There are plenty of LGBTQ+ book-to-screen adaptations on the horizon. From returning favorites such as “Heated Rivalry” Season 2 and “Bridgerton” to new projects based on books by Alexis Hall and Taylor Jenkins Reid, here’s what’s coming next.
‘La Bola Negra’
In theaters Oct. 16
The U.S. release of “La Bola Negra” is hitting theaters on Oct. 16. Netflix acquired the Spanish-language film after it won best director for Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi at the Cannes Film Festival.
“La Bola Negra,” or “The Black Ball” in English, adapts the final, unfinished play by Federico García Lorca by the same name as well as the play “La Piedra Oscura” or “The Dark Stone” by Alberto Conejero. It tells the story of three gay men across different eras in time. Glenn Close and Penélope Cruz join Guitarricadelafuente, Miguel Bernardeau, Julio Torres and Carlos Gonzàlez.
‘Hunting Wives’
Streaming Nov. 26 on Netflix
“Hunting Wives” follows city girl Sophie (Brittany Snow) who moves to East Texas and gets ensnared in some local Southern drama—and a romance with Margo (Malin Akerman). Dermot Mulroney and Karen Rodriguez also star. The series has recently been picked up for a third season.
“I’m so excited, the girls are so excited, we just love making this show,” creator and showrunner Rebecca Cutter told Tudum. “I’m super proud of how the scripts for Season 3 are coming out.”
The thriller is based on the 2022 book of the same name by May Cobb. Season 2 will premiere on Nov. 26.
‘Red, White & Royal Wedding’
Late 2026, Prime Video
“Red, White & Royal Wedding,” the sequel to “Red, White & Royal Blue,” adapts the bonus chapter from the collector’s edition of Casey McQuiston’s novel. It focuses on the wedding of Bea, Prince Henry’s sister. Nicholas Galitzine stars as Prince Henry and Taylor Zakhar Perez as the president’s son, Alex.
McQuiston, who is also the screenwriter for the film, will release an epistolary novella titled “Red White & Royal Blue: The Private Correspondence” on Dec. 1, following communication between the couple.
‘Frank and Percy’
In theaters early 2027
“Frank and Percy” follows the love story between two senior men, played by Roger Allam and Ian McKellen. The actors are reprising their stage roles in the film adaptation. Sean Mathias is directing the film and Stephen Fry, Joanna Lumley, Derek Jacobi, Ncuti Gatwa, Rob Brydon and Jessica Gunning also star. It is premiering at BFI London Film Festival in October and then, in theaters in 2027.
‘Heated Rivalry’ Season 2
Streaming April 2027 on Crave, HBO
The second season of “Heated Rivalry,” Jacob Tierney’s series based on the “Game Changers” books by Rachel Reid, is filming now. We are all waiting with bated breath for more of the romantic story of rival hockey players Shane Hollander (Hudson Williams) and Ilya Rozanov (Connie Storrie). Season 2 is expected to premiere in April 2027.
“There will be more ‘Heated Rivalry’ on your TVs truly as soon as humanly possible,” creator Jacob Tierney said on “CBS Mornings.”
‘Bridgerton’ Season 5
2027, Netflix
Netflix announced that “Bridgerton” Season 5 will focus on the relationship between Francesca (Hannah Dodd) and Michaela (Masali Baduza). In Season 4, Lord John Stirling (Victor Alli) died, leaving Francesca a widow and Michaela grieving the loss of her cousin and best friend.
Season 5 takes place two years after the loss. The love story is based on Julia Quinn’s sixth book in the “Bridgerton” series, “When He Was Wicked.”
“I’ve said from the beginning that this show, in so many ways, is about allowing people to see themselves represented, allowing themselves to dream, and imagine themselves in these fantastical roles,” “Bridgerton” showrunner Jess Brownell said. “It never felt right to not be inclusive of queer love as well within that fantasy.”
‘Cry to Heaven’
TBA, in theaters
Tom Ford has written, directed and produced an adaptation of Anne Rice’s 1982 novel “Cry to Heaven.” The film has an all-star cast including Nicholas Hoult, Aaron Taylor Johnson, Adele, Ciarán Hinds, George MacKay, Mark Strong, Colin Firth, Paul Bettany, Owen Cooper, Daniel Quinn-Toye, Hunter Schafer, Josephine Thiesen, Thandiwe Newton, Theodore Pellerin, Daryl McCormack, Cassian Bilton, Hauk Hannemann and Lux Pascal. Filming wrapped in late March.
The story is set in 18th-century Italy, and follows “Italian castrati,” boys who were castrated so they would remain sopranos in adulthood, in the world of opera. The release date has not been announced.
In development
‘Enigma Variations‘
André Aciman’s “Enigma Variations” will be adapted for Netflix as a limited series starring Alicia Vikander (“The Wizard of the Kremlin”) and Aaron Taylor-Johnson (“Blood on Snow”). Oliver Hermanus (“The History of Sound”) is set to direct the series and Amanda Kate Shuman (“Carrie Soto Is Back”) will write and executive produce.
A synopsis describes Taylor-Johnson’s Paul as “a man remade by the lovers who ignite and undo him across six transformative years.” Vikander will play Claire.
“It’s an intimate yet sweeping portrait of masculinity, sexuality and modern love—and in a world of endless choices, it asks the question: Will we know when we’ve found the one?”
‘Boyfriend Material’
A24 has optioned the rights to adapt Alexis Hall’s queer contemporary romance “Boyfriend Material” into a television series, the author announced late April. Hall’s 2020 novel follows disaster-prone nepo-baby Luc O’Donnell, whose messy personal life becomes tabloid fodder. He agrees to a fake relationship with buttoned-up barrister Oliver Blackwood.
What starts as PR damage control slowly turns into something real. “Boyfriend Material” is the first book in a trilogy, which includes “Husband Material” and “Father Material.”
‘The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo’
Netflix is adapting Taylor Jenkins Reid’s 2017 novel, “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo.” The fictional story follows legendary Hollywood star Evelyn Hugo as she gives her final interview to reporter Monique Grant.
The glamorous Evelyn tells Monique about her mysterious background and each of her seven marriages. She also reveals that her one true love was actress Celia St. James. Anna Kendrick is set to direct the film.
‘The Guncle’
Steven Rowley’s “The Guncle” was acquired by Lionsgate in 2022 and additional works including “The Editor” and “Lily and the Octopus” have also been optioned. “The Guncle” follows retired sitcom star Patrick O’Hara, who has to take care of his young niece and nephew, Maisie and Grant, after their mother Sara, who was Patrick’s best friend, dies and her husband, Patrick’s brother Greg, faces a health crisis.
Rowley released a sequel, “The Guncle Abroad,” in 2024.
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