A seven-episode BBC fantasy miniseries is a masterclass in historical storytelling — the show is so good thatGame of Thrones mastermind George R.R. Martin even recommended it. British TV excels at producing well-paced, deep, compelling stories in just a handful of episodes, especially historical fiction. The BBC, in particular, has an incredible catalog of historical miniseries, including 1976’s I, Claudius, 1985’sBleak House, 1995’s Pride and Prejudice, 2004’s North & South, the 2016 version of War & Peace, and more.
One of the best BBC miniseries combines Jane Austen’s relatable, character-driven storytelling, War & Peace‘s war-torn setting, the haunting atmosphere of the most enduring gothic novels, and an incredibly intriguing magic system into one sharp, (re)watchable and inventive seven-episode series. Based on Susanna Clarke’s 800-page debut masterpiece, Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrellis the ultimate historical fantasy series, a prime example of combining different genres while telling an engaging, thoughtful story about the dangers of ambition, the destructive power of fear and jealousy, and the overwhelming burden of grief.
In a 2016 LiveJournal blog post, George R.R. Martin wrote, “I loved the book and I loved the adaptation”; he’d watched the BBC’s adaptation of Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrellbefore he read Susanna Clarke’s novel. As a self-proclaimed history buff and celebrated novelist, Martin’s endorsement holds weight. Set at the start of the 19th century during the Napoleonic Wars, when magic has become all but extinct, the show follows two practical magicians destined to become rivals: the introverted, analytical, middle-aged Mr. Norrell (Eddie Marsan) and the outgoing, naturally gifted, younger Jonathan Strange (Bertie Carvel).
Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell Is The Perfect Blend Of Fantasy & History
Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrellis the perfect blend of alternate history and fantasy; despite a 2010s BBC TV budget, the show is a rich costume drama, a war piece, and a magical adventure all in one. Mr. Norrell fights for outdated ideals of “respectability” in England while courting rich politicians and making dangerous deals with wild magic fairies. The dead and the living become trapped in an eerie, otherworldly ballroom extravaganza. Strange even travels the continent during the war, reanimating fallen soldiers and conjuring massive horses from sand to destroy the enemy’s ships.
The show has several layers, mixing different kinds of historical dramas into one endlessly entertaining, bingeable adventure. It’s Jane Austen meets Charles Dickens meets Edgar Allan Poe meetsA Wizard of Earthsea and Harry Potter, yet it never feels contrived or overstuffed. Regency politics, social customs, and Britain’s military history are as important as its epic magical spells and the growing animosity between Strange and Norrell. It’s the perfect “what if?” alternate history, a genuine and believable examination of what might have been if magic had been real during this period.
Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell Is The Ultimate Fantasy Miniseries
Translating Susanna Clarke’s epic, footnote-filled debut for a different medium couldn’t have been easy. In fact, before the show made it to the BBC, two celebrated screenwriters tried to envision it as a movie for New Line Cinema, which had paid a massive seven figures for the option. Downton Abbey‘s Julian Fellowes eventually replaced Dangerous Liaisons’ Christopher Hampton, though neither could apparently make it work in a shorter runtime. When New Line eventually succumbed to financial difficulty, the show moved to the BBC as a miniseries, led byYoung Sherlockwriter Peter Harness and Andor director Toby Haynes.
Watching Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell now, it’s hard to imagine someone ever even attempting to condense everything into a two-hour feature film. The story would have suffered greatly. The slow build-up of jealousy and hatred between Strange and Norrell is key to its success. The mystery of the show’s antagonist, Marc Warren’s Gentleman with the Thistledown Hair, needs time to develop. Strange’s magical journey takes him all across Europe. There’s an entire extradimensional world. It’s almost as epic in scope as Game of Thrones or The Lord of the Rings.
When Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell premiered in 2015, Haynes told The Guardian that the series was originally only supposed to be six episodes, but they soon realized they’d need seven. The BBC didn’t give them the budget for an extra episode, though, and the result is still one of the most mesmerizing and gorgeous fantasy costume dramas in recent memory. At seven episodes and nearly seven hours, Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell is a perfect weekend binge, an incredible story of magic and history with a firm beginning, middle, and end.
All episodes of Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell are streaming on Prime Video in the US.
TV-14
DramaFantasy
Release Date
2015 – 2015-00-00
Network
BBC One
Directors
Toby Haynes
Writers
Peter Harness
Bertie Carvel
Jonathan Strange
Eddie Marsan
Mr Norrell
