As a voracious reader who has lost count of the number of books I’ve devoured over the years, I can’t help but feel a deep sense of excitement when I hear that one of my all-time favorites is being adapted into a television series. The thought of seeing the characters and worlds I’ve grown attached to come to life on screen is an intoxicating prospect.
The transformation of books into popular Netflix original series has significantly increased the platform’s influence, fueling a surge in book sales worldwide and altering the way people consume fiction.
One achievement that has significantly boosted its reputation recently is the “Bridgerton” series from Netflix. Based on Netflix’s viewing data, the first three seasons are among its top ten most-watched shows, with Season 3 being the most popular globally since its release in May. The success of the show has led to a considerable surge in book sales for HarperCollins’ “Bridgerton” series by Julia Quinn. According to Nielsen’s BookScan, US sales increased by an impressive 552% during the week following the Season 3 TV trailer release and the week after its Netflix premiere.
After the release of “Fool Me Once,” an adaptation of Harlan Coben’s mystery thriller, the book climbed up the ranks on both the Amazon U.K. bestsellers list for 2024 and the New York Times bestsellers list. Additionally, over 20,000 physical copies of the tie-in cover were sold in the United States following the premiere.
Michelle Weiner, a key figure in Creative Artists Agency’s books division, collaborates closely with Netflix on various deals to adapt books into TV series. Some of these projects include “Night Agent,” “XO, Kitty,” “Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story,” and “All the Light We Cannot See.”
“We’ve found great success with Netflix series that are based on books. As we carefully put these projects together, Weiner noted, our objectives align with those of the authors. We strive to bring award-winning films to life by partnering talented writers, directors, producers, and actors.”
Audiobooks on platforms like Spotify have been influenced by Netflix’s large fan base. With the addition of popular titles to Spotify’s premium audiobook collection, subscribers can now enjoy listening to 15 hours of audiobooks each month as an included benefit of their Spotify Premium membership.
“According to David Kaefer, the head of Spotify’s music and audiobooks division, listening to audiobooks of novels on Spotify brings fans closer to the screen characters in a more profound manner. Additionally, there is an increase in the use of corresponding soundtracks and playlists.”
Kaefer highlighted “Bridgerton” as a notable instance, sharing that there has been a staggering 1,700% surge in show searches and a substantial 150% rise in Quinn audiobook listens on Spotify. Furthermore, there was an uptick in Vitamin String Quartet’s listenership due to their music being featured in the series. Likewise, “The Three-Body Problem” by Cixin Liu and “The Talented Mr. Ripley” by Patricia Highsmith experienced a significant increase in listens following the release of their respective adaptations on Spotify.
Highsmith’s novel, first published over 60 years ago, has recently reclaimed a spot on bestseller lists.
After the release of the romantic drama “One Day” in February, David Nicholls’ 2009 novel reclaimed the top spot on the Sunday Times bestseller list and made it to the Amazon U.K. Best Sellers list for 2024, fifteen years following its initial publication.
Netflix VP Jinny Howe, in charge of drama programming, points out that novels and TV shows share similarities in storytelling.
“She expressed that there’s something magical about getting lost in a good book, disappearing into its pages and living alongside the characters. The serial format of TV shows offers a unique experience as well, allowing us to deeply connect with and grow with these characters through their emotional and dramatic journeys, providing satisfaction much like reading a captivating book.”
The process for finding books they can adapt into a series is ongoing.
I personally enjoy exploring different genres and authors, and our internal team is an invaluable asset in keeping us informed about new releases. We don’t limit ourselves to specific genres alone; instead, we actively seek out unique voices and fresh perspectives. Moreover, we are drawn to narratives that are daring and original.
Netflix frequently creates adaptations from popular novels, which have dedicated fanbases eagerly following the development of their beloved characters and storylines.
“We strive to be careful and thoughtful when adapting the essence from the source material for both the established fanbase and the new audience of the film.”
However, it’s not always about looking at the “hot book” of the moment, Howe said.
I’ve noticed an intriguing trend in Netflix’s lineup as well. Less-known novel adaptations have garnered just as much success, such as “The Queen’s Gambit.” It’s one of our most popular series, and it’s been a thrill to witness this. The success of shows like “Ripley,” along with the vast intellectual property from various eras, has added to the excitement. There are so many compelling stories waiting to be brought to life, not all of them making their debut at the London Book Fair this year.
Romance shows such as “Bridgerton” and “One Day” have achieved success on Netflix, but thrillers and mysteries are equally favored by viewers, according to Howe. For instance, “Fool Me Once” was a top-performing series for Netflix earlier this year, and coming up next is the thriller “A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder,” set for release on August 1.
The show is inspired by Holly Jackson’s successful book collection with the same title. As an executive producer, the British writer played an active role in bringing her stories to life on television.
In the role of a helper, I took part in choosing the writers for each episode and provided detailed feedback on every draft of the scripts they produced.
She quipped: “They couldn’t get rid of me, even if they wanted to.”
Whether book authors are involved in the production of a series is a case by case basis.
In my experience as a follower of this topic, some writers choose to take a step back and give the series team greater freedom to expand upon their initial ideas, while others prefer to be closely involved in the adaptation process to ensure their vision is accurately portrayed on screen. Regardless, our ultimate objective is to remain faithful to the source material while delivering an engaging and high-quality story. This delicate balance requires careful consideration and collaboration between all parties involved.
Alongside his role in choosing scriptwriters for the TV show, Jackson contributed significantly during post-production. Specifically, he participated in the editing process and provided feedback on early episode cuts.
She expressed her long-held dream: creating a production that not only matched but surpassed certain aspects of the source material. When inspired, she persistently shared her concepts until they were incorporated into the final project.
The author expressed her joy over seeing her project at Netflix, appreciating its broad reach and accessibility, which will expose it to a larger audience, including those unfamiliar with her books.
“I’m so excited to hook them in too and take them on this new journey,” Jackson said.
As a devoted bibliophile and wordsmith, I’ve spent countless hours engrossed in the pages of captivating novels. Yet, Jackson confessed a surprising truth: my television consumption outweighs my book reading. I find that immersing myself in various shows can provide invaluable insights to enhance my writing skills.
Emma Myers, previously known for her notable performance as Enid Sinclair in “Wednesday,” is set to take on the role of 17-year-old Pip Fitz-Amobi in “A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder.” Jackson explained that choosing an American actor for the lead part aims to create a connection for U.S. viewers, adding a sense of belonging and investment in the show.
Readers have already shown support for the series.
“Fans have eagerly awaited any hint or piece of information regarding our production, and their excitement over minor details, such as Pip’s costume, brings joy to us,” Jackson expressed.
Twenty-one-year-old Bella Kish, an avid fan of the literature, expressed her delight upon hearing about the upcoming television version.
“Kish shared a TikTok video on the recent announcement, which attracted much interest. It’s fascinating to observe the large following Holly’s books have amassed and the eagerness of fans for the upcoming instalments,” is one way to paraphrase the original statement.
Kish said seeing one of her favorite books onscreen will be special.
She expressed hope that television adaptations of books would accurately portray the original characters and preserve the essence of the stories, minimizing significant changes.
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2024-07-18 19:32