Fonda Lee's Green Bone Saga remains one of the few acclaimed modern fantasy series without a television adaptation despite meeting many criteria that studios typically seek. The trilogy—Jade City, Jade War, and Jade Legacy—is set in Kekon, an island nation that serves as the world's sole source of jade, a mineral that enhances physical and sensory abilities and has shaped the country's culture, economy, and politics. The narrative centres on the Kaul family, whose personal conflicts become increasingly intertwined with national political consequences as they navigate rivalries and international interests seeking control of the strategic resource.

The series possesses narrative qualities that typically make fantasy literature appealing to television networks. Lee prioritises character development over exposition, providing worldbuilding details only when they matter to the characters' decisions. The protagonist Hilo exemplifies this approach, evolving from someone who acts impulsively into someone burdened by responsibility—a transformation driven by emotional stakes rather than power acquisition alone. This balance between intimate character development and expanding political scope, where personal struggles remain emotionally resonant despite the widening narrative canvas, distinguishes the series from many fantasy adaptations that emphasise spectacle over character growth.