7 Best YA Novels Adapted Into Hit TV Shows
3. Vampire Diaries
A year after the first film of the Twilight Saga was released in cinemas, The Vampire Diaries, based on the books by L.J. Smith, premiered on TV. Initially, the show's creator, Kevin Williamson, is believed to have been sceptical about launching a series with such similar themes to Twilight but changed his stance after co-creator, Julie Plec, convinced him to read Smith's novels.
Any remaining doubts in Williamson's mind would have been swept away when the show began in 2009 and instantly found its audience, with teens just as gripped by the its leads - vampire brothers, Stefan and Damon - as they were by Twilight's Bella/Edward/Jacob love triangle.
Picking up a host of awards throughout its run, the series came to an end in 2017. However, two spin-offs - The Originals (2013-2018) and Legacies (2018-present) - have been produced, ensuring that it has far outlived its main competitor while maintaining respect from both critics and viewers.