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Original poster

Books you really want to make it to the screen

127 replies

Ineedtocleanmywoodenblinds · 15/12/2022 13:12

I've been reading the Rivers of London books recently and I love them and I'd love to see a TV adaptation of them (already I've cast Regé-Jean Page as Peter Grant). Also I would love to see Secret History by Donna Taart.

Anyone else have any ideas for book to TV.

OP posts:
Oliol · 15/12/2022 22:46

Clara and the Sun

Clawdy · 15/12/2022 22:48

Yes, another vote for Shardlake series here! I see Toby Jones in the title role.

Orangejellybaby · 15/12/2022 22:57

I'd love to watch a series of John Connollys Charlie Parker books.

Also loved David Gemmels Troy books, I think it would make a great series.

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Books
OttersMayHaveShiftedInTransit · 15/12/2022 23:01

FTY765 · 15/12/2022 22:22

Some of the JP books are on YouTube, they were made for TV movies. in the USA. Plain Truth, The Pact, A Change of heart are all on there. There is also my sisters keeper, which you may have seen, as it was the one that was a cinema release.

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They may have made a film called 'My Sister Keeper' but it wasn't 'My Sister Keeper' - I can only assume that the script writer dropped the book in the bath after the first 50 pages and decided to wing it. I appreciate that film/TV and books are very different media and they have to make adaptations, cut things etc but why make totally unnecessary, nonsensical changes that alter the whole point of the book?

DS is still hoping for a version of the How to Train your Dragon books that actually have more than a passing acquaintance with the books.

AnotherRoadsideAttraction · 15/12/2022 23:23

Re. casting Julian for The Secret History - surely we should consider Brian Cox, yes? (He does do a good American accent!)

Glad to see Ruth Ozecki on the list - love her books.

I’d like to see a really great director & cast do Sue Miller’s While I Was Gone. And maybe also her novel The Senator’s Wife - both strong stories, very interesting and complex characters.

ChessieFL · 16/12/2022 01:39

Mommabear20 · 15/12/2022 19:18

The rest of the Narnia series,
Kommondants girl and the diplomats wife,
And I know it's not a book, but I'd love a movie of the stage show Wicked! 🤞🤞🤞🤞

@Mommabear20 Wicked IS a book, by Gregory Maguire. The musical is based on it.

nocoolnamesleft · 16/12/2022 02:17

Dashel · 15/12/2022 18:07

Magician by Raymond E Feist and his other books

Although tbh after seeing what was done to some of the other fantasy series, I’m not sure that is a good idea.

Maybe tv series of something like Philippa Ashley or some other chick lit sort of books.

Raymond Feist recently announced on Facebook that the Riftwar saga is to become a series.

DogInATent · 16/12/2022 07:17

pointythings · 15/12/2022 21:58

@DogInATent if they do The Drawing of the Dark then they really also have to do The Anubis Gates. And The Stress Of Her Regard.

Yup, but I figured the one about magic beer might be the easier sell to get things rolling with the TV execs...

DogInATent · 16/12/2022 07:28

Another couple I've thought about overnight..

Rosewater by Tade Thompson
The Watchmaker of Filigree Street by Natasha Pulley

ChampagneCommunist · 16/12/2022 07:51

claracluck1978 · 15/12/2022 16:45

Elly Griffiths archaeologist murder series featuring Dr Ruth Galloway (played, in my head by lovely Nicola Walker!)

And C J Samson's Shardlake series

I have so many actors cast in these as I read each novel I'm amazed at the BBC for not calling me and asking me to cast and direct them!!!

Yes to the Elly Griffiths novels, but in my head Ruth is played by Olivia Coleman

AnotherRoadsideAttraction · 16/12/2022 09:12

@ChessieFL I’m so glad you said something re. Wicked being a book 🤣 - it’s such a fantastic novel. I’ve read several of his others as well and they’d all make good 8-10 episode series.

SleepingStandingUp · 16/12/2022 09:36

Peachyscream · 15/12/2022 22:02

Most of the Jodi Picoult books
Princess series by Jean Sasson

Yes Jodi's books would work on TV but I think like the 3 part drama style

countrypunk · 16/12/2022 09:36

@DoggerelBank I think I've reread The Secret History more than any other book - must be 6 or 7 times now. And no doubt I'll read it again!

Original poster
Ineedtocleanmywoodenblinds · 16/12/2022 09:38

www.theguardian.com/books/2022/jul/07/ben-aaronovitchs-rivers-of-london-novels-are-set-for-tv-adaptation - it's happening. I just had a quick google and See Saw films have made some great stuff. Hopefully they'll read this thread and Rege Jean a call ;)

OP posts:
Original poster
Ineedtocleanmywoodenblinds · 16/12/2022 09:40

Also I am going to reread the Secret History and also Rivals :)

OP posts:
MrsJoker · 16/12/2022 09:47

I would always have liked a really faithful to the book screen adaptation on Katherine by Anya Seton - I would definitely need to be a mini series though. I know it’s old fashioned but I love it

SammyScrounge · 16/12/2022 10:26

bookworm14 · 15/12/2022 13:16

A Place of Greater Safety by Hilary Mantel would make an amazing TV series. I can’t understand why it’s never been done. The BBC bought the rights several years ago but I haven’t heard anything since.

I agree. It's a stunning book full of interesting characters and gripping events while the French revolution grinds to its gory conclusion. Sometimes bloody sometimes heartbreaking.
I didn't know the BBC had the rights to it. There is a.French film with Depardieu as Danton. It's very good.

bookworm14 · 16/12/2022 10:44

SammyScrounge · 16/12/2022 10:26

I agree. It's a stunning book full of interesting characters and gripping events while the French revolution grinds to its gory conclusion. Sometimes bloody sometimes heartbreaking.
I didn't know the BBC had the rights to it. There is a.French film with Depardieu as Danton. It's very good.

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I must watch the Depardieu film. No idea what’s happened to the BBC adaptation - the last information I can find on it is a press release dated May 2015!

MurderAtTheBeautyPageant · 16/12/2022 10:46

Another vote for the Shardlake series! Would love to see that. Hopefully done with a big fat Netflix budget.

MrsVeryTired · 16/12/2022 17:38

@countrypunk Dark Places by Gillian Flynn was a movie with Charlize Theron.
I do like a Gillian Flynn thriller (loved both Sharp Objects and Dark Places).

SweetSakura · 16/12/2022 17:41

I'm just reading the Toymakers by Robert Dinsdale and I reckon it would make an amazing film

MargaretThursday · 16/12/2022 18:29

If I was a billionaire then I'd like to have a production company that focuses on doing good children's book as faithful to the book and the spirit of the book as films.

Swallow and Amazons
Lone Pibe series
Enid Blyton's adventure series
White Boots
Stormy Petral series
Marlow series, especially non school and historic ones
Cue for Treason
Chalet school early ones
The White Riders

And lots more

countrypunk · 16/12/2022 18:41

MrsVeryTired · 16/12/2022 17:38

@countrypunk Dark Places by Gillian Flynn was a movie with Charlize Theron.
I do like a Gillian Flynn thriller (loved both Sharp Objects and Dark Places).

Oh no way! Charlize Theron is a terrible choice for that character. She's meant to be a tiny redhead!

SoozyWoozy5 · 16/12/2022 18:41

I am Pilgrim… my favourite book of 2022, couldn’t put it down! Would make a great film.

Dashel · 17/12/2022 06:43

nocoolnamesleft · 16/12/2022 02:17

Raymond Feist recently announced on Facebook that the Riftwar saga is to become a series.

Show quote history

Thank you for letting me know. I hope it will be as good as it is in my head.