Online Fandom Fuels New Young Adult Romance Adaptations
The burgeoning genre of young adult romance, heavily influenced by online communities like #BookTok, is proving to be a reliable success for streaming platforms. With millions of posts dedicated to fictional relationships, fan edits, and imagined storylines, a passionate online audience often exists even before a single scene is filmed. This phenomenon has led to significant investment in adapting bestselling novels with established fanbases.
'Your Fault: London,' the latest entry in this trend, is an English-language adaptation of the popular 'Culpables Saga' novels by Spanish author Mercedes Ron. Stars Asha Banks and Matthew Broome, who portray the romantically involved step-siblings Noah and Nick, have noted the intense dedication of the franchise's existing fanbase.
"The fans are the reason the films are so successful," Banks told the BBC. "The visibility of it and where it lives is so much on social media."
From Wattpad to Global Phenomenon
The 'Culpables' trilogy, written by Ron before the age of 20, initially gained traction on the reading platform Wattpad before becoming bestsellers. Its success led to a highly popular series of Spanish-language films, simply titled 'Your Fault.' The English adaptation, 'Your Fault: London,' follows Noah as she moves to the capital after her mother marries a wealthy businessman and subsequently falls for his son, Nick. Their romance navigates family tensions, hidden secrets, and impulsive decisions.
Nicole Clemens, head of UK and international originals at Amazon MGM Studios, highlighted the global reach of the 'Culpables' films, which have collectively garnered 100 million viewers worldwide. Amazon reported in February that the films topped charts in over 170 countries upon release, with more than 90% of viewers originating outside Spain.
'Your Fault: London' is the second installment in the English-language trilogy, following 2025's 'My Fault: London,' and will be succeeded by 'Our Fault: London.' The current film sees Noah beginning her studies at Oxford University while Nick focuses on his career, with new relationships and old conflicts threatening their bond. Banks promises "a lot of drama," and Broome notes that viewers will find themselves constantly shifting allegiances between the two characters.
Navigating Pre-Existing Fandom
For Banks, 22, and Broome, 25, joining a story with millions of dedicated readers and viewers has been a unique experience. Broome described the added level of excitement, knowing that "people are going to watch it." Despite some critical reviews calling the original Spanish films "clichéd" and "tasteless," fans have largely embraced the adaptations. BookTok creator Tia Saunders, 22, praised the films as a "phenomenal and amazing adaptation," citing the "forbidden love element and the casting."
While grateful for the fan support, both actors acknowledge the potential for overwhelm from online attention. Broome shared instances of encountering AI-generated images of their characters' imagined futures. To manage this, the pair leaned on each other and found that disconnecting from their phones helped create distance from the online fervor.
The actors deliberately avoided watching the Spanish version of the film during production to develop their own interpretations of the characters. They watched the originals only after filming concluded, which Banks described as a positive experience, allowing them to appreciate the differences without direct comparison. Broome believes the British adaptation distinguishes itself through a "completely different" dynamic, while Banks added that the London setting provides the story with a new identity.
Addressing the Romanticization of Toxicity
The series has sparked discussions regarding whether it romanticizes toxic relationships, given the jealousy, secrecy, and conflict often present in Noah and Nick's romance. Broome contends that the films instead illustrate the repercussions of such behaviors. "You see it go wrong with Noah and Nick and you see the bad toxic traits that fall out of that," he explained, adding that the narrative also highlights the need for "healthy communication" to resolve conflict.
Banks emphasized their awareness of portraying two young individuals still evolving, rather than presenting their relationship as an ideal. "It's so easy to romanticise toxicity, and their relationship is full of that, but you are watching them work that out themselves alongside the audience," she stated. She also expressed enjoyment in portraying Noah's resilience, hoping to reflect a strong young female character on screen.
'Your Fault: London' is currently available for streaming on Prime Video.
Source: 'It's easy to romanticise toxicity' says star of film about step-siblings' relationship