Elena Ferrante's 'My Brilliant Friend' is coming to HBO

My Brilliant Friend, the best-selling book by Elena Ferrante, is being turned into an eight-episode series for HBO.

Production begins this summer on the project, based on the novel that is the first of Ferrante's four-part series published in the U.S. by Europa Editions. Saverio Costanzo (Private, The Solitude of Prime Numbers, Hungry Hearts) is expected to direct the episodes, which will be filmed in Italian with English subtitles added. It is an original series for HBO and RAI, Italy's national public broadcasting company, produced by Italian production companies Wildside and Fandango.

Some of the intrigue bringing attention to Ferrante's works involves the author's real identity. As recently as last fall, Italian investigative journalist Claudio Gatti reported that Italian translator Anita Raja was using the pen name Elena Ferrante.

The New York Times reported in October that Raja and her novelist husband, Domenico Starnone, were behind Ferrante because of their writing styles. Raja and the book publisher did not confirm or deny the report.

The author's four novels set in Naples, My Brilliant Friend (2012), The Story of a New Name (2013), Those Who Leave and Those Who Stay (2014) and The Story of the Lost Child (2015), are known worldwide. The books revolve around the relationship between two women who grow up poor in Naples as they become part of the middle class in postwar Italy.

“We are thrilled ... to bring the powerful, epic storytelling of Elena Ferrante and her Neapolitan Novels to life," HBO programming chief Casey Bloys said in a statement. "Through her characters, Elena and Lila, we will witness a lifelong friendship set against the seductive social web of Naples, Italy. An exploration of the complicated intensity of female friendship, these ambitious stories will no doubt resonate with the HBO audience.”

Casting and a premiere date have yet to be announced.