10 books you need to read before they appear on screen
Anyone who has ever had a favourite book ruined by a bad TV or film adaptation will know how hard it is to get it right. Whether the actor cast in the main role isn't how you'd imagined them or they cut the bit of the story you loved most, high expectations can be hard to meet.
Having said that, the last few years have brought us some brilliant book-to-screen hits: Netflix' One Day, Sally Rooney's Normal People, Nightbitch... so it can be done.
From the film of Richard Osman's Thursday Murder Club to a new Agatha Christie (rejoice!), here are the adaptations we're looking forward to in 2025.
Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy by Helen Fielding
This is the third installment of the much-loved Bridget Jones' Diaries books and follows her as she adjusts to life as a widow after the death of her husband Mark Darcy. Like the rest of the series, it's by turns funny and moving. The film sees Renee Zellweger returning to the role she first played 24 years ago and One Day star Leo Woodall plays her toyboy boyfriend. Film in ceinemas, 14 February
The Salt Path by Raynor Winn
We all fell in love with Raynor and Moth, the down-on-their-luck couple who walked the 630 mile-long South West Coast Path. Gillian Anderson and Jason Isaacs will bring them to life in this beautifully-shot film. Film in cinemas from 25 April
The Penguin Lessons by Tom Mitcell
This uplifting memoir about author Tom Michell’s years as a teacher in Argentina and the penguin he adopted as a pet was first published in 2015. The film adaptation has Steve Coogan in the lead role, alongside Jonathan Pryce. In cinemas 18 April.
Toward Zero by Agatha Christie
The latest novel from the Queen of crime to be adaptated by the BBC is this compelling murder mystery. After a scandalous divorce, a tennis pro and his ex-wife end up on holiday together. The all-star British cast includes Anjelica Huston and Matthew Rhys. Showing on BBC One in Spring 2025.
The Housemaid by Freida McFadden
Freida McFadden’s 2022 novel, The Housemaid, was on the New York Times bestseller list for more than a year and has sold more than 3 million copies globally, so it's no surprise this story of a woman making a fresh start as a housemaid has been snapped up for a cinematic adaptation. The psychological thriller will star Amanda Seyfried and Sydney Sweeney. In cinemas late 2025.
The Mitford Girls by Mary S Lovell
Few families have quite as notorious as the Mitfords; as well as the flamboyant Nancy, author and social butterfly, her sister Diana is famous for running away with British Union of Fascists founder Oswald Mosely. UKTV have adaptated the book into a six-part series, Outrageous, and stars include Bridgerton’s Bessie Carter, Anna Chancellor and James Purefoy.
Trespasses by Louise Kennedy
Set in 1970s Northern Ireland, Louise Kennedy's debut is the story of a young teacher, Cushla, who falls in love with the wrong man. Not only is Michael a Protestant, he’s also married and 30 years older than her. Channel 4's four-part series will star Lola Petticrew, Tom Cullen and Gillian Anderson as Cushla's choatic mother Gina. On Channel 4, Autumn 2025.
The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman
Still no date yet for when this much-anticipated film will hit cinemas but we couldn't be more excited! The cast is a veritable who's-who of stars: Helen Mirren is perfectly cast as former spy Elizabeth Best who is formidable and the brains of the operation; Sir Ben Kingsley takes on the role of softly spoken, reclusive ex-psychiatrist, Ibrahim Arif; Pierce Brosnan is headstrong, rough-around-the-edges Ron Richie; and Celia Imrie plays Joyce Meadowcroft, a former nurse who shouldn't be underestimated. In cinemas autumn 2025.
You And Me On Vacation by Emily Henry
Unlikely best friends Poppy and Alex have a pact to go on holiday together every summer. Their friendship is tested when they begin to realise they might have feelings for each other – could they be each other's perfect match? Emily Bader and Tom Blyth star in Netflix's Netflix's adaptation of Emily Henry’s slow-burn romance. There's no release date yet, so watch this space!
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
This touching story - which is like a book version of It’s A Wonderful Life - is full of heart and wisdom and really cemented Haig's reputation as a writer of feelgood fiction. On the day Nora decides to end her life, she discovers a magical library which offers her endless chances to rewrite the choices she’s made and try out different ways of living. There's not much information yet on the adaptation but the good news is that it's been greenlit by StudioCanal.
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