10 Best TV Adaptations Of Romance Novels

Love and romance are in the air – not only in February, on Valentine’s Day, but throughout the whole year. Especially when it comes to TV shows and films. Even those TV series that belong in different genres, such as drama or crime, fantasy or science fiction, usually feature at least one romantic couple, but often more.

However, if you’re looking for genuine romance shows inspired by romance novels, you have a rich selection to choose from, whether you prefer stories from the modern times, the 21st century, or period stories. Let’s look at the top 10 TV adaptations of romantic novels.

10 A Discovery Of Witches

This relatively new TV show crosses the lines between several genres, fantasy, drama, and romance included. It still deserves a spot on this list, though, since the relationship between its two main characters plays a very important part in the plot. One of them is a young witch Diana Bishop and the other one is a centuries-old vampire Matthew Clairmont.

They don’t want to admit to their feelings at first, especially Matthew, but they feel too drawn to each other to deny them for long. This is unfortunate since relationships between witches and vampires are strictly forbidden. The chemistry between Teresa Palmer and Matthew Goode is so thick you could cut it with a knife and if you want to know more about the story, you can read the books by Deborah Harkness.

9 Famous In Love

This TV show ran for two series and it’s already finished which is good news for its viewers since it’s highly addictive. Based on the book series by Rebecca Serle, which currently features two books (with the third one in preparation), the show focuses on a young actress Paige Townsen who unexpectedly gets her big break as an actress when she gets the leading female part in an upcoming fantasy romance.

Paige has to juggle her new-found fame, school, friendships, and the complicated love triangle she has with her co-star Rainer and her roommate Jake. There are a lot of couples in this show so you’ll most likely find one whose story you’ll enjoy.

8 Sense And Sensibility

This isn’t the last time you’ll hear Jane Austen’s name on this list. After all, she is one of the most famous authors of romantic novels ever. Sense and Sensibility was Austen’s first significant novel and it focuses on two very different sisters, Elinor, and Marianne. Elinor is rational and sensible while Marianne is much more free-spirited and dreams of big, romantic love.

Elinor has been in love with a man who doesn’t seem interested and Marianne falls for the wrong guy, who first lures her in but then pushes her away. The series has only three parts so it won’t take you long to watch it and if you enjoy a proper portion of heartbreak, drama, and period costumes, well then this one could be the right TV show for you.

7 The Spanish Princess

Let’s go even more back into the past. The Spanish Princess brings its viewers all the way back into the late 15th century and early 16th century when the Tudors ruled England. Young Spanish princess Catherine of Aragon arrives in England to marry the future king, Prince Arthur, but her husband dies shortly after their wedding and Catherine decides to marry his younger brother Henry (the future King Henry VIII).

Unfortunately for Catherine, she’s not the only one who wants to marry Henry. The series is full of excellent actors, beautiful costumes and while it treats history freely, it’s still intriguing. You can also check out the novel by Philippa Gregory if you’re interested in the Tudor period.

6 The Vampire Diaries

Fans of vampires and supernatural creatures, in general, can often enjoy passionate love stories portrayed in films and on TV. This series is no exception.

While it also contains a lot of fighting scenes, its primary focus is the romantic relationship between the main heroine Elena Gilbert and the two Salvatore brothers, vampires Damon and Stefan, who both fall in love with Elena. The Vampire Diaries ran for eight series and features many memorable couples. As for the books by L. J. Smith, there are well over fifteen of them, so a lot of reading materials available for those who are interested.

5 Emma

Only one year after the release of Sense and Sensibility came another Jane Austen adaptation aimed at the small screen. This time, it adapted the novel, Emma. Emma is strong, stubborn and intelligent but she sometimes makes serious mistakes in her judgment.

She decides to play a matchmaker for her friend Harriet and ends up creating a difficult web of relationships, all the while failing to see that the right man for her is just beyond the corner, sometimes even in the same room as her. Emma is very sarcastic and cynical at times, but it still contains its fair share of romantic moments.

4 Pride And Prejudice

However impressive the film version with Keira Knightley is, it still doesn’t hold a candle to this now already iconic TV series from 1995, inspired by Jane Austen’s most famous novel Pride and Prejudice. If you didn’t read the novel, its main heroine is Elizabeth Bennet, an intelligent young woman who meets the distant and aloof Mr. Darcy and the two… hate each other from the first time they talk… except they don’t, not really.

It’s complicated, funny, romantic, intelligent, full of clever dialogue, and what’s best, the TV series has Colin Firth playing Mr. Darcy. Firth and Jennifer Ehle created an unforgettable TV couple so this one shouldn’t escape your attention.

3 Outlander

Even though you might think the opposite at first, romance and fantasy go well hand in hand. After all, love knows no bounds, not even one caused by different species… or different times. Writer Diana Gabaldon created a memorable series that will make many romantic souls swoon while they read it.

And the TV show managed to take the heroes right out of the book pages and bring them onto the TV screen the way you like them – complex, not perfect, but fascinating and full of feelings for one another. Outlander currently has four seasons and it’s still going strong.

2 Poldark

If you like British period shows but have already watched all the Jane Austen adaptations, then you should check out Poldark. It takes place in similar times, 18th century Cornwall, and focuses on the Poldark family who lives in a mining community and leads a rather complicated existence.

Aidan Turner (you could have seen him in the original British version of Being Human, to name just one) plays the leading part and Eleanor Tomlinson portrayed his new love. The series is full of dramatic twists and interesting characters, who sometimes make it hard to sympathize with them but that doesn’t make them any less fascinating.

1 Jane Eyre

Jane Eyre is one of the most famous romance novels and it’s been adapted multiple times, for example in 2011 with Michael Fassbender as Mr. Rochester and Mia Wasikowska as Jane. However, this miniseries is from 2006 and it follows the book’s storyline very closely.

In case you don’t know the story – Jane is an orphan, poor and not a very handsome girl who goes to work for the mysterious Mr. Rochester as a governess for his young warden. Despite all their differences, they fall in love but have to solve multiple problems before they can be together. Ruth Wilson is excellent as Jane, and the miniseries will be enjoyable to anyone who liked the novel.

About The Author

Kath Leroy
(523 Articles Published)

Kath Leroy is a writer at Screen Rant. She also publishes in a number of Czech magazines. She works as an actress and appeared in feature films, short films, as well as TV series. Kath has loved movies, TV, and literature ever since she was a child and her father first played Star Trek for her. Since she has a background in writing genre fiction and screenplays, Kath enjoys fantasy, sci-fi, and superhero films and shows above all – however, she likes to watch films of all genres.

Visit Kath Leroy’s blog for her articles about culture, acting life as well as other topics, follow her on Twitter and on Instagram as @girlartistgeek or contact her directly at [email protected]

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