Is The Couple Next Door inspired by a book? Details explored

Channel 4’s The Couple Next Door has intrigued the audience with its story of couples whose marriages crumble as they start to mingle with their neighbors. The show follows an anthology format with a new story every season.

However, each season is set in the same location, the Appleby Drive cul-de-sac in Leeds. Considering the twisted story of the show, fans are wondering whether The Couple Next Door is based on a novel series.

The answer is a little complicated as the first season of the series was adapted from the Dutch series Nieuwe Buren, which in turn was based on a book. On the other hand, the second season has been inspired by a Danish series, Fatal Injections, which is an original creation. Hence, The Couple Next Door Season 1 is indirectly inspired by a book, but Season 2 is not.

Inspiration behind The Couple Next Door Seasons 1 and 2

When the first season of The Couple Next Door went into development in 2023, it was confirmed to be based on Nieuwe Buren, aka New Neighbors. The Dutch series originally aired on RTL in 2014. It was a television adaptation of Saskia Noort’s 2006 novel of the same name.

In the book, Peter and Eva move into the Vinex neighborhood in North Holland, where they meet their neighbors, Steef and Rebecca. Sparks fly between the couples and a four-way relationship begins, running all their lives.

The Couple Next Door follows the same premise and even the names of some characters have been inspired by the original literary work, with Evie, Pete, Danny, and Becka replacing Eva, Peter, Steef, and Rebecca. Thus, the first season of the Channel 4 series was indirectly based on Saskia Noort’s book, Nieuwe Buren.

Coming to the second season, it has also been adapted from an international series but not from a book. The season is based on the Danish show Fatal Injections, also known as Dopamine. The show was aired in 2022 and revolved around nurse Maiken and her fiancé Doctor Jacob. Their relationship lacked passion, but things changed with the arrival of Norwegian nurse Ida in their lives.

Again, Jacob’s name has been taken directly from the original show while Maiken and Ida have been replaced with Charlotte and Mia. Thus, the second season is based on a Danish series and not on any novel.

The first season of The Couple Next Door premiered in November and starred Alfred Enoch as Pete, Eleanor Tomlinson as Evie, Sam Heughan as Danny, and Jessica De Gouw as Becka. The rest of the cast included Hugh Dennis as Alan, Kate Robbins as Jean, Deirdre Mullins as Lena, Ioanna Kimbook as Sophie, Katie Clarkson-Hill as Rachel, and Joel Morris as Gary.

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Hugh Dennis reprised his role as Alan in the second season, which premiered in July 2025. He was joined by Annabel Scholey as Charlotte, Sam Palladio as Jacob, Aggy K. Adams as Mia, Sendhil Ramamurthy as Leo, Adam James as Ben, Maimie McCoy as Gemma, Tanya Moodie as Yvonne, Barney White as Brandon, and Jackie Clune as Annette.

For more interesting features about The Couple Next Door, stay tuned to Soap Central.

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