Maria Pia Casillo is an Italian actress renowned for her intensity and the profound authenticity of her performances, often rooted in the Campanian and Southern Italian context. Although she gained widespread recognition for the role of Immacolata Greco, Elena's mother, in the television series *My Brilliant Friend*, her career boasts significant film appearances.

She established herself in cinema thanks to her ability to portray complex female characters: strong women, resilient mothers, and popular figures who face daily difficulties with dignity. She has collaborated with prominent directors such as Mario Martone, who directed her in acclaimed films like *Nostalgia* (2022), where she played the protagonist's mother, and *The Mayor of Rione Sanità* (2019). Her acting style is characterized by raw realism and profound emotional immediacy, which make her a recognizable and significant figure in contemporary Italian cinema.