These terrific television shows are inspired by books. Check them out below!
Game of Thrones
Game of Thrones is based on George R.R. Martin’s fantasy series, ‘A Song of Ice and Fire.’ The first book in the series, ‘A Game of Thrones,’ was published in 1996.
Boardwalk Empire
Boardwalk Empire is based on the 2002 nonfiction book, ‘Boardwalk Empire: The Birth, High Times, and Corruption of Atlantic City’ by Nelson Johnson.
Bones
Bones is inspired by a series of novels by Kathy Reichs revolving around the character of Temperance Brennan, as well as the life of Kathy Reichs herself. For a fun twist, on Bones, Temperance Brennan writes novels featuring a character named Kathy Reichs. ‘Deja Dead’ is the first book of the series.
The Finder
The Finder is loosely based on The Locator series by Richard Greener, the first of which is titled, ‘The Knowland Retribution.’
Dexter
Dexter is derived from the first book in a series by Jeff Lindsay, titled ‘Darkly Dreaming Dexter.’ The first season follows the first book in the series, but the remaining seasons take a different direction than the novels.
Elementary
Elementary is a modern take on the classic Sherlock Holmes stories by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
Gossip Girl
Gossip Girl is based on the teen book series of the same name, written by Cecily von Ziegesar. The first book in the series was published in 2002.
Pretty Little Liars
Also based on a teen book series is Pretty Little Liars, by Sara Shepard, with the first book in the series published in 2006.
House of Cards
House of Cards is based on the trilogy of novels by Michael Dobbs. The first book in the series was published in 1989, also titled ‘House of Cards.’
Orange is the New Black
The Netflix series is based on Piper Kerman’s memoir, ‘Orange is the New Black: My Year in a Women’s Prison,’ which was published in 2010.
Outlander
Outlander is based on the series of novels of the same name by Diana Gabaldon, with the first book published in 1991. The series contains eight (yes, eight!) books.
Sleepy Hollow
Sleepy Hollow is a modern version of Washington Irving’s classic short story, “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” which was published in 1820.
The Last Ship
The Last Ship is based on William Brinkley’s post-apocalyptic novel of the same name, which was published in 1988.
The Strain
Also premiering last summer was The Strain, based on the horror trilogy by Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan. The first of the novels, also titled, ‘The Strain,’ was published in 2009.
True Blood
True Blood is based on the Southern Vampire Mysteries, a series of thirteen novels by Charlain Harris. The first book in the series, ‘Dead Until Dark,’ was published in 2001.
The Vampire Diaries
The Vampire Diaries is based on the teen book series of the same name by L.J. Smith. The first book in the series, ‘The Awakening,’ was published in 1991. The series contains 13 novels, though the later novels were written by ghostwriters.
The 100
The 100 is based on the teen science fiction series by Kass Morgan. The first book in the series, also titled ‘The 100,’ was published in 2013.
