ . live .
  11. Press . Joy . Say Ciao to the New Cast of My Brilliant Friend Season 4 . Vanity Fair . July 18, 2024 . July 18, 2024 . July 18, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240718131201/https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/story/say-ciao-to-the-new-cast-of-my-brilliant-friend-season-4 . live .
  12. Web site: Evans . Greg . HBO Unveils First-Look Photos Of 'My Brilliant Friend' Drama . . March 14, 2018 . October 9, 2018 . February 11, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210211171917/https://deadline.com/2018/03/hbo-my-brilliant-friend-first-look-photos-drama-1202337801/ . live .
  13. Web site: HBO Announces New Cast And Releases First Look At Season 4 Of MY BRILLIANT FRIEND . January 30, 2023 . Warner Bros. Discovery . August 15, 2024 . August 15, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240815115105/https://press.wbd.com/us/media-release/hbo-0/my-brilliant-friend-story-new-name/hbo-announces-new-cast-and-releases-first-look-season-4-my-brilliant-friend . live .
  14. Web site: My Brilliant Friend Debuts Sunday, Nov. 18 on HBO . . September 13, 2018 . October 9, 2018 . May 10, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190510203651/https://medium.com/hbo-cinemax-pr/my-brilliant-friend-debuts-sunday-nov-18-on-hbo-d335239ce9d7 . live .
  15. Web site: Tammaro . Gianmaria . "Skam Italia" cancellata. TimVision cambia strategia . . August 7, 2019 . February 2, 2020 . it-IT . September 13, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240913001412/https://www.lastampa.it/topnews/tempi-moderni/2019/08/07/news/skam-italia-cancellata-timvision-in-crisi-1.37308831/ . live .
  16. Web site: Mowe – L'amica geniale – Storia del nuovo cognome . mowefilm.com . February 18, 2020 . September 13, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240913001400/https://www.mowefilm.com/lamica-geniale/ . live .
  17. Web site: L'amica geniale, Gaia Girace lascia nella terza stagione: 'Spero che chi prenderà il mio posto ami Lila come ho fatto io' . tvzap.kataweb.it . February 18, 2020 . it . February 18, 2020 . February 18, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200218183034/https://tvzap.kataweb.it/news/271944/lamica-geniale-gaia-girace-lascia-nella-terza-stagione-spero-che-chi-prendera-il-mio-posto-ami-lila-come-ho-fatto-io/ . live .
  18. Web site: Vivarelli . Nick . 'My Brilliant Friend' Season 3 Director Daniele Luchetti on How Elena and Lila Grow . Variety . April 16, 2021 . November 4, 2021 . September 13, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240913001253/https://variety.com/2021/tv/directors/my-brilliant-friend-season-3-director-daniele-luchetti-1234952331/ . live .
  19. Web site: My Brilliant Friend (TV Series Soundtrack) . . December 8, 2018 . September 13, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240913001258/https://music.apple.com/us/album/my-brilliant-friend-tv-series-soundtrack/1444764541 . live .
  20. Web site: My Brilliant Friend, a playlist by Max Richter on Spotify . . March 18, 2020 . June 2, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230602174659/https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2W2N1UfBvtgQVBfDNfvGsT?si=Gv4LY5LySBedLk1xdEquxA . live .
  21. Web site: My Brilliant Friend, Season 2 (TV Series Soundtrack) . . May 1, 2020.
  22. Web site: My Brilliant Friend, Season 3 (Original Soundtrack) . . March 4, 2022 . September 13, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240913001931/https://music.apple.com/us/album/my-brilliant-friend-season-3-original-soundtrack/1612060339 . live .
  23. Web site: My Brilliant Friend, Season 4 (Original Soundtrack) . . September 28, 2024 .
  24. Web site: My Brilliant Friend: Season 1 (2018) . . June 18, 2020 . September 17, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200917210953/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/my_brilliant_friend/s01 . live .
  25. Web site: My Brilliant Friend – Season 1 Reviews . . June 16, 2019 . May 14, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190514083630/https://www.metacritic.com/tv/my-brilliant-friend/season-1 . live .
  26. Web site: Cosslett . Rhiannon Lucy . The brilliance of My Brilliant Friend: this series gives us female lives in full . . November 27, 2018 . August 4, 2019 . January 17, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210117201753/https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/nov/27/my-brilliant-friend-tv-series-elena-ferrante . live .
  27. Web site: My Brilliant Friend: Season 2 (2020) . . March 17, 2020 . September 13, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240913001811/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/my_brilliant_friend/s02 . live .
  28. Web site: My Brilliant Friend – Season 2 Reviews . . March 17, 2020 . March 21, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200321101003/https://www.metacritic.com/tv/my-brilliant-friend/season-2 . live .
  29. Web site: My Brilliant Friend: Season 3 (2022) . . March 14, 2022 . March 14, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220314131823/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/my_brilliant_friend/s03 . live .
  30. Web site: My Brilliant Friend – Season 3 Reviews . . March 14, 2022 . March 14, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220314131823/https://www.metacritic.com/tv/my-brilliant-friend/season-3 . live .
  31. Ciak d’Oro 2019: tutti i premiati . June 19, 2019 . . https://web.archive.org/web/20200412143842/https://www.ciakmagazine.it/ciak-doro-2019-tutti-i-premi/ . April 12, 2020 . it . November 8, 2024.
  32. Nordyke . Kimberly . Critics’ Choice Awards: ‘The Favourite’ Leads With 14 Nominations . December 10, 2018 . . October 31, 2024.
  33. Web site: Petski . Denise . Critics Choice TV Nominations: ‘Abbott Elementary’ Leads Field With 6, Followed By ‘Better Call Saul’ With 5 . December 6, 2022 . . October 31, 2024.
  34. Web site: DMA 2019 . . it . November 8, 2024.
  35. Coates . Tyler . ‘Hacks’ and ‘Somebody Somewhere’ Lead Dorian TV Nominations . June 23, 2022 . . October 31, 2024.
  36. Globi d’Oro 2019. Miglior film “Il traditore” di Bellocchio. Alessandro Borghi miglior attore . June 20, 2019 . . it . October 31, 2024.
  37. News: Cinema, scelti i finalisti per il Globo d'oro. Premio alla carriera a Sandra Milo . June 18, 2020 . . it . October 31, 2024.
  38. Harrison . Chase . Nominees Announced for 29th Annual IFP Gotham Awards . October 24, 2019 . . October 31, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200316171445/https://www.ifp.org/press/nominees-announced-for-29th-annual-ifp-gotham-awards/#.Xm-0DV_P32c . March 16, 2020.
  39. De Tommasi . Alessandra . L’amica geniale trionfa come miglior drama al Monte-Carlo TV Festival 2019 . June 19, 2019 . . it . October 31, 2024.
  40. Web site: NASTRI d’ARGENTO GRANDI SERIE – I VINCITORI . . it . November 8, 2024.
  41. Web site: My Brilliant Friend . . October 31, 2024.
  42. Web site: VINCITORI PREMI INTERNAZIONALI FLAIANO 2019 . . it . October 31, 2024.
  43. Web site: VINCITORI PREMI INTERNAZIONALI FLAIANO 2022 . . it . October 31, 2024.
  44. Web site: Albo d'Oro . Premio Biagio Agnes . it . November 14, 2024.
  45. Web site: RdC Awards 2018, tutti i premiati . December 14, 2018 . . it . November 14, 2024.
  46. Web site: 第25届上海电视节白玉兰奖入围名单 . June 9, 2019 . . zh . October 31, 2024.
  47. News: Winners of inaugural Golden Panda Awards revealed in home province of giant panda . September 21, 2023 . . October 31, 2024.
  48. Web site: My Brilliant Friend (Digital Copy) (DVD) . . May 14, 2022 . May 14, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220514135759/https://www.amazon.com/MY-BRILLIANT-FRIEND-DVD-DC/dp/B07MBHQZ12 . live .

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