'Wolf Hall' and 17 More Book-to-TV Adaptations in the Works
Ethan AlterSenior Writer, Yahoo Entertainment
Updated
Wolf Hall
1 of 17
'Wolf Hall' (PBS Masterpiece)
Based on: Hilary Mantel?s bestseller and its popular sequel, 'Bring Up the Bodies.'
Logline: A re-telling of the saga of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, this time from the perspective of Thomas Cromwell.
Talent involved: Damian Lewis as Henry, Claire Foy as Anne Boelyn, and Mark Rylance as Thomas Cromwell.
Current status: 'Wolf Hall' premieres Sunday, April 5 at 10 p.m. on PBS Masterpiece.
Based on: Hilary Mantel?s bestseller and its popular sequel, 'Bring Up the Bodies.'
Logline: A re-telling of the saga of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, this time from the perspective of Thomas Cromwell.
Talent involved: Damian Lewis as Henry, Claire Foy as Anne Boelyn, and Mark Rylance as Thomas Cromwell.
Current status: 'Wolf Hall' premieres Sunday, April 5 at 10 p.m. on PBS Masterpiece.
Area 51
2 of 17
'Area 51' (AMC)
Based On: Annie Jacobson?s 2011 non-fiction account of America?s most famous top-secret, alien-affiliated military base.
Logline: A conspiracy thriller set in and around Area 51.
Talent Involved: 'X-Files' creator Chris Carter, a guy who knows a thing or two about vast government conspiracies, is writing and executive producing.
Current Status: In development.
Based On: Annie Jacobson?s 2011 non-fiction account of America?s most famous top-secret, alien-affiliated military base.
Logline: A conspiracy thriller set in and around Area 51.
Talent Involved: 'X-Files' creator Chris Carter, a guy who knows a thing or two about vast government conspiracies, is writing and executive producing.
Current Status: In development.
The Casual Vacancy
3 of 17
The Casual Vacancy (HBO)
Based On: J.K. Rowling?s 2012 bestseller and her first post-Harry Potter adult novel. (Of course, adults also voraciously read the Potter books.)
Logline: A vacancy on the town council of an idyllic English village upsets the local picture-perfect equilibrium.
Talent Involved: The book was adapted by Sarah Phelps and the cast includes Michael Gambon (a.k.a. Dumbledore from Prisoner of Azkaban through Deathly Hallows), Rory Kinnear and Julia McKenzie.
Current Status: The three-part miniseries is set to air on HBO on Apr. 29 at 8 p.m.
Based On: J.K. Rowling?s 2012 bestseller and her first post-Harry Potter adult novel. (Of course, adults also voraciously read the Potter books.)
Logline: A vacancy on the town council of an idyllic English village upsets the local picture-perfect equilibrium.
Talent Involved: The book was adapted by Sarah Phelps and the cast includes Michael Gambon (a.k.a. Dumbledore from Prisoner of Azkaban through Deathly Hallows), Rory Kinnear and Julia McKenzie.
Current Status: The three-part miniseries is set to air on HBO on Apr. 29 at 8 p.m.
Blanco County
4 of 17
'Blanco County' (USA)
Based On: Ben Rehder?s serio-comic 'Blanco County Mystery' series, published since 2002.
Logline: A former pro ballplayer returns to his small Texas town and unexpectedly wins election to the office of sheriff.
Talent Involved: As of 2013, 'Veronica Mars' creator Rob Thomas was onboard as a writer, and former 'Smallville' star Tom Welling was among the executive producers.
Current Status: In development.
Based On: Ben Rehder?s serio-comic 'Blanco County Mystery' series, published since 2002.
Logline: A former pro ballplayer returns to his small Texas town and unexpectedly wins election to the office of sheriff.
Talent Involved: As of 2013, 'Veronica Mars' creator Rob Thomas was onboard as a writer, and former 'Smallville' star Tom Welling was among the executive producers.
Current Status: In development.
The Man in the High Castle
5 of 17
'The Man in the High Castle' (Amazon)
Based On: Philip K. Dick?s 1962 re-imagining of what the world might have looked like had the Axis won World War II.
Logline: Citizens of what used to be the United States seek to combat their Nazi and Japanese oppressors.
Talent Involved: Alexa Davalos, Rupert Evans, Rufus Sewell and DJ Qualls are among the cast.
Current Status: Previewed as part of Amazon?s recent slate of new pilots, the show was among the five picked up for a full season order.
Based On: Philip K. Dick?s 1962 re-imagining of what the world might have looked like had the Axis won World War II.
Logline: Citizens of what used to be the United States seek to combat their Nazi and Japanese oppressors.
Talent Involved: Alexa Davalos, Rupert Evans, Rufus Sewell and DJ Qualls are among the cast.
Current Status: Previewed as part of Amazon?s recent slate of new pilots, the show was among the five picked up for a full season order.
American Gods
6 of 17
'American Gods' (Starz)
Based On: Neil Gaiman?s award-winning 2001 fantasy novel.
Logline: An ex-con discovers his godly origins and is introduced to the Earth?s mythological population.
Talent Involved: 'Hannibal' EP Bryan Fuller and 'Kings? EP Michael Green are shepherding the series to the small screen.
Current Status: In development.
Based On: Neil Gaiman?s award-winning 2001 fantasy novel.
Logline: An ex-con discovers his godly origins and is introduced to the Earth?s mythological population.
Talent Involved: 'Hannibal' EP Bryan Fuller and 'Kings? EP Michael Green are shepherding the series to the small screen.
Current Status: In development.
For Justice
7 of 17
'For Justice' (CBS)
Based on: The Thomas Berryman Number, the 1976 debut novel by future publishing powerhouse, James Patteson.
Logline: The book follows a journalist’s investigation into a string of murders. The series will depict an FBI agent caught between her family and her job.
Talent Involved: Anika Noni Rose is the lead, and the supporting case includes Shawn Hatosy, Phylicia Rashad and Mario Van Peebles.
Current Status: 'For Justice' is on CBS’s 2015 pilot slate.
Based on: The Thomas Berryman Number, the 1976 debut novel by future publishing powerhouse, James Patteson.
Logline: The book follows a journalist’s investigation into a string of murders. The series will depict an FBI agent caught between her family and her job.
Talent Involved: Anika Noni Rose is the lead, and the supporting case includes Shawn Hatosy, Phylicia Rashad and Mario Van Peebles.
Current Status: 'For Justice' is on CBS’s 2015 pilot slate.
Childhood's End & 3001
8 of 17
'Childhood?s End' & '3001: The Final Odyssey' (Syfy)
Based On: Arthur C. Clarke?s beloved 1953 novel and the 1997 finale to his 2001 series.
Logline: 'Childhood?s End' depicts mankind?s first close encounter with the third kind; '3001' revives astronaut Frank Poole, killed by HAL 9000 a millennia ago, and turns him loose in the distant future.
Talent Involved: 'Childhood?s End' is being executive produced by Akiva Goldsman and Mike De Luca and stars Charles Dance, Mike Vogel and Julian McMahon. '3001' boasts the involvement of Ridley Scott?s Scott Free production company and screenwriter Stuart Beattie.
Current Status: 'Childhood?s End' will air on Syfy later this year; '3001' is still in development.
Based On: Arthur C. Clarke?s beloved 1953 novel and the 1997 finale to his 2001 series.
Logline: 'Childhood?s End' depicts mankind?s first close encounter with the third kind; '3001' revives astronaut Frank Poole, killed by HAL 9000 a millennia ago, and turns him loose in the distant future.
Talent Involved: 'Childhood?s End' is being executive produced by Akiva Goldsman and Mike De Luca and stars Charles Dance, Mike Vogel and Julian McMahon. '3001' boasts the involvement of Ridley Scott?s Scott Free production company and screenwriter Stuart Beattie.
Current Status: 'Childhood?s End' will air on Syfy later this year; '3001' is still in development.
Foundation
9 of 17
Foundation (HBO)
Based On: Isaac Asimov?s seminal science-fiction series, published between 1942-1993.
Logline: In the distant future, on another world, mathematician Hari Seldon organizes a safe haven for the fines minds of his time, hoping to build a foundation that outlasts the looming collapse of the Galactic Empire.
Talent Involved: Roland Emmerich was attached to a previous incarnation of the project, but Person of Interest creator Jonathan Nolan is leading the charge on the HBO version.
Current Status: In development.
Based On: Isaac Asimov?s seminal science-fiction series, published between 1942-1993.
Logline: In the distant future, on another world, mathematician Hari Seldon organizes a safe haven for the fines minds of his time, hoping to build a foundation that outlasts the looming collapse of the Galactic Empire.
Talent Involved: Roland Emmerich was attached to a previous incarnation of the project, but Person of Interest creator Jonathan Nolan is leading the charge on the HBO version.
Current Status: In development.
Sharp Objects
10 of 17
'Sharp Objects'
Based On: The book by 'Gone Girl' author Gillian Flynn (pictured)
Logline: A journalist follows the trail of a murderer through her hometown.
Talent Involved: Flynn will executive produce the series and Marti Noxon is onboard as showrunner.
Current Status: In development and looking for a network.
Based On: The book by 'Gone Girl' author Gillian Flynn (pictured)
Logline: A journalist follows the trail of a murderer through her hometown.
Talent Involved: Flynn will executive produce the series and Marti Noxon is onboard as showrunner.
Current Status: In development and looking for a network.
11/22/63
11 of 17
11/22/63 (Hulu)
Based On: Stephen King?s 2011 Kennedy-era time-travel adventure.
Logline: A Maine school teacher discovers a portal to the past and ventures back to the mid-20th century to prevent the JFK assassination.
Talent Involved: James Franco will play the main character in the limited series, which is backed by J.J. Abrams?s Bad Robot production company.
Current Status: In pre-production for a yet-to-be-announced airdate on Hulu.
Based On: Stephen King?s 2011 Kennedy-era time-travel adventure.
Logline: A Maine school teacher discovers a portal to the past and ventures back to the mid-20th century to prevent the JFK assassination.
Talent Involved: James Franco will play the main character in the limited series, which is backed by J.J. Abrams?s Bad Robot production company.
Current Status: In pre-production for a yet-to-be-announced airdate on Hulu.
Fantasy Life
12 of 17
'Fantasy Life' (Fox)
Based On: ESPN analyst Matthew Berry?s 2013 account of his weird, wild time spent in the realm of fantasy sports.
Logline: A sports fan gets his own fantasy football TV show, but has trouble adjusting to a real-life workplace.
Talent Involved: 'Entourage' star Kevin Connolly plays Berry?s alter ego, and Chris McDonald recently signed on to replace James Caan.
Current Status: 'Fantasy Life' is on Fox?s pilot slate.
Based On: ESPN analyst Matthew Berry?s 2013 account of his weird, wild time spent in the realm of fantasy sports.
Logline: A sports fan gets his own fantasy football TV show, but has trouble adjusting to a real-life workplace.
Talent Involved: 'Entourage' star Kevin Connolly plays Berry?s alter ego, and Chris McDonald recently signed on to replace James Caan.
Current Status: 'Fantasy Life' is on Fox?s pilot slate.
A Series of Unfortunate Events
13 of 17
'A Series of Unfortunate Events' (Netflix)
Based On: The beloved children?s series written by Lemony Snicket?um, make that Daniel Handler.
Logline: The unfortunate, orphaned Baudelaire children deal with the machinations of their villainous guardian, Count Olaf.
Talent Involved: No names have been announced yet.
Current Status: In development.
Based On: The beloved children?s series written by Lemony Snicket?um, make that Daniel Handler.
Logline: The unfortunate, orphaned Baudelaire children deal with the machinations of their villainous guardian, Count Olaf.
Talent Involved: No names have been announced yet.
Current Status: In development.
Shadowhunters
14 of 17
'Shadowhunters' (ABC Family)
Based On: 'The Mortal Instruments' series of YA novels by Cassandra Clare, previously adapted for the big-screen.
Logline: Ordinary teen Clary Fray discovers her true identity as a demon-hunting warrior.
Talent Involved: Ed Decter, formerly of 'Helix,' will be the showrunner.
Current Status: 'Shadowhunters' nabbed a straight-to-series order.
Based On: 'The Mortal Instruments' series of YA novels by Cassandra Clare, previously adapted for the big-screen.
Logline: Ordinary teen Clary Fray discovers her true identity as a demon-hunting warrior.
Talent Involved: Ed Decter, formerly of 'Helix,' will be the showrunner.
Current Status: 'Shadowhunters' nabbed a straight-to-series order.
Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell
15 of 17
'Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell' (BBC America)
Based On: Susanna Clarke?s 2004 alt-history account of a 19th century England that?s literally magical.
Logline: After demonstrating his magical abilities, the mysterious Mr Norrell ventures to London to aid in the Napoleonic Wars and gets mixed up in an ill-advised resurrection.
Talent Involved: Wallander writer, Peter Harness, adapted the book. Bertie Carvel stars as Strange while British character actor Eddie Marsan is playing Norrell.
Current Status: The BBC-made seven episode series is scheduled to air on BBC America sometime in 2015.
Based On: Susanna Clarke?s 2004 alt-history account of a 19th century England that?s literally magical.
Logline: After demonstrating his magical abilities, the mysterious Mr Norrell ventures to London to aid in the Napoleonic Wars and gets mixed up in an ill-advised resurrection.
Talent Involved: Wallander writer, Peter Harness, adapted the book. Bertie Carvel stars as Strange while British character actor Eddie Marsan is playing Norrell.
Current Status: The BBC-made seven episode series is scheduled to air on BBC America sometime in 2015.
The Sparrow
16 of 17
'The Sparrow' (AMC)
Based On: Mary Doria Russell?s beloved 1996 first novel.
Logline: A group of Jesuits travel to a faraway planet and the lone survivor returns with physical and emotional scars.
Talent Involved: 'Breaking Bad' veterans Mark Johnson and Melissa Bernstein are onboard as executive producers, alongside executive producer and writer, Michael Perry.
Current Status: In development.
Based On: Mary Doria Russell?s beloved 1996 first novel.
Logline: A group of Jesuits travel to a faraway planet and the lone survivor returns with physical and emotional scars.
Talent Involved: 'Breaking Bad' veterans Mark Johnson and Melissa Bernstein are onboard as executive producers, alongside executive producer and writer, Michael Perry.
Current Status: In development.
The Terror
17 of 17
'The Terror '(AMC)
Based On: Dan Simmons?s terrifying 2007 history-laced supernatural thriller.
Logline: Based on a real 19th century account of an expedition lost in the Arctic, the narrative takes a paranormal turn with the arrival of polar bear-like monsters and mystical demons.
Talent Involved: Ridley Scott?s production company, Scott Free, hired David Kajganich to adapt Simmons?s novel.
Current Status: In development.
Based On: Dan Simmons?s terrifying 2007 history-laced supernatural thriller.
Logline: Based on a real 19th century account of an expedition lost in the Arctic, the narrative takes a paranormal turn with the arrival of polar bear-like monsters and mystical demons.
Talent Involved: Ridley Scott?s production company, Scott Free, hired David Kajganich to adapt Simmons?s novel.
Current Status: In development.
Downton Abbey may have just concluded its fifth season, but PBS is anticipating similarly blockbuster ratings with their latest British import, Wolf Hall, an adaption of Hilary Mantel’s award-winning bestseller and its equally popular sequel, Bring Up the Bodies. A re-telling of the saga of Henry VIII (played by Damian Lewis) and Anne Boleyn (Claire Foy), this time from the perspective of Thomas Cromwell (Mark Rylance), Wolf Hall boasts both high-class literary pedigree and robust sale — the preferred combination for any book-to-TV adaptation.
Here’s a preview of some of the other books that are making their way to your televisions in the months and years ahead. (Please note: While we here at Yahoo TV absolutely consider comic books to be “literature,” we’re sticking to the traditional definition here. So don’t look for the likes of Supergirl, Daredevil, or Preacher.)
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