Rejoice, becauseFinlay Donovan is Killing Itis going to be a TV show, not a movie. Look, I haven’t read everyFinlay Donovanbook. I’m sorry, there are five of them and one short story. There’s just too much to read, and I haven’t gotten to them all yet, but I like to think I know a bitabout book-to-TV adaptations, and let me tell you, thank GodFinlay Donovanwill be a TV show. There have been plenty ofmovies that would be much better as TV shows, and thankfully,Finlay Donovanwon’t join that list.
New York TimesandUSA Todaybestselling author Elle Cosmiano published the first book in 2021, titledFinlay Donovan is Killing It. The story follows the titular writer, who is struggling in just about every aspect of life. When she’s inadvertently mistaken for a contract killer, Finlay agrees to the job but quickly realizes that committing a crime is far different from writing a novel about one.I. Marlene King is set to adapt the first book in the mystery series for television, and with any luck, King and Cosmiano could have a long-lived series on their hands (viaTwitter).
Finlay Donovan Will Work Much Better As A TV Show Than A Movie
Long Book Series Work Better As Television Shows
As a five-part novel series with a short story to boot,Finlay Donovanwill be much better as a TV show. Movie adaptations have a history of butchering books, and while there are plenty of examples of TV shows that have totally messed up an adaptation,looking at you,The Witcher, movies seem to make mistakes more often. What’s more, a TV show can handle a few stumbling blocks. When a movie fails, that’s it, and you’re able to say goodbye to anyone adapting the source material afterward. It’s got the stink on it, or even legal protections.
10 Great Fantasy Books That Became Disappointing Movies & TV Shows
Fantasy novels are tricky to adapt in Hollywood, though some adaptations stray so far from the material there’s no wonder why they didn’t work out.
Adapting a book into a movie isn’t as simple as adding lines to a screenplay.Novels have a different pacing and language than that of film and televisionand need to be adjusted accordingly. The benefit of doing a TV adaptation stems from the creative team having time to adapt everything they need from the books. Side stories don’t need to be cut, supporting characters can be fleshed out, and locations can easily change. I mean, can you imagine ifGame of Throneswas an 8-part movie? It would have been a disaster. And it was already a disaster!
If there are more than three books in a series, it almost has to be a TV show. Movie adaptations of major franchises get canceled all the time, and the story is just left hanging. Take C.S. Lewis’The Chronicles of Narniafilm series. Despite a successful first outing, only two more adaptations of the seven novels were ever made, and the series just ended. Now,Greta Gerwig and Netflix are threateningto make a similar mistake. How aboutthe film adaptation ofA Series of Unfortunate Events?
2021
2022
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Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave
2025
We never got a second film for the remaining 10 books in the novels. Then, Netflix adapted the series into a highly underrated TV show that worked exceptionally well. Something as sprawling and, admittedly, long asFinlay Donovandeserves the TV treatment. We don’t need 10 episodes per book, but six or seven is definitely warranted. Who knows if Cosimano plans to keep adding to the series as well? A structured TV production schedule would make sure we don’t miss anything. With movies, there could be years between releases.
The Finlay Donovan TV Show/Movies Rights Were Acquired In 2024
I. Marlene King Of Pretty Little Liars Is Attached
Finlay Donovanwas optioned to 20th Television Studios in January 2021, with Elle Cosimano expressing her excitement about the series and I. Marlene King’s involvement onX. Cosimano said,
“There are no words to describe this feeling. From the very first call with @imarleneking , I knew she was the perfect producer to adapt FINLAY DONOVAN for the screen. I’m thrilled to be working with her and 20th Television Studios. This team is a dream come true.”
I. Marlene King then responded to Cosmiano’s tweet with,
“There are no words to describe how honored and excited I am to adapt @ElleCosimano’s novel for TV. #FinlayDonovanIsKillingIt is one of the most fun and twisty books I’ve ever read. I promise, you’re going to fall in love w Finlay, just like I did.❤️📚📺”
Since then, there has not been a lot of news regarding the adaptation. According to Elle Cosimano’s website,ElleCosimano, the TV/film option rights were acquired in 2024. This means that another producer and studio purchased the option from 20th Television and Cosimano, a critical next step in any adaptation’s life cycle. However, there is still a ways to go. That option purchase simply means the studio is the only one with the rights to the book. They still have to determine just how they are going to make this show.
Studios option projects like Cosimano’s because they’re worried that while they think of what they want to do with the show, someone else will come along and take over the project.
Studios option projects like Cosimano’s because they’re worried that while they think of what they want to do with the show, someone else will come along and take over the project. It suggests that whoever optionedFinlay Donovanthinks it’s an in-demand story.It’s extremely early in the production process, and there is no casting information available at the moment. Cosimano says on her website that as soon as she has any updates she’s allowed to share, those who visit her website will be the first to know.
Who The Fans Want In The Finlay Donovan TV Show
Some Popular Actors Have Been Suggested For The Series
While there’s been no news about who will appear in theFinlay Donovanadaptation, fans have begun speculating which actors would fit the mold of the novels’ characters. There was aRedditthread about a rumor Tweet from@SELENAT0RSARMYthat suggested Ashley Benson, Sydney Park, and Selena Gomez would be appearing in the adaptation. However,another commenter said this is not true, and that King was just replying to a Tweet saying that she would like to work with the trio.
The fan casting website,MyCast, which allows visitors to vote on which actors they would cast in various properties, has some interesting results. According to the voters, the following actors should play the following characters: Leighton Meester as Finlay Donovan, Jenna Ortega as Veronica, Margot Robbie as Theresa, Theo James as Detective Nick Anthony, Burgess Jenkins as Steven, Drew Van Acker as Julian, Debra Jo Rupp as Mrs. Haggerty, Dove Cameron as Bree, Mila Kunis as Irina Borovkov, Better Midler as Sylvia, and Ruby Rose as Georgia.
It was also suggested that Rami Malek play Feliks Zhirov, Rachel Boston play Patricia Mickler, Luke Evans play Harris Mickler, Diego Cataño play Cousin Ramon, Adrien Brody play Andrei Borovkov, and Anna Camp play Aimee. While none of these fan-cast actors have been attached toFinlay Donovan, it does provide an interesting map of where the show could go, casting-wise. Whoever is in, I’m just glad they’ll be signing on forFinlay Donovan is Killing Itthe TV show rather than the movie.
