My Brilliant Friend (HBO)

Name: My Brilliant Friend (HBO)
Genre: drama, international, original
Cast: Margherita Mazzucco, Gaia Girace, Elisa Del Genio, Ludovica Nasti, Annarita Vitolo

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Adapted from the first book in Elena Ferrante's acclaimed "Neapolitan Novels," this drama series follows Elena Greco, a now-elderly woman who discovers the most important friend in her life, Raffaella "Lila" Cerullo, has disappeared. An author immersed in a house full of books, Elena starts writing the story of her and Lila's tempestuous friendship.

Starring: Margherita Mazzucco, Gaia Girace, Elisa Del Genio, Ludovica Nasti, Annarita Vitolo, Antonio Buonanno, Tommaso Rusciano, Dora Romano, Valentina Acca, Vincenzo Vaccaro

Episodes

HBO series about two young friends whose stormy relationship evolves amidst the backdrop of post-WWII Italy.

1. Le Bambole (The Dolls)

Series premiere. The disappearance of her old friend causes Elena Greco to look ...

2. I Soldi (The Money)

Elena and Lila fight to continue their education, and a death changes things in ...

3. Le Metamorfosi (The Metamorphoses)

Now teens, Elena and Lila struggle to connect as their futures diverge and young...

4. Le Smarginatura (Dissolving Margins)

Elena enters high school as Lila ignores her many suitors; a promising New Year'...

5. Le Scarpe (The Shoes)

Lila rejects two potential suitors at a cost; Elena prepares to spend the summer...

6. L'isola (The Island)

On the island of Ischia, a visit by the Sarratore family leaves an indelible mar...

7. I Fidanzati (The Fiances)

Lila takes up with Stefano, despite the presence of Marcello; Elena encourages a...

8. La Promessa (The Promise)

Season One Finale. Stefano goes to the Solaras for help with the Cerullos' shoe ...

The New Name

Chapter 9. Season Two Premiere. With Lila on her honeymoon on the Amalfi Coast, Elena struggles to handle school and her relationship with Antonio. When Lila returns with visible bruises on her body, the two girls revert to their natural closeness and Lila's will to take revenge against her husband grows. Elena continues to be bewitched by Nino Sarratore's charisma.

The Body

Chapter 10. Elena's relationship is threatened when Antonio discovers she has asked the Solaras' help to keep him from doing military service, while Lila remains rebellious in her marriage to the often-violent Stefano. After a photo of her becomes the subject of much gossip, Lila makes a bet with Elena about how the whole affair will end.

Erasure

Chapter 11. Upset that her picture is featured prominently in the new shoe shop Stefano is opening with the Solaras, Lila comes up with a creative solution to deal with the matter and enlists Elena’s help. Though Lila begins working at the Caraccis' new grocery store, she continues to resent her husband’s business activities and the source of their income.

The Kiss

Chapter 12. At Rino and Pinuccia's wedding, Elena accepts Lila's invitation to go on holiday, provided the destination is Ischia, where she knows she'll find Nino. On the island, Elena, Lila and Pinuccia begin to spend more and more time with Nino and his friend Bruno and Lila starts to take a strong interest in Elena's summer reads.

The Betrayal

Chapter 13. As Pinuccia returns to Naples, a new secret excites Lila and numbs Elena. Subdued by Lila's charisma and indifferent to Bruno's flattery, Elena finds herself the keeper of a far darker clandestine series of events involving Donato Sarratore. After the girls encounter Michele and Gigliola, Lila seizes the opportunity to throw the whole truth in Stefano's face.

Rage

Chapter 14. Following her summer on Ischia, Elena throws herself into her studies and looks towards a future outside of the neighborhood. After a brilliant finals performance, Elena happens upon Lila, who is working at the shoe store and has grand plans for a fresh start. Lila decides to leave Stefano and moves into a modest apartment, but the failings of her plan soon emerge.

Ghosts

Chapter 15. Three years into her time in Pisa, Elena has developed into an elegant and cultured young woman--but still feels like an outsider. After a consequential breakup, Elena falls ill and is visited by her mother, who has come to nurse her back to health. During the night, Elena takes to reading Lila’s diaries, which were entrusted to her for safekeeping.

The Blue Fairy

Chapter 16. Season finale. With graduation in sight, Elena is overwhelmed by memories of her past and copes by drafting her first novel. Meanwhile, she finds a new suitor in Pietro Airota. Upon receiving some unexpected good news, she sets out to find Lila, whose circumstances have seen a dramatic change.