25 best TV adaptations of books of all time

TV producers are constantly looking for compelling story ideas. With so many channels and streaming services competing for viewers, they need to create shows that really grab our attention.

Great stories are often found in books because authors have the time and freedom to develop detailed plots, compelling characters, and realistic worlds – making them ideal for adaptation.

As a longtime TV critic, I’ve noticed a fascinating trend: so many of the shows we end up binge-watching actually began as books! Think about it – ‘Killing Eve,’ ‘Game of Thrones,’ even the recent hit ‘Bridgerton’ – they all started life as paperbacks. It’s always exciting to see a great story make the jump from page to screen, and these are prime examples of it working wonderfully.

TopMob has created a list of the best screen adaptations of all time. See if your favorite made the cut!

25 best ever TV adaptations of books:

Killing Eve
Pride and Prejudice
Lord of the Flies
Game of Thrones
His Dark Materials
Normal People
And Then There Were None
Tales of the City
I, Claudius
Slow Horses
Poldark
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
The Handmaid’s Tale
Big Little Lies
The Night Manager
Bridgerton
IT
One Day
Sharp Objects
Heated Rivalry
Pachinko
Wuthering Heights
Brideshead Revisited
Wolf Hall
The Summer I Turned Pretty

Killing Eve (2018)

After its fantastic first season, imagining Killing Eve as just a story on the page feels difficult. Phoebe Waller-Bridge, known for Fleabag, brilliantly brought the show to life, with Jodie Comer delivering a captivating performance as the intricate Villanelle. Sandra Oh’s portrayal of Eve provided a solid counterpoint, creating a perfect dynamic with the mischievous villain. From the moment it aired, viewers were hooked, especially by its striking visuals – like the iconic pink Molly Goddard dress – which lost some of their impact without the show’s presentation. Killing Eve proved how to take a good story and make it even better.

Read the book: Codename Villanelle – Luke Jennings

Pride and Prejudice (1995)

Even if you haven’t watched this particular version of Pride and Prejudice, you likely remember iconic moments, like the scene by the lake. It was a huge hit when it aired, attracting 40% of UK viewers – a remarkable achievement for any TV show. This adaptation was truly groundbreaking, influencing countless other portrayals of Austen’s work. It also launched Colin Firth to stardom, establishing him as one of the UK’s most beloved and recognizable actors.

Read the book: Pride and Prejudice – Jane Austen

Lord of the Flies (2026)

The unsettling nature of Lord of the Flies is intentional, and Jack Thorne’s 2026 adaptation really amplified that feeling. The story itself stayed true to the original, not shying away from the disturbing events that take place on the island. Where the adaptation truly excelled was in its visuals. Thorne used techniques like infrared filming, fisheye lenses, bold color choices, and shaky camera work to create a disorienting and incredibly tense atmosphere, making an already gripping story even more so.

Read the book: Lord of the Flies – William Goulding

Game of Thrones (2011)

The finale of Game of Thrones definitely divided viewers, but the show’s huge global success wasn’t a fluke. David Benioff and DB Weiss did a remarkable job bringing George RR Martin’s complex story to the screen, particularly in the earlier seasons. They skillfully chose key plot points and assembled a perfect cast, resulting in a truly epic television series. Numerous shows and adaptations have attempted to capture the magic of both the books and the series, but none have yet reached the same level of quality.

Read the book: A Game of Thrones – George RR Martin

His Dark Materials (2019)

When Jack Thorne creates a series, people take notice. So, when he adapted Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials, expectations were high. Thorne successfully brought the beloved world of Lyra’s adventures—filled with daemons and excitement—to life on screen. Ruth Wilson and Dafne Keen delivered captivating performances, perfectly portraying their characters and making this adaptation truly special.

Read the book: His Dark Materials – Philip Pullman

Normal People (2020)

While the timing of Normal People‘s release on the BBC – during the first COVID lockdowns when people were looking for something captivating – certainly helped its popularity, the real magic came from the actors. Paul Mescal and Daisy Edgar-Jones, both relatively unknown at the time, perfectly brought Sally Rooney’s modern love story to life. Rooney had already written a great story, but these two charismatic leads elevated the complex and emotional romance even further.

Read the book: Normal People – Sally Rooney

And Then There Were None (2015)

A stellar cast including Douglas Booth, Charles Dance, Anna Maxwell Martin, Sam Neill, and Aidan Turner brought Agatha Christie’s ‘And Then There Were None’ to life in a remarkable adaptation. The story, a classic murder mystery, is set on a remote island that felt even more unsettling and terrifying in this version. Sarah Phelps skillfully amplified the psychological elements of the original novel, creating a dark yet captivating series.

Read the book: And Then There Were None – Agatha Christie

I, Claudius (1976)

As a critic, I have to say I, Claudius is simply masterful. It brought together an incredible collection of British acting talent to tell the fascinating, often brutal, story of the early Roman Empire, based on Robert Graves’s brilliant novel. And Derek Jacobi? He is Claudius. He breathed life into a historical figure most of us only know from textbooks, delivering a performance of incredible depth and nuance. He wasn’t alone, of course – Siân Phillips, Brian Blessed, John Hurt, Patrick Stewart… the cast was absolutely stellar. It’s no surprise the series is now considered a true classic, and easily ranks among the very best British television has ever offered.

Read the book: I, Claudius – Robert Graves

Slow Horses (2022)

Jackson Lamb is a character who truly comes to life on screen – flaws and all. While his brilliant mind is housed in a body he doesn’t bother with, it works much better visually than it would in a book, and that even includes the humor of his less-refined habits. Beyond Lamb, Jack Lowden gives River Cartwright a surprising amount of depth, making him a more compelling spy than we often see on television. And Will Smith’s depiction of London is vibrant and energetic, contributing to a fast-paced thriller filled with visual jokes.

Read the book: Slow Horses – Mick Herron

Poldark (2015)

Debbie Horsfield’s adaptation of Poldark is widely considered one of the best historical dramas ever made, and it’s easy to see why. Aidan Turner, as Ross Poldark, became a star – helped along by some memorable shirtless scenes that quickly went viral. The passionate romance between Ross and Demelza (played by Eleanor Tomlinson) captivated audiences, even those unfamiliar with the original books, and inspired many to pick up the novels. The series also boosted tourism to Cornwall, where it was filmed, and found a large audience in the United States. Overall, it was a remarkably successful adaptation.

Read the book: Ross Poldark – Winston Graham

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (1979)

A sure sign of a successful adaptation is when the original author considers it their favorite. That’s exactly how John le Carré felt about the 1970s BBC series of Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy. Alec Guinness, who played the lead role of George Smiley, received widespread praise for his performance, adding a unique depth to the character as originally written in le Carré’s novel, and ultimately winning numerous awards for his work.

Read the book: Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy – John Le Carré

The Handmaid’s Tale (2017)

Margaret Atwood’s novel, originally published in 1985, became a hugely successful television series over 30 years later, largely due to its timely arrival. The adaptation coincided with Donald Trump’s presidency and a growing conservative movement in the US, as well as intense debate surrounding Roe v Wade. Atwood’s story about the oppression of women and control over their bodies felt particularly relevant and frightening, and the show, starring Elisabeth Moss, brought it to life with compelling performances and stunning visuals.

Read the book: The Handmaid’s Tale – Margaret Atwood

Big Little Lies (2017)

Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman, and Shailene Woodley teamed up to adapt Liane Moriarty’s popular novel, and the resulting TV series became a hit in its own right. The show’s glamorous cast and stunning homes sparked a trend of similar shows focusing on the lives of wealthy, attractive couples. It also introduced Moriarty’s work to a wider audience, leading to increased book sales and a sequel to ‘Big Little Lies’ which is currently in production.

Read the book: Big Little Lies – Liane Moriarty

The Night Manager (2016)

Tom Hiddleston consistently draws attention for his work, but his role as Jonathan Pine in The Night Manager really stood out. John le Carré’s novel was already thrilling, but the television adaptation heightened the drama and suspense. The series featured incredible locations and performances that you simply couldn’t experience while reading the book, resulting in a truly exceptional and memorable show.

Read the book: The Night Manager – John Le Carré

Bridgerton (2020)

I remember when Bridgerton first hit Netflix in late 2020 – a lot of people, myself included, figured it’d be a fun, fluffy romance to pass the time. Boy, were we wrong! It turned out to be a truly exceptional show – visually stunning, incredibly addictive, and just plain gorgeous. It also sparked a huge resurgence in Julia Quinn’s original novels, with fans eagerly diving into the books while waiting for each new episode. Honestly, it wasn’t just a show, it was the beginning of a whole phenomenon.

Read the book: The Duke and I – Julia Quinn

IT: Welcome to Derry (2025)

The series ‘Welcome to Derry’ continued the story of Pennywise the Clown, based on Stephen King’s famous horror novel. Unlike previous adaptations, this Sky series delved into more of the backstory from the book, adding depth to the terrifying world. ‘Welcome to Derry’ also significantly increased the horror elements, becoming one of the most frightening shows on television – a fitting tribute to the source material.

Read the book: IT – Stephen King

One Day (2024)

David Nicholls’s 2009 novel has long been a reader favorite, and it recently gained even more popularity thanks to the new Netflix series. Starring Leo Woodall and Ambika Mod as the central couple, Dexter and Emma, the show offered a deeper, more detailed look at their love story than previous adaptations. Spreading the narrative across multiple episodes allowed viewers to truly connect with the characters, much like reading the book itself. The series was also a huge hit, becoming Netflix’s most-watched show leading up to Valentine’s Day – a clear indication that the adaptation was a success.

Read the book: One Day – David Nicholls

Sharp Objects (2018)

HBO’s adaptation of Gillian Flynn’s novel really shines, thanks to strong performances from Amy Adams and Patricia Clarkson. While Flynn’s original story was already quite dark, producer Marti Noxon skillfully created a stylish and often unsettling atmosphere, making for a truly tense and haunting series. It’s a compelling story, both in its writing and its execution, and definitely worth watching.

Read the book: Sharp Objects – Gillian Flynn

Heated Rivalry (2025)

It’s rare for a series to become a global phenomenon, and it takes something truly special to achieve that. “Heated Rivalry” did just that, launching in November 2025 to immediate and massive popularity thanks to its passionate romance and compelling storyline. The show benefited from perfect timing, capitalizing on the current surge in viral romance stories on platforms like BookTok. The captivating performances and undeniable chemistry between stars Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie quickly made them household names, but perhaps more importantly, the show delivered a well-received and globally celebrated LGBTQ+ story. You couldn’t ask for a better adaptation than that.

Read the book: Heated Rivalry – Rachel Reid

Pachinko (2022)

Based on Min Jin Lee’s novel, the story spans four generations of a Korean family, beginning in the early 1900s and ending in the late 1980s. It powerfully portrays the challenges faced by Korean immigrants in Japan. The 2022 Apple TV+ series adaptation was highly praised by critics, beautifully depicting the family’s strong connections in a sweeping and award-winning drama.

Read the book: Pachinko – Min Jin Lee

Wuthering Heights (1978)

Adapting Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights for the screen has been a frequent topic of discussion lately. While many film and TV versions end with Cathy’s death, the BBC miniseries is often praised for being a particularly accurate adaptation because it continues into the second half of the novel, showing Heathcliff’s quest for revenge. Ken Hutchison and Kay Adshead star as Heathcliff and Cathy in this raw and honest depiction of the story, fully embracing its darker elements.

Read the book: Wuthering Heights – Emily Brontë

Brideshead Revisited (1981)

Any discussion of great TV adaptations would have to include the 1980s ITV series, Brideshead Revisited. Based on Evelyn Waugh’s novel about a British Army officer struggling with disillusionment during World War II, it’s often hailed as one of the best dramas ever produced. Much of its success comes down to the performances of Jeremy Irons and Anthony Andrews, who played Charles Ryder and Lord Sebastian Flyte. The directors, Charles Sturridge and Michael Lindsay-Hogg, were remarkably true to the source material, using over 95% of Waugh’s original dialogue. It’s hard to imagine a more faithful adaptation.

Read the book: Brideshead Revisited – Evelyn Waugh

Wolf Hall (2015)

When it comes to recent book-to-screen adaptations, the 2015 BBC production of Wolf Hall is a standout. Based on Hilary Mantel’s acclaimed 2009 novel – often considered one of the greatest historical novels ever written, covering the period from 1500 to 1535 and the ascent of Thomas Cromwell – the series boasts a fantastic ensemble cast including Mark Rylance, Damian Lewis, and Claire Foy. Wolf Hall is truly compelling because it’s both historically accurate and remarkably true to the spirit of the novels. Add in a stellar cast and beautiful costumes, and you’ve got a series that’s easy to watch all at once.

Read the book: Wolf Hall – Hilary Mantel

The Summer I Turned Pretty (2022)

There’s a special charm to shows that remind you of being a teenager – first loves, summer flings, and complicated relationships are something everyone can relate to. The Summer I Turned Pretty introduced a fresh group of young actors in a coming-of-age story centered around Belly (Lola Tung). The cast perfectly captured the author Jenny Han’s vision, particularly Christopher Briney as the brooding Conrad. The Amazon Prime Video series also benefited from a popular soundtrack featuring artists like Taylor Swift, Olivia Rodrigo, and Billie Eilish, giving a modern and appealing feel to this classic story, and contributing to its success.

Read the book: The Summer I Turned Pretty – Jenny Han

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Authors

Helen DalyDeputy Digital Editor

Helen Daly is TopMob’s Deputy Digital Editor, where she leads new projects and manages commercial work. Before this, she was Deputy TV Editor for a national magazine. She holds a BA in English Literature and an MA in Media & Journalism from Newcastle University.

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2026-04-09 10:12