Comparing “My Life with the Walter Boys”: Key Differences Between the Show and the Book
My Life With the Walter Boys is Netflix’s adaptation of a story featuring a love triangle among siblings — but how does the show measure up to the original novel?
Inspired by Ali Novak‘s book, My Life With the Walter Boys centers on Jackie (Nikki Rodriguez), a recently orphaned teenager from Manhattan who moves to rural Colorado after being welcomed by the Walters, a family with seven sons and one daughter.
While the core narratives — including Jackie’s relationships with Cole (Noah LaLonde) and Alex (Ashby Gentry) — have been preserved, several storylines have diverged in the television adaptation.
Continue reading for the key differences between the series and Novak’s original work:
Fewer Walter Family Members
The book introduces us to 11 Walter children (excluding Jackie), consisting of 10 boys and one girl, while the television series features only 10 kids.
“The TV series diverges from the book in certain ways — one being fewer boys in the family. Two sets of twins were condensed into one, which is a significant change fans may notice,” explained showrunner Melanie Halsall to Entertainment Weekly in 2023.
In Netflix’s adaptation, the family includes Will (Johnny Link), twins Cole (LaLonde) and Danny (Connor Stanhope), Nathan (Corey Fogelmanis), Alex (Gentry), Isaac (Isaac Arellanes), Lee (Myles Vincent Perez), Jordan (Dean Petriw), Parker (Alix West Lefler), and Benny (Lennix James).
The Love Triangle
Jackie navigates her feelings for Alex (in both the book and the series) while grappling with her connection to Cole. However, in the book, Jackie and Alex mutually agree to part ways so she can discover herself — and allow Cole a chance.
The series complicates matters, with Alex becoming a real contender for Jackie’s affection two seasons in. DespiteJackie consistently showing a stronger bond with Cole, she has only dated Alex (twice) in the show so far.
Alex Takes Center Stage
Turning to the main characters, Alex plays a larger role in the series. He was not as prominent in the book, where Jackie and Cole were the primary focus. Netflix’s My Life With the Walter Boys has redefined Alex, making him a character audiences are more likely to root for.
More Focus on Adult Characters
When adapting a book into a television series, changes are often necessary — including the introduction of new characters and expanded story arcs. Katherine Walter (Sarah Rafferty) and George Walter (Marc Blucas) had minor roles in Novak’s book, but their storylines have been significantly developed in the show, including themes of financial hardship and even a potential death.
New Characters and Narratives
Beyond Katherine and George’s enhanced roles, My Life With the Walter Boys introduces new characters at Jackie’s high school, allowing the rest of the Walter family to interact with a wider range of people throughout the seasons.
