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Every episode
It Was A Book First
11 episodes
Oscar-Nominated Writer Samy Burch on Adapting Lost 19th Century Novella 'Late Fame'
Ep 10 · Aug 12, 2026 · 45 min
This week, screenwriter Samy Burch joins Sophie and Rudi to discuss her new film “Late Fame,” based on Austrian novelist Arthur Schnitzler’s 1895 novella of the same name. Directed by Kent Jones, the movie stars Willem Dafoe as a postal worker whose book of poetry from the 1970s gets rediscovered and hailed as a masterpiece by a group of young admirers called the Enthusiasm Society. The New York-set film, out in limited release now from Magnolia Pictures, features a strong supporting cast that i…
We Watched Apple TV's 'Cape Fear' So You Don’t Have To (with Vulture's Roxana Hadadi)
Ep 9 · Aug 5, 2026 · 1 hr 12 min
This week, Vulture TV Critic Roxana Hadadi joins Rudi and Sophie to discuss Apple TV’s “Cape Fear,” a streaming adaptation of John D. MacDonald’s 1957 novel “The Executioners” that’s also based on a pair of “Cape Fear” films from 1962 and 1991. After introducing Roxana (00:01:11), Sophie shares some background on the novel (00:06:42); Rudi gives an overview of the 1962 film, which was directed by J. Lee Thompson and starred Gregory Peck as the lawyer Sam Bowden and Robert Mitchum as the vengeful…
Two Classics Professors on Why Nolan's 'The Odyssey' Works (with Kyle Gervais and Il-Kweon Sir)
Ep 8 · Jul 29, 2026 · 1 hr 4 min
This week, Sophie and Rudi take a deep dive into Christopher Nolan’s blockbuster adaptation of Homer’s epic poem “The Odyssey” with Classics professors Kyle Gervais and Il-Kweon Sir from Western University in London, Ontario, Canada. After Kyle and Il-Kweon share their backgrounds and areas of expertise (00:01:15), they dive right into Nolan’s film, sharing their general thoughts on his adaptation (00:03:35). Then, they discuss what message readers are meant to take away from Homer’s poem (00:05…
'The Odyssey' Is an Epic Adaptation Worthy of Homer’s Poem
Ep 7 · Jul 22, 2026 · 1 hr 35 min
This week, It Was an Epic Poem First! Sophie and Rudi discuss one of the most anticipated adaptations of the year: “The Odyssey,” director Christopher Nolan’s take on Homer’s epic poem. The blockbuster adaptation of the ancient Greek work follows Odysseus, the King of Ithaca, on his long journey to return home after the Trojan War. Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway, Tom Holland, Robert Pattinson, Charlize Theron, Elliot Page, Zendaya, and Lupita Nyong'o are just some of the stars who help bring this 3,0…
What the Emmys Tell Us About Book-to-Streaming Adaptations (with Gary Goldstein)
Ep 6 · Jul 15, 2026 · 60 min
This week, Sophie and Rudi look at the streaming adaptation landscape through the lens of this year’s Emmy nominations, BookTok's role in the rise of streaming adaptations, and the process behind adapting a book with author, screenwriter, and LA Times contributor Gary Goldstein. Before that conversation, Sophie and Rudi chat about what adaptations made the cut for the Emmy Award nominations (02:23), (including two series they’ve covered on the podcast: “Margo’s Got Money Troubles” and “The Testa…
'The Sheep Detectives' Is 'Three Bags Full' of Quirky Fun
Ep 5 · Jul 8, 2026 · 58 min
This week, Sophie and Rudi discuss one of 2026’s most surprising hits: “The Sheep Detectives,” Amazon MGM’s adaptation of Leonie Swann’s German murder mystery novel “Three Bags Full.” The family-friendly comedy, about a flock of sheep investigating the muder of their sheppard, stars Hugh Jackman, Nicholas Braun, Molly Gordon, and a voice cast that includes Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Patrick Stewart, Brett Goldstein, and Bryan Cranston. Before talking about the movie, Rudi and Sophie share what else th…
'Off Campus': The Art of Adapting 'The Deal'
Ep 4 · Jul 1, 2026 · 1 hr 12 min
On the fourth episode of It Was A Book First, the podcast about new book-to-screen adaptations, hosts Sophie Vershbow and Rudi Greenberg discuss “Off Campus,” Amazon Prime Video’s series adaptation of Elle Kennedy’s “The Deal,” the first book in her bestselling “Off Campus” series. The college-set streaming show follows the opposites attract romance between music major Hannah Wells (Ella Bright) and star hockey player Garrett Graham (Belmont Cameli). Before talking about the show, Sophie and Rud…
'The Testaments' and 'Backrooms' Explore Different Kinds of Horrors
Ep 3 · Jun 24, 2026 · 55 min
On the third episode of It Was A Book First, the podcast about new book-to-screen adaptations, hosts Sophie Vershbow and Rudi Greenberg discuss "The Testaments," Hulu’s series adaptation of Margaret Atwood’s 2019 sequel to “The Handmaid’s Tale.” Created by Bruce Miller as a continuation of his “Handmaid’s Tale” series adaptation, “The Testaments” stars Chase Infiniti and Lucy Halliday as teenagers coming of age in the dystopian society Gilead. Before talking about the show, Sophie and Rudi have…
'Margo's Got Money Troubles' Gets the Book (Mostly) Right
Ep 2 · Jun 17, 2026 · 58 min
On the second episode of It Was A Book First, the podcast about new book-to-screen adaptations, hosts Sophie Vershbow and Rudi Greenberg discuss "Margo's Got Money Troubles," Apple TV's series adaptation of the 2024 Rufi Thorpe novel. Created by David E. Kelley, the show stars Elle Fanning as Margo, a recent college dropout and aspiring writer who turns to OnlyFans to provide for her newborn son. Before talking about the show, Sophie and Rudi share what they've been watching and reading lately:…
'Project Hail Mary' Is the Biggest Adaptation of 2026 … So Far
Ep 1 · Jun 17, 2026 · 1 hr 24 min
Welcome to the first episode of It Was A Book First, a new podcast about book-to-screen adaptations. Today, hosts Sophie Vershbow and Rudi Greenberg discuss one of the biggest and most successful adaptations of 2026, "Project Hail Mary." In directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller's take on Andy Weir's 2021 novel of the same name, Ryan Gosling stars as a science teacher who wakes up on a spaceship alone and doesn't remember how he got there. Before they talk about "Project Hail Mary," Sophie a…
Teaser: 'It Was A Book First'
Jun 4, 2026 · 2 min
Welcome to It Was A Book First, a new podcast about the book-to-screen adaptations everyone is talking about. Each week, culture reporters Sophie Vershbow and Rudi Greenberg will discuss a new book-to-screen adaptation, covering everything from how it got made to how readers are reacting to it. We’ll also talk to authors and industry insiders about how books actually go from page to screen. Our first two episodes drop on Wednesday, June 17th! Subscribe now to get new episodes delivered weekly. F…
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