TOO LONG, DIDN’T READ

Haven’t got round to reading the book? No worries, get the gist with these TV series worth bingeing.

War and Peace

WHAT: The ultimate literary classic WHY WATCH: At more than 1200 pages, Leo Tolstoy’s 1869 epic takes a big commitment to tackle. The BBC’s six-part series with Lily James, James Norton and Gillian Anderson is much more achievable.

STREAM: TVNZ OnDemand Normal People WHAT: The one everyone’s talking about WHY WATCH: The adaptation of Sally Rooney’s best-selling novel will take you back to your teen years amid all the angst, longing and intense, burning love. A compelling portrayal of intimacy and heartache, complete with lengthy sex scenes that last way longer than you/your first boyfriend did.

STREAM: TVNZ OnDemand

The Handmaid’s Tale

WHAT: The dystopian future that feels scarily close to home

WHY: There have been three seasons of this darkly brutal drama starring Elisabeth Moss, but only the first is a retelling of Margaret Atwood’s 1985 book. Violence, rape, misogyny, sexism, reproductive rights and abuse make this a tough but addictive watch. Atwood fans can also catch another of her bestsellers brought to the small screen with Alias Grace, starring our very own Anna Paquin.

STREAM: Lightbox ( Handmaid’s Tale); Netflix ( Alias Grace)

Little Fires Everywhere

WHAT: The next big thing

WHY: After producing and starring in two award-winning seasons of Big Little Lies (Neon), Reese Witherspoon returns to familiar TV territory with Little Fires Everywhere, an eight-part adaptation of Celeste Ng’s best-selling book. Witherspoon stars and produces, alongside Scandal’s Kerry Washington, with the pair playing suburban mothers from two very different backgrounds. STREAM: Coming to Amazon Prime from May 22.