10 Book Characters Who Were Totally Changed for TV

Book-to-TV adaptations are a thrilling way to bring beloved stories to life, but they often come with changes that can surprise readers. Characters we imagine on the page can look, act, or even feel different when they hit the screen, sometimes for better storytelling or to fit the show’s vibe.

I’ve dug into ten characters whose TV versions took bold detours from their book counterparts. From altered personalities to new storylines, these adaptations reshaped them in ways that sparked debates among fans. Let’s dive into the changes under each character’s spotlight.

Sansa Stark – ‘Game of Thrones’ (2011-2019)

Sansa Stark in George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire is a young, naive girl who grows into a cunning survivor. Her journey is internal, focusing on quiet resilience and political savvy, often overshadowed by flashier characters.

In ‘Game of Thrones,’ Sansa’s arc takes a darker, more dramatic turn. The show gives her traumatic experiences not in the books, like her marriage to Ramsay Bolton, making her tougher but less subtle. Her book version feels more calculated, while the show leans into raw emotional stakes.

Elena Gilbert – ‘The Vampire Diaries’ (2009-2017)

In L.J. Smith’s The Vampire Diaries novels, Elena is a blonde, vain high school queen bee with a sharp edge. Her personality drives a complex supernatural world, and her romance with Stefan Salvatore is intense but less central than other plotlines.

The TV version of Elena, played by Nina Dobrev, softens her into a brunette, relatable everygirl. The show simplifies her story, focusing heavily on her love triangle with Stefan and Damon, making her more likable but less fierce than her book counterpart.

Geralt of Rivia – ‘The Witcher’ (2019-Present)

Andrzej Sapkowski’s The Witcher books paint Geralt as a gritty, stoic monster hunter with a dry wit and deep moral code. His rugged charm comes from his internal struggles and reluctance to get involved in politics.

In Netflix’s ‘The Witcher,’ Henry Cavill’s Geralt is more heroic and emotionally open. The show amplifies his relationships with Ciri and Yennefer, giving him a grander, more action-hero vibe. Some fans felt this lost the books’ gruff, introspective edge.

Dexter Morgan – ‘Dexter’ (2006-2013)

Jeff Lindsay’s Darkly Dreaming Dexter introduces Dexter as a cold, detached serial killer with a dark sense of humor. His inner monologue is chilling, and he’s more isolated, with even his sister unaware of his true nature.

The Showtime series, starring Michael C. Hall, humanizes Dexter. He’s still a killer, but the show gives him deeper relationships and a moral struggle, making him more sympathetic. His sister Debra knowing his secret is a major shift from the books’ solitary vibe.

Aria Montgomery – ‘Pretty Little Liars’ (2010-2017)

In Sara Shepard’s Pretty Little Liars novels, Aria is an artistic, free-spirited teen with a rebellious streak. Her romance with Ezra Fitz is brief and doomed, and she’s tangled in darker, more complex mysteries.

The TV show, with Lucy Hale as Aria, makes her softer and more romantic. Her relationship with Ezra becomes a central, long-running arc, shifting her from edgy to more conventional. The show also tweaks her family dynamics, diluting her book’s bold personality.

Uhtred of Bebbanburg – ‘The Last Kingdom’ (2015-2022)

Bernard Cornwell’s The Saxon Stories feature Uhtred as a fierce, pagan-raised Saxon with a sharp tongue and conflicted loyalty to King Alfred. His wit and defiance drive the historical saga.

In ‘The Last Kingdom,’ Alexander Dreymon’s Uhtred is more polished and heroic. The show tones down his rough edges, emphasizing his warrior skills and loyalty struggles. This makes him a broader crowd-pleaser but less raw than the books’ version.

Thomas Cromwell – ‘Wolf Hall’ (2015)

Hilary Mantel’s Wolf Hall trilogy crafts Thomas Cromwell as a meticulous, almost unreadable fixer for Henry VIII. His inner thoughts reveal a calculating mind shaped by a brutal past, blending ambition with loyalty.

The BBC’s ‘Wolf Hall,’ with Mark Rylance, keeps Cromwell’s cunning but adds a warmer, more sympathetic layer. The show’s pacing highlights his personal losses, making him more relatable than the books’ distant, strategic figure.

Claire Randall – ‘Outlander’ (2014-Present)

Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander novels present Claire as a sharp-witted, fiercely independent nurse thrown into 18th-century Scotland. Her strength lies in her resourcefulness and emotional depth, navigating time travel and romance.

Starz’s ‘Outlander,’ led by Caitriona Balfe, stays close but enhances Claire’s romantic side with Jamie Fraser. The show adds modern sensibilities to her character, making her more outspoken and less reserved than the book’s nuanced heroine.

Joe Goldberg – ‘You’ (2018-2025)

In Caroline Kepnes’ You, Joe is a creepy, obsessive stalker with a darkly funny inner voice. His book version is unapologetically unhinged, with his crimes and warped logic laid bare through his narration.

The Netflix series, with Penn Badgley, makes Joe more charming and conflicted. The show adds new characters and plotlines, like Love Quinn’s expanded role, softening Joe’s edges to keep viewers rooting for him despite his actions.

Tom Ripley – ‘Ripley’ (2024)

Patricia Highsmith’s The Talented Mr. Ripley shows Tom as a cunning, amoral conman with a chilling ability to blend into high society. His book version is complex, driven by envy and a need for identity.

In Netflix’s ‘Ripley,’ Andrew Scott’s portrayal adds a brooding, almost tragic depth. The show’s black-and-white aesthetic and slower pace emphasize Tom’s isolation, making him less slick and more introspective than the book’s calculating sociopath.

Which book-to-TV character change surprised you the most, or is there another adaptation I missed? Drop your thoughts in the comments!