Bookish TV Shows Coming This Fall
This fall's television season is simply stuffed with TV shows that have their origins in the realm of books - and I'm thrilled. Whether it's based on a fairy tale or classic literature, here are some of the new shows that I can't wait to see!
Sleepy Hollow- started Sept. 16
Origin: "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" by Washington Irving
Ichabod Crane awakens in 21st century New York after dying on a mission for General George Washington. His nemesis, the Headless Horseman, has also survived, and continued a cruel killing spree. Crane must team up with a modern detective to stop the murders. It sounds absolutely ridiculous, but after watching the first episode I'm definitely intrigued. Irving's Ichabod was described thus: "His head was small, and flat at top, with huge ears, large green glassy eyes, and a long snipe nose, so that it looked like a weathercock perched upon his spindle neck". Clearly, the TV show has run in a different direction, because Crane is really hot.
Marvel's Agents of S. H. I. E. L. D. - starts Sept. 24
Origin: Marvel Comics universe
The continuing adventures of the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division as established in the Marvel Comics movie franchise, which was inspired by Marvel's relaunched "Ultimate" universe. I know some people would say that comic books don't really count as a literary source, but if the origin's in print, I'm willing to count it.
Besides, I love Agent Coulson and I can't wait to have him back.
Masters of Sex - starts Sept. 29
Origin: Masters of Sex: The Life and Times of Williams Masters and Virginia Johnson by Thomas Maier
OK, I'm not actually interested in this new series from Showtime, but I thought I should mention it since it's based on a biography. William Masters and Virginia Johnson were pioneered the research, diagnosis and treatment of sexual disorders in the 1950s. They eventually got married. The story just seems ripe for Hollywood, so I'm actually rather surprised it took this long to make something with it.
The Originals - starts Oct. 3
Origin: Spin-off of "The Vampire Diaries", which was based on a popular book series by L. J. Smith
I haven't been watching The Vampire Diaries, but it must be doing pretty well if it's warranted a spin-off series, too! I don't intend to watch, but fans of the original show must be thrilled.
Once Upon a Time in Wonderland - starts Oct. 10
Origin: Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll, One Thousand and One Nights (Arabian Nights)
This spin-off set in the world of Once Upon a Time (a fairy tale-based show returning for its third season this fall) might be great or terrible. I just don't know. It's set in Victorian London, so in theory it won't direct crossover with events in Storybrook - but I assume Alice's adventures in Wonderland will occasionally lead to cameos from the denizens of the Enchanted Forest. From the previews it looks like Alice's true love is a character from the Arabian Nights stories, although I'm not sure if he is meant to be Aladdin or Sinbad or someone else entirely.
Dracula - starts Oct. 25
Origin: Dracula by Bram Stoker
Just in time for Halloween! It's a retelling of the famous Bram Stoker novel starring Jonathan Rhys Meyers as the title character. He was great as Henry VIII in The Tudors, so I can't wait to see what he does as the vampire king. It looks like this will be a re-imagining of the book, and I wonder what they'll change. I've always found the novel rather dull, so I definitely welcome change in this instance!
I'm sure that there are other new series that I missed, and obviously a lot of the returning shows are based on various books, too.
What fall shows are you looking forward to this year?
Peeking into the archives...today in:
2012: The Girl in the Glass by Susan Meissner
2011: Bedbugs by Ben H. Winters
2010: The Red Queen by Philippa Gregory
2009: The Private Papers of Eastern Jewel by Maureen Lindley
2008: The Last Queen by C. W. Gortner
Sleepy Hollow- started Sept. 16
Origin: "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" by Washington Irving
Ichabod Crane awakens in 21st century New York after dying on a mission for General George Washington. His nemesis, the Headless Horseman, has also survived, and continued a cruel killing spree. Crane must team up with a modern detective to stop the murders. It sounds absolutely ridiculous, but after watching the first episode I'm definitely intrigued. Irving's Ichabod was described thus: "His head was small, and flat at top, with huge ears, large green glassy eyes, and a long snipe nose, so that it looked like a weathercock perched upon his spindle neck". Clearly, the TV show has run in a different direction, because Crane is really hot.
Marvel's Agents of S. H. I. E. L. D. - starts Sept. 24
Origin: Marvel Comics universe
The continuing adventures of the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division as established in the Marvel Comics movie franchise, which was inspired by Marvel's relaunched "Ultimate" universe. I know some people would say that comic books don't really count as a literary source, but if the origin's in print, I'm willing to count it.
Besides, I love Agent Coulson and I can't wait to have him back.
Masters of Sex - starts Sept. 29
Origin: Masters of Sex: The Life and Times of Williams Masters and Virginia Johnson by Thomas Maier
OK, I'm not actually interested in this new series from Showtime, but I thought I should mention it since it's based on a biography. William Masters and Virginia Johnson were pioneered the research, diagnosis and treatment of sexual disorders in the 1950s. They eventually got married. The story just seems ripe for Hollywood, so I'm actually rather surprised it took this long to make something with it.
The Originals - starts Oct. 3
Origin: Spin-off of "The Vampire Diaries", which was based on a popular book series by L. J. Smith
I haven't been watching The Vampire Diaries, but it must be doing pretty well if it's warranted a spin-off series, too! I don't intend to watch, but fans of the original show must be thrilled.
Once Upon a Time in Wonderland - starts Oct. 10
Origin: Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll, One Thousand and One Nights (Arabian Nights)
This spin-off set in the world of Once Upon a Time (a fairy tale-based show returning for its third season this fall) might be great or terrible. I just don't know. It's set in Victorian London, so in theory it won't direct crossover with events in Storybrook - but I assume Alice's adventures in Wonderland will occasionally lead to cameos from the denizens of the Enchanted Forest. From the previews it looks like Alice's true love is a character from the Arabian Nights stories, although I'm not sure if he is meant to be Aladdin or Sinbad or someone else entirely.
Dracula - starts Oct. 25
Origin: Dracula by Bram Stoker
Just in time for Halloween! It's a retelling of the famous Bram Stoker novel starring Jonathan Rhys Meyers as the title character. He was great as Henry VIII in The Tudors, so I can't wait to see what he does as the vampire king. It looks like this will be a re-imagining of the book, and I wonder what they'll change. I've always found the novel rather dull, so I definitely welcome change in this instance!
I'm sure that there are other new series that I missed, and obviously a lot of the returning shows are based on various books, too.
What fall shows are you looking forward to this year?
Peeking into the archives...today in:
2012: The Girl in the Glass by Susan Meissner
2011: Bedbugs by Ben H. Winters
2010: The Red Queen by Philippa Gregory
2009: The Private Papers of Eastern Jewel by Maureen Lindley
2008: The Last Queen by C. W. Gortner