We know reading in the middle of a lock-down sounds like a dream, but this isn’t the reality for most of us right now. As much as we may crave getting lost in a world that isn’t ours, focusing on a page may be hard right now.
So we’ve compiled a list of tv shows that have AMAZING storylines that you’ll love, and we’ve matched them with books! If you’re blazing through your library right now, go check out these books, and if not, watch the shows and grab the books for later.
Dark Comedy
Fleabag (BBC 3 & Amazon)
Fleabag, is an incredible story where we follow (literally, there are no scenes without her) Fleabag is adapted from the play by Phoebe Waller-Bridge, set in contemporary London about a middle-class woman dealing with her failing café, poor relationship choices, and difficult family. If you enjoy plays and stories about women who don’t always have their shit together this is a fantastic one to check out.
For Fans of Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams
Dead To Me (Netflix)
I love stories about friendships between women and Dead To Me delivers this in a crimson, dark, twisted bow. This complex and beautifully constructed story of Jen, a grieving widow whose first language in sarcasm, and Judy who looks like she walks around with rainbow sharpies in her pocket. The tension between the two comes to a false relief as Judy keeps many dark secrets from Jen and their lives become deeply intertwined. It’s so hard to talk about this show without spoilers just know you’re going to have a lot of questions about your moral code while watching this great story.
For Fans of My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite
Russian Doll (Netflix)
So this show, is much bigger and better than the trailer lets off! Stuck in a time loop, Nadia keeps dying over and over again on the night of her birthday and has to figure her way out. There are a lot of clues left throughout the show about why she may be stuck in a time loop, but the answer is never as easy as it first seems.
For Fans of: House of Leaves, Mark Z. Danielewski, The Girl From Everywhere by Heidi Heilig, Emily of New Moon (duh) & Brown Girl in the Ring by Nalo Hopkinson
Drama
Pose (FX, season 1 also available on Netflix)
Believe the hype, this show is royalty! If you’re looking for a great drama that you can feel all the feelings and love every single character this is the show for you. Set in the world of 1987 New York City, this show spotlights Black and Latinx ballroom culture scene and all the socio-political nuances of the time (without yelling any activist phrases at you, it’s just life).
For Fans of Don’t Call Us Dead by Danez Smith & The House of Impossible Beauties by Joseph Cassara
Killing Eve (BBC)
I came for Sandra Oh and stayed for Jodie Comer in this very dark, neat and seductive show tv show about Eve, a bored low-level MI5 employee who earns the attention of Villanelle a dangerous and successful assassin who enjoys a life of luxury. The two become obsessed with each other an enter into a destructive game of catch me if you can.
For fans of: The Confessions of Frannie Langton by Sara Collins & Difficult Women by Roxane Gay
Succession (HBO)
This tense inter-generational drama (that offers way more nuance than Billions) is great if you’re looking for a business/political show where you hate all the characters and LOVE an intense story filled with back-stabbing and a clear need for a therapist.
For Fans of Rich People Problems by Kevin Kwan Book 3 in the Crazy Rich Asians book series (The books, especially book 3, are nothing like the movie, just trust me on this) & White Teeth by Zadie Smith
Little Fires Everywhere (Hulu)
Another great show if you love to hate all your tv characters, Little Fires Everywhere explores the complex relationship between mothers and daughters, the tension among women of different races, immigration, adoption, abortion, and a bag a odda tings.
For fans of The Woman Next Door by Yewande Omotoso & Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng (duh)
Comedy
Losing Patience
This web-series follows Jamaican millennial, Reneé Patience, and her adulting misadventures. Including dating… that episode stressed me out.
For Fans of Surpassing Certainty: What My Twenties Taught Me by Janet Mock & Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams
Insecure (HBO)
I love to hate Issa. Haha she’s my favourite character that subverts the “Strong, Independent, Black Woman” trope with her messy millennial life. If you want to laugh and yell at your screen this is one you need to watch.
For Fans of Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams & We’re Going to Need More Wine by Gabrielle Union
Romantic Comedy
Modern Love (Amazon)
Ok, to be honest, I had no interest in watching this when I realised there weren’t any black woman or women of colour in this, because there were a few in the New York Times series (including this story by Nicole Dennis-Benn) but I needed something to cry about when the pandemic just started and this was perfect. This is great for fans of short story collections, and individually they are beautiful. (The one with Sister Anne Hathaway is probably my fav).
For Fans of The Wedding Date
Putting together this list I realise that a lot of the books I love have such a diverse and amazing cast and tv shows are often limited in their portrayal of black women in the genres I love. This just makes me even more excited when I share that books we’ve read this year such as The Confessions of Frannie Langton and Girl, Woman, Other are going to be adapted!
You may also like our Like A Real Book Club podcast episode on Books To Screen and Rants In Between available on Spotify, Apple & Google Podcasts.