From Pride and Prejudice to Sanditon: why TV adaptations are a hit

With the current buzz that Death on the Nile is enjoying across the pond, we got thinking about the seemingly guaranteed success of book-to-screen adaptations. It’s true, some things in life are just a winning combination. And the likes of Pride and Prejudice, Brideshead Revisited, and The Handmaid’s Tale have proven that TV adaptations are a firm favourite.

2022 is already looking to be another memorable 12 months of cracking adaptations. Luckily for you, we’ve been doing our fair share of sitting in front of the box and have picked out the best ones we’ve seen this year.

This is going to hurt

Now we really enjoyed this one. Adam Kay, a former doctor turned comedian and author, has adapted a personal account of life in his previous job for a new comedy drama series, This Is Going to Hurt.

The eight-part series is based on his non-fiction book, recounting the trials and tribulations of being an NHS doctor - warts ‘n’ all. It’s funny, heart-warming, but above all - honest. If series one is anything to go by, then we can’t wait for the next instalment!

5/5 - brilliant concept, brilliant show.

Conversations With Friends

A Sally Rooney best-seller adapted to the small screen - we’ve seen this script before with her previous offering, Normal People. Conversations With Friends follows Frances (Alison Oliver), a 21-year-old student, who goes through the trials and tribulations of a young person dating.

Adapted from Rooney’s cracking debut novel, the drama is directed by the super talented Lenny Abrahamson and Leanne Welham, and made by the same production company that brought Normal People to the screen. Which meant we already knew it would be just as frank, funny and fantastic!

4/5 - a slow burn, but worth sticking with for sure.

Sanditon

It can be hard for shows to recapture the magic of a successful first series, but Sanditon has done just that. Fans of the wonderful Regency-era period drama - which is a TV adaptation of Jane Austen’s unfinished novel of the same name - will be chomping at the bit for another slice of the action.

Season 2 follows on nine months after the heartbreaking season 1 finale, so viewers might have to get the tissues ready for this. Whatever happens this season, we can promise you the period drama masterpiece will go out with a bang (again!). If you love the excitement of Pride and Prejudice or Sense and Sensibility - you’ll certainly enjoy this.

4/5 - a stellar follow up, just lacks character development in parts.

So we’ve told you what we’ve loved tuning into lately, now it’s time to hear from you. We want to know which of your favourite books you’d love to see adapted to the small screen.

Or what about the reverse? Are there any thrilling TV shows you’d like to see transformed into a book you simply won’t be able to put down?

As always, you can find us via email, Twitter or Facebook to get in touch. We’ll share the best answers on our social media pages throughout the week and you never know which ones might end up getting transformed!