The cornerstone of television awards, the Emmy Awards, recently unveiled its nominees for the 76th season. Television is a joy to watch, but you might be surprised to know that many of these nominations are based on iconic literature. For those who love reading as much as we do, here is a compilation of 8 nominated shows that take inspiration from books.
Shogun
Based on the 1975 best-selling novel of the same name by James Clavell, Shogun It is a historical drama television series that follows pilot John Blackthorne and his crew members who survive a shipwreck. They are held captive in the fishing village of Anjiro and must await the arrival of the samurai who will decide their fate. The series follows Clavell as he goes on adventures in Osaka where he becomes embroiled in a power struggle.
The series follows the book’s narrative closely, drawing direct inspiration from the author’s original dialogue and keeping elements of the mega-hit intact rather than adapting it for TV audiences. The show has been nominated for an unprecedented 25 awards, including Outstanding Drama Series.
Slow horses
Slow horses A British spy thriller television series based on the early novels of Slough House The series is written by Mick Herron. Fans call it a faithful adaptation of the book, except for a few characters that have been changed here and there. The story revolves around Slough House, an administrative torture site for MI5 agents who made career-ending mistakes, yet somehow got involved in investigating schemes that threatened Britain. The show was nominated for 3 awards, including one for Outstanding Drama Series.
3 physical problems
3 physical problems is an American science fiction TV series based on the Chinese novel series, Remembrance of Earth’s past By writer Liu Cixin. It follows a group of scientists who come into contact with an extraterrestrial civilization and work against time to save the world from disastrous consequences. The series has been nominated for 2 awards including the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series.
Palm Royal
Palm Royal A period comedy-drama television series based on the 2018 novel Mr. and Mrs. American Pie by Juliet McDaniel. The series focuses on Maxine Simmons who attempts to gain a foothold in the high society club of Palm Royal, Florida. The show has been nominated for 5 Emmy Awards including the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Comedy Series.
Lesson in chemistry
Lesson in chemistry is an American historical drama miniseries based on the novel of the same name by Bonnie Garmus. It is the story of chemist Elizabeth Zott, who after being fired from her job as a chemist begins hosting her own feminist cooking show called ‘Supper at Six’ to educate housewives in 1960s America on scientific topics. The show has been nominated for 4 awards, including the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series.
Ripley
American psychological thriller miniseries Ripley, Based on the 1955 crime novel by Patricia Highsmith The Talented Mr. Ripley. The story centers on Tom Ripley, a con man hired by a rich man to convince his son to return from Italy. But things soon go wrong and Tom’s introduction to the life of the rich son is his first step into a life of deception, fraud, and murder. The show has been nominated for 13 Emmys, including a nomination for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series.
All the light that we can’t see
All the light that we cannot see is an American historical drama television miniseries based on Anthony Doerr’s groundbreaking novel of the same name. It follows the story of blind Marie-Laure and Werner, a German soldier, whose paths cross in occupied France during World War II. The show has been nominated for 4 Emmy Awards, including the Outstanding Cinematography Award for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie.
Red, White and Royal Blue
Red, White and Royal Blue is a 2023 American romantic comedy film based on Casey McQuiston’s 2019 novel of the same name. The film follows the developing love affair between the son of the President of the United States and a British prince. The show has received 1 nomination for Best Movie Made for Television.
It’s always a treat to see literature and television merge, especially when it proves fruitful as with the unveiling of the 76th season’s Emmy nominees. If you don’t like the big screen, try picking up a book instead!
