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My Brilliant Friend

2018 – 2024Show4 seasons34 episodesTV-MA

Drama
89
ExcellentGoodWatch score
IMDb8.6Metacritic898.3Rotten Tomatoes98%91%

A deeply moving, romantic drama series about growing up and everyday modern life, with standout performances and characters.

Good for date night · friends night · binge-friendly

Skip it if you want fast pacing · you want to half-watch while scrolling

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Not for laughs, scares or comfort.

Shows with

Episodes

4 seasons · 34 episodes · best: S2E8 "La fata blu" 9.0

Episodes

8.4
8.4
8.3
8.0

Story

A friendship that defined a lifetime.

When the most important friend in her life seems to have disappeared without a trace, Elena Greco, a now-elderly woman immersed in a house full of books, turns on her computer and starts writing the story of their friendship.

Feels like

  • Italian Neorealism Revival
  • Complex Female Friendship
  • Socioeconomic Class Struggle
  • Post-War Naples Setting
  • Literary Adaptation Masterpiece
  • Psychological Depth
  • Generational Trauma
  • Intellectual Rivalry
  • Historical Drama
  • Emotional Intimacy

Cast

24 of 104 · most episodes first

Crew

Directors
Saverio Costanzo, Laura Bispuri, Daniele Luchetti
Written by
Elena Ferrante, Saverio Costanzo, Francesco Piccolo
Produced by
Laura Paolucci, Francesco Nardella, Sara Polese
Music by
Max Richter

Everyone

Pick a department, or search for a name or a job (“editor”, “stunt”).

Facts

November 27, 2018 · December 9, 2024 · Ended

First aired
November 27, 2018
Last aired
December 9, 2024
Status
Ended
Length
4 seasons · 34 episodes
Age rating
TV-MA
Content
Violence, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Drug Use, Disturbing Imagery
Genres
Drama
Original language
Italian
Made in
Belgium, Italy, United States
Available in
98 countries
Keywords
based on novel or book

Tropes

Adaptational Attractiveness, Adaptational Nice Guy, Adaptational Ugliness +9

  • Adaptational Attractiveness
  • Adaptational Nice Guy
  • Adaptational Ugliness
  • Adaptational Wimp
  • Deliberate Values Dissonance
  • Rich Suitor, Poor Suitor
  • Evolving Credits
  • Ocean Awe
  • Orifice Invasion
  • Age Cut
  • Demoted to Extra
  • Compressed Adaptation

12 of 15 tropes. From TV Tropes.

Q&A

6 questions, like "Where can I stream My Brilliant Friend?"

Questions about My Brilliant Friend

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream My Brilliant Friend?

HBO Max

In the United States, My Brilliant Friend streams on HBO Max. You can rent or buy it from Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, and Fandango At Home. It also streams in 96 other countries.

Is My Brilliant Friend worth watching?

89
ExcellentGoodWatch score

Yes, it's widely acclaimed, with a GoodWatch score of 89 (IMDb 8.6, Rotten Tomatoes 98%, and Metacritic 89).

How long does it take to watch My Brilliant Friend?

32 h

About 32 hours: 34 episodes in 4 seasons of about 57 minutes each, aired from 2018 to 2024.

Is My Brilliant Friend good for date night?

and 2 moreDate NightPartner WatchAdultsFriends NightIntergenerational

Yes: romance is 8 of 10, and the viewing guide lists it for date night.

Is My Brilliant Friend plot-driven or character-driven?

CharactersPlot

Mostly character-driven: it leans on character depth (10 of 10) and pathos (9 of 10) more than on its plot.

Is My Brilliant Friend in English?

Italian

No, it was made in Italian.