From ‘Bridgerton’ to Sally Field: The Book-to-Screen Emmy Nominations Worth the Watch
See which heartwarming book-to-screen hits are set to win big tonight—and the wild changes made for TV!
Key Takeaways
- These Emmy-nominated shows and movies started out as beloved novels.
- Some book-to-screen adaptations have altered certain plot points for film or TV.
- Tune into the Emmy-nominated projects if you loved the books they came from.
The Emmys are certainly no stranger to the book-to-screen adaptation craze that has been taking over every streaming platform and with the awards show tonight, the beloved titles are getting another chance to shine. From heartwarming romantic comedies to dystopian fiction, check out which of your favorite novels have made it to the screen and whether they’re similar to the books they came from.
‘People We Meet on Vacation’
Based on the 2021 novel by Emily Henry, People We Meet on Vacation follows two complete opposites, the free-spirited Poppy (Emily Bader) and quiet Alex (Tom Blyth), who decide to take an annual summer trip together. From Canada to Italy, the two of them travel the world one summer at a time. But when a falling out tears the college best friends apart, both Poppy and Alex wonder whether their connection is more than just an annual friendship.
The novel was adapted into a Netflix film in 2026, which has been nominated for Outstanding Movie, and while there were a few location changes and minor adjustments to fit the two-hour film, the plot remained largely intact. So, if you fell for the hilarious banter between Poppy and Alex in the book, give the film a watch to see it on the screen.
‘Bridgerton’
The fan-favorite drama series is based on the 8-book series written by Julia Quinn in the early 2000s and is still winning over new fans. Nominated for four Emmys this year, Bridgerton recently released its fourth season focused on Benedict Bridgerton with a Cinderella-inspired storyline.
While the series loosely follows the novels, there are several additional new characters and plot lines in the show to create more visual drama. New characters such as Queen Charlotte and the reveal of Lady Whistledown’s identity are all additions to the series, though the main stories are similar in both the show and books. Rewatch the series while you wait for the upcoming fifth season
‘Remarkably Bright Creatures’
Remarkably Bright Creatures was first beloved as the 2022 book by Shelby Van Pelt and follows Tova (Sally Field), a 70-year-old widow who forms an unlikely friendship with an elderly octopus, Marcellus, at the aquarium she works at. Still mourning the disappearance of her husband and son, Marcellus begins to piece the clues of the mystery together. Meanwhile, a young man named Cameron comes to town in search of the father he never knew.
While the book was adapted into a movie earlier this year, there are a few key differences in the film Remarkably Bright Creatures. A few of these changes include toning down Marcellus’ detective work and revealing big secrets sooner than they are in the novel. Cameron’s backstory was also fudged a bit, giving him a simpler personal history. But if you’re looking for the same cozy setting of the book, give the Emmy-nominated movie a watch.
‘The Testaments’
As the sequel to Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale, The Testaments follows three women—Aunt Lydia, Agnes Jemima and Daisy—after the events of the initial story, grappling with the bleak future that awaits them. While the book jumps 15 years ahead, the show only jumps four years, changing a few plot points along the way as well.
Chase Infiniti, who stars as Agnes, has been nominated for an Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series at tonight’s Emmys. If you loved the novel or you watched all of The Handmaid’s Tale, give The Testaments a watch on Hulu.
Be sure to tune in to the 2026 Emmys on NBC or Peacock tonight at 8:00 pm ET!
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