“My Brilliant Friend” is the first of Ms. Ferrante’s four Neapolitan Novels, which trace the friendship of two girls, Elena and Lila, in postwar Naples. The others are “The Story of a New Name,” “Those Who Leave and Those Who Stay” and “The Story of the Lost Child.”

The TV adaptation of the books was announced earlier this month, though at the time it was unclear which network would carry the series in the United States. The ultimate aim is to adapt all four novels, for a total of 32 episodes.

So far HBO has committed only to the first eight-episode season, but the network said it has the rights to the subsequent seasons based on the other books.

A stage adaptation of the novels debuted in London in February.

Ms. Ferrante, who writes under a pen name, has been at the center of enormous literary world intrigue. Her books have sold millions of copies, and has ignited so-called Ferrante Fever internationally. There have also been several attempts to reveal her identity, with each try kicking up controversy.

Ms. Ferrante will be involved in shepherding “My Brilliant Friend” into a TV series. Saverio Costanzo (“Private,” “Hungry Hearts”) is directing the eight episodes.