COSMOPOLITAN ·^15play books
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Adaptations of some of our favourite
reads are hitting screens this year.
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NINE PERFECT
STRANGERS
by Liane Moriarty
What? She’s the author behind Big
Little Lies, the HBO smash starring
Reese Witherspoon and Nicole
Kidman. Now, the latter is starring in
this adaptation of Moriarty’s 2018
book, about nine city dwellers who
meet at a wellness retreat.
Who’s in it? Nicole, plus Melissa
McCarthy as one of the strangers.
What you’ll say: “It’s a cynical take
on our quest for self-improvement.”
What not to say: “Where’s Reese?”
On Sky Atlantic this autumnTHE LUMINARIES
by Eleanor Catton
What? This 2013 epic tells the story of
Anna Wetherell, who travels to the west
coast of New Zealand’s South Island
during the 1860s gold rush and meets
the radiant Emery Staines. Catton’s
also written the six-part TV adaptation.
Who’s in it? Himesh Patel (of
Yesterday fame) and Eve Hewson.
What you’ll say: “You know she
was the youngest ever Booker
Prize winner.”
What not to say: “Oh, I loved Patel
in EastEnders.”
On BBC Two this springREBECCA
by Daphne du Maurier
What? You know the one – the gothic
1938 classic is about a woman who
becomes obsessed with her husband’s
first wife, who died in a sailing incident.
The last big-screen adaptation was in
1940, so it’s ripe for a remake.
Who’s in it? Call Me By Your Name
Adonis Armie Hammer, plus Lily James
and Keeley Hawes.
What you’ll say: “Two women pitted
against each other while a man stands
by: a tale as old as time.”
What not to say: “Rebecca who?”
On Netflix this yearNORMAL PEOPLE
by Sally Rooney
What? It’s no surprise that Rooney’s Booker-
prize-nominated second novel – about the
relationship between school friends Marianne
and Connell – is coming to a screen near you
soon. Copies were virtually glued to hipsters’
hands when it was published in 2018.
Who’s in it? Daisy Edgar-Jones plays
Marianne, while Paul Mescal is Connell.
What you’ll say: “She puts down on paper
what a generation of disenfranchised, broke
young women are thinking and feeling.”
What not to say: “Erm, why doesn’t she use
speech marks?”
On BBC Three from late springNOUGHTS & CROSSES
by Malorie Blackman
What? Set in a reimagined present-
day Britain, it follows Sephy, who is a
“cross”, a member of the black ruling
class, and Callum, a “nought”, from
the white underclass. They fall in love,
and their relationship splinters society.
Who’s in it? Masali Baduza as Sephy
and longtime Blackman fan Stormzy.
What you’ll say: “Why has it taken so
long for these childhood-defining
books to reach the screen?”
What not to say: “I’m only tuning
in for Stormzy.”
On BBC One this springMORE ADAPTATIONS INCOMINGMOST
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