I don't want to be a jinx or anything, but the recent trend of book-to-screen adaptations these last couple of years has been *chef's kiss* fantastic. There is always a bad apple in a bunch, but when you look at the recent successes of Shogun, Bridgerton, The Sympathizer, The Bridge, Dune, House of the Dragon, Oppenheimer, Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, Poor Things, and The Color Purple. Add the recent releases that could be added to that list soon enough with Interior Chinatown, Say Nothing, Wicked, and Small Things Like These and we may be hitting the golden age of book-to-screen adaptations.
So, what do we have to look forward to next year in this golden age of adaptations? Below are five TV shows being adapted from books that are set to or rumored to be released in 2025. Don't forget that production schedules change all the time. So don't blame me if some of these are delayed past 2025. I'll admit some of these are a stretch to release next year, but let's have some high hopes people! Andiamo!
Book-to-Television Adaptations: 2025
Anansi Boys
What is it: Anansi Boys is based on the book by Neil Gaiman. It is the story of Charles "Fat Charlie" Nancy, who discovers he has a twin brother named Spider after his father dies. His father, Mr. Nancy, is an incarnation of the West African trickster god Anansi. Spider gets Fat Charlie fired from his job, steals his fiancée, and frames him for embezzlement and murder. The story continues with the world Neil Gaiman created in American Gods.
How is it: Anansi Boys is currently in post-production. It was delayed due to the writer's strike in 2023 but is back on track. Delroy Lindes plays Anansi, Malachi Kirby is Charlie "Fat Charlie" Nancy/Spider, and Grace Saif is Daisy Day. The cast also contains Whoopi Goldberg, Fiona Shaw, and Jason Watkins.
Where to Watch: Anansi Boys will stream on Amazon Prime
When to Watch: The plan right now is for Anansi Boys to release in the second quarter of 2025. So expect the single season of six episodes to premiere sometime in the summer of 2025.
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms
What is it: A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is the third television show in the world of George R.R Martins' A Song of Ice and Fire. The show is based on the novellas of the same name that tell the story of Ser Duncan the Tall and his squire Aegon "Egg" Targaryen, otherwise known as Aegon the Unlikely.
How is it: A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is on schedule and was even given a short teaser trailer in the HBO 2024-2025 trailer released three months ago. Peter Claffey is set to Portray Ser Duncan, Dexter Sol Ansell as Egg, Sam Spruell as Maekar I, Henry Ashton as Daeron Targaryen, and Daniel Ings as Lyonel Baratheon.
Where to Watch: A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, just like its predecessors A Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon, will be streaming on HBO Max.
When to Watch: A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is set to premiere in late 2025. HBO had a schedule of three months to separate when A Game of Thrones would premiere a new season (April-May) and House of the Dragon would premiere (July/August) apart from the final season of A Game of Thrones. Expect a premiere timeline around October/November.
Percy Jackson and the Olympians
What is it: Season two of Percy Jackson and the Olympians is going to be based on the second book in the original series Percy Jackson and the Sea of Monsters. Percy, Annabeth, and their new friend Tyson set off on a mission to rescue Grover after his quest to find Pan goes wrong.
How is it: Percy Jackson and the Olympians is on schedule. A trailer has not been released, but a start of production trailer has been released to tease the second season. Walker Scobell, Leah Jeffries, Aryan Simhadri, and Charlie Bushnell are all returning to reprise their respected roles. Daniel Diemer is joining to play Tyson and Tamara Smart will be playing Thalia.
Where to Watch: Percy Jackson and the Olympians will be streaming on Disney+.
When to Watch: The second season of Percy Jackson and the Olympians is set to release in late 2025. The filming dates for season one and season two are very similar, so look for a familiar premiere date for the second season in November/December.
Eragon
What is it: Eragon is the story of a young man named Eragon and his discovery of a dragon egg that ends up hatching his dragon named Saphira. Dragons have been extinct in the land of Alagaesia for almost a century and now a young man and his newly born dragon are thrown into this world where everyone wants to use him or kill him. It is a reboot of the movie Eragon and is based on the first book in the Inheritance Cycle by Christopher Paolini, Eragon.
How is it: The status of Eragon is up in the air because of the writer's strike of 2023. The show is still happening, but there have not been many updates since the announcement of the series and Christopher Paolini will not only be an executive producer but also a writer for the show. If I may make it personal real quick; speaking for all the fans of the Inheritance Cycle and knowing that Paolini will be HEAVILY involved in the series and knowing we can finally shake off the nightmare that was the Eragon movie, THANK GOODNESS!!
Where to Watch: Eragon will be available on Disney+ once it premieres. This is one of the reasons for early hopes for the series after the success of the reboot of the Percy Jackson series.
When to Watch: This is where we start to get into stretching territory for a 2025 release date. Originally, the rumor was that the series would premiere on November 18th, 2024. Obviously, that didn't happen after being heavily affected by the writer's strike. There is still hope and rumors that the show could premiere in late 2025, but there have been no updates regarding directors, shooting timelines, or castings. If it comes out in 2025 expect December, but probably more likely the summer of 2026.
Yellowface
What is it: Yellowface is based on the book of the same name written by R.F. Kuang. It tells the story of June Hayward as she steals an unfinished manuscript written by Athena Liu about Chinese workers in the British army during World War I. June finishes the manuscript and publishes it as a novel called The Last Front under the pen name Juniper Song. The fallout June suffers is wrapped in theft, plagiarism, racism, and cultural appropriation.
How is it: Yellowface has not had many updates since being announced as being adapted into a show. Karyn Kusama has been brought in to direct and be an executive producer. Captive Entertainment, Constance Wu, and Suzanne Jones (Tempo Wubato Productions) have also been brought in as producers.
Where to Watch: Yellowface is owned by Lionsgate which means chances are the show will stream on Peacock and maybe even Hulu.
When to Watch: Another stretch here because Yellowface hasn't had any updates on when it would be premiering, but there have been rumors. There are rumors, and still feasible time considering Lionsgate doesn't have a ton of shows to produce, that the show could premiere in late 2025, but also very likely it could be pushed into mid to late 2026.