Canal+ orders HBO’s My Brilliant Friend

French group Canal+ has pre-bought My Brilliant Friend, a drama based on Elena Ferrante’s bestselling book of the same name.

The HBO, Rai Fiction, and TIMVISION series is currently in production in Italy. It is directed by Saverio Costanzo (Hungry Hearts).

It features the character of Elena Greco, an elderly woman immersed in a house full of books, who writes the story of her missing friend.

My Brilliant Friend is produced by Lorenzo Mieli and Mario Gianani for Wildside and by Domenico Procacci for Fandango in co-production with Umedia Production.

Jennifer Schuur is the executive producer and FremantleMedia International will distribute the series internationally.

Gérald-Brice Viret (pictured), executive vice president at CANAL+ TV Channels, said: “We are very delighted to be adding My Brilliant Friend to our line-up of foreign drama. We are excited to bring this series to our subscribers: Elena Ferrante’s saga is a huge success in France as it is worldwide, and the series is produced by a team of renowned talents.”