Every few months, another beloved book series gets the TV treatment, promising to honor the source material. Sometimes it works, but more often than not, fans are left scratching their heads at rushed plots, missing characters, and adaptations that miss the point entirely. Not every misfire deserves a do-over, but some stories are too good to leave unfinished. Here are five book-to-TV adaptations that deserve another shot—whether that means a complete reboot or just a chance to finish what they started.
5. Shadow and Bone (2021–2023)
Leigh Bardugo's Grishaverse novels have a massive fanbase, but Netflix's attempt to merge the Shadow and Bone trilogy with the Six of Crows duology into one show was a bold gamble that didn't quite pay off. While the cast—including Jessie Mei Li, Ben Barnes, and Freddy Carter—was stellar, the series felt rushed, cramming characters from different timelines together and racing toward crossover moments instead of letting each story breathe. With Netflix canceling the show before adapting key books and shelving a planned Six of Crows spin-off, the Grishaverse never got the long-form treatment it deserved. A fresh adaptation that lets each series stand alone could finally do justice to Bardugo's sprawling fantasy world. For more on how the show handled the Crows, check out our analysis of the Netflix changes.
4. The Shannara Chronicles (2016–2017)
Terry Brooks' Shannara series has been compared to The Lord of the Rings for decades, but MTV's adaptation never quite embraced its epic fantasy roots. The show had impressive visuals and creature effects, but it leaned too heavily on teen drama clichés instead of the rich mythology and political intrigue that made the books so compelling. After moving to Spike for a second season, it was canceled before exploring the larger Shannara universe. Today's fantasy TV landscape—with hits like House of the Dragon and The Wheel of Time—is far more welcoming to sprawling literary adaptations. A redo could finally give Brooks' world the epic treatment it deserves.
3. Shadowhunters (2016–2019)
Cassandra Clare's The Mortal Instruments series has had two shots at screen adaptation—a 2013 film and Freeform's Shadowhunters—but neither fully captured the books' humor, suspense, and complexity. The TV series improved after a rocky first season and built a passionate fanbase, but budget constraints and a premature cancellation left the story unfinished. With Hollywood now investing heavily in large-scale fantasy TV, the time is right for a faithful, full-scale adaptation of Clare's beloved series. For more on why fantasy adaptations are thriving, see our ranking of beloved fantasy book adaptations.
2. Lockwood & Co. (2023)
Unlike most entries on this list, Lockwood & Co. wasn't a creative failure. Joe Cornish's adaptation of Jonathan Stroud's novels nailed the wit, spooky atmosphere, and heartfelt friendships, with a trio of leads whose chemistry was electric. Critics loved it, audiences pushed it into Netflix's global charts, and the first season ended on a tantalizing cliffhanger. Then Netflix canceled it anyway, leaving major mysteries—like The Problem, Lockwood's past, and Penelope Fittes' true motives—unresolved. The smartest solution isn't a reboot; it's simply continuing the show that already worked. Few canceled Netflix series have felt so unfinished. For more on why this show deserves a second season, read our case for Lockwood & Co. season 2.
1. Anne with an E (2017–2019)
While not in the original list, this adaptation of L.M. Montgomery's classic deserves mention. Netflix's Anne with an E brought a darker, more socially conscious take to the beloved story, exploring themes of trauma, identity, and belonging. The show was canceled after three seasons, leaving Anne's journey unfinished. With streaming platforms increasingly open to period dramas with modern sensibilities, a revival or continuation could give fans the closure they crave. For more on adaptations that deserve a second look, check out our list of forgotten sci-fi gems.
These five adaptations prove that even when a show gets it right—or gets close—the story isn't always over. Whether it's a full reboot or a simple continuation, these worlds deserve another chance to shine on screen.
