From Shogun to Ripley: 2024 Emmy nominations inspired by iconic books instead of scripts

The nominations for the 76th Emmy Awards were announced on July 17. Here’s a list of eight nominations based on a renowned book rather than a script.
The Emmy Awards, a staple of television accolades, just announced their nominations for the 76th season. While watching television is enjoyable, you might be surprised to realize that several of these nominations are based on great literature. For those who enjoy reading as much as we do, here is a list of eight nominated shows that draw influence from literature.

Shōgun
Shōgun, based on the best-selling 1975 James Clavell novel, is a historical drama television series that follows pilot John Blackthorne and his crew mates after surviving a shipwreck. They are imprisoned in the fishing village of Anjiro and must wait for the samurai to decide their destiny. The series follows Clavell as he travels to Osaka, where he becomes entangled in a power struggle.

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Slow Horses is a British spy thriller TV series based on Mick Herron’s early Slough House novels. Fans see it as an accurate rendition of the book, with only a few minor character modifications. The plot revolves around Slough House, an administrative purgatory for MI5 agents who have made career-ending mistakes yet nevertheless become involved in researching plans that imperil Britain. The series was nominated for three awards, including one for Outstanding Drama Series.

3. Body Problem
3 Body Problem is an American science fiction television series based on the Chinese novel series Remembrance of Earth’s Past by Liu Cixin. It depicts a group of scientists who encounter an extraterrestrial culture and race against time to save the world from disaster. The series has been nominated for two awards, including the Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Drama Series.

Palm Royale
Palm Royale is a period comedy-drama TV series based on Juliet McDaniel’s 2018 novel Mr. & Mrs. American Pie. The story revolves around Maxine Simmons, who aspires to join Palm Royale, Florida’s high society club. The show has been nominated for five Emmys, including the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Comedy Series.

Chemistry Lessons
Lessons in Chemistry is an American historical drama miniseries based on the same-named novel by Bonnie Garmus. It follows Elizabeth Zott, a chemist who, after being dismissed, starts her own feminist cooking show called ‘Supper at Six’ in 1960s America to teach housewives about scientific matters.

The show has received four nominations, including the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series.

Ripley
Ripley, an American psychological thriller miniseries, is based on Patricia Highsmith’s 1955 crime novel The Talented Mr. Ripley. The plot follows Tom Ripley, a conman hired by a wealthy artist to persuade his son to return from Italy. But things quickly go wrong, and Tom’s introduction to the affluent son’s life is the first step toward a life of deception, fraud, and murder. The show has received 13 Emmy nominations, including one for Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series.

All the Light We Cannot See is an American historical drama television miniseries based on Anthony Doerr’s novel of the same name. It tells the narrative of blind Marie-Laure and Werner, a German soldier who cross paths in occupied France during WWII. The show has received four Emmy nominations, including the Outstanding Cinematography for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie award.

It’s always exciting to see the connection of literature and television, especially with the announcement of the 76th season Emmy candidates. If you don’t like movies, try reading instead!