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Jennifer Garner Says She Once Bit Off a "Chunk" of an Actor's Ear During Fight Scene
Before Jennifer Garner was Hannah Hall, The Last Thing He Told Me character was simply a blank figure in Laura Dave’s mind.
“Writing for me—since I don't outline—is like a conversation with people I feel lucky to spend time with,” the novelist told E! News in an exclusive interview, “and who are showing me themselves.”
But one season of the successful Apple TV adaptation later, aspects of the Alias star and the woodturner have blended into one. So much so that when Dave was writing her sequel The First Time I Saw Him, out now, she couldn’t help but sprinkle a bit of Garner’s sensibilities—not to mention those of her costars Angourie Rice, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau and David Morse—into her characters.
“In the first book, Bailey has long brown hair,” she explained. “Well, now Bailey's Angourie Rice, so she had long blonde hair. I don't ever talk about her hair, because I'm not gonna confuse the narrative. But it was a different experience.”
In fact, as she revealed, “One of the reasons that Hannah runs at the beginning of book two—like, quite literally runs down the street—is that Jen's such a good runner. So, I could imagine that.”
It’s fitting that Dave included small nods to The Last Thing He Told Me cast in The First Time I saw Him as they’re now bringing that novel to life in season two of the show. But that Garner and the cast would reprise their characters wasn’t necessarily a given, as the show was initially announced as a limited series.
Eric Charbonneau/Getty Images for AppleTV+
“There was a lot of desire for a second season,” Dave admitted of the time following season one’s debut in 2023. And though seeds for a sequel were already in her mind, she noted, “I felt strongly that I owed it to the readers, before I even walked down that road, to make sure that if there was a second book it would really do justice.”
Although, in hindsight, Hannah and Bailey’s story—the latter of which takes some cues from The Odyssey—was always meant to be multiple books.
"When I found my way to the ending of The Last Thing He Told Me, I really knew that that's where that story ended: That it was really this primal story of someone becoming a mother,” Dave explained. “Once I got to ‘mom,’ that was the end of the story. But I had been working on that book for 10 years on and off before I found my way to the end. And the original ending that I wrote is really the ending of book two. So, I think all along I was writing toward two books, I just wasn't I was catching up with myself.”
Though Dave and her Oscar-winning writer husband Josh Singer developed The Last Thing He Told Me show together, as she was hard at work completing The First Time I Saw Him while season two was heading into production, Dave ultimately had to step out of the writers room this time around.
Scribner/Simon & Schuster
“I sat down with the showrunners before they started the writers room in the season and I said, 'Here's 100 pages,'” Dave told E!. “Normally I don't like to show anything before I'm completely done, but I'm like, ‘Here's 100 pages, and this is exactly where it goes. These are the moves of the rest of it.’”
“I knew I already had a whole draft, I just wasn't ready to share everything,” she continued. “And pretty much those moves were the moves of the book. There were some minor tweaks, but that was pretty much where we were going. So, they knew that the question of the book—and then the question of the second season—was: What is what are you willing to do to be forgiven? How do you get that second chance we all yearn for?”
But that’s not to say the recently debuted second season—which sees Judy Greer among those joining the cast—is an exact replica of her book.
"It's really beautiful the way they dovetail,” Dave noted. “They don't get to those questions in exactly the same way, but I think it will be fun for readers and viewers to see how they speak to each other.”
For instance, that means, “You're not going to see Owen killed in the show or the book,” she quipped of Coster-Waldau’s character, “because then I don't really know why we're telling the story. Because for me—and it’s sort of how I approach thriller writing in general— I'm not interested in revenge or vengeance.”
Photo by Steve Granitz/FilmMagic
As she put it, “I'm interested in the things that make us more similar than different, even if some of us might look like—Frank, Nicholas, a bunch of people on this book, the antagonist, Quinn—they got themselves to bad places.”
While Dave confirmed Hannah Hall’s story on the page ends with The First Time I Saw Him—though what that means for its TV future remains to be seen—when she looks at the journey bringing that the character to life onscreen, The Night We Lost Him expressed what it has meant to have collaborators in Garner and executive producer Reese Witherspoon.
“I just think she, and Jen too, there is something about working with people who really believe in a woman's journey to become the hero of her own life,” Dave emphasized. “And we all were just really aligned on Hannah being the grown up in the room, Hannah being the person that is going to never be the victim of what has happened to her but rather find her way to be her own hero. So it was just really special to all have that goal.”
The First Time I Saw Him is in bookstores now, while The Last Time I Saw Him season two debuted Feb. 20 and is releasing new episodes weekly every Friday on Apple TV. For a glimpse at more books set to make their mark on screen, keep reading…
Scribner/Simon & Schuster
The Last Thing He Told Me Season 2
Based On: The First Time I Saw Him by Laura Dave, on sale January 6, 2026
Starring: Jennifer Garner, Angourie Rice, David Morse, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Judy Greer and Rita Wilson.
Premieres: February 20, 2026, on Apple TV
Why We’re Excited: The past always catches up—at least, that’s what Hannah Hall (Garner) and stepdaughter Bailey (Rice) are learning in real-time in season two of the acclaimed Apple series. Five years after the events of The Last Thing He Told Me, the duo have settled into their new normal without Hannah’s husband (and Bailey’s dad) Owen (Coster-Waldau), only for him to resurface right before a shocking family tragedy sets off a string of events that leads the duo in a race for their lives.
Gavin Bond/Netflix
Bridgerton Season 4
Based On: Julia Quinn's 2001 Bridgerton novel An Offer From A Gentleman
Starring: Luke Thompson, Yerin Ha, Jonathan Bailey, Claudia Jessie, Nicola Coughlan, Luke Newton, Adjoa Andoh, Ruth Gemmell, Katie Leung, Michelle Mao and Isabella Wei.
Release Date: Part One: January 29, 2026; Part Two: February, 26, 2026, on Netflix
Why We’re Excited: After three seasons trying to cement a place in his family and discovering himself, fan-favorite Benedict Bridgerton at last finds love in the upcoming installment. And newcomer Ha is joining the Netflix hit’s ever-growing ensemble as his love interest Sophie Baek.
Mike Marsland/WireImage; Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Gotham Film & Media Institute
Wuthering Heights
Based on: Emily Brontë’s 1847 novel
Release Date: In theaters February 13, 2026
Starring: Jacob Elordi and Margot Robbie
Why We’re Excited: Cue the Kate Bush classic, we’re heading back to the moors. Filmmaker Emerald Fennell is reteaming with her Saltburn collaborators—Elordi starred and Robbie produced—for a take on Catherine Earnshaw and Heathcliff that we’ve surely never seen before.
Montlake
Reminders of Him
Based On: Hoover’s 2022 novel
Starring: Maika Monroe, Tyriq Withers, Rudy Pankow, Lauren Graham, Bradley Whitford, Lainey Wilson and Nicholas Duvernay.
Premieres: In theaters February 13, 2026
Why We’re Excited: After five years, Kenna returns to her hometown looking to reunite with her daughter. Instead, she finds solace in a local bar owner who remains one of the few who is willing to give her another chance. While the next few years see several of the best-selling novelist’s books hitting the screen, she’s a big part of bringing this book to life as she co-wrote the script with Lauren Levine.
Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic
Kay Scarpetta
Based On: Patricia Cornwell's mega-popular series of the same name that has 26 books in total
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Jamie Lee Curtis, Ariana DeBose, Bobby Cannavale, Simon Baker and Jake Cannavale
Premieres: March 11, 2026, on Prime Video
Why We're Excited: If it's based on a book and Kidman stars in it, we will binge the s--t out of it. (See: Big Little Lies, Nine Perfect Strangers, The Undoing and the fact that this is her second appearance on this list.) Add in that the Oscar winners will be playing crime-fighting sisters and it's already become our favorite new show of the year.
Ballantine Books
Project Hail Mary
Based On: Andy Weir’s 2021 novel of the same name
Starring: Ryan Gosling, Sandra Hüller and Milana Vayntrub
Release Date: In theaters March 20, 2026
Why We’re Excited: Sure, Gosling’s been to space as the first man, but his latest mission takes him out of this galaxy as he wakes up from a coma as the sole survivor in an expedition to the Tau Ceti solar system—a cool 12 light-years away from Earth. Things only get worse now that he’s solo and must continue his mission to reverse solar dimming and save humanity from extinction. NBD!
William Morrow
Margo’s Got Money Troubles
Based on: Rufi Thorpe’s 2024 novel
Starring: Elle Fanning, Michelle Pfeiffer and Nicole Kidman
Premieres: April 15, 2026, on Apple TV
Why we’re Excited: Is it really a limited series if it doesn’t have Kidman popping up in it? Thorpe’s book—following the daughter of a former Hooters waitress and a onetime pro-wrestler who turns to OnlyFans after becoming a single mom at 20—is already excellent on its own. But this casting has certainly placed this eight-episode series at the top of the must-watch list.
Grand Central Publishing/Hachette
Verity
Based on: Hoover's 2021 book
Starring: Anne Hathaway, Dakota Johnson and Josh Hartnett
Premieres: In theaters May 15, 2026
Why We're Excited: For starters, we can look no further than Anne, Dakota and Josh. The book—which follows a struggling writer who is asked to complete a best-selling series after the author's mysterious accident—is already a wild, twisty ride. And with this trio at the center, seeing it brought to life on screen is all the more exciting.
Getty Images / Handout
Practical Magic 2
Based On: The Book of Magic by Alice Hoffman
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Sandra Bullock, Stockard Channing, Dianne Weist, Joey King
Premieres: In theaters September 18, 2026
Why We’re Excited: Another midnight margarita night is finally on the books. Nearly three decades after the original movie, the sequel, based on Hoffman’s 2021 novel, follows Sally (Sandra), Gillian (Nicole), Frances (Stockard) and Jet (Dianne) contend with their family’s curse as it begins to plague the next generations of Owens ladies.
Lionsgate
The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping
Based On: Suzanne Collins’ 2025 novel
Starring: Joseph Zada, Whitney Peak, Mckenna Grace, Elle Fanning, Maya Hawke, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Jesse Plemons and Ralph Fiennes.
Premieres: In theaters November 20, 2026
Why We’re Excited: On the same day Collins’ latest trip to Panem was announced, Lionsgate confirmed it would be adapting the much-anticipated story following a young Haymitch Abernathy—Peeta and Katniss’ famously haunted mentor in the 74th Hunger Games—during his winning battle in the 50th Games.
Lili Reinhart/Instagram
The Love Hypothesis
Based On: Ali Hazelwood’s 2021 Novel of the Same
Starring: Lili Reinhart and Tom Bateman
Premieres: TBD
Why We’re Excited: The fake dating romance that sent #BookTok into a spiral is heading to the big screen. And the novel that has roots in fanfiction centered on Star Wars characters Rey and Kylo Ren is starring none other than Rey actress Daisy Ridley’s IRL husband Tom—joined by the Riverdale alum. And if that’s not a reason to be excited by what’s to come—or at least curious—we don’t know what is.
Doubleday
The Husbands
Based On: Holly Gramazio’s 2024 novel
Starring: Juno Temple
Premieres: TBD on Apple TV
Why We’re Excited: Prepare to meet more than one hundred husbands. Indeed, the story follows Lauren, who arrives home to be greeted by her husband Michael—only she has never seen him before in her life. A different husband soon takes his place, and she soon learns a seemingly-endless supply of spouses are coming from her attic. As she navigates this complicated romantic journey, key questions emerge, namely, what does she want from life and will she take the reins to get it?
Back Bay Books
Five-Star Weekend
Based On: Elin Hilderbrand’s 2023 novel
Starring: Jennifer Garner
Premieres: TBD on Peacock
Why We’re Excited: Hilderbrand is the queen of Nantucket beach read. Add in a megastar like Garner and its place in our queue is solidified. The Alias alum stars as Hollis, a food blogger whose life is turned update down by tragedy. As part of her healing journey, she resolves to host a “five-star” weekend with her closest pals—only for it to go awry as the cracks in her friendships deepen and game-changing secrets emerge. Yep, we are firmly seated.
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Midnight Sun
Based On: Stephanie Meyer’s 2020 novel
Starring: TBD
Premieres: TBD on Netflix
Why We’re Excited: While fans had to wait more than a decade for Meyer to release the retelling of Twilight from Edward Cullen’s POV, viewers will soon see an animated version of the story coming to their screens. And it’s safe to say catching a glimpse of an animated killer’s sparkly skin will be must-see TV.
Apple TV+
Lucky
Based On: Marissa Stapley's 2021 book
Starring: Anya Taylor-Joy, Drew Starkey, Annette Bening, Timothy Olyphant and Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor
Premieres: TBD on Apple TV
Why We’re Excited: If seeing Anya and Drew leading the cast isn’t enough of a draw—and it should be!—the story itself is pretty thrilling, a young woman returning to the con artist life she was raised in an attempt to secure her future. And with Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine producing and a stellar supporting cast, we are already seated.
Berkley
Funny Story
Based On: Emily Henry's 2024 novel
Starring: TBD
Premieres: TBD on Netflix
Why We’re Excited: Among the many adaptations of Henry's novels coming to the big and small screen is her 2024 best-seller, which gives viewers a look at how Daphne finds herself again after Peter breaks off their engagement to be with his childhood best friend Petra. And of course, Daphne gets an assist from Petra's own ex-boyfriend, Miles.
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