For most fans of Taylor Jenkins Reid, seeing Daisy Jones & The Six on screen was pretty much a dream come true. Riley Keough as Daisy and Sam Claflin as Billy? Perfection! The music? We finally got to hear the songs! The subsequent reactions on Tiktok? Half the fun! However, if you’ve read the book, you’ve probably noticed a few… okay, a lot of differences between the pages and what we see on screen, brought to us by Prime Video.
Now, with book-to-TV adaptations, it's always a bit of a mixed bag. Some scenes don’t make the cut, new twists pop their heads along the way, and suddenly characters don’t quite look or act like you imagined them while reading. Yet, we got an actual band playing live music, and that’s something the book couldn’t really give us, right? So, it’s always give and take.
Before we get into it and try to decide which one we prefer the best, here's a quick heads up: spoilers ahead for both the book and the show! If you’re not caught up, maybe press pause here and come back later.
Otherwise, let’s break down what changed, what stayed the same, and why we’re still completely hooked on Daisy Jones & The Six.
We should first talk about the elephant in the room—or rather, the rock band’s bassist not in the room.
If you’ve read Reid’s novel, you probably noticed something odd right away when watching the show: Where is Pete Loving?
In the novel, Pete is the band's bassist and one of the most laid-back members of the band. He isn’t exactly front and center in the drama, but he’s there. Quiet, dependable, not making waves. He’s the first to walk away when things get too wild, settling down to a calm life with his girlfriend in Arizona. He has one famous line about how he’s moved on from his rock-star days, but aside from that, Pete is mostly in the background.
In the show, though? He’s just gone. Completely cut. The showrunners decided that he wasn’t really adding much to the story they wanted to tell on-screen. Pete’s role in the book is basically to stay out of the chaos, and when adapting for TV, the creators felt that adding him would mean giving him more lines, more action, and a full story arc. That just didn’t fit with the show’s pacing and structure.
But they gave us a cheeky little nod for this change. In the show, the band jokes about how they’re technically only five, with a suggestion that maybe Billy’s wife, Camila (played by the talented Camila Morrone) is the honorary sixth member. It’s a small detail, but it works—and most viewers probably won’t miss Pete all that much.
In the book, Chuck Williams is another character who plays a crucial role in the early days of The Six—then still named The Dunne Brothers, of course. He’s the band’s original guitarist, but before their rise to fame really starts, Chuck is drafted into the Vietnam War.
Tragically, he’s killed in Cambodia, leaving a somber note in the band’s story. Chuck’s death is one of those moments in the book that gives the narrative some historical weight and adds to the sense of loss and the “what could’ve been” for the band.
In the Amazon Prime TV show, the Vietnam War subplot is scrapped. Instead, Chuck quits the band to go to college and pursue a more stable career path, eventually becoming a dentist. This change lightens the tone a bit, making Chuck’s departure less tragic and more about choosing a different life over the unpredictability of rock stardom.
By cutting the Vietnam angle, the show sticks more to the personal drama of the band, rather than drawing in the larger political and cultural tensions of the time. Chuck’s storyline becomes a simple crossroads moment: stay with the band and risk everything, or take the safer route. He chooses the latter, leaving the rock ‘n’ roll dream behind.
One major change the show makes that’s easy to overlook at first is Daisy’s actual name. In the book, she’s always been Daisy Jones—that’s just who she is. But in the TV adaptation, things start off a little differently. Instead of being born with that iconic rock star name, Daisy is originally named Margaret.
In the show, this adds a deeper layer to her character. We actually get to watch her choose to reinvent herself, swapping out her birth name for the more fitting, free-spirited Daisy Jones. It’s a small moment, but it speaks volumes. By renaming herself, Daisy is taking control, creating her own identity, and breaking free from her parents’ expectations. It feels like a rebellious act, like she says, “I’m not the person you think I am. I’m going to be me.”
In the book, Billy Dunne and Camila meet in true rock-star fashion—at a hotel bar where she works as a cocktail waitress, and Billy, fresh off a gig, confidently struts up to her with the kind of bold line only a lead singer could pull off. It’s love at first sight, or at least, that’s how it plays out on the page. Billy tells her, “Give me your number, and I’ll write a song about you,” and just like that, their story begins.
But in the show? Their first meeting gets completely reinvented. Instead of the hotel bar meet-cute, we get something a little more grounded; a chance encounter at a laundromat. Billy’s swagger is still there, of course, but this time he’s embarrassed after assuming Camila recognizes him as a big deal musician. Spoiler: she doesn’t—or, at least, she pretends she doesn’t. It’s a charming, more down-to-earth introduction, and their banter gives us a glimpse of Camila’s no-nonsense attitude right from the start.
The laundromat scene in the show strips away the “rock star” vibes of their first meeting and makes it feel more relatable. It’s an interesting choice, showing us that beneath all the fame and chaos, Billy and Camila’s relationship starts in a pretty normal, everyday setting. It makes their connection feel a bit more real and grounded compared to the glitzier bar setting in the book. So, chef’s kiss for the production team on that front.
In the book, Karen is an all-American girl from Pittsburgh who meets the band and joins them as their cool, talented keyboardist. She’s laid-back, practical, and definitely doesn’t care for the spotlight as much as some of the other members do.
But in the TV show? Karen Sirko gets a whole new vibe—she’s British! Played by Suki Waterhouse, Karen comes with a British accent and a bit more of an edge. Instead of just being the girl next door who happens to be insanely talented, the show gives Karen a more rebellious, almost nomadic personality. Her backstory is changed, too. Instead of being from Pittsburgh, she’s a British musician who’s come to the U.S. in search of success.
This change adds a new flavor to Karen’s character, making her stand out a bit more in the band. It gives her a different energy, more of a "rock ‘n’ roll" grit, which plays into her independent attitude. It’s a subtle but interesting shift that makes her character feel more like an outsider, a world-traveler, someone who’s seen things and isn’t afraid to go after what she wants.
In the book, Eddie is a bit of a grumpy character. He plays bass, feels overshadowed by Billy, and is generally frustrated with how the band operates, but there’s nothing deeply personal about his complaints. He’s mostly the guy who stands in the background, rolling his eyes at Billy’s controlling nature and wishing he had more say.
The show, however, takes Eddie’s frustrations to a whole new level. His character gets a big boost in motivation and backstory. First off, the show reveals that Eddie (played by Josh Whitehouse) has harbored feelings for Camila since they were kids, which adds a whole new layer to his resentment toward Billy. He’s not just annoyed by Billy’s leadership—he’s mad that the man who’s supposed to be the band’s frontman and leader isn’t treating the woman Eddie’s always been in love with the way he feels she deserves.
On top of that, Eddie’s bitterness isn’t just about feeling overlooked in the band anymore. In the show, it’s made clear that Eddie always wanted to be the frontman. He’s not just a bassist annoyed at being bossed around; he thinks he should be the one in the spotlight. So when Billy goes to rehab and Eddie briefly sees an opportunity to step up, only to have Billy return and reclaim his place, his resentment festers into something more personal and heated.
This change adds much more tension between Eddie and Billy, making Eddie’s grumbling more justified. It’s not just band politics—it’s personal, and it intensifies the already complicated dynamics within the group.
In the book, Camila and Billy have a bit of a long-distance moment when the band decides to pack up and move to Los Angeles. When Billy tells Camila about the move, she’s furious and heartbroken. They briefly split up, and it’s not until Billy calls her from LA to tell her he’s landed a record deal that he proposes, and they get back together.
In the TV adaptation, though, Camila is in from the very beginning. She doesn't stay behind in Pittsburgh, but instead, she hops into the van with the rest of The Six and drives across the country to LA with them. She’s with the band as they chase their dreams, supporting Billy and sticking by his side from the very beginning.
This shift completely changes the dynamics between Camila and Billy. In the show, Camila isn’t just the supportive partner waiting on the sidelines—she’s actively involved in their journey to fame. By having her join the band’s move to LA, the show strengthens Camila’s presence in the story, making her more than just Billy’s girlfriend-turned-wife. She’s there for the big moments, becoming a part of the band's rise, which helps solidify her role as the band’s unofficial "sixth member."
In the book, The Six find a decent level of success on their own before Daisy comes along. They release two albums—The Six and SevenEightNine—with the latter featuring the song "Honeycomb" that hints at their future collaboration with Daisy. The band is already somewhat established, and Daisy joining them feels like the final puzzle piece that shoots them into superstardom.
In the show, this is scaled back significantly. The Six only release one album to moderate success before Daisy shows up. Instead of already being on the brink of greatness, the band is struggling to make it big, and Billy’s issues with addiction cut their first tour short. They’re in a much more vulnerable position when Daisy comes into the picture, and her presence becomes the driving force behind their real rise to fame.
In the book, Daisy Jones has already released her own album and is on her way to becoming a star in her own right when she ends up opening for The Six on their SevenEightNine tour. During this tour, a journalist from Rolling Stone sees Daisy’s potential and suggests that she should join the band full-time. It’s a pivotal moment that kick-starts Daisy’s deeper involvement with the group.
In the TV show, the tour setup is changed. Instead of opening for The Six, Daisy joins them on stage for the first time at a music festival in Hawaii. There’s no extended tour with her opening solo sets—just a single, electrifying performance that grabs everyone’s attention. Daisy sings "Look at Us Now (Honeycomb)" with The Six, and instead of stepping off the stage afterward, she stays on for the rest of the set, making it clear that she’s there to stay. From that point, it’s almost assumed that she’s part of the band now.
In the book, Simone is primarily known as Daisy’s best friend and a fellow musician who pops in and out of Daisy’s life when things get tough. She’s a disco singer who supports Daisy and provides advice, but we don’t get much insight into her personal life or her own journey. She’s there to help narrate Daisy’s story more than to live out her own.
The TV show, however, makes Simone a fully fleshed-out character with her own storyline, independent of Daisy. Not only do we see Simone’s career (Nabiyah Be) grow as she navigates the New York disco scene, but her queer identity becomes a central point of her arc. Simone’s relationship with her partner, Bernie, is an important subplot that showcases her struggles and triumphs in both her personal life and her music career. We see Simone perform in underground queer clubs and find her place as a disco star, all while staying true to herself and her love for Bernie.
If you loved Simone’s story as much we did, here is a list with the best LGBTQ+ books (in our humble opinions) that might also interest you!
One of the most intense dynamics in Daisy Jones & The Six is the undeniable chemistry and tension between Billy and Daisy. In the book, this tension simmers beneath the surface but never quite boils over. While songwriting together, Daisy leans over to kiss Billy, but he pulls away and returns home to Camila. While their connection is deep and complicated, the book leaves us with the lingering question of "what if?"—but we never actually see them cross the line into something physical.
In the TV show, though, that line does get crossed. Billy kisses Daisy. The moment happens during a heated exchange at the recording studio. Billy, frustrated with Daisy and trying to push her to sing a certain way, kisses her—though he quickly tries to justify it as a way to get her into the right emotional space for the song. But, come on, we all know there’s more to it than that. This kiss puts their mutual attraction front and center, further complicating their relationship.
In the book, the famous Aurora album cover, featuring a close-up shot of Daisy and Billy, is taken by a professional rock photographer. The tension between Daisy and Billy is captured in this iconic image that comes to symbolize the band’s dynamic and the undercurrent of unspoken emotions between them. It’s an intense, raw moment captured by an outside eye—one that hints at the complicated relationship between the two leads.
In the TV show, this key photograph isn’t taken by a professional. Instead, Camila—Billy’s wife—captures this defining moment. Camila, who is an aspiring photographer in the show, accidentally snaps the shot while Daisy and Billy are in the middle of an argument during the album photo shoot. It’s an unplanned, candid shot that perfectly captures the passion and tension between Daisy and Billy.
In the book, after the Aurora album is completed, Daisy spirals and decides to escape her life by traveling to Thailand. Her time there is chaotic, marked by drug use and impulsive decisions, leading to her disastrous relationship with Nicky.
In the show, though, Daisy’s escape takes her somewhere else entirely—Greece. She settles on a remote Greek island (Hydra), where she eventually marries Nicky (Gavin Drea) in a private ceremony. Greece becomes the backdrop for her attempt to run away from her problems, offering a dreamy yet isolating setting for her spiral.
In the book, Karen and Graham Dunne (Will Harrison) have a secret romance that’s kept under wraps for most of the story. Their relationship starts on tour, and Karen insists on keeping it hidden from the rest of the band. She’s fiercely protective of her independence and career, and she fears that going public with their relationship could disrupt the band’s dynamics—or worse, define her as "Graham’s girlfriend" rather than as a talented musician in her own right.
However, the TV show takes a different approach. After some time of them keeping their relationship a secret, Karen openly tells Eddie and Warren about her and Graham. Fed up with the relentless teasing from the others about Graham’s disinterest in groupies, Karen finally admits what’s been going on between them, throwing away the secrecy much earlier than in the book.
In the book, one of the most pivotal moments for Daisy is when she overdoses while in Italy with her husband, Nicky. After the overdose, it’s Nicky who finds her, though instead of seeking help, he simply puts her in a cold shower and walks away. This moment is a stark turning point for Daisy, as she realizes that Nicky isn’t looking out for her well-being, prompting her decision to leave him and return to the band.
The show, however, takes a different approach. After Daisy overdoses, it’s not Nicky who finds her—it’s Billy. In this version, Nicky panics and flees the scene, leaving Daisy in a vulnerable state. It’s Billy who rushes in, finding her in the shower and desperately trying to save her. This shift makes the moment far more emotional and personal.
By having Billy be the one to find Daisy, the show deepens the connection between them. It’s no longer just about Daisy realizing that Nicky is bad for her; it’s also about Billy coming face-to-face with the reality of Daisy’s self-destructive behavior. This moment forces both of them to confront their own struggles—Billy with his addiction and Daisy with hers—bringing their bond to a whole new level of intensity.
In Reid’s book, Billy Dunne struggles with addiction, but after his first trip to rehab following the birth of his daughter, Julia, he manages to stay sober for the remainder of the story. While Billy constantly battles his demons, he remains committed to his sobriety, and his internal conflict is more about resisting temptation than succumbing to it. There’s one scene where he contemplates taking a drink, but he ultimately puts the glass down before things spiral out of control.
The TV show, though, takes a darker turn. Billy falls off the wagon, fully relapsing into alcohol and drug use. After a heated argument with Eddie and a painful confrontation with Camila, Billy hits a breaking point and starts drinking again. It’s not just a sip, either—Billy spirals hard, drinking heavily and even snorting cocaine. His relapse happens on the day of the band’s final performance, adding tension to the show’s climax.
In the book, Billy and Daisy's connection is filled with unspoken tension, but they never fully act on it. The attraction is palpable, but it’s mostly expressed through their music and their complicated emotional dynamic. The book leaves much of their relationship open to interpretation, allowing the tension to simmer beneath the surface without ever boiling over into a full-blown romantic relationship.
However, in the TV show, this tension escalates into something much more concrete. Billy kisses Daisy again, this time in a more vulnerable moment backstage at their final show. Billy is intoxicated, spiraling after a series of personal setbacks, and in his haze, he finally gives in to his feelings for Daisy. The kiss is more than just an impulsive act—it’s Billy offering Daisy a glimpse into what could be.
But it doesn’t stop there. Billy then makes Daisy an offer. He suggests that they should be together, saying, “Let’s be broken together.” It’s a raw, messy proposal that reflects Billy’s state of mind—conflicted, desperate, and unable to see the full consequences of his actions. It’s a moment that doesn’t exist in the book, where Billy never directly suggests a future with Daisy.
This change adds a dramatic twist to the love triangle between Billy, Daisy, and Camila. By having Billy make this offer, the show brings his internal conflict to the forefront. He’s torn between his responsibilities as a husband and father, and his undeniable connection with Daisy. The kiss and the offer push the boundaries of their relationship further than the book ever does, making the stakes even higher for all involved.
In the book, Billy and Camila have their share of struggles, but their relationship holds firm despite the tension between Billy and Daisy. After The Six’s final show at Soldier Field, there isn’t any dramatic fallout between Billy and Camila. Instead, the two stay together, with Camila visiting Daisy privately to ask her to leave the band for the sake of her family. Daisy agrees, understanding that she can never truly have Billy, and decides to leave the group on her own terms.
The show, however, adds a dramatic twist to this resolution. In the series, after their final performance, Billy chases after Camila. During the concert, Billy finally realizes how close he is to losing her. Daisy’s encouragement makes him realize that he needs to fight for his family. He rushes offstage, abandoning the encore to run to the hotel where Camila is staying. He finds her packing up their things, ready to leave, and in a raw, emotional moment, Billy pleads with her to stay. He admits that he hasn’t always shown her the real him, but he wants to make it work.
This addition amps up the emotional stakes of the finale. It’s not just about Billy choosing his family over Daisy; it’s about him actively fighting for his marriage. The show emphasizes Billy’s need to reconcile with Camila after all the turbulence, and it gives us a more dramatic, heartfelt conclusion to their relationship. Camila’s decision to stay with Billy feels earned, and Billy’s realization that he can’t have both worlds—his family and his complicated connection with Daisy—hits home in a more intense way than in the book.
In the book, the ending leaves Daisy and Billy’s future together as an open-ended question. After Camila’s passing, she leaves behind a letter for her daughters with a gentle nudge: tell your father to give Daisy Jones a call. It’s a suggestion that implies maybe, just maybe, Billy and Daisy still owe each other a song—or something more. But the book doesn’t show us what happens next, leaving readers to wonder if they’ll reconnect or if they’ll simply remain a part of each other’s past.
The show, however, offers a bit more closure. Daisy and Billy do reconnect years later. In the final scene, we see Billy knocking on Daisy’s door after Camila’s death. Daisy opens the door, and the two share a knowing smile, hinting that this time, they may be ready to face whatever unfinished business they have left behind. It’s not a dramatic reunion, but it’s enough to suggest that they’re finally in a place where they can explore what might have been—now that all is said and done.
In the end, whether you’re a die-hard fan of the book or someone who just stumbled into Daisy Jones & The Six through the TV show, it’s clear that both versions offer something unique. The TV adaptation makes some pretty big changes, from cutting characters like Pete to giving us more of Simone’s story, and even having Billy and Daisy kiss—twice. But that’s what makes adaptations so interesting, right? You get to see the same story from a different angle, with new twists and turns that keep things fresh.
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The adaptation of Daisy Jones & The Six sticks closely to the book’s main storyline but also makes quite a few changes along the way. The core of the story—Daisy and Billy’s complicated dynamic, the rise and fall of the band, and the major themes of love, addiction, and fame—remains intact.
While Daisy Jones & The Six isn’t directly based on Fleetwood Mac, the band certainly inspired the story. Taylor Jenkins Reid has mentioned that the legendary rock group—especially the tension-filled dynamic between Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham—played a big role in sparking the idea for the book.
The book is written in an oral history format, structured like a series of interviews with the band members and other key figures reflecting on the rise and fall of Daisy Jones & The Six. Taylor Jenkins Reid chose this format to give the story a documentary-like feel, as if you’re reading a behind-the-scenes tell-all about a real band. This style also adds to the unreliable narrator vibe, with the bandmates’ versions of events slightly differing, leaving the reader to piece together the truth. It’s part of what makes the book so engaging—like you’re reading an intimate rock documentary script.
First and foremost, Nina is a reader; she devours literature with gusto, from classic novels to contemporary poetry to graphic novels and everything in between. She believes that within each story, there's a universe waiting to be explored, and loves exploring with company. She's often found sharing her perspective on characters, plot twists, and literary themes with friends. When her friends get tired of listening to her ranting, she writes blog posts sharing her explorations with the other bookworms of the internet. In recent years she has developed an inexplicable addiction to matcha lattes, but has asked us not to talk about that.
