8 Sci-Fi Books That Need To Become TV Shows

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There are so many great science fiction books that would make fantastic TV shows, and we’re really hoping to see them adapted for the screen. Science fiction has become incredibly popular over the years, moving from a smaller, dedicated fanbase to a mainstream genre. This increased popularity means fans like me are now seeing our beloved sci-fi novels turned into TV series.

As a huge sci-fi fan, I’m always looking forward to what’s coming next, and there’s plenty on the horizon! I’ve already shared six upcoming shows I’m really excited about, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg. I’ve been thinking about other books that would make amazing TV series – these eight, in particular, have everything you need: compelling stories, interesting characters, and a lot of potential. They just need someone to take a chance on them and bring them to life.

Red Rising Saga By Pierce Brown

Number Of Books: 6, With A Seventh On The Way

Red Rising is a thrilling science fiction story perfect for a TV series. It’s set in a future where society is rigidly divided by color-based classes, and follows one man’s dangerous attempt to join the ruling class and ignite a revolution.

The story is naturally structured in a way that would work perfectly for a TV series. With its detailed world and mix of political maneuvering and action, it has more depth than could be fully captured in a movie. A TV show would allow for a more thorough exploration of these elements.

Red Rising had been in development for a long time, but Pierce Brown shared on the Kris & Mads Podcast in October 2025 that the adaptation was cancelled. He did suggest that two other projects are potentially being considered, and I’m hoping Apple TV will give the story a chance.

Hyperion Cantos By Dan Simmons

Number Of Books: 4

Dan Simmons’ Hyperion Cantos is a fantastic science fiction series that would lend itself well to a television adaptation. The story centers around seven travelers journeying to the planet Hyperion, hoping to find solutions to a looming crisis. Their path is blocked by a terrifying figure known as The Shrike, who moves around the planet, killing those who approach the Time Tombs – strange places where time flows in reverse.

The story of Hyperion is structured as a series of interconnected tales, making it ideal for adaptation into a TV series. With a large ensemble cast, a memorable villain, and a richly developed universe spanning 200 planets within the Hegemony of Man, it has all the elements of a great sci-fi show.

I’ve been following the attempts to bring Dan Simmons’ Hyperion Cantos to the screen for years, and it’s been frustrating to watch them all fall apart. So many filmmakers have tried, and nothing’s ever worked out. Just recently, Bradley Cooper was going to make a movie in 2021, but that didn’t happen either. Still, I really believe a TV series could work – if the right people were in charge of bringing it to life.

Lilith’s Brood By Octavia E. Butler

Number Of Books: 3

Octavia E. Butler’s novel Dawn is a compelling story that would make a fantastic TV series. It centers on Lilith Iyapo, who awakens on a spaceship hundreds of years after a nuclear war has ravaged Earth. She discovers that an alien race called the Oankali intends to rebuild the planet using the last of humanity, and she’s tasked with waking the survivors and getting them to cooperate with this ambitious plan.

As a huge fan of thought-provoking stories, I immediately saw why this needed to be a TV series. It really digs into some incredibly important issues – things like the lasting damage of colonialism, the horrors of nuclear war, and really personal things like owning your own body and giving true consent. Plus, it makes you question what it actually means to be human. What’s fascinating is that the Oankali, while offering a solution to all our illnesses, aren’t exactly heroes. They want humans to rebuild the population with them, which makes them complex and, honestly, pretty compelling villains.

A TV series based on Dawn was announced in 2020, but we haven’t heard anything about it since. It’s likely the project has stalled or been cancelled, though I’m still hoping it will eventually be made.

The Teixcalaan Series By Arkady Martine

Number Of Books: 2

Despite many science fiction stories feeling familiar, Arkady Martine’s Hugo Award-winning Teixcalaan series—including A Memory Called Empire and A Desolation Called Peace—offers a unique and compelling story, perfect for adaptation into a TV series. This space opera is set in a galactic empire drawing inspiration from the cultures of the Byzantine and Aztec Empires.

The novel centers on Mahit Dzmare, an ambassador from the independent Lsel Station, who is sent to the vast and powerful Teixcalaanli Empire. Her mission quickly becomes an investigation into the death of the previous ambassador, leading her to uncover dangerous political secrets. Meanwhile, the Empire continues its relentless expansion through colonization. It’s a gripping story that blends science fiction with the suspense of a political thriller.

This two-part series is full of suspense, intrigue, and exciting action that will grab viewers. The story’s rich and detailed world translates beautifully to the screen, and the relatable characters make you truly care about what happens to them.

The Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy By Douglas Adams

Number Of Books: 5

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy is a hugely popular science fiction series that began as a radio show. It’s been translated into more than 30 languages and has sold millions of copies worldwide. Despite its success, fans are still waiting for a truly great TV version of the books.

The story centers on Arthur Dent, the last surviving human, who is saved by Ford Prefect, an alien who looks like a human and is writing a popular electronic guidebook. While there have been a couple of adaptations – a TV show in 1981 and a movie in 2005 – neither were very successful or well-remembered.

This book would make a great TV show thanks to its clever mix of social commentary, over-the-top fun, and humor. It’s a genuinely good science fiction story that doesn’t take itself too seriously. Sadly, Hulu cancelled their planned adaptation in 2022, and no other streaming service has shown interest since.

The Uplift Universe By David Brin

Number Of Books: 6

As a sci-fi fan, I’ve seen a lot of ‘uplift’ stories lately – you know, where animals are genetically enhanced to become intelligent. But the series that really started it all, David Brin’s Uplift Universe, has somehow flown under the radar when it comes to TV and film adaptations. Honestly, it’s a huge missed opportunity. With its incredibly detailed world and fascinating characters, this series would make for a truly amazing sci-fi TV show. I’m genuinely surprised no one has tackled it yet!

The books are set in the Five Galaxies, a society that’s existed for billions of years. It’s populated by intelligent races that were all genetically engineered by another, more advanced species. In return for this ‘uplifting,’ the engineered species then owes 100,000 years of service to their creators.

The HumanClan, despite being less advanced and seemingly unimportant, is a central mystery and danger in these stories – they have no apparent protector. With six novels available, a TV series based on this universe could be structured like ‘The Expanse,’ covering one book each season. This adaptation could also appeal to readers who stopped reading the books due to the author’s writing style.

The Broken Earth Series By N.K. Jemisin

Number Of Books: 3

N.K. Jemisin’s “Broken Earth” trilogy is a unique blend of science fiction and fantasy that some readers love and others struggle with. The main reason people stop reading it is often the author’s distinctive and complex writing style. However, the series features a fascinating premise and memorable characters that many believe would translate well to a visual medium like television or film.

The story centers around a recurring cycle: humanity repeatedly reaches a point of intense anger, leading to self-destruction and leaving only a handful of people alive. But this time, things are different. A group of people called orogenes, who have a unique connection to the Earth and can control natural forces, are present and could change everything.

This gripping, post-apocalyptic story tackles important and timely social issues. A television series based on the book could maintain the multi-perspective approach, but switching from a ‘you’-focused narrative to a more traditional third-person viewpoint would likely appeal to a wider audience.

Legion Of The Damned By William C. Deitz

Number Of Books: 10

As a huge sci-fi fan, I read William C. Dietz’s Legion of the Damned from ’93, and honestly, it feels less like a novel and more like a pilot episode. It’s packed with non-stop action, epic battles, fascinating aliens, and plenty of cyborgs and casualties. The whole thing just looks like a TV show in my head – the writing is so visual and cinematic, it would translate beautifully to the screen.

Humanity has spread across the galaxy and built an empire, but now faces a threat from a powerful alien race called the Hudatha. The Legion is a desperate attempt to fight back – a group comprised of those with nothing to lose. Think of them like a sci-fi version of a suicide squad, made up of people facing terminal illness or capital punishment who are given a second chance as cyborg soldiers.

This story has all the makings of a fantastic TV series. A longer format would let the show really explore the cyborgs’ advanced technology and cool weapons. Plus, with three distinct types of cyborgs, the fight scenes would be visually exciting. I’m hoping a production company picks this up and brings it to life.

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2025-11-20 06:01