My Top 10 TV Adaptations of Books…
So, there aren’t a vast majority of TV shows that are
adapted from books, and even less that I’ve heard of or seen, but when I was
thinking about it I made a list; there weren’t that many, and some of them are
truly awful, so I thought I’d let people know about the ones that are actually
good and deserve to be watched, here it goes…
10. Pretty Little Liars
Based on the book series of the same name by Sara Shepard
the show focuses on a group of friends who are dealing with the loss of one of
their own, a mysteriously creepy stalker named ‘A’, and incredibly bumpy
relationships. While the show isn’t perfect, the acting and script writing are
very well done, and the crazy mishaps of Rosewood somehow seem normal to us by
now; luckily for fans, the show doesn’t stick too close to the books – or we’d
be in for some very strange twists and relationship mix-ups. Though the show does seem to be getting a
little longwinded nowadays, Pretty Little Liars is a whirlwind of crazy
storylines, rollercoaster relationships (we all ship Ezria and Haleb!), and
emotional turmoil, all wrapped up in pretty little package, and on Netflix!
9. Hannibal
A series long awaited by fans of both the books and the
films, Hannibal is based on Thomas Harris’ Red
Dragon and depicts the relationship
between FBI Special Investigator Will Graham and Dr. Hannibal Lecter, a
forensic psychiatrist, who is destined to become Will’s enemy. The performances
given by the cast are truly brilliant, and the visual style of the show is
something to behold as it represents Will Graham’s ability to ‘get in the
minds’ of the killer through the victims beautifully. The show was
unfortunately cancelled upon the conclusion of its third season, due to falling
ratings, but there are talks of a revival…
8. The White Queen
This mini-series, based on Philippa Gregory’s historical
novel series The Cousins’ War, was
set against the backdrop of the Wars of the Roses; it focuses on the fight over
who is the rightful King of England, as two sides of the same family, the House
of York and the House of Lancaster, come to blows. The three women central to
the fight are the protagonists of each of Gregory’s books and the show makes
use of all of them to create an attention grabbing, entertaining historical
show –one so good I wanted to change history so that my favourite couple could
be together. While it is by no means perfect, with its sometimes over-crowded
plot lines, it makes up for its misgivings with beautiful costumes and superb
cast.
7. The Vampire Diaries
Based on the book series of the same name by L.J. Smith, the
series takes place in Mystic Falls, a fictional town in Virginia that draws in
supernatural beings; the show follows Elena Gilbert as she is torn between two
brothers, all the while discovering and fighting vampires, werewolves and
witches. Oh, and her evil doppelganger. The show, while very different for Smith’s
books, is all the better for it; there would be major changes, including
drastic appearance changes and even the loss of Jeremy, Elena’s lovable
brother, who is actually a little girl named Margaret in the books! The show is
now past the point where some fans, especially me, think that the show should
have ended, beautifully and with closure, as the most recent season saw the
exit of a main character and a whole lot a messing around with relationships.
6. Bones
Bones is loosely based on the life and writings of novelist
and forensic anthropologist Kathy Reichs and centres on Dr. Temperance Brennen,
a forensic anthropologist, who works closely with FBI Special Agent Seeley
Booth and her team at the Jeffersonian Institute in Washington D.C. to solve crimes.
The will they-won’t they relationship between Brennan and Booth, which is a
focal point of the show, along with those of the rest of the team, and the
continuous working relationship provides tension, humour, angst and
entertainment for its viewers. The show is now in its 11th season
and has been in the position to conclude many times, is still as gripping as
ever.
5. Gossip Girl
Once again based on the book series of the same name by
Cecily von Ziegesar, Gossip Girl
focuses on a group of wealthy teenagers on the Upper East Side of Manhattan and
is narrated by the omniscient ‘Gossip Girl’. We follow Serena, Blair, Dan,
Chuck, Nate and the rest of the group through high school and beyond while they
deal with turbulent relationships, shocking revelations and lots and lots of
gossip. The show draws you in with its complex characterisation and intrigue,
and while it did have a pretty controversial (at least for fans) ending, it is
a brilliant show that re-imagines Ziegesar’s characters in a classy,
fashionable way.
4. True Blood
Adapted from Charlaine Harris’ The Southern Vampire Mysteries, this show focuses of Sookie
Stackhouse, a telepathic waitress, and the town of Bon Temps, Louisiana, as
they deal with vampires “coming out of the coffin”. The creation of synthetic blood means that
vampires can reveal their existence to the world, creating tension across the
supernatural world. During the series Sookie and her friends navigate through the
new supernatural world after meeting Bon Temps’ first vampire, Bill Compton, and
face many challenges created by creatures such as shapeshifters, werewolves, witches
and faeries. The series has its ups and down, Eric Northman being very much an ‘up’,
and does lose its way sometimes, but, ultimately, is a great interpretation of
Harris’ characters. Even if the ending was changed, and not for the better.
3. The Last Ship
Based of William Brinkley’s novel of the same name, The Last Ship focuses on the crew on
board the USS Nathan James, a U.S
Navy destroyer, who discover that while they’ve been on mission in the Arctic,
at radio silence, a virus has not only wiped out 80% of the world’s population,
but that the doctor they’ve been working with has secretly been tasked with developing
a cure. While on the Nathan James mission
comes first, the personal relationships of the crew, and their concern over the
survival of family members pulls at the heartstrings of viewers. The cast is
not only incredibly talented, but the scripts are very accurate in their
imitation of the U.S Navy, and, while it does not strictly stick to the plot of
Brinkley’s novel, it improves upon it and creates a show that is current and
grips viewers. An explosive, entertaining show that I can only see getting
bigger and better from here.
2. Sherlock
Based on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s detective stories,
Sherlock is a present-day reinterpretation of much loved characters and
storylines. Dr. John Watson, recently returned from military service in Afghanistan,
meets Sherlock Holmes when looking for a flatmate - enter 221B Baker Street.
Sherlock and John work together with the police to solve crimes and despite
much scepticism at first, prove to be valuable assets. John creates a blog that
makes a reluctant celebrity of Sherlock, bringing humour to an often serious
show. The show, with its plot twists and truly talented cast, is an incredible
adaptation of Doyle’s work.
1.
Game of Thrones
An
adaptation of George R. R. Martin’s A
Song of Ice and Fire series, the show is set in a fictional world, and
tells the story of the fight for the Iron Throne of the Seven Kingdoms; noble
families violently attempt to stake their claims to the throne and wreak havoc
to get what they want. If nothing else, Game
of Thrones has taught its viewers never to get attached to characters;
George will know. Filled with violence and sex, the show entertains with its
dark tone and fantasy setting, and despite deviating from Martin’s timeline
occasionally, is a fantastic adaptation. The show’s acting, complex characters,
storylines and scope are outstanding; Game
of Thrones deserves the recognition it gets.
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