HBO Renews ‘My Brilliant Friend’ for Season 2

HBO has greenlit the Italian drama series “My Brilliant Friend” for a second season,with an unconfirmed number of new episodes. The eight-episode first season of the show is based on Elena Ferrante’s bestselling book of the same name, which is the first of her four-part series published in the U.S. by Europa Editions. Season two will be based on “The Story of a New Name,” her second book in the series.

The logline: “My Brilliant Friend” is the tale of Elena Greco and the most important friend in her life. She met Raffaella Cerullo, whom she has always called Lila, in the first year of primary school in 1950. Set in a dangerous and fascinating Naples, their story goes on to cover more than 60 years of their lives and explores the mystery of Lila, Elena’s brilliant friend and – in a way – both her best friend and her worst enemy.

The first season of “My Brilliant Friend” stars Elisa Del Genio and Ludovica Nasti as the younger versions of Elena and Lila, with Margherita Mazzucco and Gaia Girace portray teenage versions of the characters.