Fans of period dramas may well have discovered their next obsession.
A BBC miniseries that looks perfect for lovers of Downton Abbey or Penny Dreadful is currently available to stream. The show, which originally aired in 2015, is now on Prime Video and viewers are hailing it as a “masterpiece”.
The BBC historical drama is also adapted from an internationally bestselling novel by Piranesi author Susanna Clarke.
It boasts an impressive 92% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes — precisely the same score as Downton Abbey 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.”
View 3 ImagesJonathan Strange and Mr Norrell is on Prime Video(Image: BBC)
Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell, adapted from Clarke’s debut novel of the same name, features a stellar British cast including Eddie Marsan, Marc Warren, Charlotte Riley and Bertie Carvel, reports the Express.
The costume drama spans just seven episodes, charting the “dangerous battle between two great minds”.
It was met with glowing reviews upon release, with Digital Spy labelling it an ‘epic’ drama and the Independent declaring it a ‘real treat’.
Over on IMDb, viewers described the series as ‘spellbinding’, with one writing: “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.
View 3 ImagesJonathan Strange and Mr Norrell is over 10 years old(Image: BBC)
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“Starts slow, but ultimately becomes a masterpiece,” another posted, while a third confessed: “This is one of the best series I have seen in a long time.”
Another viewer described the programme as ‘outstanding’, remarking: “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.”
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Meanwhile, over on Rotten Tomatoes, one enthusiast declared: “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 concurred: “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 currently available to stream on Prime Video.