‘With production currently underway in Italy, HBO has released two first look images at their upcoming adaptation of Elena Ferrante’s bestselling novel, “My Brilliant Friend.” The new images give a glimpse at the series’ central characters — Elena and Lila — played during two key periods in their lives, with newcomers Elisa Del Genio and Ludovica Nasti and, with teenage actresses Margherita Mazzucco and Gaia Girace stepping in for the latter portion of the eight-part series.
Directed by Saverio Costanzo, the show reportedly endured a prolonged casting period of eight months, as HBO notes that “almost 9,000 children and 500 adults from all over Campania” auditioned for parts, and the “casting process included professional and non-professional actors, as well as students recruited from local schools.” All told, the series will include a cast of more than 150 actors and 5,000 extras.
HBO announced the series last May, though it’s been rumored that the entire series will be developed into a massive series, with each book getting its own eight-part series. For now, HBO is staying focused on this first series, which just might prove to be the cable giant’s next big hit
My Brilliant Friend” is an HBO, RAI FICTION and TIMVISION series, produced by Lorenzo Mieli and Mario Gianani for Wildside and by Domenico Procacci for Fandango in co-production with Umedia Production. All episodes will be directed by Saverio Costanzo. Story and screenplays by Elena Ferrante, Francesco Piccolo, Laura Paolucci and Saverio Costanzo. Jennifer Schuur is the executive producer. FremantleMedia International will act as the international distributor.’
Via IndieWire
The Book to Screen Club 