Hulu released Conversations With Friends on May 15, 2022, to the pleasure of many fans of shows such as Normal People and Fleabag. Over the past few years, miniseries have taken over most popular streaming services and show no signs of stopping. With popular novels needing more time to adapt all of their nuances and character development, miniseries have been the go-to choice over movies for creating adaptations of popular books.
Whether or not the shows take creative liberties or strictly stay within the book's storyline, an eight to 12-episode timeline is the perfect length to bring these stories to life. With bigger budgets and top casting, viewers now seem to live in a world where the chances of their favorite novels being brought to screen within their lifetime are very high.
Pieces Of Her (2022) 6.3
Pieces of Her was released earlier this year and is an adaptation of the popular novel of the same name by Karen Slaughter. The story follows Andy Oliver as she witnesses an unexpectedly violent side of her mother (played by Toni Colette) and the events that follow.
The book has mixed reviews from readers on Goodreads as well as mixed reviews for the miniseries. The show takes creative liberties with the plot as well as character additions to add to the story. However, it overall stays true to the plot of the original material. Fans praised the project for Toni Collette's performance, even if she had to carry most of the show.
Conversations With Friends (2022) 6.9
Hulu collaborated again with Lenny Abramson and Sally Rooney to adapt her 2017 novel, Conversations With Friends. Starring The Favourites Joe Alwyn and Sex Education's Jemima Kirk, the story follows two University students as they befriend a glamorous married couple with a complicated relationship.
Fans are split on whether or not each character was properly cast, but viewers can agree that the show captures the moody atmosphere of the novel. Like the book, the show is a slow burn that emphasizes each setting and conversation. Each episode plays out very similarly to the chapters of the novel, not leaving room for any drastic changes.
Behind Her Eyes (2021) 7.2
Sarah Pinborough's 2017 novel, Behind Her Eyes, is known for its shocking twist and Netflix helped bring it to life. This bizarre tale follows a single mother, Louisa, played by Simona Brown, as she starts an affair with her boss. Things get further out of control when she also befriends the man's wife and many secrets become exposed.
The more supernatural elements of the story could leave a viewer to question how this could be translated to the screen. However, this Netflix original series is able to capture each dream sequence and clue that perfectly leads up to the final twist.
The Haunting Of Bly Manor (2021) 7.3
Mainly based on Henry James' The Turn Of The Screw and a few other stories from his repertoire, The Haunting of Bly Manor was a well-received book to miniseries adaptation. Showrunner Mike Flanigan helped created this show hot off of his success with The Haunting of Hill House. Similar to The Turn Of The Screw, this show follows an au pair played by You star, Victoria Pedretti, as she tries to unfold the mysteries of Bly Manor's past.
While this series doesn't follow the original story verbatim, the way it incorporates certain elements from the original tale culminates in a great viewing experience. Taking a far more emotional and romantic tone from Flanigan's other work, The Haunting of Bly Manor left audiences moved and reaching for the tissues.
Little Fires Everywhere (2020) 7.7
Reese Witherspoon and Kerry Washington joined forces to bring the Celest Ng novel adaptation to life with Little Fires Everywhere. The series follows the same plot as the book which observes the lives of Elena Richardson and Mia Warren who come from completely different backgrounds and have their lives brought together in a way that creates multiple moral dilemmas and great tension.
Each episode is able to tackle the various subplots of the book while building up to its greater theme towards the end. The Hulu original series takes some creative liberties from the book, specifically with its shocking ending that left fans surprisingly pleased.
Sharp Objects (2018) 8.1
In one of her best performances, Amy Adams plays Camille Preaker, a reporter who goes back to her hometown to try and solve a murder of a teenage girl. This miniseries is based on the Gillian Flynn novel from 2006 and is filled with many twists and turns that keep the audience on the edge of their seat.
What makes Sharp Objects such a well-done miniseries is its excellent script, which is also written by Flynn. With each episode, the story builds excellent tension while also allowing the audience to get to know the characters. Each character is flawed with demons from their past that create multiple ties to this unfortunate case. The episode run time is the perfect amount for viewers to appreciate the entirety of the story.
Normal People (2020) 8.4
One of the most talked-about miniseries during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic was Hulu's adaptation of Normal People. The first Sally Rooney novel that Hulu adapted made stars of Daisy Edgar Jones and Paul Mescal. This adaptation closely follows the book, centering around the lives of Marianna and Connell as their relationship evolves throughout high school and college.
Fans of the book adored this adaptation for how it was able to truly bring the novel to life. Edgar-Jones and Mescal perfectly captured Marianne and Connell's complexities, while also creating sympathetic characters.
Big Little Lies (2017) (8.5)
The Liane Moriarty novel of the same name became one of HBO's most popular series. With an all-star cast that includes Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman, Zoe Kravitz, and Shailene Woodley, it is not difficult to see why Big Little Lies garnered heavy acclaim. This series follows the same plot as the novel, following a group of women and their potential tie to a murder committed in their town.
The series is able to expertly tackle the heavy themes of the novel, such as domestic abuse, in a way that is riveting without being disrespectful. The use of flashbacks and interrogation scenes in each episode carries the tension in the story just as well as in the novel. Big Little Lies' multiple awards nominations and wins further proves it is one of the best book-to-screen adaptations.
The Queen's Gambit (2020) 8.6
One of the most unexpected streaming hits, The Queen's Gambit surprised audiences with how riveting a story about chess could be. The Netflix original series is based on the 2003 book of the same name by Walter Tevis and follows Anya Taylor Joy's character as she navigates addiction and her unexpected chess talent.
Many viewers had not heard of this story until the series release. Audiences fell in love with Taylor Joy's portrayal of Beth Harmon as well as the overall storyline. The Queen's Gambit is able to breathe new life into an old story
The Haunting Of Hill House (2018) 8.6
One of Mike Flanagan's best projects, The Haunting of Hill House is based on the classic novel of the same name by Shirley Jackson. It follows the five siblings of the Crane Family and the story is told in the present time, as well as through flashbacks to the Crane siblings' childhood.
While this story is a modern take on this classic ghost story, the series is able to perfectly encapsulate the tension and trauma each character faces. The viewers come for the scares but stay for the thoughtful character study of familial trauma. The mini-series format is a perfect fit to cover every aspect of the original story while adding its own unique elements and scares.