Angel Shaw is a TV Lead Writer and Critic with ScreenRant who knows far too much about Harry Potter and The Lord of the Rings.
A good fantasy adaptation is hard to come by these days, and Netflix's Shadow and Bone proves that even when one hits the mark, it's not enough to keep it around. The film and TV industry has been looking to hit book series for ideas for decades, and the fantasy genre, especially, is dominated by book-to-screen projects.
The process of making a hit adaptation isn't an easy one, however, and there are far fewer hits than misses. Book fans aren't easy to please, and it seems, more often than not, that screenwriters are more interested in putting their own spin on a story than creating a faithful adaptation. We've seen several troublesome fantasy TV shows that were supposed to be based on books but no longer resembled their sources. Netflix's The Witcher is an infamous example. The show had a relatively good start, but by season 2, the book story seemed like barely a suggestion. Despite the backlash over this, Netflix has kept The Witcher going. The above example is one of many. Every time a new book adaptation is announced, fans pray that it will be faithful to the original story. The ideal combination would be something that perfectly captures the fantasy spectacle, with a winning cast, great writing, and overall respect for the books the show is based on. Unfortunately, even if a project checks all those boxes, like Shadow and Bone, it's no guarantee that it will be the success it should be. Shadow & Bone Was An Excellent Example Of What A Book Adaptation Should Be Netflix has had its fair share of book-to-screen blunders, but Shadow and Bone was a rare victory. The 2021 fantasy TV show delivered fantastically on just about every front. It's all too easy for fantasy to come across as rather cheesy on screen, but Netflix held nothing back in the way of budget and special effects. The casting was truly spectacular, and it was clear that the book descriptions of the characters were kept in mind, all while ensuring the talent was top-notch. Then there was the story, which not only remained faithful to Leigh Bardugo's books but also made careful enhancements to the fantasy world. Critics and general audiences alike were consistently pleased with Shadow and Bone. The fantasy show has an overall critic score of 83% on Rotten Tomatoes, with a comparable viewer score of 84%. This positive reception was steadfast across Shadow and Bone's two seasons, with the common sentiment that the Netflix adaptation was a refreshing return to the delicious roots of fantasy and romantasy. Overall, Shadow and Bone just couldn't have gone any better. It's everything book fans pray for when they hear an adaptation is on the way. Unfortunately, that didn't save it from cancellation. Book Faithfulness Just Isn't Enough To Keep A Fantasy Adaptation Afloat After Shadow and Bone season 2, Netflix decided to pull the plug on the fantasy series. The cancellation was a bitter disappointment that fans are still struggling to get over a handful of years later. There were several reasons for Netflix's choice. The SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes had a lot to do with it, since production for dozens of movies and shows was delayed, making it necessary for Netflix to make difficult choices on what to prioritize and drop. Shadow and Bone may have been a critical hit, but the sort of budget necessary for a fantasy TV show means it had to achieve a spectacular viewership to justify Netflix's prioritization. Unfortunately, season 2 saw a significant decline in this regard. The show did everything right by book fans, but it didn't quite gain enough attention to solidify its place on the streaming platform. Subscribe to the newsletter for deeper fantasy adaptation insights Want more inside analysis on why faithful fantasy adaptations still fail? Subscribe to the newsletter for thoughtful breakdowns of book-to-screen hits, cancellations, and what really drives streaming decisions. Get Updates By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime. Perhaps things would have been different if the strike delays hadn't made it necessary for Netflix to pick and choose. However, the overarching lesson here is that pleasing book fans simply isn't enough. Fantasy TV shows have the potential to attract a massive audience, but, in the grand scheme of things, it's still a more niche genre. Add in the fact that these types of stories are among the most expensive to adapt, and the cards are really stacked against fantasy book adaptations. It's a really unfortunate message for fantasy and romantasy fans to receive. In order for our favorite TV shows to stick around, they must, essentially, do the impossible. If a nearly perfect adaptation like Shadow and Bone can't do it, then what can? 49 9.0/10 5/10 Shadow and Bone 10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 stars 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star Like Follow Followed TV-14 Drama Action Adventure Fantasy Release Date 2021 - 2023 Network Netflix Showrunner Eric Heisserer Directors Mairzee Almas, Karen Gaviola, Laura Belsey, Jeremy Webb, Lee Toland Krieger, Bola Ogun Writers Eric Heisserer, Vanya Asher, Daegan Fryklind, Shelley Meals, Christina Strain, M. Scott Veach, Donna Thorland, Erin Conley, Nick Culbertson Cast See All
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