We're living in an age of great television. The measure of success for an actor is no longer to make it on the "big screen," but to secure a lead on a Netflix drama. Is it a coincidence then that so many hit shows are based on hit books? Maybe, maybe not. Either way, I'm excited to see that after a rather barren winter hiatus (I was digging pretty deep into my streaming and dvr queues), a slew of new shows are hitting the waves which had their start as books. A few have already begun with more launching over the next month or so. There are also two returning series based on bestselling books that you can catch up on. I can't wait to watch and read them all.

Lincoln Rhyme (January 10, NBC)

Cast: Russell Hornsby, Arielle Kebbel, Michael Imperioli, Tate Ellington, Courtney Grosbeck, Ramses Jimenez, Brooke Lyons, Roslyn Ruff and Brian F. O Byrne

Based on the Book: The Bone Collector and its sequels by Jeffery Deaver 

Lincoln Rhyme was once a brilliant criminologist, a genius in the field of forensics until an accident left him physically and emotionally shattered. But now a diabolical killer is challenging Rhyme to a terrifying and ingenious duel of wits. With police detective Amelia Sachs by his side, Rhyme must follow a labyrinth of clues that reaches back to a dark chapter in New York City's past and reach further into the darkness of the mind of a madman who won't stop until he has stripped life down to the bone.

The Outsider (January 12, HBO) 

Cast: Ben Mendelsohn, Cynthia Erivo, Jason Bateman, Julianne Nicholson, Mare Winningham, Derek Cecil

Based on the Book: The Outsider by Stephen King

When a young boy's body is found in the town park, Detective Ralph Anderson finds the evidence and the witnesses all pointing to one of the city's most popular citizens.

Briarpatch (February 6, USA)

Cast: Rosario Dawson, Jay R. Ferguson, Kim Dickens, Alan Cumming, Brian Geraghty, Edi Gathegi

Based on the Book: Briarpatch by Ross Thomas

Benjamin Dill's search for the car-bomb murderer of his sister, a detective, brings him up against friends-turned-enemies, corrupt cops, greedy politicians, and beautiful Anna Maude.

Locke & Key (February 7, Netflix)

Cast: Darby Stanchfield, Connor Jessup, Emilia Jones

Based on the  Graphic Novels: Locke & Key written by Joe Hill; art by Gabriel Rodriguez

Following their father's gruesome murder in a violent home invasion, the Locke children return to his childhood home of Keyhouse in secluded Lovecraft, Massachusetts. Their mother is too trapped in her grief—and a wine bottle—to notice that all in Keyhouse is not what it seems: too many locked doors, too many unanswered questions. Older kids Tyler and Kinsey aren't much better. But not youngest son Bode, who quickly finds a new friend living in an empty well and a new toy, a key, that offers hours of spirited entertainment. But not all doors are meant to be opened. 

High Fidelity (February 14, Hulu)

Cast: Zoë Kravitz, David H. Holmes, Jake Lacy, Da'Vine Joy Randolph, Kingsley Ben-Adir, Rainbow Francks

Based on the Book: High Fidelity by Nick Hornby

Follows the life, love affairs, and belated growth to maturity of Rob, a "Generation X" pop music fanatic and record store owner. 

The Plot Against America  (March 16, HBO)

Cast: Winona Ryder, Zoe Kazan, John Turturro, Morgan Spector, Anthony Boyle,  Azhy Robertson, Caleb Malis 

Based on the Book: The Plot Against America by Philip Roth

In a novel of alternative history, aviation hero and isolationist Charles A. Lindbergh defeats Franklin Roosevelt in the 1940 presidential election, negotiating a cordial accord with Adolf Hitler, accepting his conquest of Europe and anti-Semitic policies, and igniting a storm of fear for Jewish families throughout America.

Little Fires Everywhere (March 18, Hulu)

Cast: Kerry Washington, Reese Witherspoon, Joshua Jackson, Rosemarie DeWitt

Based on the Book: Little Fires Everywhere by Celest Ng

When a custody battle divides her placid town, straitlaced family woman Elena Richardson finds herself pitted against her enigmatic tenant and becomes obsessed with exposing her past, only to trigger devastating consequences for both families.
 

The Magicians (season 5 begins January 15, SYFY)

Cast: Olivia Dudley, Stella Maeve, Arjun Gupta, Jade Tailor, Hale Appleman, Summer Bishil

Based on the Trilogy: The Magicians, The Magician King, and The Magician's Land by Lev Grossman

Quentin Coldwater is brilliant but miserable. A high school math genius, he’s secretly fascinated with a series of children’s fantasy novels set in a magical land called Fillory, and real life is disappointing by comparison. When Quentin is unexpectedly admitted to an elite, secret college of magic, it looks like his wildest dreams have come true. But his newfound powers lead him down a rabbit hole of hedonism and disillusionment, and ultimately to the dark secret behind the story of Fillory. The land of his childhood fantasies turns out to be much darker and more dangerous than he ever could have imagined…

Shrill (Season 2 begins January 24, Hulu)

Cast: Aidy Bryant, Lolly Adefope, Luka Jones, John Cameron Mitchell

Based on the Book: Shrill: Notes from a Loud Woman by Lindy West

With inimitable good humor, vulnerability, and boundless charm, Lindy boldly shares how to survive in a world where not all stories are created equal and not all bodies are treated with equal respect, and how to weather hatred, loneliness, harassment, and loss, and walk away laughing.

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Book summaries provided via NYPL’s catalog, which draws from multiple sources. Click through to each book’s title for more. 

Have trouble reading standard print? Many of these titles are available in formats for patrons with print disabilities.