Rufus Sewell vowed to give up playing bad guys and cads, then found himself out of work for months. So now he's back – in Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter – as a 5,000-year-old bloodsucker
Three years ago, Rufus Sewell gave up bad guys for good. After an early career steaming up teatimes in Middlemarch and Cold Comfort Farm, he slipped, in his 30s, into a rut of rotters – cruel toffs on horseback in films such as A Knight's Tale, The Legend of Zorro and Tristan and Isolde. At 40, he renounced them for better men. Men with names like Tom Builder (from HBO's The Pillars of the Earth) and Dr Jacob Hood (police procedural Eleventh Hour), and Zen, the cool Italian detective from the Michael Dibdin books adapted for the BBC.
Next week Sewell, now 44, can be seen as "Adam, lead vampire" in Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, a 3D film from Timur Bekmambetov,...
Three years ago, Rufus Sewell gave up bad guys for good. After an early career steaming up teatimes in Middlemarch and Cold Comfort Farm, he slipped, in his 30s, into a rut of rotters – cruel toffs on horseback in films such as A Knight's Tale, The Legend of Zorro and Tristan and Isolde. At 40, he renounced them for better men. Men with names like Tom Builder (from HBO's The Pillars of the Earth) and Dr Jacob Hood (police procedural Eleventh Hour), and Zen, the cool Italian detective from the Michael Dibdin books adapted for the BBC.
Next week Sewell, now 44, can be seen as "Adam, lead vampire" in Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, a 3D film from Timur Bekmambetov,...
- 6/15/2012
- by Catherine Shoard
- The Guardian - Film News
In the past few years, I have fallen in love with BBC programming. Doctor Who and Being Human have remained consistently good, and new shows like Sherlock and Jekyll have continued that tradition of excellence. Now, BBC has taken on Michael Dibdin's Aurelio Zen series, adapting Ratking, Vendetta, and Cabal into a 3-episode mini-series. Did the series live up to the impossibly high standard set by the BBC? BBC's Zen might have gotten off to a slow start, but ultimately the show succeeds thanks to Rufus Sewell's outstanding performance, his sizzling chemistry with Caterina Murino, and some very clever plot twists.
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- 8/22/2011
- by Rachel Kolb
- JustPressPlay.net
Chicago – Stylish, sexy, and smart, “Zen” is a treat for international mystery lovers, seen recently on PBS stateside and now available on DVD and a stunningly-transferred two-disc Blu-ray. Starring Rufus Sewell and Caterina Murino, the release includes three feature-length mysteries — “Vendetta,” “Cabal,” and “Ratking” — all based on Michael Dibdin novels. While the BBC canceled the show (despite strong ratings) due to a reported glut of male crimefighters in the country’s TV (if only more American producers felt that way), “Zen” stands out from the crowd.
Blu-Ray Rating: 4.0/5.0
Detective Aurelio Zen (Rufus Sewell of “Dark City”) is a smooth character, the kind of upstanding mystery man who gets the criminal, the girl, and a new suit all in a day’s work. To be fair, Sewell adds a nice layer of realism and anxiety to the character, not giving in to the beautiful people in a beautiful setting aesthetic that...
Blu-Ray Rating: 4.0/5.0
Detective Aurelio Zen (Rufus Sewell of “Dark City”) is a smooth character, the kind of upstanding mystery man who gets the criminal, the girl, and a new suit all in a day’s work. To be fair, Sewell adds a nice layer of realism and anxiety to the character, not giving in to the beautiful people in a beautiful setting aesthetic that...
- 8/4/2011
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
.What kind of a name is Zen?. .It.s Venetian.. Italian police detective Aurelio Zen (Rufus Sewell) joins the ranks of beloved sleuths whose adventures were first enjoyed in print and have been adapted for television or films. Based on the novels by Michael Dibdin, Zen is one part James Bond and three parts just regular guy trying to do his job, but always with .a reputation for integrity.. The series unfortunately has been cancelled, but fans and newcomers who appreciate a well written and artfully portrayed drama will want to add this to their collections. Set in Rome, Zen is not a travelogue type series, but is focused on the methods and style of Italian police work...
- 8/2/2011
- by June L.
- Monsters and Critics
There's a flashy new interloper in the domain of Hercule Poirot and Endeavour Morse.
Italian detective Aurelio Zen makes his debut in the PBS "Masterpiece Mystery!" series "Zen" Sunday night, July 17. Played by English actor Rufus Sewell ("Middlemarch," "Pillars of the Earth"), Zen is not your average PBS crime-solver. He looks more like James Bond than Poirot -- darkly handsome in Italian-cut suits, easy on the eyes in a sensual, unself-conscious way. He fits into the beautiful Roman scenery as comfortably as a Michelangelo statue.
Not that we haven't seen our share of charming and attractive lawmen in the "Mystery!" franchise. Inspector Morse (the late John Thaw) was the mature thinking-woman's crush, with his literary bent and love of opera and crossword puzzles. In a similar vein was Commander Adam Dalgleish (Roy Marsden, Martin Shaw), a widower-poet with a lonely, cerebral intensity.
For those who liked their police officers exceedingly well-bred,...
Italian detective Aurelio Zen makes his debut in the PBS "Masterpiece Mystery!" series "Zen" Sunday night, July 17. Played by English actor Rufus Sewell ("Middlemarch," "Pillars of the Earth"), Zen is not your average PBS crime-solver. He looks more like James Bond than Poirot -- darkly handsome in Italian-cut suits, easy on the eyes in a sensual, unself-conscious way. He fits into the beautiful Roman scenery as comfortably as a Michelangelo statue.
Not that we haven't seen our share of charming and attractive lawmen in the "Mystery!" franchise. Inspector Morse (the late John Thaw) was the mature thinking-woman's crush, with his literary bent and love of opera and crossword puzzles. In a similar vein was Commander Adam Dalgleish (Roy Marsden, Martin Shaw), a widower-poet with a lonely, cerebral intensity.
For those who liked their police officers exceedingly well-bred,...
- 7/15/2011
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Zap2It - From Inside the Box
"Was there ever a series so boring as 'Zen'?" (Caspar Salmon)
Oh come on! Look at this man--he hasn't a boring bone in his body (me):
I can't say that I blame Caspar for trying to throw us off by pretending that Sewell could ever be boring, but sorry chappie, we're not going to fall for your little attempt at diversion.
It's not as if we don't have enough to watch on Sunday nights already ("Breaking Bad, True Blood, Curb Your Enthusiasm"), but the lure of Sewell starring as a detective in Rome is just too great to pass by. PBS's Masterpiece Mystery, "Zen" will play similarly to "Sherlock," with three episodes corresponding to Michael Dibdin's popular Aurelio Zen crime novels. The stories follow good cop, Zen, as he takes on criminals both within and outside his own department. Series developer, Andy Harries, speaks to "Zen...
Oh come on! Look at this man--he hasn't a boring bone in his body (me):
I can't say that I blame Caspar for trying to throw us off by pretending that Sewell could ever be boring, but sorry chappie, we're not going to fall for your little attempt at diversion.
It's not as if we don't have enough to watch on Sunday nights already ("Breaking Bad, True Blood, Curb Your Enthusiasm"), but the lure of Sewell starring as a detective in Rome is just too great to pass by. PBS's Masterpiece Mystery, "Zen" will play similarly to "Sherlock," with three episodes corresponding to Michael Dibdin's popular Aurelio Zen crime novels. The stories follow good cop, Zen, as he takes on criminals both within and outside his own department. Series developer, Andy Harries, speaks to "Zen...
- 7/13/2011
- by Cindy Davis
The executive producer of Zen has claimed that Rufus Sewell is "perfect" in the title role. The actor currently stars as Italian detective Aurelio Zen in the BBC's adaptation of Michael Dibdin's novels. "I didn't know [Rufus] personally but I've always loved his work," Andy Harries wrote on the BBC TV blog. "He's very handsome, and rather hip, and has great range as an actor." He added: "He also has tremendous warmth and humour and brings these great qualities to the role of Aurelio. He just seemed perfect in every (more)...
- 1/13/2011
- by By Morgan Jeffery
- Digital Spy
There are so many regional detectives cluttering up British television that executives have started to look abroad for inspiration. But why bother importing a foreign series and subtitling it (as BBC4 did with French crime drama Spiral) when you can simply film British actors overseas, pretending to be foreigners. First out of the gate was an English-language remake of Wallander, where Kenneth Branagh played a dour Swedish detective in a country suddenly populated by “Brits”, and now it’s the turn of late author Michael Dibden‘s Italian detective Aurelio Zen, played by the smouldering Rufus Sewell. The benefit is we get detective shows crammed with exotic scenery, with a cultural backdrop that’s unfamiliar and thus fascinating to explore. On the downside, it might take some people awhile to adjust to seeing Italians played by people who sound like they’re from the home counties, but I found myself...
- 1/3/2011
- by Dan Owen
- Obsessed with Film
Rufus Sewell has revealed details of upcoming BBC detective drama Zen. The actor told TV Choice that he had enjoyed the balance of light and dark elements in the adaptation of Michael Dibdin's Aurelio Zen novels. "What's interesting about the books Zen is based on is that they vary in tone," he explained. "A lot of it is funny and a lot is dark. For me, it had the right outlook. My character... is not on top of the world, he's not a corridor-striding winner and that made it something I knew I'd have fun playing." Sewell also (more)...
- 12/30/2010
- by By Morgan Jeffery
- Digital Spy
Rufus Sewell has signed up to star as Aurelio Zen in a new BBC drama. The Eleventh Hour actor will play the fictional detective across three feature-length dramas which will transmit on BBC One. Set in and around Rome, and based on the best-selling series of novels by the late Michael Dibdin, Zen will start shooting in Italy in Spring 2010. "Rufus Sewell will bring passion and intrigue to BBC One as Italian (more)...
- 2/19/2010
- by By Dan French
- Digital Spy
by Alan Kistler
The new film "Sherlock Holmes," starring Robert Downey, Jr. and Jude Law, has been entertaining many. And today, January 6th, is Holmes' actual birthday (as established in the original books).
Even after his creator Sir Arthur Conan Doyle stopped writing fiction, Sherlock Holmes continued to appear in new stories for several decades, in all sorts of media. And sometimes he's been teamed up with other famous characters, fictional creations with their own worlds and fans. Here are some of the wilder crossovers featuring England's greatest detective.
Sherlock Holmes v. Dracula
The title may seem silly, but "Sherlock Holmes Vs Dracula" by Loren D. Estleman is a fantastic story that takes place parallel to the original "Dracula" novel by Bram Stoker. Remember how Stoker's book was made up of journal entries, letters and newspaper articles? Here, we see Holmes and Watson investigating those same news stories, leading them...
The new film "Sherlock Holmes," starring Robert Downey, Jr. and Jude Law, has been entertaining many. And today, January 6th, is Holmes' actual birthday (as established in the original books).
Even after his creator Sir Arthur Conan Doyle stopped writing fiction, Sherlock Holmes continued to appear in new stories for several decades, in all sorts of media. And sometimes he's been teamed up with other famous characters, fictional creations with their own worlds and fans. Here are some of the wilder crossovers featuring England's greatest detective.
Sherlock Holmes v. Dracula
The title may seem silly, but "Sherlock Holmes Vs Dracula" by Loren D. Estleman is a fantastic story that takes place parallel to the original "Dracula" novel by Bram Stoker. Remember how Stoker's book was made up of journal entries, letters and newspaper articles? Here, we see Holmes and Watson investigating those same news stories, leading them...
- 1/6/2010
- by MTV Movies Team
- MTV Movies Blog
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