I've done it. I originally gave it a 9, but after tonight's penultimate episode, I HAD to give it a 10.
To put it simply, Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell is a MASTERPIECE.
Having never read the book, and primarily planning to watch it not only because of the trailers, but because I am a huge fan of Marc Warren, I came into the series knowing nothing about it at all. But that didn't matter. I was immediately swept away by the captivating visuals, characterisations filled with emotion and depth and the promise of a magical spectacle that has CERTAINLY been fulfilled!
I literally cannot express my love enough!
Bertie Carvel(Strange) and Eddie Marsan (Norrell) are both incredible actors and lead the drama flawlessly. I swiftly found myself rooting for Strange and against Norrell, becoming extraordinarily emotionally involved in their conflict and also in any tragedies that befall them. Carvel's portrayal of Strange's descent into madness is STUNNING.
Marc Warren is utterly PERFECT as the Gentleman-with-the-Thistledown-Hair; sinister, mischievous, sexy (although that's probably an acquired taste...) and absolutely EVERYTHING that you could want from a villain!
Enzo Cilenti, Charlotte Riley, Ariyon Bakare, Alice Englert, Paul Kaye, Edward Hogg and all of the other actors are fabulous. Just perfect! Special mentions also to Vincent Franklin and John Heffernan as Drawlight and Lascelles. Just some fine, fine work there!
The story is unique and thoroughly intriguing, the concept of faeries and magic in regency England (a time period that I love) creating such a wonderful aesthetic! The land of Lost-Hope is exquisitely designed! I have been also very impressed with the CGI- normally, the BBC aren't best known for their work in this field, but this was marvellous to watch (especially the sand horses and the hand reaching up from the mud at Waterloo)!
Ultimately, I would HIGHLY recommend this to anyone who loves period drama, or magic, or both! It is a perfect example of how television SHOULD be made- stirring and exciting, full of suspense, with absolutely nothing else like it!
If only there was a sequel to the book, so a second series could be made!
To put it simply, Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell is a MASTERPIECE.
Having never read the book, and primarily planning to watch it not only because of the trailers, but because I am a huge fan of Marc Warren, I came into the series knowing nothing about it at all. But that didn't matter. I was immediately swept away by the captivating visuals, characterisations filled with emotion and depth and the promise of a magical spectacle that has CERTAINLY been fulfilled!
I literally cannot express my love enough!
Bertie Carvel(Strange) and Eddie Marsan (Norrell) are both incredible actors and lead the drama flawlessly. I swiftly found myself rooting for Strange and against Norrell, becoming extraordinarily emotionally involved in their conflict and also in any tragedies that befall them. Carvel's portrayal of Strange's descent into madness is STUNNING.
Marc Warren is utterly PERFECT as the Gentleman-with-the-Thistledown-Hair; sinister, mischievous, sexy (although that's probably an acquired taste...) and absolutely EVERYTHING that you could want from a villain!
Enzo Cilenti, Charlotte Riley, Ariyon Bakare, Alice Englert, Paul Kaye, Edward Hogg and all of the other actors are fabulous. Just perfect! Special mentions also to Vincent Franklin and John Heffernan as Drawlight and Lascelles. Just some fine, fine work there!
The story is unique and thoroughly intriguing, the concept of faeries and magic in regency England (a time period that I love) creating such a wonderful aesthetic! The land of Lost-Hope is exquisitely designed! I have been also very impressed with the CGI- normally, the BBC aren't best known for their work in this field, but this was marvellous to watch (especially the sand horses and the hand reaching up from the mud at Waterloo)!
Ultimately, I would HIGHLY recommend this to anyone who loves period drama, or magic, or both! It is a perfect example of how television SHOULD be made- stirring and exciting, full of suspense, with absolutely nothing else like it!
If only there was a sequel to the book, so a second series could be made!