Hey, 2020 wasn’t all bad. Honestly, we might not have been able to get through the entire year at all without the help of our TVs and streaming sites. Everyone was looking for a way to escape the depressing and discouraging year and, in their desperation, many people turned towards the Romance genre.
For supporting evidence, look towards the 2 most successful shows of 2020, Hulu’s “Normal People” and Netflix’s “Bridgerton.” Both shows became massive over-night successes, launching the careers of new, up-and-coming actors and actresses in Paul Mescal and Daisy Jones (Normal People) as well as Regé-Jean Page (Bridgerton).
It really shouldn’t be a surprise that these shows broke audience viewing numbers, Hollywood has always been in love, with love. However, some of these stories had been turned away once before. The entire genre was thought to only appeal to the female demographic and during a time where mostly men sat behind the desks making the big decisions at larger studios, the time has come for women to be put at the front of the helm.
Look at “Bridgerton” for instance, the book series the television adaptation was based off of came out in the early 2000s. The author, Julia Quinn, even admitted to never even believing that her books would be picked up for the screen. Well, the time has come for more. There are hundreds of other stories out there, specifically stemming from Romance books that have a large following and we are going to definitely be seeing more hit our screens in the near future.
So as we *eagerly* await Bridgerton Season 2 (even sans our Duke of Hastings), take a look at what other romance adaptations are coming to our screens, big and small!
Take a quick look at what’s coming:
Adult Romances
Conversation with Friends - Hulu
Coming off the major and massive success of “Normal People,” another Sally Rooney novel is getting adapted and Taylor Swift’s Boyfriend is in one of the lead roles. It was only three months after “Normal People” premiered on Hulu, when the streaming site announced another Rooney adaptation coming its way. “Conversation with Friends” follows the millennial love story discourse, but with a twist. The series focuses on two college students who forge an intimate connection with a married couple.
The series stars Joe Alwyn (T-Swift BF) and Sasha Lane in the title roles. The series is 12-Episodes long and we can expect the same level or …intimacy in this adaptation.
Red White and Royal Blue – Amazon Prime
Perhaps the most mis-leading cover ever displayed. The front cover most definitely looks like a fun, silly rom-com. It is, in fact, something way more…spicy. The book follows Alex, the son of the US President, and Prince Henry, royal heir to the British monarchy. Alex and Henry’s feud throughout the years has been blatantly obvious in the press. In an effort to boost their images, and their parents, Alex and Henry are forced to embark on a week-long service mission to, bury the hatchet, so to speak. When tensions run high, things get…hotter. Henry and Alex begin a long-distance love affair, hiding their relationship from the press.
The book written by Casey McQuinston is getting adapted for a TV series on Amazon Prime and will be produced by the same team that helped create Hulu’s “Love Victor.”
Roomies - TBD
The romance novel by Christina Lauren is being adapted into a movie. The rights to the novel were picked up by Jenna Dewan’s production company. The book follows Calvin McLoughlin, a struggling musician with an expired Visa facing deportation. After a chance encounter on the New York subway, Holland offers to marry Calvin to help him stay in the country.
No casting or film updates yet, but sign me up for an Irish Accent please ^
A Court of Thorns and Roses - Hulu
Last, but certainly not least, the wildly popular fantasy romance, “A Court of Thorns and Roses” is coming to our screens in the form of television series. Probably the adaptation I am most excited, and anxious to see comes from Fantasy-Romance author Sarah Maas. The series will release on Hulu, most likely in 2022, and will be produced by Ron Moore, responsible for Starz’s adaptation of “Outlander,” another very successful romance series adaptation. Ok, stay with me while I walk through the summary of the book/series.
“A Court Of Thorns And Roses” can be described as a loose retelling of Beauty and the Beast. It blends epic romance, adventure, and political intrigue in a tale of a huntress who agrees to travel to a magical realm with a faerie lord in return for her family’s safety, only to fall for him and ultimately fight for that love when an ancient curse threatens to destroy the faerie and human realms.
Still with me? Please say yes. The Series spans over 4-Novels and 1-Novella and will have plenty of ground to cover during the series. Maas’ books have sold over 6 Million books and has been translated into 36-different languages. Trust me, people are going to be talking about this.
Teen Rom-Coms
The Summer I Turned Pretty – Amazon Prime
The book by the same name comes from the author we all know and love, Jenny Han. If you are unfamiliar with her previous work, please turn your attention to Netflix. Han is responsible for the book trilogy “To All The Boys I Loved Before” which was adapted by Netflix into a three-part movie series. The movies were wildly successful and its success has put Han back in the writing chair.
"The Summer I Turned Pretty" is another trilogy, the books originally released in 2009. Instead of opting for a movie deal, the book will be adapted into a series soon to be released on Amazon Prime. The book follows the main character, Belly, throughout her summer’s visiting their families beach house. Belly is an awkward 16-year-old, infatuated with both of the Fisher brothers. The summer of her 16th year she starts to turn head with her new transformation, capturing both of the boys’ attention.
Coming of age, young love and summer beach house adventures? Sign me up.
Sex Life of College Girls – HBO Max
Mindy Kaling is back in the producers chair, this time turning to HBO Max with her up-coming Romantic Comedy Series “The Sex Life of College Girls." The series has already begun filming and is rumored to be released sometime in late 2021. The show is based on the lives of college freshman, but centers around Kimberly (Paulette Chalamet, yes Timmy’s sister), a naïve high school valedictorian who begins her freshman year at Essex University who is in for a major surprise. Dylan Sprouse is also set to join the series along with some newcomers.
Mindy Kaling rarely disappoints, pumped for this one.
Along for the Ride – Netflix
Where are my Sarah Dessen fans at? I don’t know about you, but every summer between 2006-2010, I picked up a new Sarah Dessen book for my new beach read. “Along for the Ride,” arguably her most well-known book, is getting adapted into a movie. The movie, already filming in North Carolina, follows main character, Auden West heading off to college. Before her departure, Auden decides to spend her summer before college with her father and his new wife and baby. Guess what? Romance ensues.
The script was written by Sofia Alvarez, who written the screenplays for “To All The Boys” Series and will be making her directorial debut with Dessen’s adaptation. The movie already has announced an impressive cast with Andie MacDowell, Dermot Mulroney and Kate Bosworth.
16-Year-Old Me Would Die.
Don’t worry guys, lots of the way and hopefully, even more to come! Outside of Bridgerton Season 2, which we are all waiting for, which adaptation are you most excited for?
And that’s the sitch.
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