5 Surprising Apple TV Shows Based on Books You Didn’t Know About

by

As original as some Apple TV shows may seem, they are secretly based on books you did not know about.

Many of Apple TV+’s most popular shows across all genres started as books. Series like the thrilling Slow Horses, the captivating sci-fi drama Silo, and others such as Dark Matter and Foundation are all based on novels.

Interestingly, several other shows on Apple TV aren’t actually based on original ideas. They either closely follow the plot of an existing book, or are inspired by popular and well-regarded novels.

Shantaram

Before appearing on Apple TV+, Shantaram was predicted to be a standout drama. Starring Charlie Hunnam, the show is based on Gregory David Roberts’ novel and tells the story of an Australian bank robber who flees prison and finds himself in India. The series closely mirrors the plot of the book.

As with many book-to-screen adaptations, the series Shantaram took some liberties with the original story. While it captured the essence of the book, the show didn’t quite live up to its potential. Despite being based on a compelling story, Shantaram received lukewarm reviews and didn’t attract a large enough audience to justify a second season, leading to its cancellation.

Defending Jacob

Despite feeling like a true-crime documentary due to its realistic portrayal of legal drama and compelling performances, Defending Jacob is actually adapted from William Landay’s novel of the same name. Both the book and the show center around a father grappling with the accusation that his teenage son committed a murder.

The show and the book both start by suggesting the son might be the murderer, before ultimately revealing a more complicated story. Despite featuring Chris Evans, Defending Jacob hasn’t become as widely popular as other crime thrillers available for streaming. However, it’s still a well-made adaptation that presents a captivating and emotionally powerful drama.

Sunny

Image via Apple TV+

As a huge fan, I think Sunny is still one of the best sci-fi shows Apple TV has to offer! It’s amazing that it still has a 90% rating on Rotten Tomatoes – critics really seem to appreciate how it looks at the whole AI situation without taking sides. While the show is super original, it’s actually inspired by Colin O’Sullivan’s The Dark Manual, which is a cool connection to discover!

Rather than simply using the name of the book it’s based on, the Apple TV+ show Sunny cleverly incorporates a mysterious, highly sought-after book called The Dark Manual into its storyline. Despite being a bold sci-fi series with a standout performance by Rashida Jones, Sunny was unfortunately canceled after just one season.

Bad Monkey

Image via AppleTV+

The darkly humorous crime drama, Bad Monkey, is based on the novel of the same name by Carl Hiaasen. While the show largely follows the book, it makes a significant change near the end. This alteration in the Apple TV+ series Bad Monkey wasn’t popular with many viewers who were familiar with the original story.

Even though some viewers disagreed with a particular change, the show Bad Monkey was well-received by critics, earning a 92% score on Rotten Tomatoes. It’s been renewed for a second season and will be back on Apple TV before long.

Black Bird

Many viewers initially thought the Apple TV miniseries Black Bird was based on the real-life crimes of Larry Hall, as it was promoted as a true crime drama. However, the show is actually based on James Keene’s autobiography, In with the Devil, which details his unsettling experience trying to get a confession from Hall while incarcerated. While Black Bird takes some creative liberties, it powerfully portrays the horror of Keene’s time in prison. Taron Egerton and Paul Walter Hauser give outstanding performances as Keene and Hall, respectively. Despite being somewhat under the radar, Black Bird is one of the best adaptations of a true crime book you’ll find.

Read More

2025-12-08 04:28