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9 TV Shows That Were First Books

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This is the decade of adaptations. I mean, sure, books as old as time were turned over the years in movies, some an unhealthy number of times (seriously, please, stop). But these days, having a bestseller book, especially if it’s part of the ever so popular YA category, means an almost certain green light for a big screen production. There are few people left who don’t know that this film they’re watching used to be a book or, more, a franchise. Movies aren’t the only things that books make the transition towards, though. Some made the transition to television instead. In fact, there are some TV shows you might not even suspect of being backed by novels. So, in order to make this fact know, this is a list of 9 TV Shows That Were First Books.

1. Game Of Thrones

TV Shows That Were First Books - Game Of Thrones

Based on the book series A Song of Ice and Fire written by George R.R. Martin, Game of Thrones has to be the TV show whose origins the majority of the audience is aware of. The TV show is known for many things, unpredictability and shock factor included, but its biggest ace is its ability to keep viewers hooked and wondering. Given these circumstances, it’s not surprising that many people turned to the books during the show’s hiatuses, in hopes that they would perhaps reveal further information on their favorite character’s whereabouts. Unfortunately, although Game of Thrones definitely maintains much of the source material, it often diverges from the books and now, with the premiere of the sixth season, it will completely surpass their timeline.

2. Sherlock

Sherlock - TV Shows That Were First Books

Who doesn’t know about the worldwide famous novels and stories written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the man behind the creation of Sherlock Holmes? His tales have been adapted and re-adapted a copious amount of times through the decades, though it’s very likely that BBC’s Emmy nominee Sherlock is the most unique. Taking the premise of the crime solving duo Sherlock Holmes and John Watson, then embedding it in a modern setting, this show reinvented the series. It benefits from great cinematography and two lead actors, Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman, who were critically acclaimed for their performances.

3. Sex And The City

TV Shows That Were First Books - Sex And The City

HBO didn’t always produce TV shows that were a controversial mix of graphic violence and nudity. Thanks to Candace Bushnell, who finally managed to get her ideas published after she filled the columns on the New York Observer with them, we got Sex and the City. This story follows around four women’s lives, filled with relationship and romance issues, though what truly made this series stand out was its great satirical tone, and its cultural impact that opened doors for media composed of a cast of almost entirely women.

4. House Of Cards

House Of Cards, One Of The TV Shows That Were First Books

One of the most critically acclaimed productions of the era, House of Cards is what truly let the world know that Netflix means business with its original series. But for the premise, we have to thank Michael Dobbs, a British politician that wrote the book that’s behind the series. Since it was a politician who crafted the story, the focus is naturally on another politician, by the name Frank Underwood, as he pursues his ambitious goal of occupying the seat of the most powerful man in the world. Praised for its impressive line-up of cast members and storytelling, this TV show helped us know how truly vicious politics can be.

5. Dexter

TV Shows That Were First Books Include Dexter

This criminally good TV show has its origins in the Jeff Lindsay novel, Darkly Dreaming Dexter. Being the production that became the trademark of Showtime, Dexter gave us a generous number of seasons as it followed around Michael C. Hall’s character, a serial killer with a consciousness rattled by righteousness. Considering that many of the criminals out there eluded the punishment they truly deserve, Dexter takes matters in his own hands, and makes us all question our sanity and morality in the process.

6. M*A*S*H

M*A*S*H, Among The TV Shows That Were First Books

It’s not just TV shows from the late 90’s onward that learned what success is. Initially a lesser known novel literary novel, this 70’s series focuses on a group of military surgeons in the heart of a war in South Korea. However, given the time period, many people chose to believe that the show inserted various nods to the conflicts in Vietnam, especially given the accuracy with which some details were being told. M*A*S*H truly stood out by being the perfect mix of comedy and serious tones, even managing to strike a controversial chord with its much talked about series finale.

7. True Blood

True Blood Is Next On The List Of TV Shows That Were First Books

Before HBO decided to follow up on the vampire craze that blew up in the last several years with True Blood, we had Charlaine Harris and her The Southern Vampire Mysteries series. In both stories, we follow protagonist Sookie Stackhouse, a waitress who’s struggled her whole life with the ability to read minds. In a world where supernatural is well known to humans, she meets Bill Compton, a 173 year old vampire, and gets tangled in a series of affairs that result in a lot of trouble.

8. Orange Is The New Black

TV Shows That Were First Books - Orange Is The New Black

Another brilliant production with the Netflix trademark annexed to it, Orange Is The New Black was adapted from Piper Kerman’s memoirs, where she actually shares her experiences from behind the bars of an all women prison. The series was highly praised, especially for the variety of characters and inclusion of a race and orientation diversity, as well as for the masterful acting and the quality insights and developments of the characters.

9. Hannibal

Hannibal - TV Shows That Were First Books

Thomas Harris wrote Red Dragon, the novel which would soon become the inspiration behind the series that follows the infamous Hannibal Lecter. Even though adaptations have been made before, most notable being the chilling portrayal offered by Anthony Hopkins, Hannibal takes a different approach. Instead, it focuses on the complex relationship between Doctor Lecter and the detective trailing his murders, Will Graham, and the ways in which the former manipulates the ones around him to cover up his dark secret.

How many of these did you know about? Sure, some of the series have behind a single, lone novel, while others were built on the foundation of an entire franchise, possibly still ongoing (I’m looking at you, G.R.R. Martin, stop procrastinating). Still, it’s always interesting to know at least 9 TV Shows That Were First Books.

Image sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.

4 Costly TV Series HBO Produced

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Many an aspiring screenwriter or producer has had his hopes dashed when the TV series he/she proposed was not deemed worth the money required to be invested in it.

And many a TV series have withered and died after their plug was pulled by executives who didn’t see the return on investments being on par with the costs. In spite of some such series being amazing according to the considerable numbers of fans that swear by it (looking at you “Firefly” and wiping away a tear).

But making a TV series, especially an ambitious one is indeed a costly process. So, it’s natural and common sense that the ones that cough out the money have the last word and influence the evolution of such a project.

And, to be fair, there have been many instances as well in which investors agreed to pour a ton of money into series that turned out to be spectacular.

As well as some cases in which the result was… not so great. But at least, the effort was made.

So take a look below at 4 costly TV series HBO produced, despite the humongous sums involved which would make you think any investor would have ran in panic and chosen some other project. They didn’t and the results are these series.

1. Rome

4 costly TV series HBO produced - Rome

Let’s start with one of the sob stories similar to “Firefly”. Not because of the subject matter, although the intense, brutal and sometimes gory life of ancient Rome as depicted in the series might be too much for some.

But because this masterpiece in the true sense of the word was cancelled after only two seasons. Yeah, that’s one more than “Firefly” but who’s counting?! (Sob).

Point is that “Rome” was so well made and paid such an attention to detail that it was and still is the most immersive and entrancing portrayal of that period of history ever made. There’s nothing that comes to mind that could be considered poorly done with this series: from the character development and dialogue, to the creative and smart mingling of historical characters with fictional ones, costumes, set, pacing, you name it.

And it’s not just my opinion because, wanna know the real kicker? The show was nominated for 2 Golden Globes, won 7 Emmys and was a critical success for the ages. All of this happening after its cancellation. Along with its massive sales on DVD.

So why, oh, why did HBO cancel it? Because it such dedication as described above and the results that come with it are only possibly with a hefty price. 10 million $ per episode, to be exact.

I mean, let’s put it this way, when the set you painstakingly built to be historically accurate develops its own ecosystem complete with rats and bugs (as the producers confirmed happened with “Rome”), you can safely say you’re invested in the project and costs tend to go up.

2. Deadwood

One of the 4 costly TV series HBO produced is Deadwood

Another huge success after its cancellation, “Deadwood”‘s story is tied to that of “Rome”, because they overlapped for a while (“Deadwood” 2004-2006; “Rome” 2005-2007). Which serves to explain why HBO was pretty panicky at the time of its decision to cancel “Deadwood” after its third season: they were already stressed about the “Rome”‘s costs and Deadwood’s 4.5 million $/episode were adding to their concerns.

Because at the time, they had two ongoing series that HBO didn’t really know would be successful or not.

Guess what? Just like in Rome’s case, “Deadwood” really DID turn into a success (albeit, granted, not at the same astronomic level as Rome), with many fans disappointed that the plot was left hanging and begging for a final season to wrap things up.

Because unlike Rome, in which the writers admirably managed to increase the pace without breaking the story and still manage to tie things up in a satisfactory manner (hey, history really did go on after Caesar, so they just had to step back and say “That’s all, folks!”), “Deadwood” ends in blatant breaking manner. You know, akin to hanging on the proverbial cliff.

It’s due to this undeserving ending that fans are still hoping that someone will decide to pick up this Western period drama and produce the final season. With the same great actors, of course!

3. Boardwalk Empire

The list of 4 costly TV series HBO produced includes Boardwalk Empire

Luckily, HBO learns from its (marketing/financial) mistakes. As exemplified by the fact that another expensive show produced by the network, “Boardwalk Empire”, was allowed to continue to its final 5th seasons, without the writers having to make any major cuts or changes to their plans, allowing them to conclude the show as they wanted.

“Boardwalk Empire” is a drama centered on Atlantic City in the 1920s, from the beginning of the Prohibition Era, which is even depicted in the pilot episode from the viewpoint of both politicians and common people.

And speaking of the pilot episode, it cost 18 million $ to make, because they reconstructed the entire Atlantic City Boardwalk as it was back then.

After the pilot, the cost per episode dropped to a more “modest” 5 million $ per episode.

But without sacrificing anything with regard to historical accuracy, including epoch cars, clothes etc. All the glamour of the Roaring Twenties on screen.

4. Game of Thrones

4 costly TV series HBO produced - Game Of Thrones

The popular series (ha! huge understatement) surely needs no description.

So I’ll just mention that, on average, a “Game of Thrones” episode costs around 6 million $, with costs projected to increase in future seasons.

And I say on average, because “special” episodes, like “Blackwater” and “The Dance with Dragons”, featuring battle scenes cost way more.

The pilot itself cost 10 million $, but for the same reasons as that of “Boardwalk Empire” did: the sets. Building each of the impressive locations where the parts of the story take place cost a lot.

Apart from the sets, the usual costs per each episode revolve around the actors’ salaries, costumes (of which everyone has to have one, including extras), unique locations and some special effects now and then.

Image source: 1, 2, 3, 4.

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