Don't miss these gripping TV shows adapted from best-selling books
TV bosses are taking a novel approach to making shows, with bestsellers being turned into gripping thrillers and captivating dramas. From Game of Thrones to The Handmaid's Tale and Bridgerton, some of our favourite TV shows are based on beloved books. For page-turning new shows, look no further… here we take a look at a dozen of the best book-to-TV adaptations coming soon.
A Woman Of Substance, Channel 4
Novel: A Woman Of Substance by Barbara Taylor Bradford
Plot: Fresh from hanging up her Vera hat, Brenda Blethyn is now starring as the inimitable Emma Harte, a poor housemaid-turned-mogul, daughter, mother, lover, fighter and 20th century feminist icon who refused to know her place. Jessica Reynolds plays the younger Emma, with other cast including Emmett J Scanlan, Leanne Best, Will Mellor and Lenny Rush. A rags to riches tale based on the 1979 multi-million bestseller that is still searingly relevant. Brenda says: 'As a fan of Barbara Taylor Bradford, it is an unmissable opportunity to play the fierce Emma Harte.'
Frankenstein, Netflix
Novel: Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
Plot: Oscar-winning director Guillermo del Toro adapts this classic tale of scientist Victor Frankenstein, a brilliant but egotistical scientist who creates a monster and brings it to life. Lurching onto screens in November, the monster film stars Oscar Isaac as Victor, Jacob Elordi as Frankenstein's monster and Mia Goth as Elizabeth Lavenza, Victor's fiancee. Watch out also for David Bradley, Charles Dance and Ralph Ineson. Oscar says: 'Playing Frankenstein has been the experience of a lifetime.'
Harry Potter, Sky Max
Novel: Need you ask?
Plot: After an open casting call that sent the nation's parents flying into action, this TV adaptation of J.K.Rowling's novels will star newcomers Dominic McLaughlin as Harry, Arabella Stanton as Hermione and Alastair Stout as Ron. Each series will focus on one of the books, starting with the debut story The Philosopher's Stone. Some big names are lined up including John Lithgow as Dumbledore, Paul Whitehouse as Argus Filch, Katherine Parkinson as Molly Weasley, Nick Frost as Hagrid and Bertie Carvel as Cornelius Fudge. It's bound to be magic.
The Thursday Murder Club, Netflix
Novel: The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman
Plot: With an incredible cast, including Pierce Brosnan, Helen Mirren, Ben Kingsley, Celia Imrie, Daniel Mays, David Tennant and Richard E. Grant, this adaptation of the cosy crime thriller has been hugely anticipated. The feature-length whodunit, starting on August 28, follows a group of senior sleuths in a retirement home who gather to solve murders for fun, but find themselves caught up in a real case. Director Chris Columbus teases: 'They are facing their own demise, but are obsessed with studying cold cases. It's comedic but also very emotional.'
Lynley, BBC1
Plot: Leo Suter and Sofia Barclay star as the unconventional detective duo DI Tommy Lynley and DS Barbara Havers in this new imagining of the hit crime novels. If it sounds familiar, it's already been on the BBC in the past as The Inspector Lynley Mysteries, but this latest version promises a contemporary update. Lynley is a brilliant detective, but an outsider in the force thanks to his aristocratic upbringing. He's paired with Havers, a working-class sergeant with a maverick attitude. But they make a formidable team, bonded by their desire to see justice done. Also features Daniel Mays and Niamh walsh. Author Elizabeth says: 'Watching my characters brought to life on television is a real celebration.'
Murder Before Evensong, 5
Novel: Murder Before Evensong by Rev Richard Coles
Plot: This six-parter promises all the hallmarks of cosy crime - small village drama, gossip and secrets and a murder that shakes a community to its core. Canon Daniel Clement (Matthew Lewis) lives in the quaint village of Champton with his widowed mother - opinionated, fearless and annoying Audrey (Amanda Redman). But when Daniel suggests installing a loo in the church, the seemingly innocent plan stirs up trouble - and then a body is found in the church, stabbed in the neck with a pair of secateurs. The cast includes Amit Shah, Meghan Treadway, Tamzin Outhwaite.
Waiting For The Out, BBC1
Novel: The Life Inside by Andy West
Plot: Based on a memoir, Josh Finan leads the cast as Dan, a philosopher who begins teaching a class of men in prison. He leads discussions about dominance, freedom and luck, topics that ignite passions and create tensions. Through his work, Dan begins to dig deeper into his own past – growing up with a violent father (Gerard Kearns) who ended up in prison, as did his brother Lee (Stephen Wight) and uncle Frank (Phil Daniels). Josh says: 'It's a hugely sensitive, empathic, hilarious and at times deeply emotional story.'
Ladies In Black, U
Plot: This stylish six-part Australian import is set in the 1960s and follows the lives of women working at a fictional department store in Sydney. At a time of huge social change, they must navigate love, ambition and identity. Miranda Otto, who plays the head of model gowns, Virginia, says: 'I loved the book and thought the TV series was a great chance to take the story further. Also stars Clare Hughes, Debi Mazar, Jessica DeGouw and Azizi Donnelly. Expect glamour, gloss and girdles.
The Seven Dials Mystery, Netflix
Novel: The Seven Dials Mystery by Agatha Christie
Plot: Billed as 'Agatha Christie, for a whole new generation'. It's England, 1925. At a lavish country house party, a practical joke appears to have gone horribly, murderously wrong. It will be up to the unlikeliest of sleuths - the inquisitive Lady Eileen 'Bundle' Brent (Mia Mckenna-Bruce) - to unravel a chilling plot that will change her life, cracking wide open the country house mystery. Mia is joined by top British talent, including Helena Bonham Carter as Lady Caterham and Martin Freeman as Battle. Mia says: 'I am thrilled to be part of this new interpretation.'
The Walsh Sisters, BBC1
Novel: Rachel's Holiday and Anybody Out There by Marian Keyes
Plot: Irish author Marian's much-loved Walsh family are the focus of this Dublin-set saga, based on two of her books. It follows the lives of sisters Rachel (Caroline Menton), Claire (Danielle Galligan), Maggie (Stefanie Preissner), Helen (Mairead Tyers) and Anna (Louisa Harland) as they navigate their 20s and 30s. A comedy with series topics, expect themes of heartbreak, grief, addiction and parenthood. Marian says: 'I love the scripts, they've really kept the spirit of the books.'
Steve, Netflix
Plot: Cillian Murphy stars in this intense feature-length drama that is based on a book that 'broke his heart'. He plays a headteacher at a college that aims to reform students, with the story taking place over 24 hours. As he and the students try to stop the school facing closure, Steve also struggles with his mental health. The plot also follows Shy, a troubled teenager who is on a self-destructive path. Cillian says: 'I love films that happen in real time, there's immediately an intense pressure on the characters.'
A Knight Of The Seven Kingdoms, Sky Atlantic
Novel: A Knight Of The Seven Kingdoms novels by George R.R. Martin
Plot: Game of Thrones fans, brace yourselves, the world of Westeros is expanding with this second prequel spin-off. Set 100 years before GoT and 100 years after House of the Dragon, this six-parter tells a gentler tale about Ser Duncan the Tall (Peter Claffey) and his squire Egg (Dexter Sol Ansell). It's a lighter series, but author George teases: 'It's still Westeros, so no one is truly safe.'
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