From Game of Thrones to The Wheel of Time, some of the best fantasy TV shows started as books. Great fantasy series bring intricate lore, detailed worlds, and layered characters to the screen—and young adult fantasy is no exception. Hits like Shadow and Bone, The Vampire Diaries, and Shadowhunters all proved that YA fantasy can thrive on television.
One series that's long overdue for its own adaptation is The Raven Cycle by Maggie Stiefvater. This four-book saga—The Raven Boys, The Dream Thieves, Blue Lily, Lily Blue, and The Raven King—was optioned for TV back in 2017, but the project never came to life. Nearly a decade later, the fanbase has only grown more passionate, making now the perfect time for a proper television adaptation.
What Is 'The Raven Cycle' About?
The story follows Blue Sargent, a teenage girl from a family of psychics. Unlike her relatives, Blue has no powers—but she amplifies the abilities of others. She's also been warned her entire life that if she kisses her true love, she'll kill him. That hasn't been an issue until now, when her visiting aunt predicts this will be the year Blue falls in love.
On St. Mark's Eve, Blue accompanies her aunt to an old church to see the spirits of those who will die in the coming year. Blue isn't supposed to see them, but she spots the ghost of a boy named Gansey. This means either she's his true love—or she'll be the cause of his death. Maybe both.
Soon after, Blue meets Gansey and his three best friends—Ronan, Adam, and Noah—from the elite Aglionby Academy. Gansey has spent years searching for the long-dead Welsh king Owen Glendower, who is said to grant a wish to whoever wakes him. Blue gets pulled into their quest, but there's a dark secret: Gansey is fated to die by the end, and Blue is somehow connected to his fate.
Why 'The Raven Cycle' Would Make a Perfect TV Series
The series is already being adapted into a graphic novel, with the second volume coming this summer. But a TV adaptation would truly do justice to its rich worldbuilding and shocking twists. Each book introduces new layers of lore and stunning revelations that pay off beautifully.
What makes The Raven Cycle so beloved is its core group of characters. Blue, Gansey, Ronan, Adam, and Noah are individually compelling, but together they form an unforgettable found family. Their banter, inside jokes, and fierce loyalty make the high-stakes fantasy feel deeply personal. Two slow-burn romances develop over the series, sure to captivate TV audiences.
For fans of epic quests and underdog teams, The Raven Cycle is a dream adaptation. It's a world readers want to live in—and it's high time television brought it to life. If you're looking for more fantasy that deserves the spotlight, check out Apple TV's 'The Changeling' or these 7 fantasy novels that outshine most blockbuster movies. And for another series that's perfect for adaptation, see why 'Dungeon Crawler Carl' has a huge advantage.
