My Brilliant Friend

The disappearance of her old friend, Lila Cerrullo, causes 60-year-old author Elena Greco to reflect on the early days of their friendship in 1950s Naples, when Elena and Lila are two very different girls at the top of their class. When the girls discover the lair of Don Achille, a criminal figure who controls the neighborhood, they decide to confront him.

Now a teenager, Elena grapples with the onset of puberty, her studies, and her friendship with Lila, who now works in her familys shoe-repair store. After a library awards ceremony reveals what Lila has been keeping secret, Elena learns what her friends grand plans might be. Lila takes a stand against the dangerous Solara brothers.

Elena grows tired of Gino, while Lila rejects two potential suitors at a cost. A rare outing into the city turns violent. Elena worries about not being there for Lila after accepting an invitation to spend the summer away from the neighborhood and her family.

Elena returns to Naples to find Lila has made a romantic connection with Stefano, despite the looming presence of Marcello. As Lila embraces a more glamorous life at Stefanos side, Elena warns her about what people are saying around the neighborhood. Later, in hopes of keeping up with her friend, Elena encourages one suitor and rebuffs the advances of another.

With Lila on her honeymoon on the Amalfi Coast, Elena struggles to handle school and her relationship with Antonio. When Lila returns with visible bruises on her body, the two girls revert to their natural closeness and Lila’s will to take revenge against her husband grows. Elena continues to be bewitched by Nino Sarratore’s charisma but chooses not to mention him to Lila.

Upset that her picture is featured prominently in the new shoe shop Stefano is opening with the Solaras, Lila comes up with a creative solution to deal with the matter and enlists Elena’s help. Though Lila begins working at the Caraccis’ new grocery store, she continues to resent her husband’s business activities and the source of their income. Model student Elena invites Lila to a party at her teacher Ms. Galiani’s house; there, the two girls become acutely aware of the fact that they belong to ever more distant worlds.

As Pinuccia returns to Naples, a new secret excites Lila and numbs Elena, who nonetheless becomes embroiled in its coverup. Subdued by Lilas charisma and indifferent to Brunos flattery, Elena finds herself the keeper of a far darker clandestine series of events involving Donato Sarratore. After the girls encounter Michele and Gigliola, who have come to Ischia on a day trip, Lila seizes the opportunity to throw the whole truth in Stefanos face.

Three years into her time in Pisa, Elena has developed into an elegant and cultured young woman – but still feels like an outsider. After a consequential breakup, Elena falls ill and is visited by her mother, who has come to nurse her back to health. During the night, Elena takes to reading Lila’s diaries, which were entrusted to her for safekeeping; in these tomes, Elena discovers Lila’s dedication to her new role in the face of Stefano’s increasingly violent behavior.

After Ninos unexpected appearance at her book presentation in Milan, Elena realizes her childhood crush never really abandoned her, and doubts begin to form about her fiance Pietro. Later, a scathing review leaves Elena questioning herself as a writer.

Concerned about Lilas worsening health, Elena seeks advice from her future mother-in-law Adele, who encourages her to write an expose on the Soccavo plant and the mounting unrest between rival unions. After several doctors visits, Lila becomes determined to move back to the neighborhood despite being viewed as a pariah.

Following news of a murder in Naples, Pasquale and Nadia turn up unannounced at Elenas house in Florence, further fuelling discord with her husband. Meanwhile, Elena suspects all is not right with Lila when shes asked to take Gennaro on their summer beach trip.

Elenas marriage is more and more in crisis, Pietro is distant and she feels treated like a servant. One day, Nino Sarratore shows up at the Airotas door. He and Pietro become friends and say goodbye with the promise to meet again. Elena anxiously awaits their next meeting and finally resumes writing.

Elena considers moving back to Naples after being chastised by both Immacolata and Adele. Lila shares shocking news about Nino.

On a visit to the neighborhood for the first time in years, Elena attempts to make peace with Immacolata and learns that her mother has been unwell. Later, when Elena and Nino return from a trip to New York, she and Lila grow closer after revealing that they’re both pregnant.

After Elena’s daughter Imma is born, Lila brings Elena’s mother to see the baby, but the visit is unexpectedly cut short when Immacolata collapses. When Nino and Lila take Immacolata to the hospital, Elena finds herself plagued with jealousy. Later, Marcello causes a scene when he insists Immacolata be moved to a clinic.

Still reeling from her breakup, Elena reconnects with Antonio, who shares the full extent of Nino’s betrayals. Later, Elena discovers that her newest book is a success, and tensions run high at Elisa and Marcello’s wedding, as Elena learns the Solaras are ready to wage war against her for smearing their family name.

During Nino’s long overdue visit to see Imma, a sudden and mysterious disappearance rocks the neighborhood. Though the Solaras help organize a search, Enzo remains suspicious of their involvement, while Lila becomes consumed by her own conspiracies. Later, Lila is driven further to the brink by her son’s drug habit and another sudden loss.