Nesta is ruthless and somewhat cruel to Feyre and other characters in the first few ACOTAR novels. Maas makes it clear that she has a blatant preference for her other sister, Elain. But as the series progresses, Nesta's character is revealed to have much more depth than her hard exterior suggests — and A Court of Silver Flames sees her finally confronting her self-worth issues. For the A Court of Thorns and Roses adaptation to succeed in telling Nesta's story, they will need to take a much more nuanced approach to her character's development to get it right.
The Early Court Of Thorns & Roses Books Depict Nesta From Feyre's Point Of View
The Show Will Need To Modify The Books' Storytelling Approach
As ACOTAR kicks off, Feyre's first-person POV helps readers understand her estranged family dynamic by highlighting her relationships with her deadbeat father and seemingly selfish and uncaring older sisters. Her perspective makes it extremely hard for readers not to despise Nesta and the others in the early novels. Even as the series progresses, Nesta proves to be combative and unloving through Feyre's eyes. It is not until Nesta's own ACOTAR book that we finally get a better understanding of her inner struggles.
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Nesta is a tricky character to get right and she needs an actor with range. Here are 10 who could play her in the Court of Thorns and Roses TV show.
Hulu's Court of Thorns & Roses show will likely include multiple POVs from the beginning. Television allows viewers to see events unfold from a greater distance than a first-person narrative offers. Even if the series is primarily following Feyre, we won't only see Nesta through her eyes. With that in mind, the ACOTAR adaptation will need to present her less harshly than the early books. While tensions are high between Feyre and Nesta, Nesta clearly has a positive bond with Elain. She also has redeeming qualities, even if Feyre doesn't initially see them.
Hulu's ACOTAR TV Show Needs A More Nuanced Approach To Nesta's Character
Nesta's Story Needs To Begin In Season 1
Nesta's characterization depends on Feyre in the early ACOTAR books, and because of this, the show needs to create a carefully detailed plan for how to best reveal her true nature throughout each season. It could add a more nuanced approach to Nesta's backstory, which would help viewers comprehend some of her decisions in the first few books. It could also feature scenes Feyre isn't present for, like Nesta's dangerous search for her sister in the woods.
Such perspective shifts are inevitable in a TV show, but
A Court of Thorns & Roses
also needs to ensure that Nesta is unlikable enough to warrant a redemption story later on.
Such perspective shifts are inevitable in a TV show, but A Court of Thorns & Roses also needs to ensure that Nesta is unlikable enough to warrant a redemption story later on. Nesta's healing journey does not begin until much later in the series, and if Hulu's A Court of Thorns and Roses adaptation plans to adapt A Court of Silver Flames faithfully, it will need to methodically balance her ice-cold personality with intentionally sincere moments to create a believable character.
Seasons 1
Streaming Service(s) Hulu Writers Ronald D. Moore
Showrunner Ronald D. Moore
Custom Image by Yeider Chacon
English (US) ·