If you read romance novels, you must have read at least one of Katherine Center’s books, and chances are high that that one book would have been The Bodyguard, as it is her most popular work! And now, the novel is being adapted into a movie!
Katherine Center has made a name for herself writing stories that mix humor, vulnerability, and romance in just the right doses. From her earlier works, such as How to Walk Away and Things You Save in a Fire, to her more recent bestselling novels, she writes characters who are funny, wounded, hopeful, and deeply human.
Her 2022 novel, The Bodyguard, debuted on bestseller lists almost immediately after its release. It has been praised for its witty dialogue, laugh-out-loud moments, and a sense of danger, tension, and emotional stakes.
Now, Netflix is adapting The Bodyguard into a romantic comedy film that promises to retain the heart of what makes the book charming, while updating certain elements to make them work on screen.
Katherine Center’s style leans on strong emotional arcs, characters revealing themselves gradually, and romance that builds through misunderstanding, humor, and grown-ups making messy decisions. The Bodyguard captures all of that: a bodyguard-protectee dynamic, fake dating, and stalker danger, but wrapped in rom-com warmth and centered on growth.
As the novel moves closer to production, questions arise: who will play Hannah Brooks and Jack Stapleton? Will the changes (such as setting, tone, and specific plot details) reflect the book or be adjusted for the screen? Let’s find out all the details!
What Will Be the Plot of The Bodyguard Movie?
What makes this novel unique is that the female main character serves as the bodyguard in charge of protecting the male main character, which I find particularly noteworthy. Usually, it’s the other way around, but this dynamic gives a much better reading experience.
In The Bodyguard, Hannah Brooks is an Executive Protection Agent who is assigned to protect Jack Stapleton, a famous movie star being stalked by someone who seems oddly obsessed. Because Jack’s family and public image require privacy, he asks Hannah to take on a personal role, which complicates her professional boundaries.
To help with his protection needs and maintain appearances, Jack convinces Hannah to pretend to be his girlfriend while he returns home for the holidays to his family’s ranch in Montana.
The ruse forces them into close quarters, where family obligations, secrets, and emotional conflict ensue. The pretended romance is just the start; real feelings, vulnerabilities, and danger begin to blur the lines between what is real and what is not.
The book’s story is not simply about “bodyguard saves celeb”—it’s about both characters figuring out who they are, what boundaries they need, and how to trust.
Here’s the official synopsis of the book, in case you haven’t read it yet, and want to know what to expect from the upcoming movie adaptation:
She’s got his back. Hannah Brooks looks more like a kindergarten teacher than somebody who could kill you with a wine bottle opener. Or a ballpoint pen. Or a dinner napkin. But the truth is, she’s an Executive Protection Agent (aka “bodyguard”), and she just got hired to protect superstar actor Jack Stapleton from his middle-aged, corgi-breeding stalker.
He’s got her heart. Jack Stapleton’s a household name—captured by paparazzi on beaches the world over, famous for, among other things, rising out of the waves in all manner of clingy board shorts and glistening like a Roman deity. But a few years back, in the wake of a family tragedy, he dropped from the public eye and went off the grid.
They’ve got a secret. When Jack’s mom gets sick, he goes home to the family’s Texas ranch to help out. Only one catch: He doesn’t want his family to know about his stalker. Or the bodyguard thing. And so Hannah—against her will and her better judgment—finds herself pretending to be Jack’s girlfriend as a cover.
What could possibly go wrong? Hannah hardly believes it herself. But the more time she spends with Jack, the more real it all starts to seem. And there lies the heartbreak because it’s easy for Hannah to protect Jack. But protecting her own, long-neglected heart? That’s the hardest thing she’s ever done.
Casting & Production Updates:
Netflix has officially acquired the rights to The Bodyguard novel by Katherine Center for a movie adaptation. Production is set to begin in December 2025 in Canada, with key filming locations scheduled in Calgary, Alberta, and Vancouver, British Columbia.
Jared Padalecki has been cast as the male lead, Jack Stapleton, and Leighton Meester will play Hannah Brooks, the executive protection agent/bodyguard.
Elizabeth Allen Rosenbaum is directing the movie. The screenplay is being adapted by Grant Scharbo, Richard Keith, and Erin Cardillo. Genevieve Padalecki, Jared Padalecki’s wife, is also listed as a producer.
The setting has shifted somewhat: while the novel is set in Texas, the film version will take place on a family ranch in Montana during the holidays.
The Bodyguard Movie Release Date:
While production is scheduled to begin in December 2025, Netflix has not yet confirmed an official release date for the film adaptation.
Filming in Canada is expected to continue into early 2026, so many anticipate a late-2026 or possibly early-2027 release, depending on post-production schedules.
Should You Read the Book Instead?
If you love rom-coms with emotional depth and well-drawn characters, then yes, you should read The Bodyguard first!
Katherine Center’s prose offers inner monologues, character histories, and stakes that build gradually; some of that nuance may be pared down in the film for pacing or visual storytelling.
Reading now means you’ll appreciate the differences when watching. You’ll see how the film handles setting changes, how it portrays the stalker plot, and how scenes you loved in the book are brought to life visually.
So, grab a copy of the book and read it before the movie adaptation of The Bodyguard is released!
Upcoming Book Adaptations: