Directed by:
Toby HaynesScreenplay:
Peter HarnessComposer:
Benoît CharestCast:
Eddie Marsan, Bertie Carvel, Marc Warren, Charlotte Riley, Ariyon Bakare, Alice Englert, Peter Bowles, Enzo Cilenti, Jason Deline, Richard Durden, Paul Kaye (more)Episodes(7)
Plots(1)
Set in England during the Industrial Revolution at the beginning of the 19th century, the series presents an alternate history where magic is widely acknowledged, but rarely practiced. Living in the rural north, Mr Norrell (Eddie Marsan) of Hurtfew Abbey is able to make the statues of York Cathedral talk and move. His manservant John Childermass (Enzo Cilenti) persuades him to travel to London to help in the war against France. While there, Mr Norrell encounters a leading member of the government and makes magic respectable in the realm when he conjures a fairy to bring the minister's fiancée (Alice Englert) back to life. Meanwhile, also in London, Jonathan Strange (Bertie Carvel) meets Vinculus (Paul Kaye), a magician on Threadneedle Street, while attempting to propose to his love Arabella (Charlotte Riley). Strange is told by Vinculus that he is destined to be a great magician and begins to study magic. (Shock Entertainment)
(more)Reviews of this series by the user Necrotongue (6)
The BBC made me really happy again. I haven't read the book (but I’m going to), so I couldn't compare the result to its source, but I'm absolutely thrilled by what I saw. The story is obviously based on stories from old England, very different from the J.R.R. Tolkien's world. The elves are glorious in both, but here they are extremely dangerous and sneaky, which is fine by me because I like Terry Pratchett and Andrzej Sapkowski better. Marc Warren was an excellent choice for the role of the Elf King, as he was extremely convincing, just like Eddie Marsan as Mr. Norrell. For some reason I was apprehensive about this series, but I got hooked from the very first episode and I really enjoyed it.
()
Chapter One: The Friends of English Magic (2015) (E01)
I wasn’t sure what to expect, but the first episode really impressed me. The mix of mystery, intelligent humor, and drama, all wrapped in a wonderfully eerie atmosphere, was a pleasant surprise. Bertie Carvel fits perfectly as Mr. Norrell, and I was thrilled to see Marc Warren, who was brilliant as Mr. Teatime in Hogfather.
()
Chapter Two: How Is Lady Pole? (2015) (E02)
The second episode was really good, though it didn't have the same element of surprise as the first. I have to admit, the scenes with the Gentleman with the thistle-down-hair are my favorite, and the real-world moments feel a bit distracting in comparison. Marc Warren's storyline reminds me a lot of Terry Pratchett's books about witches battling the elven realm, and I’m all for it.
()
Chapter Five: Arabella (2015) (E05)
I thoroughly enjoyed this episode. The Gentleman was wild and unpredictable, Strange delved into some old magic in Belgium (and it was totally worth it), and the events surrounding Arabella were well-crafted. Childermass also had a surprising moment. Overall, a top-notch episode.
()
Chapter Six: The Black Tower (2015) (E06)
I couldn't help but love this episode. Jonathan Strange had me in stitches — one minute he's contemplating a life in the wild, and the next he's popping up in Venice. Quite the place for a hermitage! The episode delivered plenty of action in the world behind mirrors, a fantastic mouse diet, and lots of intrigue.
()
Chapter Seven: Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell (2015) (E07)
I was worried the finale might deliver a rushed, happy ending, but I was relieved to find my fears were unfounded. The episode was meticulously crafted, taking its time without resorting to a cliched happy ending. Thankfully, this is a British series, not an American one, so I got to enjoy a satisfying conclusion without being overwhelmed by gallons of sentimentality and false happiness.
()