Books
It seems like every day we hear another announcement about some more of our favorite books being made into TV shows. While we love seeing our most beloved books brought to the big screen, seeing them from the comfort of our living rooms is even more exciting — especially because TV shows get the chance to delve more closely than films into the stories that we know and love so well. (Still holding out for a Harry Potter TV show, you guys. One day...)
In a TV series, we get to spend some good quality time with our favorite characters, and see a lot more character development than a two-hour movie can really fit in. Die-hard fans of the novel don't have to worry about their favorite scenes being skipped, because there's plenty of time for everything. Even better, in a TV show we often get to see brand new plot-lines that expand the original novel into something excitingly new. Just think how much extra backstory we got in The Handmaid's Tale!
So if you're still having Big Little Lies withdrawals (aren't we all?), clear some space on your TiVo (and some binge-watching time in your schedule) for these nine upcoming book-to-TV adaptations.
1
'The Underground Railroad' by Colson Whitehead
Barry Jenkins is the director and screenwriter of the Oscar-winning Moonlight, and now he's taking on The Underground Railroad TV show as his next big project. This story, which reimagines the underground railroad as a literal railroad, was named by Barack Obama as his top book of last summer.
2
The Divergent series by Veronica Roth
The Divergent movie franchise never did quite as well at the box office as its producers hoped, but instead of fading quietly, it is now being relaunched as a TV series. As Shailene Woodley will not be returning as the star, it is not currently clear where exactly the new TV show will pick up — but the new format will certainly give this popular story a whole new lease of life.
3
'Sweetbitter' by Stephanie Danler
With Brad Pitt at the helm in the role of producer, the Sweetbitter TV show has been getting a ton of buzz. And fans of Stephanie Danler's novel will be pleased to hear that Danler is adapting the screenplay herself, so we know it will have her signature style.
4
'Dietland' by Sarai Walker
Sarai Walker's Dietland will be adapted by Marti Noxon, whose previous successes include UnREAL and Girlfriend's Guide to Divorce. Noxon's last project was the movie To the Bone which, like Dietland, is about body image, beauty standards and the pressures placed on women.
5
'Who Fears Death' by Nnedi Okorafor
The Who Fears Death TV show has got some seriously big names in sci-fi/fantasy involved; the original novel was written by Nnedi Okorafor, and the TV show will have George R.R. Martin as the executive producer.
6
'My Brilliant Friend' by Elena Ferrante
Elena Ferrante's Neapolitan novels have taken the world by storm, and her many fans were so psyched to hear the news that a My Brilliant Friend TV show is on the way. It will be filmed in Naples and in Italian, so you might want to brush up on your Italian skills before 2018... or, y'know, just turn on the subtitles.
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7
'The Age of Miracles' by Karen Thompson Walker
Dystopias are all the rage right now, so the announcement of a The Age of Miracles TV adaptation has come at the perfect moment. The Age of Miracles redefines the genre, with the dystopian aspect creeping in slowly and taking a back seat to the family drama in this unique coming-of-age novel.
8
'Sharp Objects' by Gillian Flynn
The Sharp Objects TV show has been in the making for a long time now, but filming finally started this year with Amy Adams in the lead role. The Sharp Objects novel is even creepier than its more famous successor Gone Girl, so you might need to watch this show from behind a pillow.
9
The Raven Cycle series by Maggie Stiefvater
Maggie Stiefvater is one of the biggest names in YA at the moment, and so it feels like the whole young adult world will be tuning in when the Raven Cycle TV series hits our screens. No date has been announced yet, so you've got plenty of time to get caught up on the books while we wait!
