The connection between various forms of art and expression has been recorded for quite some time. Whether it be books inspiring movies, movies informing music, or needle drops complementing pivotal scenes, the link between the multiple forms of expression ultimately enriches the media as a whole. These 10 book-to-TVdramaseries, for instance, owe their varying degrees of success and acclaim to the literary stories they were inspired by.
From gripping fantasies to generational family mysteries, these shows have taken already riveting stories to a new medium. These shows are equally entertaining and bring a new life to the source material.
10Shadow and Bone (2021-2023)
Shadow and Boneis a fantasy dramaset in a fictional continentin the wake of a magical catastrophe. Largely focused on the adventures of Alina Starkov (Jessie Mei Lei), the series delves into the discord among the nations of the Grishaverse. With the arrival of the Darkling and the presence of the Fold, a sea of darkness, the world yearns for a messianic figure in the Sun Summoner. As the series progresses, Alina and her friends prepare for the looming threat while also weaving through the threat of General Kirigan (Ben Barnes), commander of the Second Army.
Adapted from Leigh Bardugo’s YA Novels
The aforementioned Grishaverse is a collection of young adult stories written by Leigh Bardugo. Beginning with her debut novel, also calledShadow and Bone, Alina’s story chronicles her growing connection with her Grisha origins in the face of the Darkling’s terrifying rampage. Sought after for her powers, Alina is at the center of manipulative plots while also benefiting from genuine connections. Growing into a prominent fantasy franchise of its own, the novel of the same name is a great place to start for anyone who wishes to see where and how it truly began.Stream on Netflix
9The Handmaid’s Tale (2017-Present)
The Handmaid’s Tale
The Handmaid’s Tale is a dystopian television series based on the 1985 novel by author Margaret Atwood. The series was created by Bruce Miller and stars Elisabeth Moss, Joseph Fiennes, and Yvonne Strahovski. The show follows the story of a young handmaid as she is forced to deal with a new totalitarian government that subjugates women in this dark societal twist.
The Handmaid’s Taletakes place in a future where Christian fundamentalists launch a successful coup and turn the United States into the Republic of Gilead. With women essentially enslaved, the focus of the show lands on June (Elisabeth Moss), a disgruntled Handmaid who plots to reunite her family and retrieve some semblance of equity.
Adapted from Margaret Atwood’s Popular Novel
Margaret Atwood’s most popular book has been the source of mass appraisal, intrigue, and controversy. Despite never referring to June by her given name, or even ascribing her with a pre-Gilead name, the novel extensively crafts a multi-layered protagonist navigating the treacherous waters of Gilead’s hostile and punitive environment. The ambiguity of many character’s motivations additionally contributes to the pervasive terror of living in Gilead. Ultimately, the ambiguity also transforms the drama’s narrative into a quick glimpse inside a fraction of an everyday person’s life, enriching the story overall.Stream on Hulu
8The Haunting of Hill House (2018)
The Haunting of Hill House
The Haunting of Hill Houseboasts an ensemble cast of characters subjected to some of the most horrific situations one could conceive. TheNetflix limited seriesopens with a look inside the Crain family and their ominous mansion. Chronicling two timelines,The Haunting of Hill Housetakes the familiar story of a haunted house and truly ups the ante with the character dynamics and the creepiness.
Adapted from Shirley Jackson’s 1959 Novel
Based on the 1959 novel by Shirley Jackson,The Haunting of Hill Housefocuses on an ominous mansion lying in the center of a sea of hills. Joined by a shy Eleanor, a Bohemian artist named Theodora, and the young heir Luke, supernatural investigator Dr. John Montague attempts to understand the unusual events within the mansion. As they further frisk around the house, they come across a series of startling secrets revealed, delivering a truly bone-chilling drama.Stream on Netflix
7You (2018-2024)
While many fell in love with Penn Badgley for his performance in the teen drama series,Gossip Girl, the world became fixated on him after his captivating turn as “Joe” inYou. The Netflix thriller follows a lonely bookstore manager who becomes obsessed with Beck, a graduate student with hopes of being a writer. His seemingly innocent infatuation soon reveals itself to be much more insidious, and his five-season rampage has implicated entire communities and brings light to the pervasiveness of unchecked entitlement enabled by misogyny.
Adapted from Caroline Kepnes' Book of the Same Name
Youis based on the book of the same name by Caroline Kepnes. While the book only follows Joe and Beck’s early dalliances and full-blown relationship, it provides much of the context that serves as the foundation for the series. Joe’s patterns and his growing obsession with Beck is carefully presented through a series of poignant prose and illuminating dialogue. Despite the large fanfare of the series, it would be best for any fan to at least peek inside the novel that set the stage for one of the most popular series of the late-2010s.Stream on Netflix
6Normal People (2020)
Normal Peoplechronicles the maturity and the relationship between the two Irish youths and their respective interpersonal connections. Beginning in secondary school, the thought of the studious Marianne (Daisy Edgar-Jones) ever mingling with the popular jock Colin (played by Paul Mescal) seemed like a mere fantasy. However, their journey to each other was full of light, complicated drama, and personal growth.
Adapted from Sally Rooney’s Coming-of-Age Novel
To put it quite frankly, Irish coming-of-age novels deserve better. Be it 2023’sThe Rachel Incidentor the Sally Rooney title at hand, these books masterfully weave together great moments of clarity and draw inspiration from the absurdity of everyday life. Colin and Marianne’s lives are similarly juxtaposed due to finances, relationships with education, and friendships. While they differ in many areas, their personal insecurities help provide one another with the necessary context to propel their connection forward and the book paints a vivid and ultimately beautiful story about the two themselves and together.Stream on Hulu
5The Fall of The House of Usher (2023)
The Fall of the House of Usher
Read Our Review
Mike Flanagan returned this year, exciting fans with news ofThe Fall of the House of Usher. A modern look at an iconic horror story, the series opens with a testimony from Roderick Usher (Bruce Greenwood and Zach Gilford), the patriarch of the Usher family. As he details the demise of his six children, the series splits into two timelines, tracking the dark secrets and deceit that let to the tragic collapse of the wealthy dynasty.
Adapted from Edgar Allan Poe’s Short Stories
The famous Edgar Allan Poe adaptation finds the titular family embroiled in a sea of controversy, drama, and fear. Set in the early-1800s, Gothic horror is told from the perspective of an unnamed narrator. As the story progresses,The Fall of the House of Usherreveals itself to be a truly magnificent exploration of the characters and the decisions they make in the face of impending doom. While the environment of the stories and the show are starkly distinct, Flanagan’s adaptation retains the same chilling fear that Poe’s words strongly evoke.Stream on Netflix
4The Changeling (2023-Present)
The Changeling
Read Our ReviewThe Changelingfocuses on Apollo (LaKeith Stanfield) and Emmy (Clark Backo), a couple expecting their first child. When the baby arrives, a catastrophe occurs, and in the wake of the calamity, Apollo searches for answers, beginning with his missing wife and her behavior at the time of the harrowing disaster. What begins as an eerie mystery soon delves into a fantastical horror that peels back the layers of Apollo, Emmy, and their families.
Adapted from Victor LaValle’s Novel
The Victor LaValle tale that started it all focuses a lot on Apollo’s self-reflection. Now a father in his own right, Apollo reminisces about his relationship with his father, and it largely influences his parenting skills, his marriage, and the trajectory of his life moving forward. Warned about a mystical box of secrets, Apollo soon realizes its relevance as he attempts to understand what has happened with Emmy and their child. The novel ties in magic, multi-generational conflict, and immigration into a wonderfully fantastical drama.Stream on Apple TV+
3Interview with the Vampire (2022-Present)
Much like the film of the same name,Interview with the Vampirefollows the story of Louis de Pointe du Lac (Jacob Anderson) and his history of love, community, and loss. While interviewed by journalist Daniel Molloy (Eric Bogosian), Louis unearths his life before vampirism and the family he created with his lover Lestat (Sam Reid) and their adopted daughter Claudia (Bailey bass). As the interview progresses, the toxicity of their union rises to the surface and the show blossoms into a truly fascinating exploration of life, identity, and abuse.
Adapted from Anne Rice’s Famous Novel
While theAnne Rice novelnaturally differs from the televised adaptation, the novel at its core is a fascinating supernatural drama that chronicles the partnership between two vampires with distinct morals and motivations. Much like the series, Louis remains at the center of the narrative, chronicling his indoctrination by Lestat and how that influenced his relationships with his family, Claudia, and most of all, himself.Interview with the Vampiremay be one of the few examples of an adaptation that matches the quality of its predecessor.Stream on AMC+
2Black Cake (2023-Present)
Black Cakehones in on the complex family drama and dynamics of a Caribbean family. After the death of their mother Eleanor (Chipo Chung), siblings Byron (Ashley Thomas) and Benny (Adrienne Warren) come to discover the truth about Eleanor’s past. As their disillusion settles, Elenaor’s posthumous recordings invite audiences into her past: leaving Jamaica for England, reinventing herself, and making secret decisions that would impact the rest of her family for generations to come.
Adapted from Charmain Wilkinson’s Novel
The Charmain Wilkinson novel looks into the significance of traditional cuisine in the lives of multicultural families. More than just a symbol, the black cake is an essential aspect of the novel and dictates some of the most significant decisions made in the novel. Shifting from Eleanor’s perspective to her children’s, the novel is a truly riveting experience that understands the importance of each character’s multiple identities being acknowledged and protected.Stream on Hulu
1Pachinko (2022-Present)
Pachinkois a multi-generational story that follows a Korean family from 1915 to 1989. The drama focuses on the personal complications within the family and the influence of Japanese aggression, immigration, and past trauma on their relationships. Following Kim Sunja, the story begins in 1939, as the Japanese invasion occurs and tracks the horrific oppression the Koreans experienced. Sunja has left for the city of Osaka and, as the series develops, her family history and her experience as a marginalized Korean in Japanese society come to light.
Adapted from Min Jin Lee’s Novel
The inspiration behind the series lies in the Min Jin Lee-penned novel of the same name. The 2017 story is divided in three sections, focusing on Sunja (Youn Yuh-jung), her father Hoonie, and her daughter Noa, and each section fully delves into their mind. Providing context for their personalities and decisions, the novel offers an insightful look into humans dealing with oppression and trauma and how their environment informs their decisions, great or otherwise.Pachinkodissects an overlooked phenomenon during World War II, using fiction to explore the ramifications of Japanese imperialism and the formation of amodern Korean identity.Stream on Apple TV+
