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Source Writers

Television: Source Writers

A popular type of question is "Who wrote the book on which (such–and–such a series) was based?"

This page should answer most questions of this type. I've included some details about the series, and in some cases about the sources, where I think this adds interest.

Band of Brothers (HBO 10–part series, 2001) 1992, collected WWII memoirs (non–fiction) Click to show or hide the answer
The Crow Road (BBC Scotland miniseries, 1996) 1992 novel Click to show or hide the answer
The Darling Buds of May (BBC comedy drama 1991–3) 1958 novel (and sequels) Click to show or hide the answer
The History Man (BBC four–part drama serial, 1981) 1975 novel Click to show or hide the answer
Sex and the City (US TV rom–com drama, 1998–2004) Newspaper column starting 1994, and 1997 anthology in book form Click to show or hide the answer
The Rotters' Club (BBC2 3–part series, 2005)2001 novel Click to show or hide the answer
House of Cards (BBC 4–part series, 1990)1989 novel Click to show or hide the answer
To Play the King (BBC 4–part series, 1993)1992 novel
Final Cut (BBC 4–part series, 1995)1994 novel
The Snapper (Irish TV film, 1993) 1987 novel Click to show or hide the answer
Up the Junction (BBC Wednesday Play 1965; see also Films: Source Writers) 1963 short story, in a collection with the same title Click to show or hide the answer
The Forsyte Saga (drama series: BBC 1967, ITV 2002–3) Three novels and two short "interludes", 1906–21 Click to show or hide the answer
I, Claudius (BBC drama series, 1976) Novels I, Claudius (1934), Claudius the God (1935) Click to show or hide the answer
Roots (US TV series, 1977) 1976 novel Click to show or hide the answer
A Year in Provence (1993 BBC TV mini–series)1989 autobiographical novel Click to show or hide the answer
The Buddha of Suburbia (1993 BBC 4–part TV drama serial)1990 novel Click to show or hide the answer
Peyton Place (1957 film, and ABC soap opera 1964–9)1956 first novel Click to show or hide the answer
Normal People (BBC3, 2020)2018 novel Click to show or hide the answer
Conversations With Friends (BBC3, 2022)2017 novel
The Jewel in the Crown (1984 ITV series) The Raj Quartet (1966–74; for details, see Books: Series) Click to show or hide the answer
Lark Rise to Candleford (BBC TV series, 2008–11) Trilogy of semi–autobiographical novels (1939–43) – for details, see Books: Series Click to show or hide the answer
The Sculptress (1996 BBC 4–part TV drama, starring Pauline Quirke)1993 novel Click to show or hide the answer
The Life and Loves of a She–Devil (1986 BBC 4–part TV drama, starring Patricia Hodge and Dennis Waterman) 1983 novel Click to show or hide the answer
Oranges are Not the Only Fruit (1990 BBC 3–part TV drama)1985 semi–autobiographical debut novel Click to show or hide the answer
The Winds of War (1983 ABC 7–part miniseries, starring Robert Mitchum and Ali McGraw)1971 novel Click to show or hide the answer

© Haydn Thompson 2017–23