Books Set For Onscreen Adaptation

This week, HBO Max released the official trailer for its ‘Harry Potter & the Philosopher’s Stone’ series.

The book’s fans were agog with the scenes shown in the trailer, which they described as book-accurate.

This inspired LEADERSHIP Lifestyle to look at literary works set to be adapted to the screen this year.

‘Harry Potter & the Philosopher’s Stone’ by J.K Rowling

This is the first of the beloved six-part books by British author J.K Rowling, introducing readers to Harry Potter, his mates Ron and Hermione, and to the wizarding world of Hogwarts. In the first book, Harry gets to discover who his parents were, make new friends, and come into contact with his nemesis, ‘He Who Must Not Be Named’ Lord Voldemort.

HBO Max’s intent is a readaptation of all six books into six series, with one season per book. This will not only ensure book accuracy but captures the nuances in the plot and characters’ relationship that were lost in the film adaptations.

It casts It stars Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter, Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger, and Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley.

The Other Bennet Sister’ by Janice Hadlow

The novel is a spin-off of Jane Austen’s ‘Pride and Prejudice’, which finally gives readers Mary’s view and experience as it happened within that novel’s setting.

Presented as the least attractive of the Bennet sisters, Mary is projected as studious and musically accomplished, but without the natural aptitude for such talents, so that she often appears awkward and over-eager to prove her skills.

What shines through in the six-part series is Mary’s (Ella Bruccoleri) quiet dignity. She might have been dealt a bad hand – looks and intellect-wise, but she is quietly taking control of her life, gaining self-confidence. And wonder of all wonders, she appears to be getting support from her father, Mr Bennet (played by Richard E. Grant) in the process.

Released March 15, 2026, ‘The Other Bennet Sister’ is currently streaming on BBC iPlayer in the UK, and will premiere on BritBox in the US and Canada on May 6, 2026.

It stars Ella Bruccoleri as Mary Bennet, Donal Finn as Mary’s Love interest, Mr Hayward, Ruth Jones as Mrs Bennet, Richard E. Grant as Mr Bennet, Maddie Close as Jane Bennet, Poppy Gilbert as Elizabeth Bennet, Molly Wright as Kitty, Grace Hogg-Robinson as Lydia Bennet, and Richard Coy and Indira Varma as Mr and Mrs Gardiner.

‘Verity’ By Colleen Hoover

This psychological romantic thriller by American author Colleen Hoover follows struggling writer Lowen Ashleigh, who was hired to finish a bestselling book series after its original author, Verity Crawford, is unable to continue it due to an accident.

What appeared like a simple job turns into a mystery as deep as the Crawfords’ life itself. As Lowen stumbles onto the secrets of Verity’s life during her research, she finds herself entangled not just in Verity’s twisted mind but also in the complicated, brooding world of Jeremy Crawford.

The novel has been praised for its jaw-dropping and suspenseful plot, which leaves the readers gasping with the occasional reveal. Likewise, the characters are not just morally grey, but almost on the edge of sanity.

Scripted for screen by Nick Antosca, and directed by Michael Showalter (‘The Big Sick’, ‘The Eye of Tammy Faye’), ‘Verity’ stars Anne Hathaway as Verity Crawford, Dakota Johnson as Lowen Ashleigh, and Josh Hartnett as Jeremy Crawford.

It is scheduled to release in cinemas on October 2, 2026.

‘The Odyssey’ by Homer’

A classical epic poem in 24 books written by the Greek Poet Homer.

It tells the story of Odysseus, the King of Ithaca, who was lost at sea for ten years, as he tries to get home to his family after the Trojan War. On his return, he is recognized only by his faithful dog and nurse. With the help of his son, Telemachus, Odysseus destroys the insistent suitors of his faithful wife, Penelope, and several of her maids who had fraternized with the suitors, and reestablishes himself in his kingdom.

The poem was earlier adapted into a three-hour mini-series in 1997 that cast Armand Assante as Odysseus, Greta Scacchi as Penelope, Isabella Rossellini as Athena, Bernadette Peters as Circe, and Vanessa Williams as Calypso.

With the Award-winning director, Christopher Nolan, helming the 2026 feature film adaptation of the literary text, moviegoers are excited to see how the fantastical, magical, and realistic aspects will be portrayed onscreen.

Nolan’s ‘The Odyssey’ boasts a star-studded cast with Matt Damon as Odysseus, Anne Hathaway as Penelope, Tom Holland as ‘Telemachus’, Zendaya as ‘Athena’, Robert Pattinson as ‘Antinous’, Benny Safdie as ‘Agamemnon’, Jon Bernthal as ‘Menelaus’, Mia Goth as ‘Melantho’, Himesh Patel as ‘Eurylochus’, and John Leguizamo as ‘Eumaeus’ among others.