Fremantle has announced a major distribution deal in China, which will see the final series of the internationally acclaimed Italian-language drama series My Brilliant Friend: The Story of the Lost Child, launch on four of China’s leading streaming platforms iQIYI, Tencent Video, Youku and Bilibili.
The deal, brokered by Fremantle International’s Asian distribution office based in Singapore, marks the first time that all four platforms will simultaneously premiere a non-English language European drama series in China, bringing the series to over 1.5 billion viewers monthly. All platforms will also offer full boxsets of the previous series.
Based on the global bestselling quadriology by Elena Ferrante and published in the U.S. by Europa Editions, My Brilliant Friend is a striking and delicate tale following an enduring and tumultuous female friendship across more than sixty years. The fourth and final chapter, directed by Laura Bispuri, delves into the adult lives of Elena (Alba Rochwacher) and Lila (Irene Maiorino) against the backdrop of political and social turmoil in late 1970s Italy. Both have struggled to break out of their neighborhood, a prison of conformity, violence and hard-to-break bonds. Through new trials that life throws at them, from motherhood to career pressures and betrayals, they navigate new aspects of their personalities and of their powerful bond of friendship.
Haryaty Rahman, EVP Distribution Asia, International, Fremantle said, “My Brilliant Friend has proven time and time again to be an unforgettable, universal drama that continues to captivate audiences worldwide. After the resounding success of the first three series in China, we are immensely proud to be bringing the adaptation of the final chapter of Ferrante’s work to its largest audience ever. My Brilliant Friend’s gripping storytelling and complex characters have taken viewers on an epic journey of friendship for years, both through the bestselling books and acclaimed on-screen adaptations. The unprecedented reach of this deal speaks to the strength of our partnerships across China and is a testament to the strength of the IP globally.”
My Brilliant Friend quickly became a global hit with Fremantle placing the series in over 170 territories. My Brilliant Friend: The Story of the Lost Child ranked in the top #3 shows upon launch on both RAI and HBO and has been hailed as “one of TV’s finest series in years” by The Guardian, while The New York Times praised it as ‘one of the best portraits of a lifelong relationship ever made’. The series previously aired in China on iQIYI, Youku (Alibaba) and Tencent, as well as CCTV, China’s national broadcaster.
The HBO-RAI series was created by Saverio Costanzo and based on the bestselling quadrilogy by Elena Ferrante published in the U.S. by Europa Editions. An Apartment, Fremantle Italy, Wildside and Fandango production, it was produced by Lorenzo Mieli for Fremantle Italy, The Apartment and Wildside (both Fremantle companies) and by Domenico Procacci for Fandango, in collaboration with Rai Fiction and HBO Entertainment.
The story and screenplays are by Elena Ferrante, Francesco Piccolo, Laura Paolucci and Saverio Costanzo. Fremantle handles global sales in association with RAI Com.
