Many novels have been source material for some of the most memorable television shows, and below we take a look at three British shows based on books.
The use of novels or novel series as source material to create television series or films is an age-old practice. This practice is so common that there is now a comparison between television series that have captured and enhanced the reading experience of the book that it is based on, the best.
For the most part, it is easier to name films that have captured the magic first encapsulated in the book. However, when it comes to British shows that have been able to do this, less is known.
But there are television shows that have been able to do so including Pride and Prejudice, Normal People, and Alias Grace.
The best television show based on a book according to IMDb
There have been many television shows that have been based on books which have received international, critical, and commercial acclaim. But according to IMDb, the most successful show to do so is the 2011 hit HBO Max series, Game of Thrones.
The series, which has eight seasons, managed to break records throughout its run between 2011 and 2019 as the most awarded television series in the history of the Emmys.
The series is based on the book of the same name which is part of A Song of Ice and Fire, a series of fantasy novels written by American author, George R. R. Martin.
British shows based on books
Before sharing our list of the three British television shows based on novels, it is fitting to start with another American hit series that shoots their show in the United Kingdom.
This is despite the fact that the author behind the series of books that inspired the series is American. Bridgerton is inspired by the series of novels written by American bestselling author, Julia Quinn.
The love lives of the Bridgerton children and their journeys to finding love is set in Regency London, with the entire narrative being anchored by the English characters of the book.
While the television series adaptation does take on a more diverse representation of Regency London, the actual book series stayed true to the stereotypical old ways that the only aristocracy and nobility that was present at the time was entirely White.
The Netflix original series, which marked the first release in the partnership between the platform and Shondaland, Shonda Rhimes’ production company behind Scandal, also known as The Fixer, How To Get Away with Murder, and Grey’s Anatomy, has since become one of Netflix’s flagship series.
Therefore, the third and much-anticipated season of Bridgerton is set to arrive on the platform in 2022.
While Bridgerton may be inspired by an American author’s series of novels, there are British shows that have been inspired by and that tell British narratives, which have become popular and believed by many to have sometimes bested the book.
1. Pride and Prejudice
Before the 2005 film adaptation of the Jane Austen bestselling novel, which was first published in 1813, Pride and Prejudice was adapted into a six-part miniseries premised, “While the arrival of wealthy gentlemen sends her marriage-minded mother into a frenzy, willful and opinionated Elizabeth Bennet matches wits with haughty Mr. Darcy.”
The British miniseries is regarded as the breakout role of the now established and internationally recognised leading man, Colin Firth, who played the leading role of Mr. Darcy in the film.
You can watch the limited miniseries on Hulu.
2. Normal People
A more contemporary British series which is inspired by a book is Normal People. The series premiered in 2020 and it is based on the 2018 book written by Sally Rooney.
The premise of the series is, “Follows Marianne and Connell, from different backgrounds but the same small town in Ireland, as they weave in and out of each other’s romantic lives.” The natural television run of the romantic drama aired on BBC Three.
The limited 12-episode season is now available to view on Hulu.
3. Outlander
Outlander has proven to be one of the best British shows that is based on a novel, and it is written by Diana Gabaldon.
The name of the series stems from the 1991 novel of the same name. Outlander premiered in 2014, and the series is still ongoing with a total of six seasons thus far.
The premise of the show is, “An English combat nurse from 1945 is mysteriously swept back in time to 1743.”
You can watch all six seasons of Outlander on Hulu.