Is The School for Good and Evil based on a book? Inspiration behind the Netflix teen fantasy film
What inspired the colourful and creative characters?
Who or what was the imagination behind the magical film with the compelling storyline, that has everyone talking?
In Netflix's The School for Good and Evil, best friends Sophie and Agatha think they have their lives planned. Their path to what they believe is their destiny is interrupted when they're taken to an elite training academy for future fairytale heroes and villains. Finding themselves in opposing sides - and what is completely the wrong side - of the school for their personalities, an epic battle ensues. The balance between good and evil must be protected, and the friends find themselves responsible for that balance being disrupted - while their friendship is tested to its limits. Viewers have been asking what The School for Good and Evil is based on, and we have the answer to this, and other burning questions about the film.
For The School for Good and Evil reviews and the date and time it can be viewed, look no further. For more thrilling fantasy drama on Netflix, The Midnight Club has everything you need. Viewers have been drawn into the compelling series, and asking will there be a season 2? Mixing true-crime and supernatural fantasy, The Watcher true story is an unsettling read - the Netflix series is an equally spine tingling watch.
Is The School for Good and Evil based on a book?
Yes, The School for Good and Evil is based on a series of 6 books by Soman Chainani. The first novel in the series was published on May 14, 2013.
The series is set in Endless Woods, with the original trilogy following best friends Sophie and Agatha as they attend the School for Good and Evil. The school is an elite academy for children to be trained as fairytale heroes or villains. The second trilogy is known as The Camelot Years, and follows Agatha and romantic interest King Tedros, as they build up to taking the role of Queen and King in the Kingdom of Camelot, while Sophie transforms Evil into a new image. The final book was released on June 2, 2020.
Author Soman Chainani is a filmmaker as well as an author, and was born and currently lives in the US. The first The School for Good and Evil novel was his debut book, and went straight to the New York Times Bestseller List, selling over 3 million copies. The remaining 5 novels in the series also rocketed to the New York Times Bestseller List upon release.
The School for Good and Evil (The School for Good and Evil, Book 1) by Soman Chainani £7.35 | Amazon
Read the first book in the series that inspired the major Netflix film The School for Good and Evil, starring Charlize Theron and Kerry Washington.
What order should I read The School for Good and Evil books?
- The School for Good and Evil (2013)
- The School for Good and Evil #2: A World Without Princes (2014)
- The School for Good and Evil #3: The Last Ever After (2015)
- The School for Good and Evil #4: Quests for Glory (2017)
- The School for Good and Evil #5: A Crystal of Time (2019)
- The School for Good and Evil #6: One True King (2020)
Author Soman Chainani spoke to Alethea Magazine about his books being adapted for the screen. When asked if the movie would live up to the books, he said "I think the interesting thing about movies is that they are a completely different media. So everybody who reads the books has a different version in their head. I think that the job of a movie is to capture the spirit and still be faithful to the book. And this one absolutely is".
GoodtoKnow Newsletter
Parenting advice, hot topics, best buys and family finance tips delivered straight to your inbox.
He continued "I don’t think a movie can ever replicate the experience of a book especially because if you think about how long it takes to read a book. We’re talking about 9 to 10 hours while a movie is only two hours. So even in terms of content, you’re only going to get a fifth of what the book contains. But this one is a beautiful adaptation and I think everyone is going to love it. However, the books and the movies are going to be two different things".
Who will play Agatha in The School for Good and Evil Movie?
Agatha will be played by 18-year-old Sofia Wylie. Wylie started her career in dance, and has been dancing since the age of 5.
She has appeared on So You Think You Can Dance, and America's Got Talent. She has also toured with Justin Bieber and runs Dancing with Sofia Wylie, an IGTV educational series about dancing. Wylie’s first major acting role came in 2016 when she landed the role of Buffy Driscoll, in Disney Channel’s Andi Mack. Her film debut came in 2019 with the role of Cory Bailey in Australian film, Back of the Net.
A post shared by Sofia Wylie (@sofiawylie)
A photo posted by on
Who will play Sophie in The School for Good and Evil movie?
In The School for Good and Evil, Sophie will be played by 21-year-old Sophia Anne Caruso.
Between the years of 2013 - 2020, Caruso predominantly worked in theatre. She appeared in productions including Blackbird, Lazarus, and Beetlejuice. Also a singer, Caruso's debut single Toys was released in May 2020, followed by Snow & Ice in 2020. The role of Sophie in The School for Good and Evil is Caruso’s first film role, and biggest acting role to date.
A post shared by 𝓢𝓸𝓹𝓱𝓲𝓪 𝓐𝓷𝓷𝓮 𝓒𝓪𝓻𝓾𝓼𝓸 (@sophiaannecaruso)
A photo posted by on
How old are Sophie and Agatha in The School for Good and Evil?
Fans of the book series have worked out that Sophie and Agatha would be 15 in the first book of the series, therefore they’d be 15-years-old in the first film installment of The School for Good and Evil.
This was never officially stated in book 1, but it was made clear the girls were 17 in book 3. Sophie’s mum passed away 5 years before she was kidnapped and taken to the School for Good and Evil in book 1, and her mum was still alive when she was 10. Therefore, she must’ve been 11 during an attempted kidnapping that took place 4 years prior to the first book because she was too young to be taken - only children under 12 can be taken. Therefore, if she was 12 at the time, she would've been taken and must’ve been 11. This proves she is 15 in book 1, and both girls are the same age.
Who is playing Tedros in The School for Good and Evil?
Tedros is played by 21-year-old London born actor Jamie Flatters. Flatters was 16 when he was offered the role of Neteyam in James Cameron’s Avatar sequels - Neteyam is the eldest son of Jake and Neytiri.
A post shared by @jamieflatters
A photo posted by on
He told Screen Daily that he’d always wanted to act, saying “There’s a playfulness in all kids and I liked that as a child, feeding into fantasy.”
He first performed in theatre before landing roles in CBBC’s So Awkward, and Channel 4’s Close To Me. The actor has co-written an undisclosed upcoming series, and said “I would love to follow Tilda Swinton’s career path, collaborating with a lot of new writer/directors. And I would love to be involved early when scripts are still in development.”
Related Netflix Features:
- Is The Good Nurse based on a true story?
- Where is Charles Cullen now?
- Where is The Good Nurse filmed?
- Is From Scratch based on a true story?
- From Scratch: Ending explained
- How many episodes of The Watcher are there?
- Is The Watcher a true story?
- Where is The Watcher filmed?
- The Watcher: Ending explained
- How did Jeffrey Dahmer get caught?
- How did Jeffrey Dahmer die and how old was he?
- Luckiest Girl Alive: Ending explained
- Where is Luckiest Girl Alive filmed?
- Is Luckiest Girl Alive based on a true story?
Video of the Week
Lucy is a mum-of-two, multi-award nominated writer and blogger with six years’ of experience writing about parenting, family life, and TV. Lucy has contributed content to PopSugar and moms.com. In the last three years, she has transformed her passion for streaming countless hours of television into specialising in entertainment writing. There is now nothing she loves more than watching the best shows on television and sharing why you - and your kids - should watch them.
-
Why do I crave sugar? Causes of sugar cravings and how to stop them
If you're someone who suffers from sugar cravings you'll know how hard it is to give up the sweet stuff. But you're not alone.
By Debra Waters Published
-
Low sodium diet: the benefits of reducing salt and what foods to eat
By Emily-Ann Elliott Published
-
Balamory is back after two decades - why we can’t wait for the reboot of the iconic BBC series
What's the story in Balamory? Now you can find out, as the BBC announces the return of the beloved children's series nearly 20 years after the final episode aired.
By Lucy Wigley Published
-
Is Francesca in Bridgerton gay? With more great representation in the show, this expert shares how to start the conversation around sexuality with your teen if they’re watching
Is Francesca in Bridgerton gay? It's a question many have asked, and you might need to have conversations around sexuality with your teen if they’re watching.
By Lucy Wigley Published
-
Is Eric a true story? Benedict Cumberbatch lives every parent’s worst nightmare in new Netflix show
Is Eric a true story? Every parent’s worst nightmare plays out in Netflix's latest show, against a backdrop of 80s New York grappling with AIDS and racism.
By Lucy Wigley Published
-
Normal People season 2 rumours are circulating, and we have our own Marianne and Connell 'first love' stories to share
Normal People season 2 rumours are flying around, and we have our own Marianne and Connell moments to share - because everyone remembers their first heartbreak.
By Lucy Wigley Published
-
Channel 4 drama The Gathering explores 'toxic teenagers and their even more toxic parents' in an online world dominated by social media
New Channel 4 drama explores the challenges of impossible standards set by social media, and how parents themselves become toxic in their need to protect their kids.
By Lucy Wigley Published
-
Is Brandy pregnant? Bluey fans think the Heelers could be about to welcome a new cousin following the season 3 finale
Eagle-eyed Bluey viewers are wondering if Aunt Brandy is pregnant, following a touching moment in the season three finale.
By Ellie Hutchings Published
-
Is Bluey ending? What we know about the rumours around the kids' cartoon, as the Heelers put their house up for sale
Bluey's producer has shared an update on the show's future
By Ellie Hutchings Published
-
CoComelon has been accused of being 'overstimulating' - the experts explain why it's ok to let your kid watch the popular cartoon
CoComelon is adored by kids around the world, but some experts have shared reasons they don't think children should be watching - we look at both sides of the argument.
By Lucy Wigley Published