Across three seasons, HBO’s critically acclaimed drama and coming-of-age series, “My Brilliant Friend,” has chronicled the story of two young friends whose stormy relationship evolves amidst the backdrop of post-WWII Italy. Based on the bestselling series by Elena Ferrante and created by Italian writer/director Saverio Costanzo (known for “Hungry Hearts” with Adam Driver and “Finalmente L’alba” with Lily James and Joe Keery), the fourth and ten-episode final season of “My Brilliant Friend,” debuts Monday, September 9 on HBO (9pm ET) and will be available to stream on Max, with new episodes debuting weekly.
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The show has depicted the life of two best friends, Elena Greco and Raffaella “Lila” Cerullo. The characters were first shown as children in the 1950s and have been played by several actors as their friendship spans six decades in the books. But in this final season, with the two friends grown into adults, they are played by Italian actress Alba Rohrwacher (“La Chimera”) and Irene Maiorino (“La Luce Oltre La Gabbia”).
Rohrwacher also co-starred alongside Driver in Costanzo’s “Hungry Hearts,” so they clearly have some established history (her filmmaking sister Alice Rohrwacher also directed episodes of season two). Season four delves into the “Story of the Lost Child,” the fourth and final book in Ferrante’s time-spanning novel series.
Here’s the official synopsis:
Based on the bestselling novels by Elena Ferrante, MY BRILLIANT FRIEND follows Elena Greco and the most important friend in her life, Raffaella “Lila” Cerullo. After meeting as children in 1950s Naples, their story goes on to cover over 60 years, exploring the mystery of Lila – Elena’s brilliant best friend and, in a way, her worst enemy. The fourth installment of the saga, titled “Story of the Lost Child,” delves into the adult lives of Elena and Lila. They find themselves entangled in the turmoil of Italy in the late 1980s, nearing the end of decades of political violence and social unrest. Amid motherhood and career demands, amid betrayals, threats, disappearances, and natural disasters, Elena and Lila once again reside in the same neighborhood.
In addition to Alba Rohrwacher and Irene Maiorino, “My Brilliant Friend” features Fabrizio Gifuni (Nino Sarratore), Stefano Dionisi (Franco Mari), Anna Rita Vitolo (Immacolata), Pier Giorgio Bellocchio (Pietro Airota), Daria Deflorian (Adele Airota), Lino Musella (Marcello Solara), Eduardo Scarpetta (Pasquale Peluso), Edoardo Pesce (Michele Solara), and Sonia Bergamasco (Maria Rosa Airota).
The story and screenplays of this season are by Elena Ferrante, Francesco Piccolo, Laura Paolucci, and Saverio Costanzo. This season is directed by Laura Bispuri and executive produced by Saverio Costanzo, Paolo Sorrentino, Jennifer Schuur, Elena Recchia, Laura Paolucci, and Guido De Laurentiis. The critically acclaimed global hit drama has traveled to over 170 territories with Fremantle, who will also distribute the fourth and final season in association with Rai Com.
The final “My Brilliant Friend” season premieres September 9 on Max. Watch the new teaser trailer below.