Episode 1
By Elena Ferrante. Lena seeks a divorce from her husband, while she embarks on an affair with her best friend's ex-lover.
Elena Ferrante's story of a life long friendship between Lila and Lena comes to an end in this sad and surprising final chapter.
Lena, now a famous writer, returns to Naples with her two children to find Lila has also managed to turned her life around, despite remaining in the claws of violent and mafia run Naples. Finding themselves both pregnant, the complications of their friendship grows ever deeper and the tensions deepen. As the city attempts to rebuild itself, post war Naples continues to struggle to accept or change the inevitabilities of life.
Broken marriages, violent relationships, and the yearning for something more - something better is never far away. The violent past of these two extraordinary friends will always be there and, for one, there seems to be only one way out.
Written by Elena Ferrante
Translated by Ann Goldstein
Dramatised for radio by Timberlake Wertenbaker
Directed by Celia de Wolff
A Pier production for BBC Radio 4.
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Credits
| Role | Contributor |
|---|---|
| Lena | Monica Dolan |
| Lila | Anastasia Hille |
| Nino Sarratore | Daniel Flynn |
| Pietro | Ferdinand Kingsley |
| Adele | Sylvestra Le Touzel |
| Dede | Grace Wingate |
| Dede | Ella Dale |
| Elsa | Isobel Tinsley |
| Elsa | Georgia Taft |
| Mariarosa | Claudia Jolly |
| Carmela | Louise Calf |
| Colombe | Louise Calf |
| Antonio | Hugh Kermode |
| Mother | Jane Whittenshaw |
| Guido | David Collings |
| Franco | Simon Scardifield |
| Augustin | Simon Scardifield |
| Armando | Josh Dylan |
| Marisa | Sara Markland |
| Elisa | Nelly Harker |
| Photographer | Nelly Harker |
| Enzo | Carl Prekopp |
| Marcello | Ben Crowe |
| Guest | Ben Crowe |
| Alfonso | Nick Armfield |
| Tina | Sylvie Goodwin |
| Imma | Grace Pearcey |
| Imma | Cosima Pearcey |
| Michele | Daniel Ryan |
| Guest | Daniel Ryan |
| Gennaro | Tom Davies |
| Pasquale | Nicholas Gleaves |
| Author | Elena Ferrante |
| Translation | Ann Goldstein |
| Adaptor | Timberlake Wertenbaker |
| Director | Celia de Wolff |
Broadcasts
- Sun 1 Oct 201715:00BBC Radio 4
- Sat 7 Oct 201721:00BBC Radio 4
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