Netflix forges Fandango pact for Elena Ferrante novel, orders Swedish drama

My Brilliant Friend: The Story Of A New Name

Netflix has linked up with My Brilliant Friend producer Fandango to adapt another novel from author Elena Ferrante, while also ordering a drama about Swedish criminal Clark Olofsson.

The streamer is working with Fandango to turn Ferrante’s novel The Lying Life Of Adults into a small screen series, following the book’s publication in Italy in November.

The story, which is to be published in the US and UK this September, is set in Naples and follows a young woman as she moves through childhood to adolescence in the 1990s.

The development pact is the latest collaboration between Ferrante and Fandango, which is working with HBO and Italian pubcaster Rai on the adaptation of her My Brilliant Friend quartet of novels.

Felipe Tewes, Netflix’s director of local language original series, said: “We are incredibly honoured to be entrusted to develop a series based on The Lying Life of Adults.

“Elena Ferrante books have inspired and captivated audiences in Italy and around the world, and we are thrilled to bring her latest endeavour to the screens of our global audience. We are also excited to continue our partnership with Fandango, and invest in more unique Made In Italy stories that we believe will resonate in Italy and around the world.”

Swedish crime caper Clark, meanwhile, is a six-parter that will be based on Olofsson’s autobiography Vafan Var Det Some Hande.

The story will explore his life on the run, his crimes and the concept of Stockholm syndrome, with Scandinavina Content Group attached to produce. It actor Bill Skarsgard stars as Olofsson.