Welcome to this week's Story to Screen Report, where Sacha rounds up the biggest book-to-screen news from around the world.
Another week, another stack of book-to-screen news we couldn't wait to share. From exciting casting updates and first-look photos to major adaptation announcements, fresh trailers and a few projects that are looking a little less certain, there's been plenty happening this week. Here's everything you need to know.
The first trailer for 'Dune: Part Three' is finally here
The wait is over. Warner Bros. has released the first full trailer for 'Dune: Part Three', giving fans their biggest look yet at Denis Villeneuve's adaptation of Frank Herbert's 'Dune Messiah'.
The trailer teases the growing conflict between Paul Atreides and Chani, with Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya front and centre, while also introducing Robert Pattinson's mysterious Scytale and offering another glimpse of Anya Taylor-Joy as Alia. The epic conclusion to Villeneuve's trilogy arrives in cinemas on 18 December, and if the trailer is anything to go by, we're in for something truly spectacular.
Viola Davis announces new book adaptation
Viola Davis and Julius Tennon's production company JuVee Productions has signed a first-look television deal with Universal Global Television, with their first project set to be 'Pawn', an adaptation of an original novella by bestselling author Kennedy Ryan.
Ryan revealed that the novella hasn't been published yet, explaining that she wrote it as an original story as part of her own first-look deal with Universal, but hopes to release it someday. Kennedy, if you're reading this, please release it, because we all want to read it before the adaptation arrives.
Book adaptations score big at the 2026 Emmy Awards
Book-to-screen adaptations had a huge showing when the 2026 Emmy nominations were announced, proving once again just how dominant they continue to be on television.
'The Handmaid's Tale', 'Slow Horses', ‘People We Meet on Vacation’, ‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms ’, 'Margo's Got Money Troubles', ‘Palm Royale’ and 'The Better Sister' were all recognised across the major categories, with acting, writing and series nominations highlighting another standout year for stories that began on the page.
Gemma Chan shares promising update on Anna May Wong biopic
It's been a long wait, but Gemma Chan has finally shared a promising update on her long-awaited Anna May Wong biopic. Speaking this week, Chan confirmed the film now has a completed script, with Tony Award-winning playwright David Henry Hwang adapting Graham Russell Gao Hodges' biography 'Anna May Wong: From Laundryman's Daughter to Hollywood Legend'. Chan, who will star as and produce the film, described Wong as "an icon" and said she hopes to share more news on the project soon.
'The Woman in Me' movie adaptation takes a major step forward
The adaptation of Britney Spears' bestselling memoir 'The Woman in Me' has taken a major step forward, with 'New Girl' creator Liz Meriwether officially joining the project as its screenwriter. She'll work alongside director Jon M. Chu and producer Marc Platt to bring Spears' story to the big screen. Now that the screenplay is in good hands, the next big question is who will be cast as Britney. Rumours have linked Ariana Grande, Sabrina Carpenter and Millie Bobby Brown to the coveted role, while reports also suggest Selena Gomez is high on the filmmakers' wish list. Nothing has been confirmed yet, but we'll definitely be keeping a close eye on this one.
'Silo' season 3 release schedule revealed
If you've been counting down to new episodes of 'Silo', the full release schedule for season three has now been confirmed. Based on Hugh Howey's bestselling dystopian book series, the 10-episode season premiered on 3 July, with a new episode arriving every Friday until the finale on 4 September.
The new season continues Juliette's story while also taking viewers back hundreds of years to explore how the world ended, setting the stage for the already confirmed fourth and final season.
Stephen Graham's book adaptation gets a new title and release date
Apple TV+ has officially renamed its upcoming Lars Kepler adaptation from 'Lazarus' to 'Nocturne', while also confirming it will premiere on 30 October. Based on the bestselling novels 'Lazarus' and 'The Sandman', the crime thriller stars Liev Schreiber, Zazie Beetz and Stephen Graham, with the first two episodes dropping on launch day before new episodes arrive weekly through to Christmas. Alongside the news, the first official images have just been released from the highly anticipated series.
The stars of 'Lucky' hit the red carpet for the world premiere
The cast of ‘Lucky’ stepped onto the red carpet to celebrate the series premiere, with stars Anya Taylor-Joy, Drew Starkey, Annette Bening, Clifton Collins Jr. and William Fichtner all in attendance.
Executive producer Reese Witherspoon was also there to support the adaptation of Marissa Stapley's bestselling novel, which follows a woman forced to confront the criminal life she thought she'd left behind. The series premieres today on Apple TV+.
Everything we know about season two of 'We Were Liars'
Still recovering from the ending of 'We Were Liars'? You're not alone. Prime Video has officially renewed the adaptation for a second season, which will be based on E. Lockhart's prequel novel 'Family of Liars'.
The new season will take viewers back to the summer of 1999, exploring the Sinclair sisters' story long before Cadence's, with several new cast members joining the series alongside returning favourites. Filming is already underway, although there's no release date just yet.
First look at Mike Flanagan's new adaptation of 'Carrie'
Our first official look at Prime Video's new adaptation of Stephen King's classic novel 'Carrie' has arrived. The first images introduce Summer H. Howell as Carrie White, alongside Samantha Sloyan as Margaret White, Matthew Lillard, Amber Midthunder and the rest of the cast.
The eight-episode series is a modern reimagining of King's iconic horror story from acclaimed filmmaker Mike Flanagan, with the first images giving us a glimpse at his fresh take ahead of its premiere later this year.
Morgan Spector in talks to become the new Robert Langdon
Netflix appears to have found its next Robert Langdon, with 'The Gilded Age' star Morgan Spector in talks to lead the adaptation of Dan Brown's bestselling novel 'The Secret of Secrets'.
Rebecca Hall is also reportedly in negotiations for the female lead, marking what would be the first time the real-life married couple have starred together in a TV series. If cast, Spector would take over the iconic role from Tom Hanks, who portrayed Langdon in the film adaptations of 'The Da Vinci Code', 'Angels & Demons' and 'Inferno'.
Universal snaps up new release 'Helpless'
Jessica Knoll's brand new thriller 'Helpless' has barely hit shelves, and it's already being adapted for television. Universal Global Television has picked up the rights, with Knoll writing the adaptation and executive producing alongside Oscar-nominated producer Stacy Sher.
The novel, which Knoll has described as being inspired by 'A Court of Thorns and Roses', was only published last week, making this one of the fastest book-to-screen announcements we've seen in a while.
'The Beauty' cast released as season 2 remains in limbo
The future of Ryan Murphy's 'The Beauty' is looking increasingly uncertain, with FX reportedly allowing the cast's contract options to expire while the network decides whether to move forward with a second season. Based on the graphic novel by Jeremy Haun and Jason A. Hurley, the sci-fi horror series hasn't officially been cancelled, but if it does return, the cast would now need to be brought back under new contracts.
Hudson Williams calls out fans who followed him home
'Heated Rivalry' star Hudson Williams has spoken out after a group of autograph seekers allegedly followed him to his residence in Paris. In a video that quickly went viral, Williams confronted the group, calling their behaviour "really creepy" and making it clear they weren't fans, but autograph dealers hoping to resell signed photos.
The actor later spoke about how unsettling the encounter was, reigniting conversations around celebrity privacy and the line between fan enthusiasm and harassment.
That's a wrap on this week's biggest book-to-screen news. Which announcement are you most excited about? Let us know in the comments, and if we missed anything, we'd love to hear about it. We'll be back next week with another round-up of all the latest adaptation news.
