8 Near-Perfect Book-To-TV Adaptations Nobody Remembers

From literary classics to contemporary favorites, books have always served as a major inspiration for Hollywood. But while some books are perfect for film adaptations, some are better suited for the small screen. Television and streaming have seen some of the greatest works in contemporary and classic literature being translated to the screen, sometimes reimagined, and sometimes directly adapted.

From literary legends Leo Tolstoy to modern icons like Margaret Atwood and John le Carré, authors from different eras and genres have had their work take the shape of remarkable productions and great performances. Unfortunately, not all such shows remain timeless or become mainstream pop-culture sensations like The Lord of the Rings or The Handmaid’s Tale. Here’s our handpicked selection of near-perfect book-to-TV adaptations that sadly nobody remembers.

1

‘Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy’ (1979)

Image via BBC

Directed by John Irvin and written by Arthur Hopcraft for the BBC, 1979’s Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy is the first visual adaptation of John le Carré’s novel, featuring the grizzled MI6 spymaster, George Smiley. The series follows the retired agent, who is brought back to MI6 after the death of the head of the British Secret Service, as he attempts to catch a Russian double agent. Alec Guinness stars as Smiley, with Michael Jayston, Anthony Bate, George Sewell, and Patrick Stewart in notable roles.

In its day, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy was considered a masterpiece of spy fiction on TV and was lauded for Guinness’s perfect depiction of Smiley and its faithfulness to the original story. Unfortunately, the 1979 series has since skipped audience memory, with the 2011 film adaptation taking its place as the more acclaimed and popular adaptation. However, with its intricate production and timely depiction of the 1970s Cold War-era sentiments, the seven-part BBC series will always remain a television landmark and one of the finest screen translations of John le Carré’s spy classics.

2

‘Alias Grace’ (2017)

Image via Sarah Gadon

Created by Sarah Polley and adapted from Margaret Atwood’s novel, Alias Grace follows Grace Marks, a 16-year-old Irish immigrant and housemaid in mid-1800s Canada, who is accused of killing her employer. Her case takes a new turn when a young psychiatrist, Thomas Jordan, is assigned to evaluate her mental state to determine if she should be pardoned. The series stars Sarah Gadon as the titular character, with Paul Gross, Anna Paquin, Edward Holcroft, Zachary Levi, and David Cronenberg in key roles.

The six-part Canadian drama miniseries brings life to Atwood’s remarkable interpretation of true events from 1843 and is a modern television masterpiece. The narrative beautifully blurs the lines between fiction and reality, leaving the audience with ambiguity, thus doing every bit of justice to the original historical fiction story. But despite its incredible production values, powerful acting, and engaging storytelling, Alias Grace has remained an underrated gem and an eclectic favorite, never achieving mainstream success.

3

‘Station Eleven’ (2021)

Image via HBO Max

Based on Emily St. John Mandel’s novel, Station Eleven is a post-apocalyptic dystopian series by Patrick Somerville that centers on a devastating flu pandemic that causes the collapse of civilization. Twenty years after the catastrophic events, the story intertwines the lives of a group of survivors: a nomadic theater group, a famous actor, and an aspiring artist. Mackenzie Davis, Himesh Patel, Matilda Lawler, David Wilmot, Nabhaan Rizwan, Daniel Zovatto, and Lori Petty star in the main roles.

A story about a pandemic that upended life across the world, Station Eleven could not have been timelier, serving as a hopeful, reassuring approach to survival. A subtle, slow reflection on life, art, and memory, the series thrives on its balanced narrative of sci-fi elements, grim motifs, and artistic pursuits. One of the most perfect sci-fi miniseries to watch on HBO, Station Eleven earned critical acclaim and garnered a dedicated following during its run, but it was soon forgotten amid other mainstream shows and miniseries on the network.

4

‘Shetland’ (2013–Present)

Image via BBC

A British crime drama by David Kane, adapted from Ann Cleeves’s novel collection of the same name, Shetland is set in the titular Scottish archipelago and follows local Detective Inspector Jimmy Perez and his loyal sergeants as they investigate all kinds of crimes within the community. The show’s later seasons center on DI Ruth Calder, who replaces Perez as the series lead. Douglas Henshall, Ashley Jensen, Alison O’Donnell, Steven Robertson, Julie Graham, and Mark Bonnar play the main roles.

While the first two seasons of Shetland are direct adaptations of four books in Cleeves’ The Four Seasons Quartet, the following seasons are exclusively original storylines, which largely change the overall impact of the show. However, the grim and gritty crime thriller appeals with its powerful characters, compelling performances, and distinctive Nordic Noir aesthetic. Since its premiere in 2013, Shetland has been widely acclaimed, earning several accolades, and yet, it has remained quite a niche show with a small but dedicated fan following.

5

‘Little Fires Everywhere’ (2020)

Image via Hulu

Created by Liz Tigelaar from Celeste Ng’s novel of the same name, Little Fires Everywhere centers on Elena Richardson, a perfect suburban mother and landlady, and Mia Warren, a single mother with a teenage daughter and a mysterious past who moves to an Ohio suburb. When Elena offers Mia a home and a job as her housekeeper, their lives and those of their children become a complicated entanglement, upending the Richardsons’ seemingly perfect lives. Reese Witherspoon and Kerry Washington star as the central characters, with Joshua Jackson, Rosemarie DeWitt, Jade Pettyjohn, Lexi Underwood, and Megan Stott in key roles.

Anchored by fiery performances by Witherspoon and Washington, Little Fires Everywhere is as perfect as a miniseries can be, where every episode is deep and thoughtful. A powerful and incisive show, it raises and addresses tough questions about identity, race, and class dynamics, not to mention the complexities of motherhood. While the show made waves during its 2020 premiere and became Hulu’s most-watched series at the time, Little Fires Everywhere has since become quite niche and has not been a subject of mainstream pop-culture conversations.

6

‘The Shannara Chronicles’ (2016–2017)

Image via MTV

A post-apocalyptic fantasy created by Alfred Gough and Miles Millar, The Shannara Chronicles is a series adaptation of the novel trilogy The Sword of Shannara by Terry Brooks. The series, set in the fictional Four Lands, centers on three heroes who embark on a perilous quest with the help of the last druid to save a magical, dying tree and stop an army of demons from destroying the world. Austin Butler, Poppy Drayton, Ivana Baquero, Manu Bennett, Aaron Jakubenko, and Vanessa Morgan star in the main roles.

With magic, elven races, and the classic conflicts between good and evil, peace and war, The Shannara Chronicles is a well-made high fantasy show that fans would love. It nicely weaves two parallel plotlines with ample action and adventure, making it an exciting genre gem that is worth watching. Unfortunately, the show’s lower viewership and ratings led to its cancellation after two seasons, making it relatively obscure.

7

‘The Little Drummer Girl’ (2018)

Image via AMC

Directed by Park Chan-wook, The Little Drummer Girl is a spy drama series based on John le Carré’s 1983 novel of the same name and the second screen adaptation of the book after the 1984 film starring Diane Keaton. Set during the Cold War, the six-part BBC show follows Charlie, a young and radical left-wing English actress who is recruited by a Mossad agent to stop a terrorist plot planned across Europe. Florence Pugh, Michael Shannon, and Alexander Skarsgård star as the main characters, with Charles Dance, Simona Brown, and Max Irons in supporting roles.

The Little Drummer Girl is a near-perfect adaptation of le Carré’s complex espionage drama and stays faithful to the original 1970s setting, tense atmosphere, and complicated nuances of spycraft. On its release in 2018, the series was highly acclaimed and became one of the most celebrated spy shows of the 2010s, with praise for Chan-wook’s directorial vision and the invested performances of the lead cast. Despite its ardent genre following, The Little Drummer Girl has remained heavily underrated and has gotten lost in the never-ending stream of new content.

8

‘War & Peace’ (2016)

Image via BBC

Directed by Tom Harper and written by Andrew Davies, War & Peace is a historical drama miniseries adapted from Leo Tolstoy’s 1896 novel and the second major English-language TV series and BBC adaptation of the literary classic. Set during the Napoleonic Wars of the early 1800s, the series follows the interwoven tales of five Russian aristocratic families and their young members as they navigate love, loss, and the meaning of life amid a raging war. The show’s ensemble cast includes Paul Dano, Lily James, James Norton, Jessie Buckley, Brian Cox, and Gillian Anderson in main roles.

War & Peace is elevated by its passionate drama, sprawling visuals, and luxurious costumes, balancing humor and heart at various stages. While it cannot capture the complete depth of Tolstoy’s genius, the six-part series largely stays faithful to the original material and makes the complex literary classic more comprehensible for modern audiences. At the time of its premiere in 2016, War & Peace garnered critical acclaim, but it has remained a hidden gem ever since, though it is more than worth rediscovering.