Adaptingbooksfor televisionholds certain key advantages over coming up with entirely original work for the screen, particularly in the case of literary releases which have been major successes in their own right. Certain novels and historical writings automatically lend themselves to screen renderings, and their TV adaptations are virtually guaranteed triumphs, if done properly.
On the other hand, there are major pitfalls that need to be avoided when adapting literary works into TV series. Some adaptations adhere too closely to the structure, plot, and formal elements of their source material, when these aspects of a novel don’t actually work well onscreen.
Other screen versions stray too far from the much-loved, bestselling books they’re based on, incurring the wrath of legions of fans. Even if a TV adaptation avoids both these mistakes, it still has to do even more to win viewers over, through the collective efforts of countless cast and crew members rather than the pen of a solitary author.
Luckily, there are dozens of small-screen adaptations out there which have absolutely nailed the books they were based on, both in style and in spirit. In fact, whether it’sexcellent sci-fi book adaptationsortop-ranking fantasy shows out there based on books, the prevalence of first-rate television originating from works of literature has never been greater than it is today.
15The Outsider
Based On The 2018 Novel By Stephen King
Arguably thebest Stephen King TV showof all time,The Outsideris every bit as darkly thrilling as its source material, with the expansive format of an HBO miniseries a perfect match for the disquieting tone set by King’s novel. The show benefits from some extraordinary performances, too, especially in the case of Cynthia Erivo.
Playing Holly Gibney, a recurring character in Stephen King’s stories with near-supernatural capabilities, Erivo puts her own stamp on the role like no one else could. While she steals every scene she’s in, however, Ben Mendelsohn is equally outstanding in the show’s lead role as detective Ralph Anderson.
14Sharp Objects
Based On The 2006 Novel By Gillian Flynn
One of the most stylish TV adaptations of a novel ever made,Sharp Objectsis a must-watch thrillerwhich combines the Southern Gothic setup of Gillian Flynn’s 2006 novel with dazzling noir aesthetics. Amy Adams is sensational as troubled crime reporter Camille Preaker, while creator and lead writer Marti Noxon has a superb handle on Flynn’s gripping plot.
WithDallas Buyers ClubandLittle Big Liesdirector Jean-Marc Vallée behind the camera,Sharp Objectsmoves beyond even the searing brilliance of the book it’s based on, developing its own irresistible dramatic impetus. It’s singularly brilliant TV miniseries like this one that threaten the future of cinema.
13Orange is the New Black
Based On The 2006 Memoir By Piper Kerman
Orange Is the New Blacktakes the real-life inspirationof Piper Kerman’s prison memoir and runs with it, turning her story into a TV series that’s at once much warmer and far darker. The first truly great Netflix original show, this comedy-drama is brimming with wonderful characterizations and captivating storylines.
Fan-favorites Poussey Washington and Lorna Morello are two of the best TV characters ever created, although no one in Litchfield Penitentiary is given special treatment.Orange Is the New Blacknever shies away from the harrowing realities of life on the inside, but its angle of approach makes it one of the most astutely sympathetic prison dramas ever written.
12Shōgun
Based On The 1975 Novel By James Clavell
James Clavell’sShōgunnow has two superb TV adaptations, but it’s the series which debuted in 2024 that we’re focusing on here. The show has set a new benchmark for pre-modern historical war dramas, with its stunning set designs, exquisite location shots, and realistic dialogue.
While this iteration ofShōgunmakes key changes to Clavell’s novel, it arguably does an even better job of realizing the period details of its medieval Japanese setting. With season 2 on the way, the series is shaping up to be a contender for television’s greatest ever historical epic.
11Bosch
Based On The Novel Series By Michael Connelly
Michael Connelly’sHarry Boschbooksgave Amazon Studios a tough act to follow in adapting the legendary detective character’s stories for the screen. Nevertheless, with Connelly on board as a screenwriter and Titus Welliver as a formidable lead performer,Boschactually surpassed its literary source material to become one of Prime Video’s biggest and best original series.
Across 10 seasons of episodes – including spinoff seriesBosch: Legacy– the show brought neo-noir crime drama to the masses like nothing on television before it. Simultaneously slick and no-nonsense, it almost singlehandedly rescued American detective antiheroes from the past and placed them at the cutting edge of the streaming age.
10The Night Manager
Based On The 1993 Novel By John Le Carré
WhileBoschwas gathering momentum as the premier detective show in the United States, across the pond British miniseriesThe Night Managerwas becoming the most celebrated small-screen adaptation of a work by renowned espionage novelist John Le Carré. The miniseries that turned Tom Hiddleston into a major star also features Hugh Laurie at his very best.
Now thatHiddleston is returning for new seasons ofThe Night Manager, the show has the potential to move even higher up this list in the future. This elegant and beautifully acted spy thriller justifiably made Hiddleston the frontrunner to take over from Daniel Craig as James Bond in the late 2010s. In this sense, its revival couldn’t be more timely.
9Game of Thrones
Based On The Novel Series By George R. R. Martin
One of the biggest small-screen adaptations of a book series in history,Game of Thronesnails its source material for four straight seasons, culminating in all-time great TV episodes like season 3’s “The Rains of Castamere” and season 4’s “The Children”. It helped that the show had novelist George R. R. Martin on board to help with its adaptation of its novels.
Martin actually wrote four episodes ofGame of Throneshimself. On the basis of its first four seasons alone, the show would make a strong case for being number one on this list. From season 5 onwards, however, it faded badly, not least because its writers were no longer basing their storylines directly on Martin’s novels.
8Roots
Based On The 1976 Novel By Alex Haley
Rootsis another historical novel with two adaptations worthy of making this list, but it’s the 2016 version of the story that really captures what author Alex Haley was aiming for with his controversial literary work. Although the groundbreaking original 1977miniseries has no bad episodes, it’s the more recent remake that really raises the bar as a historical dramatization.
The 2016 History channel remake boasts Forest Whitaker and Laurence Fishburne among its cast, and goes even further and deeper in its portrayal of slavery from the perspective of the African Americans who experienced it. Besides Steve McQueen’s Oscar-winning movie12 Years a Slave, no other screen drama can rivalRoots’ raw and piercingly real depiction of this subject matter.
7The Leftovers
Based On The 2011 Novel By Tom Perrotta
What setsThe Leftoversapart from any other supernatural TV series isn’t the social realism of its speculative scenarios, or its clever handling of an unexplainable event. It’s the way the show makes Tom Perrotta’s ingenious premise resonate with us on a profoundly personal level.
Theending ofThe Leftovers, in particular, bears a heftier emotional load than most drama series with entirely naturalistic conceits. Mesmerizing central performances from the likes Justin Theroux and Carrie Coon help convince us of just how close to home the show’s imagined reality actually is.
6Normal People
Based On The 2018 Novel By Sally Rooney
Marianne Sheridan and Connell Waldron’s romance inNormal Peoplehad already captured the imaginations of millions of readers by the time it found its way onto our screens. But this visual realization of their story only reinforced the rare brilliance of Sally Rooney’s novel.
The Irish-produced miniseries stays grounded and faithful to its source material throughout 12 episodes of understated beauty.Normal Peopleturns Rooney’s poignant insights into young adulthood into a screen narrative worthy of her most beloved work.
