Do you love seeing your favorite books brought to life on screen (like I do, and reading the book, of course, whenever possible, or aware)? Then this list is for you! I recall sitting down with my copy of Gone With the Wind the first time I watched the movie, literally turning the pages to find the scenes depicted on screen! November 21st is World Television Day (UN designated day).
Sometimes, I watched shows or movies without realizing they were based on a book (for this was pre-internet when I was a little girl). Later, when I learned of the book, I always tried to find the book. Today’s list includes incredible adaptations you need to see, in my opinion.
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I have a little of everything, from classics to contemporary – for both the books and the shows themselves. Some childhood favorites, a few unknowns (maybe), and other popular ones too. I love that TV series give us a chance to prolong the fun! So grab some popcorn and get ready to binge on
13+ Incredible Adaptations You Need to See
From Then: The Childhood Favorite TV series Based on Books
I was almost 10 when the TV first made its appearance in our sleepy little town in the middle of nowhere. (As I discovered years later, that ‘middle of nowhere’ turned out to be the the geographical center of the southern state of Karnataka in India!)
We had one TV station only at first. But a fair amount of good programming. And some really great ones too! Here are some of those – keeping today’s theme in mind, they are all TV series based on books
Faerie Tale Theatre
I recall waiting to watch this show (as far as I can recall, it aired Sunday afternoons on – I can’t recall). It was whimsical and delightful! A virtual anthology of fairy tales with a cast I now realize was powerful. Have you watched Faerie Tale Theatre? It not, it might make a great gift for yourself or loved ones. And you can get a book of fairy tales to read along with each episode.
You can also watch this series via the Internet Archive (be sure to support them whenever possible)
Malgudi Days
Set in the fictional Indian town of Malgudi, this series beautifully captured everyday life and emotions. Anytime I recall this show, the theme tune immediately plays in my mind, and the protagonist – Swami – who was endlessly endearing. Based on R.K. Narayan’s collection of stories also entitled Malgudi Days, it aired on Doordarshan (the national TV station of India) from 1986–1988.
Byomkesh Bakshi
I loved watching this show for many reasons – the cast, the detective (kind of an Indian Sherlock Holmes), and of course, the mysteries he solved. I loved the original Byomkesh Bakshi series, based on stories with the same name by Sharadindu Bandyopadhyay, that aired on Doordarshan in the early 1990s. Looks like there is a new series out now that I can rent on Prime video now.
Katha Sagar
I have always loved reading the classics (as you might already know if you have visited here a bit). Katha Sagar brought global literary classics to life with an Indian touch, and they did it so well. I recall comparing the story to the original (if I had already the original story that inspired that episode), or tried to go look for the book containing the story at my local library when I had not read it. One of the first TBRs I ever had, as a young girl!
This show aired on Doordarshan in the 1980s, and included stories by many authors, including O. Henry (one of my favorite authors ever), Leo Tolstoy, and Katherine Mansfield.
(source)
The Jungle Book
One of the first animated adventure shows I watched (I think). The theme song still plays in my head often (see video below)! This Japanese anime was dubbed in Hindi (and very well-done too). Based on Rudyard Kipling’s book of the same name, it aired in the late 1980s and gained popularity worldwide. And I think this movie (though not the TV series I mentioned) is from the same creators.
Bharat Ek Khoj
This 53-episode historical-drama series traces India’s rich history and culture through the ages. Based on Jawaharlal Nehru’s The Discovery of India, it aired on Doordarshan in 1988.
You can watch the show on You Tube via Prasar Bharati archives here.
Darling Buds of May
Oh this show was so much fun! I don’t recall when and where I watched it (though it was when I was in college at the time most likely, or maybe when I first moved to the US). Any which ways, it was irreverently charming. If you have not watched it, you should! For this charming British series is full of heart and humor, and of the wondrous Larkin family. And it has an equally wondrous cast – including David Jason and Catherine Zeta Jones! You can watch it on Prime via BritBox.
Based on H.E. Bates’s novels by the same name (aired in the early 1990s).
To Kind of Now: Recently Watched TV Series Based on Books
Sherlock
I have watched a few episodes of this series starring Benedict Cumberbatch, and of course, love it! Have you watched it? This modern reimagining of Arthur Conan Doyle’s detective, Sherlock Holmes, is Starring Benedict Cumberbatch, it aired on BBC from 2010–2017.
A Series of Unfortunate Events
While I cannot pick a favorite between the two – the Netflix series with Neil Patrick Harris or the movie with Jim Carrey – I do know that I will enjoy them both again, as well as the books! If you have not seen the TV show, do watch it. But read the books first if you can!
Bridgerton
Reading historical romances is my guilty pleasure, and I read them in between more serious reads, or non-fiction ones. And so of course when Netflix announced the Bridgerton show, I had to watch it, having read Julia Quinn’s Bridgerton series already!
Maid
I watched the show first and then read the book; loved both of them. Since it based on a true story, it makes it all the more moving, inspiring, and heartbreaking as well as heartwarming at the same time.
Outlander
This one, I am yet to read the book, though I did start on the series. And also have only watched a couple of seasons of the show and have to get to the rest. But I can’t wait to get back to both.
Anne With an E
I love Anne, and love her portrayal in this series. Again, I have to watch the full series as life got in the way but will get back to it soon. As for the books, they count among my favorites ever!
Extra, Extra: TV series based on books!
Of course, there were a few I did not include earlier. You would invariably find every Indian household glued to their TV screens on Sunday mornings, when the shows Ramayan and Mahabharat were running (1987 to 1990 – back to back).
Then there were Vikram Aur Betaal, based on Baital Pachisi (Vikram and Betaal)– a series of moral tales told by a clever ghost to the brave King Vikram. It aired on Doordarshan in 1988. I also enjoyed watching Alif Laila, inspired by the Arabian Nights (It was again a Doordarshan show of the early 1990s). (Kind of seems like I am repeating myself here with my oldest books list from earlier this week!)
I also enjoyed watching The Famous Five TV series. Looks like there is a graphic novel version of these adventures! collection
Coming back to shows I watched more recently, there is Poirot, the British series starring David Suchet as Agatha Christie’s meticulous detective, Hercule Poirot. This aired on ITV from 1989–2013, covering all Poirot stories. We also loved watching The Hardy Boys that aired recently (2020). I was a big Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys fan as a young girl!
And looks like there was a Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew series as well! Have you seen that one? Do let me know.
And for some reason, I truly loved watching Sleepy Hollow. Maybe it was the cool modern spin on the classic Washington Irving tale, or the cast. Whatever it was, I watched this when it aired on Fox a few years ago (2013 – 17).
Related Reads and More
And Now, the End of this Post
Dear reader, what are your favorite TV series based on books? Or movies like that? Do you have any recommendations for me? Which of the ones here have you watched? Do let me know
Goes towards Thursday 13
I can often tell when I’m watching a movie that it was based on a book because writers took time to develop stories and they seem less contrived to me. I did like Sherlock with Benedict Cumberbatch. That story never gets too old to be told, so many different versions.
So many books that I need to check out. Time to add them to my cart.
I sure do, although it must be said most often the tv version isn’t as good. The Jungle Book was good as a movie though!!!! Loads I still need to see from your list!
I have seen a bunch of these — Outlander, Bridgerton, Jungle Book, Series of Unfortunate Events. I am always on the lookout for some new things to check out, so I’ll have to look these up on Netflix. I have wanted to check out Sherlock for a while.
I like all of these recommendations. I absolutely love Bridgerton and Anne With an E, they were so satisfying and entertaining to watch. I even recommended both series to family and friends. I have been meaning to check out Outlander, as it seems really interesting.
I like to read the books that have been turned into a movie. I haven’t seen any that you listed but I’ve seen Fireproof. There was so much more details in the book.