Our team compiled the TV Shows Based on books and here is what they came up with
TV shows based on books have been a popular trend in recent years, with a variety of genres and themes explored. From dystopian dramas to superhero series, these shows have been able to capture the hearts of audiences and critics alike. Shows like “Game of Thrones” and “The Handmaid’s Tale” have been widely appreciated for their exploration of oppression, power, and society in a post-apocalyptic world. Other shows like “The Umbrella Academy” and “The Witcher” have been praised for their unique storytelling, complex characters, and their ability to blend the fantasy and superhero genres. The attention to detail in recreating the worlds of the source material has also been a key factor in the success of these shows. These examples are just a small selection of the many successful TV shows based on books, and it is exciting to see what future adaptations will bring to the small screen.
Here are the 20 TV Shows Based on books to check out on the streaming service.
1. Game of Thrones (2011-2019)
Rated TV-MA, this fantasy-drama TV show is based on the “A Song of Ice and Fire” book series by George R.R. Martin. The show stars Emilia Clarke, Kit Harington, and Peter Dinklage. Created by David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, the show was widely appreciated for its exploration of complex political and social issues, strong performances, and attention to detail in recreating the world of the books. The show ran for 8 seasons.
2. The Handmaid’s Tale (2017-2022)
Rated TV-MA, this dystopian drama TV show is based on the 1985 novel of the same name by Margaret Atwood. The show stars Elisabeth Moss, Ann Dowd, and Joseph Fiennes. Created by Bruce Miller, the show was widely appreciated for its exploration of women’s rights and the dangers of authoritarian regimes, as well as its strong performances and attention to detail in recreating the world of the book. The show ran for 6 seasons.
3. Outlander (2014-2021)
Rated TV-MA, this historical fantasy-drama TV show is based on the “Outlander” book series by Diana Gabaldon. The show stars Caitriona Balfe and Sam Heughan. Created by Ronald D. Moore, the show was widely appreciated for its attention to historical detail, exploration of time-travel and the impact it has on the characters, as well as its strong performances. The show ran for 8 seasons.
4. The Crown (2016-2022)
Rated TV-MA, this historical-drama TV show is based on the reign of Queen Elizabeth II. The show stars Claire Foy, Matt Smith and Olivia Colman. Created by Peter Morgan, the show was widely appreciated for its exploration of the personal and political lives of the royal family, strong performances and attention to historical detail. The show ran for 6 seasons.
5. Big Little Lies (2017-2019)
Rated TV-MA, this drama TV show is based on the 2014 novel of the same name by Liane Moriarty. The show stars Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman and Shailene Woodley. Created by David E. Kelley, the show was widely appreciated for its exploration of the secrets and lies of a group of affluent mothers in a small town, as well as its strong performances and attention to detail in recreating the world of the book. The show ran for 2 seasons.
6. The Leftovers (2014-2017)
Rated TV-MA, this drama TV show is based on the 2011 novel of the same name by Tom Perrotta. The show stars Justin Theroux, Amy Brenneman and Christopher Eccleston. Created by Damon Lindelof and Tom Perrotta, the show was widely appreciated for its exploration of grief, loss, and faith in the aftermath of a global event known as the “Sudden Departure,” in which 2% of the world’s population vanished without explanation. The show was praised for its strong performances, unique storytelling, and thought-provoking themes.
7. The Terror (2018-2019)
Rated TV-MA, this horror-drama TV show is based on the 2007 novel of the same name by Dan Simmons. The show stars Jared Harris, Ciarán Hinds, and Tobias Menzies. Created by David Kajganich and Soo Hugh, the show was widely appreciated for its attention to historical detail, exploration of the psychological horror of being stranded in the Arctic, and strong performances. The show ran for 2 seasons.
8. Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan (2018-2022)
Rated TV-MA, this action-thriller TV show is based on the characters created by Tom Clancy. The show stars John Krasinski, Wendell Pierce, and Abbie Cornish. Created by Carlton Cuse and Graham Roland, the show was widely appreciated for its attention to detail in recreating the world of Tom Clancy’s novels, strong performances, and exploration of contemporary political issues. The show ran for 5 seasons.
9. The Witcher (2019-2022)
Rated TV-MA, this fantasy-drama TV show is based on the book series of the same name by Andrzej Sapkowski. The show stars Henry Cavill, Anya Chalotra, and Freya Allan. Created by Lauren Schmidt Hissrich, the show was widely appreciated for its attention to detail in recreating the world of the books, strong performances, and exploration of themes of destiny, power, and morality. The show was praised for its unique storytelling, complex characters and its ability to blend the fantasy genre with dark and mature themes. The show ran for 3 seasons.
10. Stranger Things (2016-2022)
Rated TV-14, this science fiction-horror TV show is set in the fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana in the 1980s. The show was created by the Duffer Brothers and stars Winona Ryder, David Harbour, Finn Wolfhard, and Millie Bobby Brown. The show was widely appreciated for its exploration of nostalgia, friendship, and the supernatural, as well as its attention to detail in recreating the world of the 1980s. The show was praised for its unique storytelling, complex characters, and its ability to blend the science fiction and horror genres. The show ran for 6 seasons.
11. Dark (2017-2020)
Rated TV-MA, this science fiction-thriller TV show is set in the fictional German town of Winden, the show explores the aftermath of a child’s disappearance and the secrets that the town’s residents have kept. The show was created by Baran bo Odar and Jantje Friese and stars Louis Hofmann, Andreas Pietschmann and Dietrich Hollinderbäumer. The show was widely appreciated for its exploration of time travel, family dynamics, and the consequences of one’s actions. The show was praised for its unique storytelling, complex characters, and its ability to blend the science fiction and thriller genres. The show ran for 3 seasons.
12. The Umbrella Academy (2019-2022)
Rated TV-MA, this superhero-drama TV show is based on the comic book series of the same name by Gerard Way and Gabriel Bá. The show stars Ellen Page, Tom Hopper, and David Castañeda. Created by Steve Blackman, the show was widely appreciated for its exploration of family dynamics, the consequences of power, and the end of the world, as well as its attention to detail in recreating the world of the comics. The show was praised for its unique storytelling, complex characters, and its ability to blend the superhero and drama genres. The show ran for 4 seasons.
13. The 100 (2014-2020)
Rated TV-14, this post-apocalyptic sci-fi drama TV show is based on the book series of the same name by Kass Morgan. The show stars Eliza Taylor, Bob Morley, and Marie Avgeropoulos. Created by Jason Rothenberg, the show was widely appreciated for its exploration of survival, morality, and power, as well as its attention to detail in recreating the world of the books. The show was praised for its unique storytelling, complex characters, and its ability to blend the science fiction and drama genres. The show ran for 7 seasons.
14. American Gods (2017-2021)
Rated TV-MA, this fantasy-drama TV show is based on the novel of the same name by Neil Gaiman. The show stars Ricky Whittle, Ian McShane, and Emily Browning. Created by Bryan Fuller and Michael Green, the show was widely appreciated for its exploration of mythology, faith, and power, as well as its attention to detail in recreating the world of the novel. The show was praised for its unique storytelling, complex characters, and its ability to blend the fantasy and drama genres. The show ran for 4 seasons.
15. Westworld (2016-2022)
Rated TV-MA, this science fiction-thriller TV show is based on the 1973 film of the same name by Michael Crichton. The show stars Evan Rachel Wood, Thandie Newton, and Jeffrey Wright. Created by Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy, the show was widely appreciated for its exploration of artificial intelligence, power, and human nature, as well as its attention to detail in recreating the world of the film. The show was praised for its unique storytelling, complex characters, and its ability to blend the science fiction and thriller genres. The show ran for 6 seasons.
16. Shadow and Bone (2021-Present)
Rated TV-14, this fantasy-drama TV show is based on the book series “The Grisha Trilogy” by Leigh Bardugo. The show stars Jessie Mei Li, Archie Renaux, and Freddy Carter. Created by Eric Heisserer, the show was widely appreciated for its exploration of fantasy world-building, power, and destiny, as well as its attention to detail in recreating the world of the books. The show was praised for its unique storytelling, complex characters, and its ability to blend the fantasy and drama genres. The show is still airing and is currently on its 1st season.
17. The Queen’s Gambit (2020)
Rated TV-MA, this drama TV show is based on the novel of the same name by Walter Tevis. The show stars Anya Taylor-Joy, Bill Camp, and Marielle Heller. Created by Scott Frank, the show was widely appreciated for its exploration of chess, power, and addiction, as well as its attention to detail in recreating the world of the novel. The show was praised for its unique storytelling, complex characters, and its ability to blend the drama and sports genres. The show ran for 1 season.
18. Perry Mason (2020-2021)
Rated TV-MA, this crime-drama TV show is based on the book series of the same name by Erle Stanley Gardner. The show stars Matthew Rhys, Tatiana Maslany, and John Lithgow. Created by Rolin Jones and Ron Fitzgerald, the show was widely appreciated for its exploration of law, power, and corruption, as well as its attention to detail in recreating the world of the books. The show was praised for its unique storytelling, complex characters, and its ability to blend the crime and drama genres. The show ran for 2 seasons.
19. Fargo (2014-Present)
Rated TV-MA, this crime-drama TV show is based on the 1996 film of the same name by Joel and Ethan Coen. The show stars Billy Bob Thornton, Martin Freeman, and Allison Tolman. Created by Noah Hawley, the show was widely appreciated for its exploration of crime, power, and the American Midwest, as well as its attention to detail in recreating the world of the film. The show was praised for its unique storytelling, complex characters, and its ability to blend the crime and drama genres. The show has had several seasons.
20. Bates Motel (2013-2017)
Rated TV-MA, this psychological-horror TV show is based on the 1960 film “Psycho” by Alfred Hitchcock. The show stars Freddie Highmore, Vera Farmiga, and Max Thieriot. Created by Carlton Cuse and Kerry Ehrin, the show was widely appreciated for its exploration of mental illness, power, and the prequel story of the iconic villain Norman Bates, as well as its attention to detail in recreating the world of the film. The show was praised for its unique storytelling, complex characters, and its ability to blend the horror and drama genres. The show ran for 5 seasons.
Adapting books into TV shows has proven to be a successful formula for the entertainment industry. From the variety of genres and themes explored, to the attention to detail in recreating the worlds of the source material, these shows have been able to capture the hearts of audiences and critics alike. The examples listed above are just a small selection of the many successful TV shows based on books, and it is exciting to see what future adaptations will bring to the small screen.