It took nearly a decade for Ruth Ware’s gripping thriller "The Woman in Cabin 10" to make its way to Netflix—and the journey was anything but straightforward.
Ruth Ware, the author behind the 2016 suspense novel, reveals that the film adaptation faced a winding path before finally landing on the streaming giant. "The rights were first optioned back in 2016 by another company, not Netflix," she told The Hollywood Reporter. "From there, it went through what I call the usual Hollywood shuffle—passed around, renewed, and shelved—until Netflix eventually took over. Then things went quiet for a couple of years. Honestly, I didn’t really believe it would come to life until I got the call that Keira Knightley was cast as Lo. That was thrilling and surreal."
Premiering on Netflix on a recent Friday, the film, directed by Simon Stone, stars Knightley as Lo Blacklock, alongside a talented ensemble including Guy Pearce, Art Malik, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Kaya Scodelario, Daniel Ings, and Hannah Waddingham.
Ware admits she wasn’t hands-on creatively during the film’s production—"I trusted the team completely," she says—but she did visit the set and praised how faithfully the movie captured the eerie atmosphere and tension of her novel. "There are some differences, sure, but they really nailed the essence of the story and Lo’s predicament. It was stylish, cool, and totally captured the vibe I was trying to create. That made me very happy."
But here’s where it gets controversial: adaptations often tweak beloved books, and fans might debate whether those changes enhance or detract from the original.
Coinciding with the film’s development, Ware was already working on a sequel called "The Woman in Suite 11," which revisits Lo a decade later. Now a mother navigating the media world after traumatic events on a cruise ship where a passenger was thrown overboard—and no one believed her—Lo’s character continues to confront danger and challenges.
In the new novel, Lo attends the grand opening of a luxury hotel in Switzerland, owned by a mysterious billionaire. When she tries to interview him, she is unexpectedly thrust into peril by a woman claiming to be his mistress, thrusting her into yet another intense and life-threatening investigation.
Ware explains, "Lo has a bit of a savior complex, probably because of her journalistic instincts. She can’t just walk away when someone’s in trouble, even if she knows she probably should. In ‘Suite 11,’ that trait lands her in deep water again. She’s driven by a strong sense of personal responsibility, which makes her both admirable and vulnerable."
In an exclusive conversation with The Hollywood Reporter, Ware shared more about the origins of the Netflix adaptation, her feelings about seeing her story come to life on screen, and the deeper themes she explores through Lo’s journey.
How did the Netflix film come about?
"It was a long journey," Ware recalls. "I really didn’t expect the adaptation to happen until that exciting call about Keira Knightley. Even then, I was cautious. I was actually writing ‘The Woman in Suite 11’ at the time, which I’d pitched years earlier, aimed both at fans of ‘Cabin 10’ and newcomers. Suddenly, with the film news, I realized there was a whole new audience I hadn’t anticipated! But since I wasn’t involved creatively, I never knew the ins and outs as things progressed—it was a pleasant surprise when it finally happened."
Were you involved in script discussions or creative decisions?
"Not really," she says. "I read the final script but only at the end, which on reflection was a good thing because I could keep ‘Suite 11’ true to the book's universe. The book and the film are like cousins—related but different. Some characters survive in one and not the other, so I didn’t want to be influenced by the film’s changes. I did trust the filmmakers and didn’t feel the need to intervene."
What was it like visiting the set?
"Visiting the boat set was amazing—I’ve never been on a cruise, much less one as luxurious as the Aurora in my book. I was nervous boarding the set, but I was amazed at how spot-on everything was, from the staircase to the Swarovski crystal chandelier I imagined without ever seeing one. It was like stepping inside my own imagination! I couldn’t help but feel proud (laughs)."
Did any scenes surprise you by how different or faithful they were?
"Definitely. Two scenes stood out. The first is when Lo is pushed into the swimming pool—a moment totally invented for the film to heighten the danger and tension. That scene was thrilling! The second was the pivotal moment where Lo hears the splash of a body falling overboard from the balcony. That was exactly as I envisioned it, beat for beat. The film also gave Lo a more dramatic public vindication at the end, which I enjoyed, though the book's resolution is more subtle."
How did you feel about Keira Knightley as Lo? Did you talk to her?
"At first, I thought Keira was more glamorous than my Lo—who I pictured as an everyday, relatable woman, not stunning. But Keira perfectly captured Lo’s vulnerability, determination, and grit. After watching her in ‘Black Doves,’ I knew she was the right choice."
What do you hope new viewers take away from the Netflix movie?
"One of my main reasons for writing ‘Cabin 10’ was frustration. At the time, news stories often played out as 'he said, she said,' and women’s accounts were routinely doubted or dismissed—especially if they’d had a few drinks. I was angry that women’s perspectives were marginalized to the point of being discredited. Lo’s struggle to be believed, despite witnessing a horrific crime, reflects that reality. I hope viewers come away thinking about how often women’s voices go unheard and the injustice of that."
Why revisit Lo after all these years with ‘The Woman in Suite 11’?
"Honestly, it was the readers. During tours and events, ‘Cabin 10’ was the book I was most asked about—people were curious about the characters’ futures. Initially, I felt Lo’s story was complete—she’d fought hard and deserved peace. But over time, both my readers and I kept thinking about her. I’ve changed a lot in ten years, and I wondered how Lo would have changed too, especially as a mother and journalist facing new challenges.
I spent a year with her, imagining how the traumatic events on the Aurora shaped her. Then the idea for a plot set in a Swiss luxury hotel came to me. Hotels are strange places—you’re pampered but also vulnerable, especially if you’re a solo traveler waking up in a strange room at night, unsure where the light switch or your phone is, hearing footsteps nearby. It’s that mix of luxury and unease that inspired the tension in ‘Suite 11.’"
You’ve said your stories often stem from personal fears. What was the core fear behind ‘Suite 11’?
"Being vulnerable in unfamiliar places, certainly. But also, this book explores Lo as a parent worrying about getting home safely to her children. In the first book, she had only her own conscience to answer to, but now the stakes are higher. What would happen if she were stopped from returning to her kids? That fear underlies much of the story."
Both books highlight how women’s voices are often doubted, especially journalists. How does the sequel continue to explore that theme?
"You summed it up beautifully—Lo’s story is about persistence despite being disbelieved. Revisiting her, I rediscovered her wit, sarcasm, and boldness—things I’d forgotten. She has a savior complex, feeling she must solve others’ problems, even at her own risk. ‘Suite 11’ digs into the pros and cons of that crusading spirit. Once she dives into a story, she won’t back down, though it takes a toll on her ethical and personal boundaries."
You also have other adaptations in the works, like ‘The Lying Game’ and ‘Turn of the Key.’ Have you been involved in those?
"I’ve had exciting discussions, especially with Amazon and producer Ted Gold, who is developing ‘The Lying Game’ series. It’s hard to say which project will hit screens first—it’s a bit of a mystery! But hopefully, they’ll all come together soon."
The woman who lives in the shadows of doubt now shines on screen and in print. What do you think about adaptations that change key parts of beloved novels? Does it help or hurt the original story? Let’s discuss!
*"The Woman in Cabin 10" is streaming now on Netflix. "The Woman in Suite 11" is available wherever books are sold.
