TV shows based on books in 2025: Full list of adaptations from page to screen

Television audiences have much to anticipate in 2026, with a wide range of beloved books and literary universes being adapted for the screen. One of the most eagerly awaited returning adaptations is Bridgerton Season 4, which continues Netflix’s hit period drama based on Julia Quinn’s Bridgerton novels.

The upcoming season draws inspiration from An Offer From a Gentleman, shifting focus to Benedict Bridgerton and his romance with Sophie, a Cinderella-like story exploring class, love, and identity within Regency-era society.

Fantasy fans will see a major expansion of the Game of Thrones universe. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is set to debut in early 2026, adapted from George R.R. Martin’s Tales of Dunk and Egg novellas. The series follows hedge knight Ser Duncan the Tall and his young squire Egg, offering a more intimate and character-driven story set decades before the events of Game of Thrones. Later in the year, House of the Dragon Season 3 will continue its adaptation of Martin’s Fire & Blood, chronicling the brutal Targaryen civil war known as the Dance of the Dragons.

Thriller fans can look forward to several high-profile adaptations. Netflix will release His & Hers, based on Alice Feeney’s mystery novel, which centers on a small-town murder and buried secrets that resurface when a woman returns home. Another Netflix project, Run Away, adapts Harlan Coben’s bestselling suspense novel about a father’s relentless search for his missing daughter, promising emotional depth and fast-paced storytelling.

Character-driven drama will also take center stage with Margo’s Got Money Troubles, adapted from Rufi Thorpe’s novel. The series follows a young woman navigating unexpected upheaval while trying to rebuild her life, blending humor, resilience, and social commentary. The adaptation brings a contemporary literary voice to the screen in serialized form.

Young adult audiences will see a beloved story reach its conclusion with Heartstopper Forever, the feature-length finale of Alice Oseman’s Heartstopper graphic novel series. The adaptation completes the journey of Nick and Charlie, delivering an emotionally resonant ending that honors the themes of love, growth, and self-discovery found in the books.

Crime and espionage fans will also be well served. Scarpetta, based on Patricia Cornwell’s long-running crime novels, brings medical examiner Kay Scarpetta to television in a serialized format, blending forensic investigation with character drama. Meanwhile, Slow Horses Season 6 continues adapting Mick Herron’s Slough House novels, following the dysfunctional MI5 agents led by the acerbic Jackson Lamb as they navigate dangerous intelligence missions.

Together, these adaptations highlight television’s continued reliance on literature as a rich source of storytelling. With genres ranging from romance and fantasy to thriller and coming-of-age drama, 2026 promises to be a standout year for audiences eager to see their favorite books transformed into compelling television experiences.