Apple TV has become a surprising powerhouse for smart, visually impressive science fiction. Shows like Foundation, Silo, For All Mankind, and the animated series WondLa have proven the platform can be both thought-provoking and thoroughly enjoyable. They’ve continued to take risks with ambitious projects, like the Golden Globe-nominated Pluribus, which pushes the limits of the genre and solidifies Apple TV’s reputation for supporting bold sci-fi. Now, they’re taking on what many thought was an unfilmable story: William Gibson’s Neuromancer.
For years, William Gibson’s 1984 novel was considered impossible to adapt into a movie or TV show. Its complex, non-linear story, extensive internal thoughts, and imaginative virtual world scared off Hollywood producers. However, Apple TV+ is now making a 10-episode series based on the book, created by Graham Roland (known for Jack Ryan) and JD Dillard (Sleight, Devotion). The series is currently being filmed, and Apple promises to bring the characters of Case and Molly, along with the futuristic city of the Sprawl, to life with the same high-quality design and detailed world-building that fans expect from its science fiction shows.
All the buzz around the potential Neuromancer series really got me thinking – it feels like cyberpunk is finally having its moment on TV. I think people are just craving stories that make them think about technology, who we are, and who really has the power, and Gibson’s book is a perfect starting point. Honestly, there’s a whole library of amazing cyberpunk novels – both well-known classics and hidden gems – that would be incredible if a company like Apple decided to adapt them.
8
‘Snow Crash’ by Neal Stephenson
Bantam Books
Neal Stephenson’s Snow Crash takes place in a broken-down version of America not long from now, where big companies practically control entire communities and the Metaverse is a fully realized virtual world. The story follows Hiro Protagonist, a pizza delivery driver and skilled hacker, who unexpectedly uncovers a dangerous plot linked to an old Sumerian language-based virus.
Hiro, a teenager working as a delivery rider on magnetic skates, stumbles upon a dangerous scheme orchestrated by L. Bob Rife, a powerful and ruthless media mogul. Rife intends to control people through a drug that affects both the mind and digital systems. The novel is fast-paced and energetic, blending thrilling chases, ideas about how information spreads, and sharp social commentary in a way that’s both outlandish and eerily prescient. It’s considered a science fiction classic, having been nominated for prestigious awards like the Arthur C. Clarke and Locus awards. A film adaptation would be visually stunning, featuring things like characters navigating virtual cities and engaging in sword fights within digital worlds – offering a rich and imaginative landscape for designers to create innovative interfaces and vibrant, neon-lit environments.
7
‘When Gravity Fails’ by George Alec Effinger
Arbor House
George Alec Effinger’s When Gravity Fails takes place in Budayeen, a vibrant and gritty cyberpunk city of the future with a strong Middle Eastern influence, where culture, business, and crime are deeply connected. The story follows Marîd Audran, a clever street hustler who refuses to use “moddies” and “daddies” – implants that allow people to easily change personalities or learn new skills. His commitment to independence is challenged when he gets drawn into a dangerous investigation of a series of violent murders, all connected to the powerful crime boss, Friedlander Bey.
Effinger’s novel blends the dark, gritty feel of cyberpunk with the classic twists of noir, but it’s unique because it’s deeply rooted in a specific culture, unlike most stories in the genre which are set in the West. The book also explores interesting ideas about freedom and addiction, making it a truly captivating read. The world Effinger creates – with its narrow, neon-lit streets, smoky clubs where people change identities, and a protagonist caught in a dangerous situation – is incredibly vivid and would make for fantastic television.
6
‘Synners’ by Pat Cadigan
Gollancz
Pat Cadigan’s Synners explores a future where the line between reality and the digital world has disappeared, fundamentally changing how people experience things. The novel is set in a Los Angeles of the near future, where people can connect directly to the internet through brain implants. It follows a group of musicians, programmers, hackers, and business leaders as they deal with the emergence of a new technology called “Virex” and the resulting impact on society.
Originally a groundbreaking artistic and media innovation, the technology in Synners quickly becomes dangerous. A system error starts to affect the minds of those connected to it, creating widespread problems. This award-winning 1992 cyberpunk novel would translate powerfully to the screen, particularly through dynamic concert scenes showcasing mind-streamed performances and the unsettling visuals of the spreading glitch. The story’s compelling mix of chaos and empathy would also work extremely well as a serialized drama.
5
‘Vurt’ by Jeff Noon
Ringpull
Jeff Noon’s Vurt takes readers to a strange, dreamlike Manchester where what’s real and what’s imagined blur together, all connected through special, colored feathers. The novel follows Scribble and his friends, the Stash Riders, as they desperately search for his sister, Desdemona, who has disappeared into the dark and perilous world of the Vurt. Their journey leads them to encounters with bizarre creatures—combinations of humans, dogs, and machines.
Noon’s first novel, published in 1994, received the Arthur C. Clarke Award and was celebrated for its dreamlike atmosphere and original writing style. The book skillfully combines elements of rave culture, myths surrounding drugs, and cyberpunk themes to create a story that is both captivating and deeply personal. With its realistic characters and hallucinatory settings, Vurt feels ripe for a visual adaptation. The powerful emotions surrounding Scribble’s quest to find Desdemona would also translate into compelling scenes.
4
‘River of Gods’ by Ian McDonald
Simon & Schuster
Ian McDonald’s River of Gods reimagines the cyberpunk genre, setting its futuristic story not in typical Western cities, but in a richly detailed India of 2047 – a hundred years after the country gained independence. The novel blends traditional culture with advanced technology and follows nine different characters whose lives become intertwined, including a politician involved in organized crime, a comedian, a water engineer, a reporter, and scientists working with artificial intelligence.
The novel centers on the increasing power of artificial intelligence – called aeais – and the danger it poses to global peace. Praised for its complex narrative and immersive world-building, it received the British Science Fiction Association Award and was a Hugo Award nominee. The story unfolds across a visually stunning India, from rain-soaked cities and Bollywood film sets to rural villages and high-tech laboratories. An Apple TV adaptation could showcase the vibrant culture of India while creating a science fiction epic comparable to Foundation in its ambition.
3
‘Trouble and Her Friends’ by Melissa Scott
Tor
Melissa Scott’s novel,
India reconnects with her former partner, Cerise, and together they travel across the country to expose someone who has stolen another’s identity. As they investigate, they uncover a larger pattern of manipulation and control. Author Scott’s novel stands out for its strong female characters and LGBTQ+ representation, offering a fresh perspective in a genre often told from a male point of view. The story, particularly scenes of Cerise facing danger and confronting the imposter, would translate well to a television series. A series adaptation could explore both the personal, high-stakes world of hacking and the bigger issues surrounding privacy and surveillance.
2
‘Hardwired’ by Walter Jon Williams
Night Shade Books
Walter Jon Williams’ Hardwired is set in a devastated North America, long after a major collapse. The continent is now controlled by powerful corporations called Orbitals, which operate from space and exploit the planet’s resources. On the ground, a former fighter pilot known as Cowboy makes a living through dangerous smuggling and mercenary work. He teams up with Sarah, a skilled operative connected to the illegal trade of cybernetic enhancements and corporate security forces. Together, they begin a rebel campaign against the ruling elite, known as the Highriders.
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As a huge fan of cyberpunk, I’ve always thought Walter Jon Williams’ Hardwired is the real deal. It’s got so much respect in the genre – Roger Zelazny even called it a ‘tough, sleek juggernaut’ that just hits you as you read it! That’s why I’ve always dreamed of seeing it adapted to film or TV. Imagine Cowboy’s attack runs, the amazing aerial battles between the Orbitals and the ground-level action, and Sarah’s incredible gunfights – they’d be absolutely stunning with practical effects. It would create a world that feels both incredibly real and seriously dangerous.
1
‘Glasshouse’ by Charles Stross
Orbit / Ace
Charles Stross’s Glasshouse is set in the late 27th century, after a devastating conflict called the Censorship Wars fundamentally altered history and people’s memories. The story follows Robin, who is recovering from complete memory loss, as they enter the “Glasshouse” – a unique experiment recreating a Western society from the late 20th and early 21st centuries, complete with strict gender roles and constant surveillance.
Robin finds himself in a new body with a new personality (Reeve) and quickly becomes entangled in a seemingly normal life that feels increasingly strange. He suspects a hidden assassin and a much larger conspiracy at play. Charles Stross’s cyberpunk thriller explores thought-provoking themes like identity, consent, and the influence of society on our minds. While Glasshouse received prestigious awards like the 2007 Prometheus Award and was a Hugo and Locus Award finalist, its potential as a TV series goes beyond accolades. This clever, fast-paced, and original novel offers a unique narrative experience, complete with surprising twists and turns, making it a great fit for Apple TV+.
These books were really important in creating the cyberpunk world we know and love, but they all did it in their own unique way. I’m curious, if Apple TV were to adapt one of them after Neuromancer, which would I want them to choose? And honestly, I think there are some other crucial books missing from this list that deserve a mention!
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2026-02-02 00:36