Welcome to the SheReads Bookish Entertainment column! Each week, enjoy a new article by Garrett Billings— Bookstagrammer, blogger, book-to-screen junkie—on all things Reading + Hollywood. Stars’ book club picks and trailer reveals, book-to-screen news and book pop culture, and of course, Gare’s specialty, choosing his ideal Hollywood casts for book adaptations—Bookish Entertainment has you covered.  

Anticipation is the worst and yet the best feeling all at once. A new book, a new show, a new movie, it’s all so exciting and 2021 and 2022 have so many great things to look forward to, including adaptations of some incredible new books as well as some backlist titles that were meant to be on the screen. Here are some of the latest updates regarding adaptations of your favorite stories!

Three Women Coming to Showtime

Lisa Taddeo’s breakthrough non-fiction release Three Women is coming to Showtime as a limited series with Taddo and Emmy Rossum producing. The book, which explores the lives and sexuality of three women in the U.S., was a stunning and poignant read that had everyone talking upon its release. Rounding up the cast of the women include Shailene Woodley as Gia, the writer persuading the women to share their stories, Betty Gilpin as Lina, a woman who finds herself having an affair outside of a loveless marriage, and Dewanda Wise as Sloane, a woman with an unconventional marriage. With the character of Maggie left, a woman who accuses her teacher of an inappropriate relationship, it’s only a matter of time before an actress is chosen to complete this amazing cast. More details to come once filming commences.

The Lost Symbol Releases on Peacock

Based on the best-selling novel The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown, the third novel in the Robert Langdon series, this Peacock Original series follows the young Ivy League symbologist as he must solve a series of deadly puzzles to save his kidnapped mentor and thwart a chilling global conspiracy. New episodes come out every Thursday!

Michael B. Jordan Adapting Victories Greater Than Death for Amazon

Michael B. Jordan’s production company, Outlier Society, is working on bringing Charlie Jane Ander’s Victories Greater Then Death, the first in a trilogy, to Amazon. Telling the story of Tina Mains, a seemingly ordinary high-school student who is hiding her secret alien identity from her friends. Tina was sent to guard a beacon hidden on earth from evil. Both Jordan and Anders are set to executive produce the series, but no other details have been announced at this time.

Greg Berlanti and Molly Sims Bring We Were Never Here to Netflix

Greg Berlanti, developer of YOU on Netflix and Molly Sims are bringing Andrea Bartz’s We Were Never Here to series on Netflix! Recently chosen as Reese Witherspoon’s book club pick, the story follows two best friends who embark on their annual vacation only for one friend to find a terrifying scene that is reminiscent of something that happened a year ago involving the two friends.

Malachi Kirby Lands Two Lead Roles in Anansi Boys

We recently announced that Neil Gaiman’s Anansi Boys would be headed to Amazon and it looks like they have found their double-leading man in Malachi Kirby. Kirby is set to play both Charlie Nancy and his brother, Spider. The story is about Charlie who learns his estranged father, Anansi, the trickster god of stories, has died and he also has a brother he never knew about, Spider. Now, wit Spider in his life, Charlie’s future is a lot more interesting and also dangerous.

Mahershala Ali Leaves the World Behind with Julia Roberts

Last year when the announcement was made that Rumaan Alam’s novel Leave the World Behind was going to be adapted for Netflix, Julia Roberts and Denzel Washington were announced as the cast of the upcoming film. It has recently been announced that Mahershala Ali will be co-starring alongside Julia Roberts in the upcoming film, taking over the role that was rumored for Denzel Washington. The story is about two families who don’t know one another forced to stick together when a long weekend goes wrong. It is unknown when production is set to start.

Amblin Television Buys Rights to McCreight’s Friends Like These

The newest book from Kimberly McCreight about the bonds of friendship and the secrets that can destroy them may have recently hit the shelves, but Amblin Television has already bought the rights to turn the thriller into a television series. Don’t expect the series to venture too far from the book as McCreight is set to adapt the script! This is the third novel by McCreight to be adapted as her previous novel Reconstructing Amelia is being developed for HBO and A Good Marriage will be headed to Amazon.

Firefly Lane Adds More New Faces

Some new faces are going to be added to the second season of Firefly Lane including Ignacio Serricchio, Greg Germann (also of Grey’s Anatomy), India De Beautfort, and Jolene Purdy. Serricchio will be playing Danny Diaz, a cocky sportscaster who begins a flirtatious relationship with Heigl’s Tully. Germann will be portraying Benedict Binswanger, a businessman who runs for governor in the 80s. De Beaufort will star as Charlotte (appearing in both flashbacks and present-day), an aspiring journalist who turns reporter. Purdy will be playing Justine Jordan, a talent agent who crosses paths with Heigl’s character.