SEASON 3 AVAILABLE NOW | RENEWED FOR SEASON 4
My Brilliant Friend
3 Seasons | 24 Episodes | TV-MA
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.
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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.
Indecencies
After Nino’s unexpected appearance at her book presentation in Milan, Elena realizes her childhood crush never really abandoned her – and doubts begin to form about her fiancé Pietro. Later, a scathing review leaves Elena questioning herself as a writer.
The Fever
A nervous Elena introduces Pietro to her family, and, though he instantly charms his future in-laws, Immacolata rejects their plans for a civil wedding ceremony. Months later, Lila falls ill due to the deplorable conditions at the Soccavo factory and makes Elena promise to take care of her son Gennaro if anything happens to her.
The Treatment
Concerned about Lila’s worsening health, Elena seeks advice from her future mother-in-law Adele, who encourages her to write an exposé on the Soccavo plant and the mounting unrest between rival unions. After several doctors’ visits, Lila becomes determined to move back to the neighborhood despite being viewed as a pariah.
Cold War
After a tense argument about plans for a family, Elena and Pietro marry in town hall, and later, are surprised with a reception organized by Adele. Though she had hoped to concentrate on her next book, Elena gives birth to a daughter and struggles to find time to write.
Terror
Following news of a murder in Naples, Pasquale and Nadia turn up unannounced at Elena’s house in Florence, further fuelling discord with her husband. Meanwhile, Elena suspects all is not right with Lila when she’s asked to take Gennaro on their summer beach trip.
Becoming
On holiday, Elena grows increasingly exasperated with Gennaro and after receiving shocking news about her sister Elisa, she cuts the family trip short to travel back to Naples. Later, tensions mount at a dinner with the Solaras, and Pietro shares his unvarnished opinion of Lila with Elena.
Try Again
Elena rushes to Naples to see Franco and Silvia after they are violently attacked. When she returns, Elena is thrown when Pietro brings Nino to their house for an unexpected visit, further destabilizing her rocky marriage… but compelling her to start writing again.
Those Who Leave, Those Who Stay
Elena receives positive feedback on her latest manuscript from Mariarosa, Adele, and Nino – who cannot believe Pietro doesn’t read his own wife’s work. As Nino becomes increasingly passive-aggressive toward her husband, Elena’s lingering doubts about her life grow.
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