Nick Hornby is no stranger to having his work adapted for the screen. If you’ve watched High Fidelity (the movie or the series), About a Boy, A Long Way Down, or Juliet, Naked, you’ve watched something based on his books. The latest adaptation of his work is Funny Woman, a series based on his novel Funny Girl.
Starring Gemma Arterton, it follows a Blackpool beauty queen on her determined quest to London to become more than just a pretty face. Arterton’s performance as aspiring actress Barbara Parker has been praised by critics, and the series also delivers Based on a True Story’s Tom Bateman and a virtually unrecognisable Rupert Everett.
Funny Woman starts on Tuesday 23 April at 22:00 on M-Net channel 101.
If you’re looking for more page-to-screen shows, check these out.
Sullivan’s Crossing
If you’re a sucker for romance, you’ll love Sullivan’s Crossing. It’s based on the book series by Robyn Carr, which starts with What We Find. Sullivan’s Crossing refers to the childhood home of main character Maggie Sullivan.
Warning: You’ll want to move to Nova Scotia after watching this.
Watch Sullivan’s Crossing season 1 on Mondays at 19:00 on M-Net or catch up on DStv Stream.
Apples Never Fall
Fans of Liane Moriarty will already be familiar with Apples Never Fall, as well as the two other series based on her work, Big Little Lies and Nine Perfect Strangers. In the same tradition as these two adaptations, it throws hefty Hollywood weight in front of the lens in the form of Annette Benning and Sam Neill.
Warning: No dinosaurs included.
Watch Apples Never Fall season 1 on Mondays at 20:00 on M-Net or catch up on DStv Stream.
The Winter King
Whether book or show, there’s nothing like delving into a world-building series wrapped in layers of mythology. That’s just what Bernard Cornwell’s series of novels, collectively titled Warlord Chronicles, does. Inspired by Arthurian legend, the first book, The Winter King has been adapted for the screen and is just brimming with battles and blood. In addition to Arthur Pendragon, naturally, it also features famous characters like Morgan, Merlin, and Uther.
Warning: There be no dragons. So far, this is more historical fiction than fantasy. Wait for fellow book-to-screen adaptation House of the Dragon to return, for your dragon fix.
Watch The Winter King season 1 on Mondays at 22:00 on M-Net or catch up on DStv Stream.
The Irrational
This is quite an unusual adaptation since it’s based on a non-fiction book with the much more tongue-tripping title of Predictably Irrational: The Hidden Forces That Shape Our Decisions by Dan Ariely. The book asks whether many of our decisions are actually a lot less guided by rational thought than we’d like to believe. The show, however, is an entertaining police procedural driven by a quirky, endearing psychology professor cum amateur detective whose unique abilities help him help the FBI solve crimes.
Warning: It will make you want to watch more crime shows. Luckily, M-Net’s got you sorted on that front. Check it out below.
Watch The Irrational season 1 on Thursdays at 19:00 on M-Net or catch up on DStv Stream.
Recipes for Love and Murder
We’re not leaving South Africa off the list. Tannie Maria will take us back to the Karoo when Recipes for Love and Murder returns for its second season. Avid fans will know that it’s based on a murder mystery book series by Sally Andrew. As expected, season 2 takes its inspiration from the second book, The Satanic Mechanic.
Warning: Don’t watch while hungry.
Catch Me a Killer
Another local one for the list, this crime series is based on South African forensic psychologist and police profiler Micki Pistorius and her life and work spent identifying and interrogating serial killers.
Warning: Will glue you to your couch.
Stream Catch Me a Killer on Showmax.
That’s hardly all! As mentioned, the second season of House of the Dragon (based on parts of George RR Martin’s Fire & Blood), is on its way, as is The Sympathizer, based on the exceptional debut novel by Viet Thanh Nguyen. Stay tuned!
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