9 Biggest Changes My Life With The Walter Boys Season 1 Makes To The Book

A Missing Walter Brother

The ensemble of characters in My Life with the Walter Boys was a large takeaway for Halsall when she was choosing to adapt the novel. Halsall said she enjoyed the character building of those surrounding the three leads in the love triangle. However, something that differs from the book is the number of brothers there are in the Walter family. While not a drastic change, the series includes one set of twin brothers instead of two, Danny and Cole. Another brother, Jordan, is a twin in Novak's book, but for the series adaptation, Halsall chose to only feature one brother, though her reasons for why aren't specified.

Many characters in My Life with the Walter Boys sitting at the dinner table

The series includes one set of twin brothers instead of two, Danny and Cole. Another brother, Jordan, is a twin in Novak's book, but for the series adaptation, Halsall chose to only feature one brother, though her reasons for why aren't specified.

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Tara's Character

The character of Tara (Ashley Holliday) was added for the Netflix adaptation despite not having been a character in either version of Novak's story. Halsall hasn't given a specific reason as to why she created the character of Tara, but as the school's guidance counselor, she provides support for the teenage characters, specifically Jackie. She is also close friends with Haley and supports her through her relationship with Will. However, Tara wasn't created for the sole purpose of supporting other characters. The finale hints at the possibility of Tara and Uncle Richard starting a relationship.

Tara in her office, holding a phone to her face

The character of Tara (Ashley Holliday) was added for the Netflix adaptation despite not having been a character in either version of Novak's story. Halsall hasn't given a specific reason as to why she created the character of Tara.

Zoe Soul as Hayley and Jonny Link's Will at their wedding in My Life with the Walter Boys

Adapting To A Broader Audience

Considering the book was written when Novak was 15, it makes sense that much of the original material was geared toward younger readers. However, for the Netflix adaptation, Halsall wanted to do what she could to make the content appeal to a wide range of audiences. When she spoke to Variety about this, she said the series, in her eyes, is a primetime show that has teenagers in it, rather than being a show strictly for teenagers (via Variety). One of the ways Halsall went about changing the young adult feel of the material was by including more of the Walter parents, Katherine and George.

Katherine and George looking into the distance

One of the ways Halsall went about changing the young adult feel of the material was by including more of the Walter parents, Katherine and George. Katherine (Sarah Rafferty) and George Walter (Marc Blucas) are given more screen time in the Netflix adaptation. Compared to their appearances in Novak's book, the couple are a larger part of the series. Halsall felt as though if the show were to only focus on teenagers, it wouldn't appeal to as wide of an audience. She wanted to have characters and storylines in the show everybody could relate to.

Marc Blucas as George Walter hugging Sarah Rafferty's Katherine in My Life With the Walter Boys.