It’s a neighborhood rife with poverty, violence, and organized crime (this isn’t a story about the mafia, but their presence is often felt). As the women grow up, their worlds gradually expand (though more than one another), but the neighborhood continues to shape their lives.
In My Brilliant Friend, the personal is political, and the trajectory of the girls’ lives is intertwined with that of the Italian nation. The economic growth and student movement of the 1960s, the bloody battle between Communist and Fascist movements, radical feminism, the legalization of divorce and, in the new season, rampant government corruption all influence Lenù and Lila’s experiences. “The politics behind Lila and Elena’s story, that’s the real driving force,” Costanzo says.
More like this:
• TV’s hot anti-James Bond
• The 11 best TV shows to watch in September
• 12 Great Current Books to Read on the Beach
“My Brilliant Friend” is the first foreign-language series to premiere on HBO. The show isn’t just in Italian; it uses a lot of Neapolitan dialect, so even Italian viewers will need subtitles. The complexity of the language is key: Neapolitan is the language of the region, but Italian represents life beyond it. Of course, these subtle changes will be hard to understand for audiences, especially outside of Italy, but Ferrante’s refusal to round off any corners in his story is what makes the adaptation so successful. “I didn’t use any tricks, not even for a second, to make it easier for the viewer,” Costanzo says.
Ferrante co-wrote the screenplay with Costanzo, communicating only through email. The process previously described Costanzo described directing as “like working with a ghost.” But while she gave him feedback and opinions, she also gave him the freedom to pursue his vision for the show, a vision he shared with the other directors who took over: Daniele Luchetti in season three and Laura Bispry in season four. “I told the directors to do their own thing and do it from their own perspective,” Costanzo says. “I want them to feel the same freedom that I do.”
In this final season, based on Ferrante’s fourth book, The Story of a Lost Child, everything comes full circle as Lenù and Lila reunite in Naples after years of separation – it’s the 1980s, and decades of political and social unrest are drawing to a close, but not before a series of events once again throws the women’s lives and friendships into disarray.
For those who fell in love with My Brilliant Friend, saying goodbye to these characters will be difficult. And the show’s creators feel the same way: “I loved this project so much that I was ready to dedicate 10 years of my life to it,” says Costanzo. But for those who haven’t yet seen this enchanting show, you’re in for something very special.
My Brilliant Friend Season 4 is currently available to watch on HBO.
—
If you liked this story, Sign up for the Essential List Newsletter – We’ll email you twice a week with handpicked features, videos and can’t miss news.
For more culture coverage from the BBC, Facebook, X and Instagram.
