My Brilliant Friend (TV series)
My Brilliant Friend (Italian: L'amica geniale) is an Italian- and Neapolitan-language coming-of-age drama television series created by Saverio Costanzo for HBO, RAI and TIMvision. Named after the first of four novels in the Neapolitan Novels series by Elena Ferrante, it is set to adapt the entire literary work over four eight-episode seasons.[2] The series is a co-production between Italian production companies Wildside, Fandango, The Apartment, Mowe and international film group Umedia.
My Brilliant Friend | |
---|---|
Genre | Drama Coming-of-age[1] |
Created by | Saverio Costanzo |
Based on | Neapolitan Novels by Elena Ferrante |
Written by |
|
Directed by |
|
Starring |
|
Narrated by | Alba Rohrwacher |
Composer(s) | Max Richter |
Country of origin |
|
Original language(s) | Neapolitan Italian |
No. of seasons | 2 |
No. of episodes | 16 (list of episodes) |
Production | |
Executive producer(s) |
|
Producer(s) |
|
Production location(s) | |
Cinematography | |
Editor(s) |
|
Camera setup | Luigi Andrei |
Running time | 53–64 minutes |
Production company(s) | |
Distributor |
|
Release | |
Original network | |
First shown in |
|
Original release | November 18, 2018 – present |
External links | |
Website |
The first season premiered on HBO on November 18, 2018 and on Rai 1 and TIMvision on November 27, 2018.[3][4] A second season, based on Ferrante's second Neapolitan Novel and titled My Brilliant Friend: The Story of a New Name (Italian: L'amica geniale - Storia del nuovo cognome), was confirmed in December 2018,[5] and premiered on Rai 1 on February 10, 2020, and on HBO on March 16, 2020.[6][7] The first two episodes of the second season were released in Italian cinemas from January 27 to 29, 2020.[6]
On April 30, 2020, the series was renewed for a third season, to be based on the third novel in the series, Those Who Leave and Those Who Stay.[8]
Cast and characters
Main
- Elisa Del Genio (season 1, guest season 2) and Margherita Mazzucco as Elena "Lenù" Greco,[9] a girl from a poor neighbourhood in the outskirts of 1950s Naples. Alba Rohrwacher narrates the events of the series from the point of view of adult Elena Greco. The character is also portrayed by Elisabetta De Palo (guest season 1) as a senior, and by Ingrid Del Genio (guest season 1) as a very young child.
- Ludovica Nasti (season 1, guest season 2) and Gaia Girace as Raffaella "Lila" Cerullo,[9] Elena's best friend and, later, Stefano Carracci's wife
- Anna Rita Vitolo as Immacolata Greco, Elena's mother
- Luca Gallone as Vittorio Greco, a porter and Elena's father
- Imma Villa as Manuela Solara, Silvio Solara's wife
- Antonio Milo as Silvio Solara, owner of the Bar Solara (season 1; recurring season 2)
- Adriano Tammaro (recurring season 1) and Alessio Gallo (season 2; recurring season 1) as Michele Solara, Silvio and Manuela's son
- Valentina Acca as Nunzia Cerullo, Lila's mother
- Antonio Buonanno as Fernando Cerullo, a shoemaker and Lila's father
- Dora Romano as Miss Oliviero, Elena and Lila's elementary school teacher (seasons 1–2)
- Antonio Pennarella as Don Achille Carracci, the local mobster (season 1)
- Nunzia Schiano as Nella Incardo, Miss Oliviero's cousin
- Kristijan Di Giacomo (recurring season 1) and Giovanni Amura (season 2; recurring season 1) as Stefano Carracci, Don Achille Carracci's son and, later, Lila's husband
- Tommaso Rusciano (recurring season 1) and Gennaro De Stefano (season 2; recurring season 1) as Rino Cerullo, Lila's older brother and, later, Pinuccia's husband
- Alessandro Nardi (guest season 1) and Francesco Serpico (season 2; recurring season 1) as Nino Sarratore, Donato and Lidia's son
- Giuliana Tramontano (recurring season 1) and Federica Sollazzo (season 2; recurring season 1) as Pinuccia Carracci, Don Achille's daughter and, later, Rino's wife
- Anna Redi (recurring season 1) and Clotilde Sabatino (season 2) as Professor Galiani, Elena's high school teacher
- Lucia Manfuso (recurring season 1) and Ulrike Migliaresi (season 2; recurring season 1) as Ada Cappuccio, Melina Cappuccio's daughter
- Domenico Cuomo (recurring season 1) and Christian Giroso (season 2; recurring season 1) as Antonio Cappuccio, Melina Cappuccio's son
- Francesco Catena (recurring season 1) and Eduardo Scarpetta (season 2; recurring season 1) as Pasquale Peluso, Alfredo and Giuseppina's son
- Vincenzo Vaccaro (recurring season 1) and Giovanni Buselli (season 2; recurring season 1) as Enzo Scanno, Nicola and Assunta's son
- Giovanni Cannata as Armando Galiani, Professor Galiani's son (season 2)
- Francesco Russo as Bruno Soccavo, Nino's friend (season 2)
- Bruno Orlando as Franco Mari, Elena's first boyfriend in Pisa (season 2)
- Daria Deflorian as Adele Airota, Pietro Airota's mother (season 2)
- Matteo Cecchi as Pietro Airota, Elena's second boyfriend in Pisa (season 2)
Recurring
- The Grecos
- Emanuele Nocerino (season 1), Matteo Castaldo (seasons 1–2) and Daniele Cacciatore (guest season 2) as Peppe Greco, Elena's younger brother
- Thomas Noioso (season 1), Raffaele Nocerino (seasons 1–2) and Davide De Lucia (guest season 2) as Gianni Greco, Elena's younger brother
- Sara Mauriello (season 1), Cristina Fraticola (seasons 1–2) and Gaia Buongiovanni (guest season 2) as Elisa Greco, Elena's younger sister
- The Carraccis
- Sarah Falanga as Maria Carracci, Don Achille's wife
- Valerio Laviano Saggese (season 1) and Fabrizio Cottone as Alfonso Carracci, Don Achille's son
- Daniel Campagna (guest season 2) and Giuseppe Cortese (guest season 2) as Gennaro Carracci, Lila's son
- The Pelusos
- Gennaro Canonico as Alfredo Peluso, a highly skilled carpenter (season 1)
- Lia Zinno as Giuseppina Peluso, Alfredo's wife (seasons 1–2)
- Francesca Bellamoli (season 1) and Francesca Pezzella as Carmela Peluso, Alfredo and Giuseppina's daughter
- The Cappuccios
- Pina Di Gennaro as Melina Cappuccio, a crazy widow
- The Sarratores
- Emanuele Valenti as Donato Sarratore, a train controller
- Fabrizia Sacchi as Lidia Sarratore, Donato's wife
- Cristina Magnotti (season 1) and Miriam D'Angelo as Marisa Sarratore, Donato and Lidia's daughter
- Michele Di Costanzo (guest season 1) and Catello Buonomo (season 2; guest season 1) as Pino Sarratore, Donato and Lidia's son
- Federica Guarino (guest season 1) and Federica Barbuto (season 2; guest season 1) as Clelia Sarratore, Donato and Lidia's daughter
- Gioele Maddi (guest season 1) and Mattia Iapigio (season 2; guest season 1) as Ciro Sarratore, Donato and Lidia's son
- The Scannos
- Ciro Pugliese as Nicola Scanno, a greengrocer (season 1)
- Marina Cioppa as Assunta Scanno, Nicola's wife (season 1)
- The Solaras
- Pietro Vuolo (season 1) and Elvis Esposito as Marcello Solara, Manuela and Silvio's son
- The Spagnuolos
- Mimmo Ruggiero as Mr. Spagnuolo, pastry chef at Bar Solara (season 1; guest season 2)
- Patrizia Di Martino as Rosa Spagnuolo, his wife (season 1; guest season 2)
- Alice D'Antonio (season 1) and Rosaria Langellotto as Gigliola Spagnuolo, their daughter
- Others
- Valentina Arena as Jolanda, a stationer (season 1; guest season 2)
- Vittorio Viviani as Mr. Ferraro, the librarian and an elementary school teacher (season 1)
- Riccardo Palmieri as Gino, Elena's classmate and first boyfriend
- Sergio Basile as Professor Gerace, Elena's high school teacher (season 1)
- Giorgia Gargano as Nadia Galiani, Professor Galiani's daughter (season 2)
Guests
- Antonio Maglione as Alfonso, a friend of Vittorio Greco's (season 1)
- Enrico D'Errico as Pier Paolo Pasolini (season 2)
- Giustiniano Alpi as Rolando Berti (season 2)
- Alessandro Bertoncini as Carlo Fortini (season 2)
- Francesco Saggiomo as Dino Cerullo, Rino and Pinuccia's son (season 2)
- Ilaria Zanotti as Giulia Cristaldi (season 2)
- Maria Rosaria Bozzon as Titina, Gennaro's baby sitter (season 2)
- Giulia Mazzarino as Maria Rosa Airota, Pietro's sister (season 2)
- Maurizio Tabani as Professor Tarratano, a critic (season 2)
- Gabriele Vacis as Guido Airota, Pietro's father (season 2)
Episodes
Season | Subtitle | Episodes | Originally aired | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
First aired | Last aired | |||||
1 | — | 8 | November 18, 2018 (HBO) November 27, 2018 (Rai 1) | December 10, 2018 (HBO) December 18, 2018 (Rai 1) | ||
2 | The Story of a New Name Storia del nuovo cognome | 8 | February 10, 2020 (Rai 1) March 16, 2020 (HBO) | March 2, 2020 (Rai 1) May 4, 2020 (HBO) |
Season 1 (2018)
No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | U.S./Italy viewers (millions) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 1 | "The Dolls" "Le bambole" | Saverio Costanzo | Elena Ferrante, Francesco Piccolo, Laura Paolucci and Saverio Costanzo | November 18, 2018 (HBO) November 27, 2018 (Rai 1) | 0.242[10] and 7.458[11] |
2 | 2 | "The Money" "I soldi" | Saverio Costanzo | Elena Ferrante, Francesco Piccolo, Laura Paolucci and Saverio Costanzo | November 19, 2018 (HBO) November 27, 2018 (Rai 1) | 0.128[12] and 6.729[11] |
3 | 3 | "Metamorphoses"[lower-alpha 1] "Le metamorfosi" | Saverio Costanzo | Elena Ferrante, Francesco Piccolo, Laura Paolucci and Saverio Costanzo | November 25, 2018 (HBO) December 4, 2018 (Rai 1) | 0.244[13] and 7.302[14] |
4 | 4 | "Dissolving Boundaries"[lower-alpha 1] "La smarginatura" | Saverio Costanzo | Elena Ferrante, Francesco Piccolo, Laura Paolucci and Saverio Costanzo | November 26, 2018 (HBO) December 4, 2018 (Rai 1) | 0.151[15] and 6.725[14] |
5 | 5 | "The Shoes" "Le scarpe" | Saverio Costanzo | Elena Ferrante, Francesco Piccolo, Laura Paolucci and Saverio Costanzo | December 2, 2018 (HBO) December 11, 2018 (Rai 1) | 0.291[16] and 6.699[17] |
6 | 6 | "The Island" "L'isola" | Saverio Costanzo | Elena Ferrante, Francesco Piccolo, Laura Paolucci and Saverio Costanzo | December 3, 2018 (HBO) December 11, 2018 (Rai 1) | 0.210[18] and 6.699[17] |
7 | 7 | "The Fiancés" "I fidanzati" | Saverio Costanzo | Elena Ferrante, Francesco Piccolo, Laura Paolucci and Saverio Costanzo | December 9, 2018 (HBO) December 18, 2018 (Rai 1) | 0.318[19] and 6.974[20] |
8 | 8 | "The Promise" "La promessa" | Saverio Costanzo | Elena Ferrante, Francesco Piccolo, Laura Paolucci and Saverio Costanzo | December 10, 2018 (HBO) December 18, 2018 (Rai 1) | 0.228[21] and 6.620[20] |
- Notes
- HBO listings translate the titles of episodes 3 and 4 as "The Metamorphoses" and "Dissolving Margins", respectively.
Season 2: The Story of a New Name (2020)
No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | U.S./Italy viewers (millions) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
9 | 1 | "The New Name" "Il nuovo cognome" | Saverio Costanzo | Elena Ferrante, Francesco Piccolo, Laura Paolucci and Saverio Costanzo | February 10, 2020 (Rai 1) March 16, 2020 (HBO) | 0.148[22] and 7.099[23] |
10 | 2 | "The Body" "Il corpo" | Saverio Costanzo | Elena Ferrante, Francesco Piccolo, Laura Paolucci and Saverio Costanzo | February 10, 2020 (Rai 1) March 23, 2020 (HBO) | 0.147[24] and 6.452[23] |
11 | 3 | "Erasure" "Scancellare" | Saverio Costanzo | Elena Ferrante, Francesco Piccolo, Laura Paolucci and Saverio Costanzo | February 17, 2020 (Rai 1) March 30, 2020 (HBO) | 0.120[25] and 6.842[26] |
12 | 4 | "The Kiss" "Il bacio" | Alice Rohrwacher | Elena Ferrante, Francesco Piccolo, Laura Paolucci and Saverio Costanzo | February 17, 2020 (Rai 1 April 6, 2020 (HBO) | 0.141[27] and 6.235[26] |
13 | 5 | "The Betrayal" "Il tradimento" | Alice Rohrwacher | Elena Ferrante, Francesco Piccolo, Laura Paolucci and Saverio Costanzo | February 24, 2020 (Rai 1) April 13, 2020 (HBO) | 0.196[28] and 6.585[29] |
14 | 6 | "Rage" "La rabbia" | Saverio Costanzo | Elena Ferrante, Francesco Piccolo, Laura Paolucci and Saverio Costanzo | February 24, 2020 (Rai 1) April 20, 2020 (HBO) | 0.134[30] and 6.053[29] |
15 | 7 | "Ghosts" "I fantasmi" | Saverio Costanzo | Elena Ferrante, Francesco Piccolo, Laura Paolucci and Saverio Costanzo | March 2, 2020 (Rai 1) April 27, 2020 (HBO) | 0.159[31] and 7.110[32] |
16 | 8 | "The Blue Fairy" "La fata blu" | Saverio Costanzo | Elena Ferrante, Francesco Piccolo, Laura Paolucci and Saverio Costanzo | March 2, 2020 (Rai 1) May 4, 2020 (HBO) | 0.130[33] and 6.757[32] |
Production
Commissioned by Rai Fiction, HBO and TIMvision, the first season was produced by Italian production companies Wildside and Fandango and international film group Umedia.[3] TIMvision withdrew from the project after the first season,[34] while production companies The Apartment and Mowe joined production for the second season.[35]
On February 18, 2020, Gaia Girace announced that she will leave the series after playing Lila in three episodes of the third season, as a new and older actress will be cast for the following episodes.[36]
Music
The score of the series has been composed by Max Richter.
Season 1
My Brilliant Friend (TV Series Soundtrack) | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Soundtrack album by | ||||
Released | December 7, 2018 | |||
Genre | Soundtrack | |||
Length | 36:15 | |||
Label | Deutsche Grammophon | |||
Max Richter chronology | ||||
| ||||
Singles from My Brilliant Friend (TV Series Soundtrack) | ||||
|
The soundtrack album for the first season was released by Deutsche Grammophon on December 7, 2018 for digital download.[37] It was preceded by the release of the single "Elena & Lila" on November 30, 2018.
- Track listing
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Elena & Lila" | 4:53 |
2. | "Whispers" | 3:41 |
3. | "Your Reflection" | 3:35 |
4. | "The Days Go By" | 2:43 |
5. | "Interior Dialogues" | 1:37 |
6. | "In the Dark" | 2:30 |
7. | "In Spite of All" | 2:10 |
8. | "Brilliant Clouds" | 1:11 |
9. | "In Remembrance of You" | 4:57 |
10. | "Shimmering Clouds" | 1:15 |
11. | "She Was Running" | 2:08 |
12. | "Our Reflection" | 5:35 |
Total length: | 36:15 |
- Additional music
The first season features additional material from Richter's solo discography.[38]
All music is composed by Max Richter.
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Spring 1" (from the album Recomposed by Max Richter: Vivaldi – The Four Seasons, 2012) | Max Richter, Antonio Vivaldi | 2:31 |
2. | "Summer 2" (from the album Recomposed by Max Richter: Vivaldi – The Four Seasons, 2012) | Richter, Vivaldi | 3:59 |
3. | "Cypher" (from the single Cypher, 2018) | 7:43 | |
4. | "Aria 2 - Pt. 1" (from the album Sleep, 2015) | 1:19 | |
5. | "Infra 5" (from the album Infra, 2010) | 5:16 | |
6. | "Infra 8" (from the album Infra, 2010) | 3:21 | |
7. | "Love Song (Cascade)" (from the album Perfect Sense, 2011) | 1:02 | |
8. | "Organum" (from the album The Blue Notebooks, 2004) | 3:13 | |
9. | "Dream 13 (Minus Even)" (from the album From Sleep, 2015) | 8:52 | |
10. | "Vladimir's Blues" (from the album The Blue Notebooks, 2004) | 1:18 | |
11. | "Iconography" (from the album The Blue Notebooks, 2004) | 3:38 | |
12. | "Chorale/Glow - Pt. 1" (from the album Sleep, 2015) | 2:00 | |
13. | "Circles from The Rue Simon - Crubellier" (from the album 24 Postcards in Full Colour, 2008) | 1:04 | |
14. | "Dream 19 (Pulse) - Pt. 6" (from the album Sleep, 2015) | 3:17 | |
15. | "Interior Dreams an Idea" (from the album Henry May Long, 2009) | 2:18 | |
16. | "Kierling/Doubt" (from the album 24 Postcards in Full Colour, 2008) | 0:50 | |
17. | "Space 11 (Invisible Pages Over)" (from the album From Sleep, 2015) | 5:15 | |
18. | "Space 17 (Chains) - Pt. 7" (from the album Sleep, 2015) | 1:08 | |
19. | "Space 21 (Petrichor)" (from the album From Sleep, 2015) | 4:47 | |
20. | "Sublunar - Pt. 1" (from the album Sleep, 2015) | 1:29 |
Season 2
My Brilliant Friend, Season 2 (TV Series Soundtrack) | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Soundtrack album by | ||||
Released | May 1, 2020 | |||
Genre | Soundtrack | |||
Length | 54:51 | |||
Label | Deutsche Grammophon | |||
Max Richter chronology | ||||
|
The soundtrack album for the second season was released by Deutsche Grammophon on May 1, 2020 for digital download.[39] The soundtrack features material from Richter's solo discography.
- Track listing
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Elena and Lila (Titles Season 2)" | 1:13 |
2. | "Sub Piano (MBF Version)" (from the album Infra, 2010) | 0:49 |
3. | "Protest March (Pt. 1)" | 1:09 |
4. | "Protest March (Pt. 2)" | 2:32 |
5. | "Organum (MBF Version)" (from the album The Blue Notebooks, 2004) | 3:15 |
6. | "Leo (MBF Version)" (from the reissue of the album Songs from Before, 2014) | 2:11 |
7. | "She Won't Answer" | 2:35 |
8. | "The Young Mariner (MBF Version)" (from the album Henry May Long, 2009) | 4:06 |
9. | "Harmonium (MBF Version)" (from the album Songs from Before, 2006) | 4:25 |
10. | "Cinema Music" | 6:28 |
11. | "Don't Put Sad Ideas In My Head / All By Themselves" | 3:21 |
12. | "Winter 2 (MBF Version)" (from the album Recomposed by Max Richter: Vivaldi – The Four Seasons, 2012) | 2:53 |
13. | "Return 16 (time capsule) [Edit]" (from the album Sleep, 2015) | 9:14 |
14. | "moth-like stars (Edit)" (from the album Sleep, 2015) | 10:40 |
Total length: | 54:51 |
Reception
The series has received critical acclaim. On Rotten Tomatoes, the first season has a 93% "certified fresh" rating with an average score of 8.41 out of 10 based on 55 reviews. The site's critical consensus is, "My Brilliant Friend is an expansive epic that gleans rapturous beauty from the most desolate of circumstances, but it is the intimacy between the central duo – and the remarkable performances that bring them to life – that audiences will remember most vividly".[40] On Metacritic, it has a score of 87 out of 100 based on 20 reviews, indicating "universal acclaim".[41] Rhiannon Lucy Cosslett of The Guardian stated "How revolutionary it still feels to see female friendship explored onscreen in this way. It goes without saying that it takes the Bechdel test and turns it into ragù."[42]
On Rotten Tomatoes, the second season has a 100% "certified fresh" rating with an average score of 9 out of 10 based on 11 reviews. The site's critical consensus is, "Gorgeously shot and full of incredible performances, My Brilliant Friend's second season expands its small world with rich results."[43] On Metacritic, it has a score of 91 out of 100 based on 7 reviews, indicating "universal acclaim".[44]
References
- Jones, Tobias (November 19, 2018). "From Fellini to Ferrante: the cinematic vision of My Brilliant Friend". The Guardian. Retrieved March 8, 2020.
- Moylan, Brian (February 9, 2016). "Elena Ferrante's Neapolitan novels set for TV adaptation". The Guardian. Retrieved October 9, 2018.
- "My Brilliant Friend Debuts Sunday, Nov. 18 on HBO". HBO. September 13, 2018. Retrieved October 9, 2018.
- Patterson, Troy (November 15, 2018). ""My Brilliant Friend," Reviewed: A Prada Ad for Working-Class Gloom, but with Shades of Humble Tenderness". The New Yorker. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
- Otterson, Joe (December 4, 2018). "'My Brilliant Friend' Renewed for Season 2 at HBO, RAI". Variety.
- Berni, Andrea Francesco (December 19, 2019). "L'Amica Geniale: storia del nuovo cognome, i primi due episodi usciranno al cinema, ecco il trailer!". BadTaste.it (in Italian). Retrieved December 24, 2019.
- Romano, Nick (January 31, 2020). "HBO's My Brilliant Friend season 2 trailer continues the addicting, emotional drama". Entertainment Weekly.
- Porter, Rick (April 30, 2020). "'My Brilliant Friend' Renewed for Third Season at HBO". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved April 30, 2020.
- Evans, Greg (March 14, 2018). "HBO Unveils First-Look Photos Of 'My Brilliant Friend' Drama". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved October 9, 2018.
- Metcalf, Mitch (November 20, 2018). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 11.18.2018". Showbuzz Daily.
- "Ascolti TV | Martedì 27 novembre 2018. Boom per l'esordio de L'Amica Geniale (29.3%), disastro per Il Ristorante degli Chef (2.8%)". DavideMaggio.it. November 27, 2018. Retrieved July 21, 2019.
- Metcalf, Mitch (November 20, 2018). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Monday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 11.19.2018". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved November 26, 2018.
- Metcalf, Mitch (November 28, 2018). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 11.25.2018". Showbuzz Daily.
- "Ascolti TV | Martedì 4 dicembre 2018. Ancora boom per L'Amica Geniale (30.1%). La Mummia 9.1%. Male La Vita in Diretta (14%-1,7 mln) che si fa acchiappare da Geo (13.9%-1,8 mln) e surclassare da Pomeriggio Cinque". DavideMaggio.it. December 4, 2018. Retrieved July 21, 2019.
- Metcalf, Mitch (November 28, 2018). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Monday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 11.26.2018". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved November 29, 2018.
- Metcalf, Mitch (December 4, 2018). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 12.2.2018". Showbuzz Daily.
- "Ascolti TV | Martedì 11 dicembre 2018. L'Amica Geniale 28.7%, Canale 5 al 7%". DavideMaggio.it. December 11, 2018. Retrieved July 21, 2019.
- Metcalf, Mitch (December 4, 2018). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Monday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 12.3.2018". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
- Metcalf, Mitch (December 11, 2018). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 12.9.2018". Showbuzz Daily.
- "'L'amica geniale' chiude in bellezza, straordinario successo con quasi 7 milioni di spettatori". Repubblica.it (in Italian). December 19, 2018. Retrieved July 21, 2019.
- Metcalf, Mitch (December 11, 2018). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Monday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 12.10.2018". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved December 12, 2018.
- Metcalf, Mitch (March 17, 2020). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Monday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 3.16.2020". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved March 18, 2020.
- "Ascolti e Share - RAI Ufficio Stampa". February 11, 2020. Archived from the original on February 11, 2020. Retrieved February 12, 2020.
- Metcalf, Mitch (March 24, 2020). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Monday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 3.23.2020". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved March 24, 2020.
- Metcalf, Mitch (March 31, 2020). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Monday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 3.30.2020". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved March 31, 2020.
- "Ascolti e Share - RAI Ufficio Stampa". February 18, 2020. Archived from the original on February 18, 2020.
- Metcalf, Mitch (April 7, 2020). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Monday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 4.6.2020". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved April 7, 2020.
- Metcalf, Mitch (April 14, 2020). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Monday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 4.13.2020". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved April 14, 2020.
- "Ascolti e Share - RAI Ufficio Stampa". February 25, 2020. Archived from the original on February 25, 2020.
- Metcalf, Mitch (April 21, 2020). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Monday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 4.20.2020". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
- Metcalf, Mitch (April 28, 2020). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Monday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 4.27.2020". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved April 28, 2020.
- "Ascolti tv, Auditel del 2 marzo: L'amica geniale chiude con 7 milioni di spettatori". tvzap.kataweb.it. March 3, 2020. Retrieved March 7, 2020.
- Metcalf, Mitch (May 5, 2020). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Monday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 5.4.2020". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
- Tammaro, Gianmaria (August 7, 2019). ""Skam Italia" cancellata. TimVision cambia strategia". La Stampa (in Italian). Retrieved February 2, 2020.
- "Mowe - L'amica geniale - Storia del nuovo cognome". mowefilm.com. Retrieved February 18, 2020.
- "L'amica geniale, Gaia Girace lascia nella terza stagione: 'Spero che chi prenderà il mio posto ami Lila come ho fatto io'". tvzap.kataweb.it (in Italian). February 18, 2020.
- "My Brilliant Friend (TV Series Soundtrack)". Apple Music. Retrieved December 8, 2018.
- My Brilliant Friend, a playlist by Max Richter on Spotify
- "My Brilliant Friend, Season 2 (TV Series Soundtrack)". Apple Music. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
- "My Brilliant Friend: Season 1 (2018)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved June 18, 2020.
- "My Brilliant Friend - Season 1 Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved June 16, 2019.
- Cosslett, Rhiannon Lucy (November 27, 2018). "The brilliance of My Brilliant Friend: this series gives us female lives in full". The Guardian. Retrieved August 4, 2019.
- "My Brilliant Friend: Season 2 (2020)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved March 17, 2020.
- "My Brilliant Friend - Season 2 Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved March 17, 2020.