The English translation of “The Lying Life of Adults” won’t be out until September 1, but Netflix is already working on a series adaptation. The streamer, alongside Italian production company Fandango, is developing a television project based on the new Elena Ferrante novel, Deadline confirms. A teaser featuring the book’s first few sentences has even been released.
Set in the 1990s, “The Lying Life of Adults” traces the journey of a Neapolitan woman from childhood to adolescence. The novel hit shelves in Italy in November. The English version was originally set to be published June 9, but was delayed a few months due to the coronavirus.
“We are incredibly honored to be entrusted to develop a series based on ‘The Lying Life of Adults,'” said Felipe Tewes, Director of Local Language Original Series at Netflix. “Elena Ferrante books have inspired and captivated audiences in Italy and around the world, and we are thrilled to bring her latest endeavor to the screens of our global audience.”
“We are very happy to continue telling the world of Elena Ferrante. ‘The Lying Life of Adults,’ published by our friends at E/O, tells [of] another, close but different, part of that world,” added Fandango founder Domenico Procacci. “It will be a great adventure.”
Ferrante became a household name with the Neapolitan Novels — “My Brilliant Friend,” “The Story of a New Name,” “Those Who Leave and Those Who Stay,” and “The Story of the Lost Child” — which chart the intense, complicated friendship of two women, from childhood to old age. The series was adapted into the HBO/Fandango series “My Brilliant Friend,” which has aired two seasons and has been renewed for a third.
Maggie Gyllenhaal is making her directorial debut with a film version of Ferrante’s “The Lost Daughter.” Olivia Colman (“The Crown”), Dakota Johnson (“Fifty Shades” franchise), and Jessie Buckley (“Wild Rose”) are set to star in the tale of women whose lives collide during a summer holiday.
Ferrante’s books have been translated into 45 languages. Her work was the subject of the 2017 documentary “Ferrante Fever.” “The Days of Abandonment” and “The Beach at Night” are among her other books.
Check out Netflix’s teaser for “The Lying Life of Adults” below.
