The Second Chance: How TV Shows Have Reimagined Failed Book Adaptations

The Rise of TV Shows for Failed Book Adaptations

Book adaptations are tricky to pull off, and many that had previously been made as movies have gotten second chances as TV shows. Game of Thrones set a widespread precedence for how the television medium could properly bring books to life, as the longer format allows for critical narrative and character details that a film might have been forced to leave out due to time constraints.

Percy, Annabeth, and Grover look out in Percy Jackson and the Olympians.

In recent years, many of these book-to-movie adaptations that fell short of their novel's prestige have become prime targets for streaming shows. In some cases, like Harry Potter or Interview with the Vampire, the movies didn't even have to fail for them to get another chance on television. With the fantasy genre in particular, every streaming service has been grasping for familiar titles to embellish their libraries, and offering a promising fresh start to a beloved novel or series is a clever way to do it.

His Dark Materials Poster featuring Lin-Manuel Miranda as Lee Scoresby, James McAvoy as Lord Asriel, Dafnee Keen as Lyra, Ruth Wilson as Mrs. Coulter, and Ariyon Bakare as Boreal

Percy Jackson And The Olympians: A Second Live-Action Life

One of the most beloved young adult novels of the 21st century, Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson and the Olympians has recently found its second live-action life on Disney+. The movies, released in 2010 and 2013 to poor critical response, were ultimately a failed experiment that Riordan referred to as 'my life's work going through a meat grinder,' in a tweet he later deleted. Contrary to the movies, the Disney+ series has been highly endorsed by the author, and the opening episodes have received a far more positive response.

Leah Jeffries as Annabeth juxtaposed with Alexanrda Daddario as Annabeth in Percy Jackson and the Olympians

His Dark Materials: From Film Disappointment to TV Triumph

One of the most disappointing fantasy book adaptations was 2007's The Golden Compass, which adapted Philip Pullman's beloved fantasy novels. Given the terrific cast, it's a shame the script didn't live up to expectations. In hopes of a broader commercial appeal, the film stripped essential religious commentary from the story, weakening it. Luckily, Pullman's series was told to completion on HBO in His Dark Materials, which didn't skip any beats in bringing his world and complex narrative to life.