Gripping, gritty TV shows based on incredible books. Read the books, then watch the shows inspired by them.
Three spectacular TV series adaptions have dropped to keep you entertained in the lead up to the festive season.
Read on to learn more about the series inspired by books, and of course, read before watching for the ultimate experience! From glamorous jewels to dark secrets, we promise these stories will entertain on the page and on-screen.
Rivals
Now streaming exclusively on Disney +.
 |
 |
Image Credit: Apple TV+
Venture into the cutthroat world of 80’s television where ambition, power and passion clash. The series follows Rupert Campbell-Black (Alex Hassell) and Lord Tony Baddingham (David Tennant) as they fight for control of Corinium television studios. Set in the elitest society of the 1980s, the series is an adaption of Jilly Cooper’s second book of the Rutshire Chronicles. The series is written by Dominic Treadwell-Collins and Laura Wade and directed by Elliot Hegarty.
The cast
The show stars Alex Hassell as Rupert Campbell-Black, David Tennant as Lord Tony Baddingham, and Aidan Turner as Declan O’Hara.
You can learn more about the cast here.
Where to watch
You can watch Rivals on Disney + here.
About the book
Rivals by Jilly Cooper
Lord Baddingham is desperate to retain his Corinium TV franchise, and to do so he’s hired Declan O’Hara, an Irish talk show mega-star. Baddingham has also enticed on board Cameron Cook, a gorgeous and brash executive, to produce Declan’s program. But Declan and Cameron detest each other, soon provoking a storm of controversy.
Enter into the fray everyone’s favourite hate-to-love-him bad-boy, Rupert Campbell-Black. As a rival group emerges to pitch for the franchise, reputations ripen and decline, true love blossoms and burns, marriages are made and shattered, and everyone is competing – in bed and in the boardroom – to come out on top.
Joan
Now streaming only on Stan.
 |
 |
Image Credit: Stan
Set in the fun, bold, aspirational world of 1980s London, the series is an adaptation of Joan Hannington’s memoir of the same name. Joan is a powerful female story inspired by the life of the UK’s most notorious jewel thief, Joan Hannington. The series was written by Anna Symon and directed by Richard Laxton.
The cast
The show stars Sophie Turner as Joan Hannington and Frank Dillane as Boise Hannington.
You can learn more about the cast here.
Where to watch
You can watch Joan on Stan here.
About the book
Joan by Joan Hannington
Coming from a violent, loveless childhood, Joan Hannington learnt to trust only herself. At seventeen, she became a mother, but was trapped in a disastrous marriage with a brutal thug. When he goes on the run, Joan seizes the moment to leave her old life. Motivated by her desire to care for her daughter, Joan gets swept up in the exhilarating world of a life of crime and makes some heartbreaking decisions as she sets her sights on a better life.
Disclaimer
Now streaming only on Apple TV+.
 |
 |
Image Credit: Apple TV+
Disclaimer is based on the bestselling novel of the same name by Renée Knight. Acclaimed journalist Catherine Ravenscroft built her reputation revealing the misdeeds and transgressions of others. When she receives a book from an unknown author, she is horrified to realise that she is now the main character in a story that exposes her darkest secrets.
As Catherine races to uncover the writer’s true identity, she is forced to confront her past before it destroys her life and her relationships with her husband, Robert (Sacha Baron Cohen) and their son, Nicholas (Kodi Smit-McPhee). The series is written and directed by five-time Academy Award winner, Alfonso Cuarón.
The cast
The series stars Academy Award winners Cate Blanchett as Catherine Ravenscroft and Kevin Kline as Stephen Brigstocke.
You can learn more about the cast here.
Where to watch
You can watch Disclaimer on Apple TV+ here.
About the book
Disclaimer by Renée Knight
When an intriguing novel appears on Catherine's bedside table, she curls up and begins to read.
But as she turns the pages she is horrified to realise she is a key character, a main player.
This story will reveal her darkest secret.
A secret she thought no one else knew . . .
Former hostage negotiator Chris Voss wrote about it in his book Never Split the Difference.
Everything you need to know about Masters of the Air before the Apple TV+ miniseries drops.
Lessons in Chemistry is getting TV treatment with a new Apple TV+ series based on the book. Learn more about it here.
Learn about the Netflix adaptation of Lockwood & Co, who the key cast members are, and when the show drops in Australia.
Check out some of the hottest YA books in stores now, from epic romantasy to sweet, unexpected romance.
Everything you need to throw the perfect Bluey birthday party!
Check out some of the Penguin Random House authors who will be at upcoming writers’ festivals.
Food shopping on a budget? These tips from Money-Saving Meal Plans With Chelsea will help you spend less on food.
Check out the long weekend reads Penguin employees are loving.
Our 2025 Penguin Noir events have wrapped up for another year – featuring four cities, four days, seven authors and a whole lot of crime!
Congrats to Samah Sabawi, author of Cactus Pear For My Beloved and Jumaana Abdu, author of Translations!
