My Brilliant Friend
Original Network(s)HBO, Rai 1
Created BySaverio Costanzo
Based OnNeapolitan Novels
First AiredNovember 18, 2018
Executive Produced ByLorenzo Mieli
Domenico Procacci
Mario Gianani
Guido De Laurentiis
Elena Recchia
Jennifer Schuur
Paolo Sorrentino
Showrunner(s)Jennifer Schuur
Genre(s)Drama, Non-English (Neapolitan, Italian)
Renewal StatusRenewed For Season 4
Where To Buy, Rent or Subscribe To Watch This:
 

Plot

In “My Brilliant Friend,” we watch two friends, sometimes rivals if not enemies, Elena “Lenu” Greco and Raffaella “Lila” Cerullo, grow up together. Both are brilliant, as the title of the show implies, but have diverging opportunities. Elena’s family is supportive of her intelligence and advocates for her to go off to college and make the family proud. Lila? Her intelligence comes with audacity, and with lacking the support of her family, she seeks autonomy and power in her hometown through various relationships to gain some sense of safety.

Together and apart, these women age, have children, love affairs, and both infuriate and sharpen each other. But, when things get too far beyond even their vast capabilities, they find themselves able to lean on one another.

Character Guide

Title Card - My Brilliant Friend Season 3

The Cast and Characters of HBO’s “My Brilliant Friend”

The cast and characters of the HBO program My Brilliant Friend and a brief description of each character and their story (with spoilers).

Season Review(s)

Title Card - My Brilliant Friend Season 3

My Brilliant Friend: Season 3 – Summary/ Review (with Spoilers)

From raising children, creating new families, and rediscovering themselves, Elena and Lila may struggle in their friendship but find ways to flourish in their individual lives.
My Brilliant Friend Season 1 Episode 3 Le Metamorfosi (The Metamorphoses) - Teen Years title Card

My Brilliant Friend: Season 1 – Recap/ Review (with Spoilers)

My Brilliant Friend is a true statement to the power of girls and young women despite a world which tries to undermine and oppress them.

Episodic Coverage

My Brilliant Friend: Season 4 Episode 10 “Chapter 34: The Restitution” – Recap and Review [Series Finale]

By Amari Allah
The series finale continues to time jump excessively as the end of the show meets up with how the series began.

My Brilliant Friend: Season 4 Episode 8 “Chapter 32: The Investigation” – Recap and Review

By Amari Allah
As the Solaras invite Lila to continue her potentially futile war against them, Imma becomes increasingly closed off as she realizes her life is unlike her biological or play cousin.