The BBC historical drama is based on a bestselling novel and fans are calling it a ‘masterpiece’
Fans of period dramas may well have discovered their next obsession in a new BBC miniseries, which appears tailor-made for admirers of Downton Abbey and Penny Dreadful.
The programme, which originally broadcast in 2015, is now available on Prime Video, with viewers hailing it as a “masterpiece”.
The BBC historical drama is also adapted from an internationally bestselling novel by Piranesi author Susanna Clarke.
It carries an impressive 92% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, precisely matching the score that Downton Abbey holds on the review aggregator site.
The synopsis reads: “In an alternate history, during the time of real life Napoleonic Wars, two men of destiny, the gifted recluse Mr. Norrell and daring spellcasting novice Jonathan Strange, use magic to help England.”
Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell, adapted from Clarke’s debut novel of the same name, features an outstanding British ensemble including Eddie Marsan, Marc Warren, Charlotte Riley and Bertie Carvel.
The costume drama spans just seven episodes, chronicling the “dangerous battle between two great minds”.
Critics greeted it warmly upon release, with Digital Spy lauding it as an ‘epic’ production and the Independent declaring it a ‘real treat’, reports the Express.
On IMDb, viewers labelled the series ‘spellbinding’, with one commenting: “Having anticipated this show for quite some years, I was anxious about what the BBC would make of my favourite book.
“However, I had no need to worry, as they captured the tone of Susanna Clarke’s masterpiece of a novel perfectly: dark and creepy, yet at the same time eerily beautiful.
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“Starts slow, but ultimately becomes a masterpiece,” another wrote, as a third admitted: “This is one of the best series I have seen in a long time.”
One viewer described the programme as ‘outstanding’, adding: “This is BBC drama at its very best and a great showcase for why the licence fee is such good value. The quality of acting is superb with brilliant casting, lighting, costumes and direction.”
Meanwhile, on Rotten Tomatoes, one fan said: “This is an excellent show, everything you can ask for in a well acted, written, and filmed, old English fantasy that you only have to invest in a season for the whole story.”
Another agreed: “Truly original and incredibly well done. Once you get through the first episode you’ll be surprised by the incredible action sequences. Amazing, unexpected.”
Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell is available to stream now on Prime Video.
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