Buzz
Books have been the foundation for countless top-tier TV shows, ranging from gripping sci-fi sagas to riveting true-crime stories. Whether you're eager to explore the source material behind your favorite series or want to dive into a book before its screen debut, these nine adaptations are perfect to explore.
1. Shadow and Bone // Netflix
Inspired by: Leigh Bardugo's Shadow and Bone trilogy and the Six of Crows duology
Leigh Bardugo, the acclaimed novelist, crafted her YA fantasy series within a shared universe known to fans as the “Grishaverse.” Netflix acquired the rights to her works to produce the series Shadow and Bone. The story unfolds in a war-ravaged world, highlighting the Grisha, a military force with the ability to manipulate natural elements like water, wind, and fire. The series intertwines two narratives: one follows Alina Starkov, the protagonist of the Shadow and Bone books, who discovers her power to summon light and aims to liberate her kingdom after training with the Grisha. The other, inspired by the Six of Crows series, revolves around a band of criminals hired to capture Starkov, diverging from the original plot where their mission was a prison break.
Shadow and Bone debuted on April 23.
2. The Witcher // Netflix
Inspired by: Andrzej Sapkowski's The Witcher series
The The Witcher series has excelled in adaptation, expanding into comics, tabletop RPGs, and a renowned video game franchise. Netflix's first season draws from The Last Wish and The Sword of Destiny, collections of short stories introducing Geralt of Rivia, his beloved Yennefer of Vengerberg, and Ciri, the child bound to Geralt by fate. The second season shifts from the non-linear structure of the first, potentially incorporating events from Blood of Elves alongside unseen material from The Last Wish.
The second season of The Witcher is anticipated to launch on Netflix in late 2021, though a specific date remains unconfirmed. Additionally, fans can look forward to an animated spin-off, The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf, centered on Geralt’s mentor, Vesemir, slated for release in 2021.
3. The Umbrella Academy // Netflix
Many fans of comic book adaptations feel hesitant to explore the original material. If you’re among them, The Umbrella Academy is an excellent starting point, with only 24 issues currently available.
The narrative centers on a group of superpowered children adopted by a renowned scientist, trained to protect the world from an unknown danger. The first season adapts the comic’s “Apocalypse Suite,” while the second season diverges significantly from the “Dallas” arc. The show bypasses the third comic, “Hotel Oblivion,” and draws inspiration for its third season from the upcoming fourth installment, “The Sparrow Academy.”
Netflix has not yet revealed a release date for the third season of The Umbrella Academy, nor has a date been set for the comic arc “The Sparrow Academy.”
4. The Boys // Amazon Prime
Inspired by: Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson's The Boys comic series
The Boys serves as an excellent introduction to comic books for those seeking a self-contained narrative. However, both the comic and the TV series are rated mature due to their graphic violence and explicit content, making them unsuitable for readers who prefer to avoid such themes across its 72 issues.
Set in a world resembling ours, superheroes exist and are commonplace, yet their celebrity status often overshadows the collateral damage they cause. This starkly contrasts the heroic universes of Marvel and DC Comics. Initially published under DC's Wildstorm imprint, the series was canceled after six issues due to its anti-superhero stance, as noted by creator Garth Ennis. However, Ennis retained the rights and found a new publisher to continue the series.
Although the comics and the show share similar worlds and characters, their plots diverge significantly. For instance, the protagonists are CIA operatives in the comics but function as outlaws in the series.
The second season of The Boys premiered in September 2020, with a third season currently in development.
5. I’ll be Gone in the Dark // HBO Max
Inspired by: Michelle McNamara's I’ll be Gone in the Dark: One Woman's Obsessive Search for the Golden State Killer
This gripping true-crime story on HBO explores the origins of Michelle McNamara's book I'll Be Gone in the Dark and how the case she was fixated on was resolved post-publication. McNamara was captivated by an elusive serial killer, burglar, and rapist active from the 1970s to the mid-1980s, referred to as the “East Area Rapist.” Her 2013 article in Los Angeles magazine coined the term “The Golden State Killer,” which gained widespread use. Shortly after, she secured a deal with HarperCollins to author a book on the subject.
Tragically, McNamara passed away in April 2016 with her book only two-thirds finished. Her husband, comedian Patton Oswalt, along with crime writer Paul Haynes and investigative journalist Billy Jensen, organized her chapters and completed the remaining sections. The book was published nearly two years after her death.
Shortly after the book's release, Joseph James DeAngelo, a former police officer and Navy veteran, was arrested, charged, and ultimately convicted of the crimes. His capture was made possible through forensic genetic genealogy, which identified a relative who had submitted their DNA to the GEDmatch database.
6. Lupin // Netflix
Inspired by: Maurice Leblanc's Lupin series
For over a century, Sherlock Holmes has dominated English-language mystery novels. However, in French literature, Arsène Lupin, a “gentleman thief” introduced in 1905, holds that distinction. Lupin employs his wit and charisma to unravel mysteries and execute heists, targeting only those who deserve it.
Netflix's Lupin centers on Assane Diop, a thief whose father takes his own life after being falsely accused of stealing a priceless diamond necklace. As an adult, Assane draws inspiration from the Lupin tales to exact revenge on the family responsible for his father's downfall. While not a direct adaptation, the series builds on the original books to create a fresh narrative.
The initial five episodes of Lupin debuted on Netflix in January, with the second part slated for release in summer 2021.
7. The Queen’s Gambit // Netflix
Inspired by: Walter Tevis's The Queen’s Gambit
Few could have foreseen that a Netflix series about chess would become one of 2020's biggest hits. The show captivated audiences with its tale of a young female chess prodigy navigating a male-dominated world, blending a classic hero's journey with her battle against personal struggles like addiction. Enhanced by breathtaking cinematography and period costumes, the series struck a chord with viewers worldwide.
Although adaptations often deviate from their source material, this series remains largely true to the novel, even incorporating direct quotes from the book.
8. Bridgerton // Netflix
Inspired by: Julia Quinn's Bridgerton series
Both the Bridgerton books and the Netflix adaptation revolve around a wealthy Regency-era British family with eight children: four sons and four daughters. Each book highlights the romantic journey of one sibling, with the show's first season adapting The Duke and I. In this story, Daphne, the eldest daughter, teams up with Simon Bassett, the Duke of Hastings, to help him avoid marriage while securing a better match for herself.
Bridgerton has been greenlit for three additional seasons.
9. The Underground Railroad // Amazon Prime
Inspired by: Colson Whitehead's The Underground Railroad
Set in an alternate reality, this narrative reimagines the Underground Railroad as an actual railway aiding enslaved individuals in their quest for freedom. The story centers on Cora, a woman fleeing enslavement. Adapted by Barry Jenkins, the visionary behind Moonlight, the series premieres on May 14.
Are you a book enthusiast? Do you crave fascinating insights into authors and their creations? Don’t miss our latest release, The Curious Reader: A Literary Miscellany of Novels and Novelists, available May 25!
