Watch: ‘Heated Rivalry’ Author Rachel Reid Announces New Book Sequel
Anya Taylor-Joy knows the exact moment she knew Drew Starkey was the one.
To play her husband in the limited series Lucky, that is. And for her, all it took was checking out his work—although, as she admitted, it wasn’t his role as the unpredictable, often volatile Rafe Cameron in Outer Banks that caught her eye.
“To make Drew blush for a second, it was Christmas time and I was watching Queer,” Taylor-Joy told E! News in an exclusive joint interview with Starkey. “I probably made it 15 to 20 minutes into that movie, and I paused it, and I called everybody—activated the phone tree—and I was like, him, only him.”
The Queen’s Gambit actress, who stars as the titular character and is an executive producer on the Apple TV series, added that she told the production team, “‘I don’t want to hear anybody else’s name. He has to be Cary. I don’t care what we have to do, we got to get him.’ And we did, which was thrilling.”
Although, as Starkey, recalled, there weren’t extensive negotiations to get him on board for the adaptation of Marissa Stapley’s 2021 novel. As he put it to his costar, “Didn’t take much. You hopped on and I was like, I’ll do it.”
Apple TV
Still, casting the right person to play Cary was crucial. After all, beyond being Lucky’s husband and quite literal partner-in-crime, it’s his disappearance that sends Lucky on the run, with the FBI and Cary’s mobster mom Priscilla (Annette Bening) on her tail.
So, for Taylor-Joy, joining forces with Starkey was like striking gold. (Or, like in Lucky and Cary’s case, finding a bag of stolen money.)
“I think when you have a gut feeling about somebody, it’s always so wonderful,” she explained, “and then you get to meet them, and you’re like, ‘Oh, wow, this has even exceeded my expectation of what this experience is going to be.’”
Lucky debuts with a two-episode release on July 15. For more books making their way to the screen, keep reading…
ERIC ZACHANOWICH/NETFLIX
Cast: Alice Halsey, Luke Bracey, Skywalker Hughes, Crosby Fitzgerald and Jocko Sims
Release Date: July 9 on Netflix
You know the books—not to mention the 1974 series—following the Ingalls family as they traveled through the Midwest in the late 19th century. Based on Laura Ingalls Wilder’s childhood diaries, this new series ushers the story in for a new generation. And prepare the wagon for the long haul as Netflix has already confirmed a second season is on the way.
Back Bay Books
Based On: Elin Hilderbrand’s 2023 novel
Starring: Jennifer Garner, D’Arcy Carden, Chloë Sevigny, Regina Hall, Gemma Chan and Timothy Olyphant
Premieres: July 9 Peacock
Hilderbrand is the queen of Nantucket beach read. Add in a megastar like Garner and its place in our queue is solidified. The Alias alum stars as Hollis, a food blogger whose life is turned update down by tragedy. As part of her healing journey, she resolves to host a “five-star” weekend with her closest pals—only for it to go awry as the cracks in her friendships deepen and game-changing secrets emerge. Yep, we are firmly seated.
Apple TV+
Starring: Anya Taylor-Joy, Drew Starkey, Annette Bening, Timothy Olyphant, Clifton Collins Jr. andAunjanue Ellis-Taylor
Premieres: July 15 on Apple TV
If seeing Anya and Drew leading the cast isn’t enough of a draw—and it should be!—the story itself is pretty thrilling, a young woman returning to the con artist life she was raised in an attempt to secure her future. And with Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine producing and a stellar supporting cast, we are already seated.
Universal Studios
Cast: Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway, Tom Holland, Zendaya, Lupita Nyong’o, Robert Pattinson, Charlize Theron and more
Premieres: In theaters July 17
For starters, it’s a Christopher Nolan blockbuster—and his first since reaching Oscar-winner glory with Oppenheimer. And one of the most stacked casts in recent Hollywood memory was enlisted to tackle the iconic tale of Greek warrior Odysseus’ grueling trek home after the Trojan War. For the unlucky who haven’t already secured their tickets, prepare to embark on quite an odyssey to find an open seat.
Getty Images / Handout
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Sandra Bullock, Stockard Channing, Dianne Weist, Joey King
Premieres: In theaters September 18, 2026
Another midnight margarita night is finally on the books. Nearly three decades after the original movie, the sequel, based on Hoffman’s 2021 novel, follows Sally (Sandra), Gillian (Nicole), Frances (Stockard) and Jet (Dianne) contend with their family’s curse as it begins to plague the next generations of Owens ladies.
Lili Reinhart/Instagram
Starring: Lili Reinhart and Tom Bateman
Premieres: September 23 on Prime Video
The fake dating romance that sent #BookTok into a spiral is heading to the big screen. And the novel that has roots in fanfiction centered on Star Wars characters Rey and Kylo Ren is starring none other than Rey actress Daisy Ridley’s IRL husband Tom—joined by the Riverdale alum. And if that’s not a reason to be excited by what’s to come—or at least curious—we don’t know what is.
Daisy Edgar-Jones/Instagram
Cast: Daisy Edgar-Jones, Esmé Creed-Miles, Caitríona Balfe, Frank Fillane, George MacKay and Fiona Shaw
Premieres: In theaters September 25, 2026 in U.K., October 16, 2026, in U.S.
Who doesn’t love a Jane Austin adaptation? Though Pride and Prejudice often gets a lot of love onscreen, the novelist’s debut is taking center stage, following the three Dashwood sisters in the years after their dad’s death—seeking romance and security in Regency-era England.
Grand Central Publishing/Hachette
Starring: Anne Hathaway, Dakota Johnson and Josh Hartnett
Premieres: In theaters October 2, 2026
For starters, we can look no further than Anne, Dakota and Josh. The book—which follows a struggling writer who is asked to complete a best-selling series after the author’s mysterious accident—is already a wild, twisty ride. And with this trio at the center, seeing it brought to life on screen is all the more exciting.
Lionsgate
Starring: Joseph Zada, Whitney Peak, Mckenna Grace, Elle Fanning, Maya Hawke, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Jesse Plemons and Ralph Fiennes
Premieres: In theaters November 20, 2026
On the same day Collins’ latest trip to Panem was announced, Lionsgate confirmed it would be adapting the much-anticipated story following a young Haymitch Abernathy—Peeta and Katniss’ famously haunted mentor in the 74th Hunger Games—during his winning battle in the 50th Games.
Warner Bros. Pictures
Cast: Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Florence Pugh, Rebecca Ferguson, Anya Taylor-Joy, Javiar Bardem, Charlotte Rampling, Jason Momoa, Robert Pattinson and Josh Brolin.
Premieres: December 18, 2026
In the run up to Dune’s release in 2021, director Denis Villeneuve teased his vision for a trilogy, adapting Herbert’s 1965 novel and its first sequel Dune Messiah. And, at last, that dream has become a reality, with Villeneuve’s final installment tracking the fate of Paul Atreides (Chalamet), Chani (Zendaya) and as they face their biggest threat yet: Pattinson’s Scytale, who is desperate to overthrow Paul from his role as Padishah Emperor.
Aidan Monaghan/HBO
Cast: Dominic McLaughlin, Alastair Stout, Arabella Stanton, Janet McTeer, Nick Frost, Paapa Essiedu and John Lithgow
Premieres: December 25, 2026
While we are just a decade or so removed from the final installment in the film series starring Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint, a whole new trio are about to journey on the Hogwarts Express to the magical boarding school. In fact, HBO has already expressed a commitment to diving deep into the Wizarding World—covering details from the book omitted from the films—with the series planning to film over the next decade.
Liane Hentscher / Prime © Amazon Content Services LLC
Cast: Mika Abdalla, Stephen Kalyn, Ella Bright, Belmont Cameli, Jalen Thomas Brooks, Antonio Cipriano, Khobe Clarke and India Fowler
Release: TBD
Luckily, fans won’t have to wait too long to see the Prime Video series’ sophomore foray. Not only was the show renewed for season two ahead of the show’s debut, but the cast was already back on set in the weeks following its release. And with the love story between Hannah Wells (Bright) and Garrett Graham (Cameli) firmly in the books, Allie Hayes (Abdalla) and Dean Di Laurentis (Kalyn) get their time to shine in season two. And after their secret friends-with-benefits firmly in the maybe-something-more camp—before that explosive final scene—fans can expect a whole lot of drama (and steamy romance) to come.
Liam Daniel/Netflix
Cast: Hannah Dodd and Masali Baduza
Premieres: TBD 2027
A major departure from the novels is heading to the ton. After the devastating death of Francesca Bridgerton’s husband John Stirling (Victor Alli) in season four, it seemed only fitting that the sixth Bridgerton sibling (Dodd) stepped into the spotlight next. And this time, the beloved romance series is following a queer love story.“Two years after losing her beloved husband John, Fran decides to reenter the marriage mart for practical reasons, the season five synopsis teases. “But when John’s cousin Michaela returns to London to tend to the Kilmartin estate, Fran’s complicated feelings will have her questioning whether to stick to her pragmatic intentions or pursue her inner passions.”
Lionel Hahn/Getty Images; Alexander Tamargo/Getty Images for Netflix
Cast: Phoebe Dynevor, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Andie MacDowell, Kevin Bacon and Kristen Davis
Premieres: May 7, 2027
Okay, so the casting caused a bit of a controversy as January Andrews (Dynevor) and Gus Everett (Schwarzenegger) are more than beloved by fans of Henry’s novels. Especially as the anticipation for this adaptation—following rom-com writer January and literary fiction scribe Gus who dare one another to write a story in the other’s style—has been high since it was revealed to be heading to the big screen in 2023. And as Henry emphasized on Today, like fans, she’s “along for the ride with the readers and we just have to trust the vision.”
Doubleday
Based On: Holly Gramazio’s 2024 novel
Starring: Juno Temple, Joe Alwyn, Richard Gadd, Kingsley Ben-Adir, Joel Kinnaman, Daniel Ings, Bob Morley, Fehinti Balogun, Tom Basden, Joe Wilkinson, Gemma Whelan, Rebekah Murrell and Shazad Latif
Premieres: TBD on Apple TV
Prepare to meet more than one hundred husbands. Indeed, the story follows Lauren, who arrives home to be greeted by her husband Michael—only she has never seen him before in her life. A different husband soon takes his place, and she soon learns a seemingly-endless supply of spouses are coming from her attic. As she navigates this complicated romantic journey, key questions emerge, namely, what does she want from life and will she take the reins to get it?
Sabrina Lantos/Warner Bros. Discovery
Cast: Hudson Williams, Connor Storrie, Francois Arnaud, Robbie G.K., Christina Chang, Dylan Walsh, Callan Potter and Ksenia Daniela Kharlamova
Release: TBD Spring 2027
Forget coming to the cottage, fans will be heading to HBO—or Crave for the Canadian fans—in droves when season two of the hockey romance returns. And while the upcoming installment—which will also weave in Reid’s novel Role Model—Ilya Rozanov (Storrie) and Shane Hollander (Williams) are firmly locked in, that brings new challenges for the pair, on top of feeling more pressure than ever as they approach life as elite athletes entering their 30s.
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Starring: TBD
Premieres: TBD on Netflix
While fans had to wait more than a decade for Meyer to release the retelling of Twilight from Edward Cullen’s POV, viewers will soon see an animated version of the story coming to their screens. And it’s safe to say catching a glimpse of an animated killer’s sparkly skin will be must-see TV.
Cast: Nina Dobrev and Tyler Hoechlin
Premieres: TBD
Who doesn’t love a fish-out-of-water story? Bailey certainly delivered in It Happened One Summer, following L.A. socialite Piper Bellinger who is exiled to the pacific northwest, where she encounters stoic king crab fisherman Brendan Taggart. And the author firmly believes Dobrev and Hoechlin are the perfect people to channel the duo onscreen.“I’m just excited to see what they bring to the characters,” Bailey recently told E! News. “I think they’re both such talented actors, and they’re both really funny. So, I’m really excited to see the spin they put on Piper and Brendan. I think they’re going to kill it.”
Berkley
Starring: TBD
Premieres: TBD on Netflix
Among the many adaptations of Henry’s novels coming to the big and small screen is her 2024 best-seller, which gives viewers a look at how Daphne finds herself again after Peter breaks off their engagement to be with his childhood best friend Petra. And of course, Daphne gets an assist from Petra’s own ex-boyfriend, Miles.
