I get so hyped thinking about adaptations like '
my deskmate' — the idea of a season 2 following the novel exactly is something a lot of us obsess over, and for good reason. From where I stand, the short answer is: probably not word-for-word, but the key emotional beats and the core relationship are likely to be preserved if the showrunners respect the source material and the fanbase. Adaptations are creatures of compromise; they have to satisfy fans, fit broadcasting rules, and work within a runtime and budget that a serialized novel never had to worry about.
There are a few big levers that usually decide how faithful a second season will be. First, the platform and producers: streaming platforms chasing views sometimes stretch or rearrange plots to amp up cliffhangers and episode counts, while producers who want a reputation for fidelity will keep arcs tight and recognizable. Second, censorship and broadcast standards (especially for shows adapted from BL or sensitive romance material) can force tonal or relationship changes. Third, authors’ involvement matters a lot — if the original novelist is on board as a consultant or screenwriter, the adaptation often preserves the novel’s spirit even if scenes are condensed or reordered. Finally, the size of the fan reaction to season 1 can push creators to stick closer to the book to keep goodwill, or to diverge if they think a twist will pull in an even larger audience. Looking at examples helps: 'The
untamed' trimmed and rearranged parts of 'Mo Dao Zu Shi' to appease regulators while keeping the core, and 'Love O2O' kept the romance beats but smoothed pacing for TV — both illustrate compromises that still let fans feel satisfied.
Practically speaking, if you loved the novel for specific subplots or minor characters, be prepared for those bits to change or vanish — side arcs are the first to go when the script needs to tighten. Big turning points that define the protagonists’ growth, though, are usually kept because they’re what made the book resonate in the first place. Also expect some original material: writers sometimes add scenes to deepen chemistry on-screen, expand a popular secondary character, or give audiences moments the book glossed over. If the showrunners want longevity, they may also seed new threads so later seasons can stand on their own if the novel source runs out or the team chooses a different ending.
I’m personally hopeful: adaptations that respect emotional truth over literal detail usually make both new viewers and novel fans happy, and that’s where the best TV versions live. I’ll be watching trailers, interviews, and credits closely, but mostly I just want the relationship and tone that hooked me in the book to come through on screen — if they nail that, I’ll be more than content to forgive small changes and enjoy the ride.