The upcoming Hulu adaptation of Sarah J. Maas's A Court of Thorns & Roses is highly anticipated. However, translating the series' rich lore, particularly the intricate and sometimes problematic aspects of Fae culture, onto the small screen presents a unique set of challenges for Hulu. The book series' depiction of Fae courts features elements that may not resonate with modern audiences. According to Hulu updates on A Court of Thorns & Roses it is not in active development, which gives showrunners more time to consider these details.
Concepts like the fated mates trope, while prevalent in fantasy, can raise concerns about agency and consent, especially when viewed through a contemporary lens. Moreover, the presence of toxic masculinity within some Fae courts, with its emphasis on dominance and power, could potentially alienate viewers. Hulu faces a delicate balancing act – staying true to the source material while ensuring the series remains engaging and relevant to a broader audience. With Netflix leading the way with its romantasy deal, Hulu are under pressure to get this right.
A Court Of Thorns & Roses' Fae Culture Presents A Difficult Choice For Hulu's TV Show
Fae Culture Might Not Go Down Well With A New Audience
Sarah J Maas has not been the first to depict Fae courts in her romantasy series A Court of Thorns & Roses, but she has done an impressive job building the lore and creating an immersive experience for readers. That being said, the cultures of the Fae courts present a challenge for Hulu when adapting the BookTok sensation. Their customs might not go down well with audiences less familiar with the ACOTAR world in which toxic masculinity is present.
For example, the fated mates trope is not restricted to Maas’ work – it has been a major trope in romantasy. However, so far, the book series has not meaningfully addressed its implications on agency, for Fae females in particular. Hulu must address this major Fae problem in A Court of Thorns & Roses. Elain has challenged her mating bond, but it clearly causes herself and Lucien a lot of pain, and the other major couples in the series are fated mates. While this part of Fae culture is familiar to ACOTAR readers, Hulu will want to reach a wider audience with the show.
The ACOTAR Show Risks Being Less Faithful To The Books With A Progressive Approach
An Overly Progressive Approach Could Come Across As Didactic And Contrived
A Court of Thorns & Roses is not set in a specific time so, arguably, Sarah J Maas has every right to include a combination of high fantasy tropes and modern fantasy twists. However, sometimes this presents a paradox socially, especially in translation to television. It can be disconcerting when there are eclectic, almost ren-faire style historical aesthetics and fantasy answers to modern technology, such as the magical ultrasound in A Court of Silver Flames.
However, the biggest risk of deviating from the books to ensure a progressive approach is undermining Feyre’s characterization. Sarah J Maas’ A Court of Thorns & Roses heroine Feyre can surely be criticized for not challenging certain customs, but making her too much of a progressive, didactic character would reduce her more cunning, strategic traits. For example, she would not have been able to tear the Spring Court apart from the inside without pretending to embrace her role in their culture.
Staying Faithful To The Source Material Could Alienate Potential New ACOTAR Fans
Showrunners Could Combat This By Spending More Time Challenging It
The ACOTAR show must strike the right balance. Going too much in the progressive direction would reduce the fantasy element of the series – Maas is after all inspired by Fae folklore, and the Fae are traditionally unpredictable and even capricious. However, the adaptation will need to make the Fae somewhat relatable to the viewer. Staying too faithful to the source material could alienate potential new fans. As well as exploring Feyre and Rhysand’s relationship earlier in the ACOTAR TV show, the showrunners must also spend more time on the Fae culture of the series.
With her influence and her knack for negotiating with other courts, Feyre could enact major change in the Fae realm.
A good way to do this would be not to change Feyre’s character, but to put more emphasis on her as a “cursebreaker”. With her influence and her knack for negotiating with other courts, Feyre could enact major change in the Fae realm. This must be emphasized in the show so that it does not translate as regressive. The show must also emphasize the more socially positive implications of the series. For example, A Court of Mist & Fury clearly shows that Tamlin’s unforgiving approach to the Tithe is not how a leader should treat his citizens.
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Based on the A Court of Thorns and Roses fantasy novel series, A Court of Thorns and Roses is a television adaptation that follows Feyre Archeron, a young woman dragged into the world of faeries after slaying one of their kind. The series will follow her journey through the lands of Prythian and her relationship with one of its lords, Tamlin.
Seasons 1
Writers Ronald D. Moore
Showrunner Ronald D. Moore
English (US) ·