Can Boys of Tommen Live Up to the Books?
By: Viktor Orzolek
The ultimate romantic story is heading to the small screen. Boys of Tommen, written by Chloe Walsh, is a young adult romance series set in Ireland. The series currently consists of six books, each focusing on a different couple. The first two books, Binding 13 and Keeping 13, follow the relationship between Johnny Kavanagh and Shannon Lynch. Saving 6 and Redeeming 6 focus on Joey Lynch and Aoife Molloy. Taming 7 follows Gerard “Gibsie” Gibson and Claire Biggs, while Releasing 10 follows Hugh Biggs and Lizzie Young.
The series explores close-knit friendships while addressing serious themes such as mental health, substance abuse, bullying and domestic abuse. Walsh is continuing to expand the series with upcoming stories, including books about characters such as Patrick Feely and Katie Wilmot.
The popularity of the books is one reason fans have been eagerly awaiting the television adaptation. However, when Prime Video announced the series in February 2026, the response was mixed. While some readers were excited to see the books brought to life, others were disappointed by the casting.
Readers often develop their own images of characters while reading. Authors use detailed descriptions and vivid language to help readers visualize characters and important scenes. According to a 2022 CBS News report, 67% of surveyed book readers said they preferred books over movies based on books.
That attachment can make casting especially controversial. Some Boys of Tommen fans have criticized the actors for not matching their mental images of the characters.
Photo by Christian Tierney/Prime
Nancy Surridge as Shannon Lynch:
Nancy Surridge plays Shannon Lynch. Surridge previously appeared in Casualty and is taking on her first major breakout role with the series.
Some fans have criticized Surridge’s appearance because Shannon is described as having blue eyes in the books. However, judging an actor solely by whether they physically match a character’s description overlooks the other parts of the performance that make a character recognizable.
Photo by Christian Tierney/Prime
Conor Sánchez as Johnny Kavanagh
Conor Sánchez plays Johnny Kavanagh, the star rugby player at Tommen College. Sánchez has appeared in projects including Mix Tape and Faithless.
Some fans questioned whether Sánchez looked athletic enough to play Johnny. However, official promotional images show Sánchez in character on the rugby field, giving fans a better idea of how he will appear in the series than the original casting announcement did.
Photo by Christian Tierney/Prime
James O’Donoghue as Joey Lynch
James O’Donoghue plays Joey Lynch. O’Donoghue began his career on the Irish drama series Fair City and has also worked onstage.
Some fans were disappointed that O’Donoghue does not initially appear to match Joey’s blond hair from the books. However, physical appearance is only one part of portraying a character, particularly one whose story involves complicated relationships and difficult experiences.
Photo by Christian Tierney/Prime
Sophie McGibbon as Aoife Molloy
Sophie McGibbon plays Aoife Molloy. McGibbon previously appeared in Napoleon’s Nose and is also set to appear in Sense & Sensibility.
Some fans have focused on whether McGibbon’s appearance matches the way Aoife is described in the books. Others have become more enthusiastic after seeing additional images of McGibbon in character.
Photo by Carys Huws
John Hewson as Gerald “Gibsie” Gibson
John Hewson plays Gerard “Gibsie” Gibson. Hewson is known for These Sacred Vows and has been cast as one of the series’ main characters.
Some fans initially thought Hewson looked too old to play Gibsie. However, additional promotional material gives viewers a better opportunity to see how the cast looks in the context of the series rather than judging them from an initial casting announcement.
Photo by Michael Shelford
Amelia May as Claire Biggs
Amelia May plays Claire Biggs. May is known for Wild Cherry.
Some fans were disappointed that May did not initially appear with Claire’s signature curls. However, details such as hair and styling can be changed during production and are not necessarily representative of how a character will look throughout the series.
Despite these concerns, it is too early to judge the show when it has not even been released. The adaptation is not a movie but an eight-episode television series. The first season will adapt Binding 13 and Keeping 13, meaning the story of Johnny and Shannon will be the focus of the first season.
This distinction is important because fans sometimes seem to be judging the entire series based on the first casting photos. A television adaptation gives the characters much more time to develop than a single movie would. More importantly, the people involved in the production understand that the books have a devoted fan base.
Walsh is directly involved in the adaptation as an executive producer, while Poppy Cogan serves as lead writer and executive producer. Walsh has also spoken about the importance of bringing the story to the screen authentically.
It is understandable for readers to be protective of characters they have spent hundreds of pages getting to know. However, there is a difference between having concerns about an adaptation and deciding that it will be bad before seeing it.
The actors should also be given the opportunity to prove themselves. Official casting information shows that the production team conducted an extensive search for the young cast. Director Brendan Canty said the team received more than 3,000 casting suggestions before finding the four lead actors. He specifically praised their emotional depth and their ability to capture the spirit of Walsh’s story.
The actors have also begun giving fans a better look at their preparation and their lives on set. Additional images have shown the cast together, including scenes around a bonfire and Sánchez on the rugby field. These images provide a much fuller picture of the adaptation than the original casting announcements.
Ultimately, it is reasonable for fans to have opinions about casting. Books allow readers to create their own versions of characters in their minds, and seeing someone else take on that role can feel strange. However, an actor does not have to look exactly like a reader imagined to give a strong performance.
The Boys of Tommen adaptation deserves the chance to stand on its own. Fans can criticize it after they have seen it, but judging the performances, chemistry and storytelling before the first episode has even aired is premature.
The release date has not yet been announced, although the series is expected to premiere on Prime Video in 2027. Until then, fans should give the cast and production team a chance to show what they can do. After all, the best way to decide whether the adaptation lives up to the books is to actually watch it.
Works Cited
“Boys of Tommen Full Cast & Crew.” IMDb, https://www.imdb.com/title/tt39789523/fullcredits/?_ssoLoop=1. Accessed 4 October 2026.
Mahony, Caitlin. “Binding 13 (Boys of Tommen, #1) by Chloe Walsh.” Goodreads, 18 July 2018, https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/146943294-binding-13#?ref=nav_comm. Accessed 31 August 2026.
Mosness, Carissa. “Meet the Full Cast of Prime Video’s ‘Boys of Tommen’ Series.” Woman’s World, 13 July 2026, https://www.womansworld.com/entertainment/books/meet-the-full-cast-of-prime-videos-boys-of-tommen-series. Accessed 1 October 2026.
“Most Say The Book Is Better Than The Movie, Survey Finds.” CBS News, 22 January 2022, https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/most-say-the-book-is-better-than-the-movie-survey-finds/. Accessed 31 August 2026.