7 Most Anticipated Book-to-TV Adaptations of 2026

by

Adapting books for television isn’t a recent trend, but it’s become increasingly popular with streaming services. As these companies compete for viewers, well-known stories are incredibly valuable because they attract new audiences. From timeless classics to today’s bestsellers, book adaptations continue to be a mainstay on TV, and 2026 promises to be another big year for these kinds of shows.

In 2026, get ready for a lot of new shows and movies based on popular books! These adaptations cover all sorts of genres and feature well-known actors and creative teams. Studios are hoping these familiar stories will be the next big hits, and fans are already excited to see them come to life.

Young Sherlock

Prime Video

Andrew Lane’s Young Sherlock Holmes series tells the story of a teenage Sherlock Holmes, showing how he developed into the famous detective we know. The books explore his early life, focusing on how he honed his mind, formed his values, and learned to keep his emotions in check – all while solving mysteries before he even moved to Baker Street.

Prime Video is partnering with director Guy Ritchie, known for the popular Sherlock Holmes films with Robert Downey Jr., to create a new show called Young Sherlock. The series will offer a fresh and fast-paced look at Sherlock Holmes’s beginnings, staying true to Ritchie’s distinctive filmmaking style.

The upcoming Sherlock series, starring Hero Fiennes Tiffin, promises a fresh take on the iconic detective – one who is more vulnerable and prone to strong emotions. Set to premiere on March 4, 2026, the show will combine stylish, youthful energy with clever mysteries and fast-paced humor, and is expected to launch a new franchise for Prime Video.

Margo’s Got Money Troubles

Apple TV

Rufi Thorpe’s novel, Margo’s Got Money Troubles, is a witty and compassionate story about a young mother struggling with poverty and the challenges of online life. The story is told from the perspective of a character who refuses to let others define her.

Elle Fanning will star as Margo in a new Apple TV series. The show reunites the team behind Big Little Lies, with David E. Kelley writing and running the show, and Nicole Kidman as an executive producer. Combining this familiar creative force with a compelling story, the series promises to be a smart and captivating look at its characters.

Viewers are also eager to see how the series will address the book’s themes of sex work, social media, and class distinctions, hoping it will do so with sensitivity and avoid being condescending. Given the way Kelley handled Big Little Lies, it’s probable that the story’s emotional depth will be preserved.

His & Hers

Netflix

Image via Netflix

Alice Feeney’s novel, His & Hers, is a suspenseful psychological thriller that follows journalist Anna Andrews and Detective Jack Harper as they become involved in the same murder investigation. As they dig deeper, they’re forced to uncover secrets about the victim, the killer, and even each other. The story is told from both characters’ perspectives, and with narrators you can’t quite trust, it creates a gripping and tense reading experience.

Thriller fans are already excited about this new project, comparing it to popular hits like Gone Girl and Behind Her Eyes. Starring Tessa Thompson as Anna and Jon Bernthal as her husband, Harper, the Netflix limited series His & Hers is expected to be a major talking point next year thanks to its complex story and Netflix’s wide audience.

Carrie

Prime Video

Stephen King’s novel Carrie nearly wasn’t published, but it became a hugely famous and influential horror story. It follows a tormented teenager with telekinetic abilities whose powers explode in a tragic event. The story has been made into movies and TV shows several times, and King himself has had varying opinions about these adaptations.

Prime Video faces a tough task with this new series. However, they’ve hired Mike Flanagan, a well-respected horror TV director known for his work on adaptations like Doctor Sleep, which has pleased Stephen King. Flanagan intends to remain faithful to the original story while updating it for modern audiences, and he has King’s approval to do so.

Viewers are hopeful and curious about the new series, which promises to delve deeper into Carrie’s universe instead of simply repeating the original story. Given the creator’s history of strong work and Amazon Prime Video’s commitment to the project, the 2026 show looks set to be one of Prime Video’s biggest and most ambitious horror offerings.

The Law of Innocence

Netflix

Fans of The Lincoln Lawyer can look forward to season 4, coming to Netflix in 2026. This season will be based on Michael Connelly’s novel, The Law of Innocence, and will see defense attorney Mickey Haller facing a shocking turn of events: he’s accused of murder and must prove his own innocence.

This sixth book in the series really ups the ante by having the legal system go against Mickey Haller, a development hinted at in the season three finale of The Lincoln Lawyer.

The most anticipated part of the new season is the return of Manuel Garcia-Rulfo as Haller. This story is one of the most gripping in Michael Connelly’s books, and the showrunner, Ted Humphrey, has assured fans it will be a true-to-the-source adaptation that delves deeper into Mickey Haller’s inner life.

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms

HBO Max

Fans of Game of Thrones will enjoy A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms by George R.R. Martin. This book gathers his Tales of Dunk and Egg, stories set 100 years before the events of Game of Thrones. The tales center on Ser Duncan the Tall, a wandering knight, and his young assistant as they travel across Westeros.

Ebaster Report

Dive into the world of movies and TV shows with Ebaster, your source for news, reviews, and exclusive content.

Ebaster Report

Dive into the world of movies and TV shows with Ebaster, your source for news, reviews, and exclusive content.

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

While House of the Dragon focuses on large-scale political conflicts, this new show will be more realistic and center on the lives and development of its characters.

It’s encouraging that Martin has already spoken positively about A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, and that the show is based on completed books. Set to premiere in January 2026, the series has the potential to show viewers that intimate fantasy stories can be just as captivating as large-scale, visually impressive ones.

The Testaments

Hulu/Disney+

Margaret Atwood, the acclaimed author of The Handmaid’s Tale, revisited the world of Gilead in her 2019 novel, The Testaments. This sequel takes place fifteen years later and is told from the perspectives of three women: the strict Aunt Lydia, Agnes Jemima (the adopted daughter of Commander Kyle), and Daisy, who lives in Canada.

Bruce Miller, who oversaw the popular series The Handmaid’s Tale, is now directing the new adaptation of The Testaments. He’s assured fans that while it will connect to the original show, it will also offer a new and exciting experience.

Hulu is continuing the story of Margaret Atwood’s world with a new series, building directly off the success of The Handmaid’s Tale. Elisabeth Moss will executive produce, and Ann Dowd will reprise her role as Aunt Lydia. Fans are hopeful this adaptation of The Testaments will recapture the quality of Atwood’s original storytelling, as some viewers weren’t as thrilled with the later seasons of The Handmaid’s Tale which moved beyond the book’s plot.

Read More

2025-12-20 21:41