For as long as television has existed, books have offered ample material for adaptation. In the 2020s, book-to-screen adaptations are more common than ever, with contemporary novels like Heated Rivalry by Rachel Reid and Normal People by Sally Rooney translating perfectly into smash hit TV shows. Others, like Bridgerton (based on Julia Quinn’s book series), offer more room for creativity.
Yet, when the question is broached about which books deserve TV adaptations, it’s always a safe bet to look to the distant past. Classic books that stand the test of time come from every time period, but most that are still celebrated are decades— if not centuries— old. Unsurprisingly, some of the best modern television can be traced to classics.
Pride and Prejudice
Based On Jane Austen’s 1813 novel
Elizabeth Bennett and Mr. Darcy in the 1995 adaptation of Pride and Prejudice.
Jane Austen is one of the most critically acclaimed authors ever, but her most popular work by far is Pride and Prejudice. The story follows Elizabeth Bennett and Mr. Darcy, two souls who seem diametrically opposed in every way— who ironically end up being a perfect match. While there are myriad Pride and Prejudice adaptations, the 1995 miniseries is incomparable.
In the BBC miniseries, Jennifer Ehle’s Elizabeth and Colin Firth’s Darcy seem to be ripped directly from the pages, and their palpable chemistry makes the viewer root for their romance long before the two characters realize their mutual attraction. Some versions of Pride and Prejudice sacrifice authenticity for entertainment, but the 1995 miniseries is a stellar adaptation and standalone story.
The Fall of the House of Usher
Based On The Works Of Edgar Allan Poe
A woman with silver hair looking bored in Netflix’s The Fall of The House of Usher.
Netflix’s The Fall of the House of Usher initially seemed like a straightforward adaptation of Edgar Allan Poe’s 1839 short story of the same name. Yet, it quickly became apparent that the miniseries was a fascinating amalgamation of Poe’s entire career, which spans countless iconic poems, short stories, his single novel, and even an unfinished play composed in 1835.
There are hidden details throughout The Fall of the House of Usher that hint at the shared universe, but the most intriguing aspect of this adaptation is the plot itself. Creator Mike Flanagan managed to create a cohesive— albeit surreal— narrative out of Edgar Allan Poe’s entire bibliography, using each major title as a mere puzzle piece.
Middlemarch
Based On Mary Ann Evans AKA George Eliot’s 1871 Novel
A man and woman in 19th century period costumes in 1994’s Middlemarch.
Mary Ann Evans was an incredible writer who sadly had to write under a pen name for her work to be taken seriously. As such, classic tales like Middlemarch are more commonly attributed to her pseudonym, George Eliot. The 1871 novel is a skillful dissection of England’s 19th-century reformism, explored through various perspectives from an ensemble cast.
In 1994, the BBC adapted Middlemarch into a captivating historical TV show that connects the winding plots of various characters into one streamlined miniseries. The unconventional romance between Dorothea Brooke (Juliet Aubrey) and Will Ladislaw (Rufus Sewell) was swoonworthy enough to spike book sales in the 90s, contributing to Mary Ann Evans’ well-earned posthumous popularity.
Sherlock
Based On The Works Of Arthur Conan Doyle
Two men stand in front of a door the says 221B in Sherlock.
In his lifetime, Arthur Conan Doyle only wrote 60 stories featuring Sherlock Holmes, but his writing is still considered a paragon of detective fiction. Similar to how Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is regarded as the true start of science fiction, many common tropes in crime stories—from police procedurals to buddy cop movies—can be linked to Doyle’s work.
The Sherlock Holmes character archetype has spawned countless TV detectives, from Gregory House (House M.D.) to Shawn Spencer (Psych), but the most infamous is 2010’s Sherlock. The BBC modernization had one of the most devoted fan bases in history, thanks to Benedict Cumberbatch’s (Sherlock Holmes) indomitable performance and undeniable chemistry with co-star Martin Freeman (John Watson).
Dickinson
Based On The Life & Work Of Emily Dickinson
Hailee Steinfeld as Emily Dickinson and Wiz Khalifa as Death in Apple TV’s Dickinson.
Purists may argue that the best TV adaptations of books are inherently the most faithful, but abandoning historical accuracy is sometimes the wisest decision. Such is the case with Apple TV’s Dickinson, a historical dramedy based on the life of poet Emily Dickinson (portrayed by Hailee Steinfeld). Each episode is titled after one of Dickinson’s stunning lyrical poems.
The series takes drastic creative liberties, and anachronisms are ubiquitous throughout all three seasons, but that’s precisely what makes Dickinson Hailee Steinfeld’s best show to date. Dickinson stays respectful to its source material, but it’s also unapologetic about its absurdity. With Wiz Khalifa as the personification of death and Mitski on the soundtrack, Dickinson delights in its own whimsy.
Anne with an E
Based On Lucy Maud Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables Series
Amybeth McNulty as Anne Shirley-Cuthbert in Netflix’s Anne with an E.
When books are turned into shows, the primary audience tends to be adults who have already read the source material. Anne with an E, however, blew up thanks to Netflix’s distribution, and many viewers were initially unaware that the period piece was derived from Lucy Maud Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables series (which ran from 1908 to 1939).
Amybeth McNulty established herself as a breakout star for her portrayal of fiery protagonist Anne Shirley-Cuthbert, and young girls worldwide proudly identified with her or another member of her tight-knit friend group. The drama was a breathtaking coming-of-age story, but Anne with an E’s cancellation sadly cut the beloved adaptation short after just three seasons.
Sandition
Based On Jane Austen’s Manuscript Posthumously Published In 1925
Three women in regency dresses in 2019’s Sandition.
While there were seven complete books written by Jane Austen, several incomplete manuscripts were uncovered after her death, including an unfinished novel called Sandition. Though Austen had only completed around 24,000 words before her death, the manuscript, originally published as Fragment of a Novel Written by Jane Austen, still had clear potential, as PBS recognized in 2019.
The British adaptation used Sandition’s existing material as its starting point, but the series intriguingly created original storylines to develop the characters, essentially turning the partial draft into a cooperative finished product. Despite its bold new strokes, however, Sandition retained a distinctly Austenian flair that made the modern adaptation feel like a reverent tribute.
The Haunting of Hill House
Based On Shirley Jackson’s 1959 Novel
Victoria Pedretti as Nell in Netflix’s Haunting of Hill House.
Aside from being one of the most successful projects in Mike Flanagan’s entire filmography, The Haunting of Hill House was a masterclass in how to loosely adapt a familiar story. The original novel, published by Shirley Jackson in 1959, was a touchstone of mid-century gothic literature, focusing on two main characters: Theodora and Eleanor.
Since the original novel had already been adapted (and satirized) as The Haunting, Mike Flanagan kept the heart of the book— Hill House— and supplemented the series with new characters, conflicts, and terrifying twists. Eleanor and Theodora became part of the central Crain family, but Shirley Jackson’s seminal classic was only the foundation for Netflix’s best original horror series.
Shōgun
Based On James Clavell’s 1975 Novel
A Japanese military member in 2024’s Shogun.
Accolades aren’t always a reflection of merit, but it’s impossible to ignore that Shōgun had a record-breaking Emmy run, taking home 18 awards in 2024. The historical drama is an exceptional adaptation of James Clavell’s 1975 book of the same name, which chronicled Japan’s transition to the real-life reign of the Tokugawa shogunate.
There are some major changes Shōgun made from the novel, but the basics remain the same: sailor John Blackthorne (Cosmo Jarvis) crosses paths with the politically ambitious Yoshii Toranaga (Hiroyuki Sanada). The thrilling drama seamlessly switches between Japanese and English, creating a novel viewing experience that bagged the adaptation, which was conceptualized as a miniseries, an entire second season.
The Handmaid’s Tale
Based On Margaret Atwood’s 1985 Novel
Two women in red robes and white head covers in Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale.
Although it was published as recently as 1985, there’s no denying that Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale was an instant classic. The dystopian novel is a cornerstone of speculative fiction, delving into themes of bodily autonomy and women’s reproductive rights by examining an extreme counterpoint: the horrific, patriarchal Republic of Gilead.
In both the book and six seasons of The Handmaid’s Tale TV adaptation, the main character is Offred (Elisabeth Moss), an eponymous Handmaid who exists solely as a surrogate for high-ranking Commanders. Though the premise is a tragedy that becomes increasingly prevalent with each passing year, The Handmaid’s Tale offers a semblance of hope by the book adaptation’s end.