Candice Carty-Williams’ novel ‘Queenie‘ has made its way to the screens. After its release in 2019, the novel was received quite well by the readers. Its story narrative revolves around the life of a 25-year-old British-Jamaican journalist Queenie Jenkins navigating her early adulthood. Several personal issues including her breakup, the trauma that follows, her complex family dynamics, as well as societal issues including racial discrimination become some of her biggest hurdles as she tries to make a successful career.
After proving to be a literary sensation upon release, the book is now a TV adaptation, starring Dionne Brown as the titular character, with Samuel Adewunmi, Bellah, Tilly Keeper, Llewella Gideon, Joseph Marcell, and Michelle Greenidge rounding out the cast. However, the show does not entirely follow the narrative of the book. Carty-Williams herself is showrunner and executive producer of ‘Queenie‘ and yet, here are the changes she has introduced to its TV adaptation.
Queenie Is Not A Journalist On The TV Show
In the book, Queenie is shown to be an employee of the Daily Read, wherein she works in the in the culture section. Her job mostly requires her to constantly pitch articles to her editor, Gina. However, in the TV adaptation, Queenie’s job title has been changed to a social media assistant, which is seemingly a decision taken to adapt to the evolving landscape of journalism.
New Characters Have Been Introduced On The TV Show
Many characters in the TV show are completely absent from the book. Candice Carty-Williams has introduced Frank’s character to the show. He does not appear in the novel, but plays a very important supportive role in Queenie’s life as she navigates toxic relationships. In a surprising twist, Frank and Queenie also share a kiss during her housewarming party in the show’s final episode. This lays further ground for the possibilities of a romantic dynamic between the two in the upcoming seasons.
Queenie And Guy’s Story Has A Different Timeline
The timeline of Queenie’s involvement with Guy is also altered. In the novel, Queenie discovers Guy is in a relationship with her friend Cassandra much later in the story. Cassandra finds out about their past when she finds Guy at Queenie’s apartment. However, in the TV series, this revelation happens earlier. Unlike the novel where Queenie and Cassandra eventually become hesitant friends again, they do not reconcile in the show.
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Queenie’s Mother’s Backstory Is Not Explored In The Book
Queenie’s mother Sylvie also assumes an important role in the show as well as the book, given her complicated family dynamics. However, the book does not delve deeper into Sylvie’s life. The TV show provides more context, including her troubled teenage relationship with an older, married man, and her abusive relationship with Roy. The show also explored Queenie’s childhood trauma and her strained relationship with Sylvie. Sylvie’s court case against Roy is also shown in depth, and the sum of money she gives to Queenie as an apology is also a pivotal plot point absent from the book.
Queenie’s Professional Journey Is Tweaked
Queenie’s career path on the show takes a different turn than in the book. Though both the book and the series feature a storyline involving Queenie’s office romance with Ted, the future holds different things in the print and the TV adaptation. Her love story with Ted meets a disastrous end after he files a false HR complaint against her to cover up his lies. In the book, Queenie stays at the Daily Read and becomes a music writer. However, in the TV show, Queenie quits the newspaper after the scandal.
‘Queenie‘ is now streaming on Hulu.
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