Book pages, Emmy stages

Several of this year's Emmy nominees began as novels readers already loved. The awards show is leaning hard into the book-to-screen boom that has taken over streaming.

“The Emmys are certainly no stranger to the book-to-screen adaptation craze”

People We Meet on Vacation

Emily Henry's 2021 novel follows free-spirited Poppy and quiet Alex on an annual summer trip, from Canada to Italy, until a falling out ends their friendship.

The Netflix film stayed faithful

Nominated for Outstanding Movie, the 2026 adaptation swapped a few locations and trimmed for a two-hour runtime. The plot and the banter survived intact.

Bridgerton keeps growing

Julia Quinn's eight-book series from the early 2000s is up for four Emmys. Season four gives Benedict a Cinderella-style storyline.

The show invents freely

Queen Charlotte and the Lady Whistledown reveal are pure television, added for visual drama. The main romances still track the novels closely.

Remarkably Bright Creatures

Shelby Van Pelt's 2022 novel stars Tova, a 70-year-old widow played by Sally Field, who befriends Marcellus, an elderly octopus piecing together the mystery of her missing son.

The octopus does less detective work

The film tones down Marcellus's sleuthing, reveals the big secrets earlier, and simplifies Cameron's backstory. The cozy aquarium setting is all still there.

The Testaments jumps less

Atwood's Handmaid's Tale sequel follows Aunt Lydia, Agnes and Daisy. The book skips 15 years ahead, the Hulu show only four. Chase Infiniti is nominated for Lead Actress in a Drama.