iQiyi takes Fremantle’s My Brilliant Friend to China

iQiyi is set to take Fremantle’s critically-acclaimed drama My Brilliant Friend to China.

My Brilliant Friend follows Elena Greco as the most important friend in her life seems to have disappeared without a trace. She met Raffaella Cerullo, whom she has always called Lila, in the first year of primary school in 1950. Set in a dangerous Naples town, their story goes on to cover more than 60 years of their lives as she tries to describe the mystery of Lila, her brilliant friend and sometimes her worst enemy.

The drama had its debut on HBO (US) on the 18th November. It is an adaptation of Elena Ferrante’s bestselling debut novel of the same name and has been renewed for a second season.

It is produced by Lorenzo Mieli and Mario Gianani for Wildside and Domenico Procacci for Fandango, in collaboration with Rai Fiction, TIMVISION and HBO Entertainment and in co-production with Umedia.

Paolo Sorrentino and Jennifer Schuur are the executive producers.

All the episodes are directed by Saverio Costanzo. The story and screenplays are by Elena Ferrante, Francesco Piccolo, Laura Paolucci and Saverio Costanzo.

Fremantle is the international distributor in association with Rai Com. 

“With its incredible scripts and iconic characters, My Brilliant Friend has fast become one of the standout series of the year. Since its launch on HBO and Rai, it has received huge critical acclaim from reviewers,” said Haryaty Rahman, senior VP of Asia distribution at Fremantle.

“We’re excited to be working with iQiyi, one of the biggest streaming services in the region, to bring this powerful story to China. Ferrante’s writing has captured imaginations around the world, and with Saverio Costanzo’s adaptation already enjoying global success, we are confident the series will resonate with iQiyi’s audience.”

“Elena Ferrante’s masterpiece has been well recognized by Chinese readers for the past years. The genuineness and delicacy of the friendship between the two female characters resonates with millions over the time and across the borders.” said an iQiyi spokesperson. “We are very much looking forward to introducing this brilliant TV adaptation to our users.”