There’s a little used book store close to my house that I often frequent, and for quite some time now a copy of Suzanna Clarke’s Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell has been sitting on one shelf, tempting me buy it. I had no idea what the book about, but the elegant black cover just intrigued me. After seeing this trailer for BBC’s TV series adaptation of the 2004 historical fiction/fantasy novel, I’m definitely going to buy it now though.
Filled with lavish sets, turn of the 19th century costumery and a man creating horses out of sand, this adaptation appears to be a rip-roaring tale of magic rivalry, alternate history and men wearing wigs. Also Marc Warren as a fairy. The always reliable Eddie Marsan stars as Mr Norrell and Bertie Cavell as Strange (not to be confused with the other magic-practicing Strange from Marvel), while all 7 episodes of the mini-series will be directed by Doctor Who and Sherlock veteran Toby Haynes.
Check out the cool trailer below set to the always awesome “In the hall of the mountain king”.
Set at the beginning of the 19th-century, England no longer believes in practical magic. The reclusive Mr Norrell (Eddie Marsan) of Hurtfew Abbey stuns the city of York when he causes the statues of York Cathedral to speak and move. With a little persuasion and help from his man of business Childermass (Enzo Cilenti), he goes to London to help the government in the war against Napoleon. It is there Norrell summons a fairy (Marc Warren) to bring Lady Pole (Alice Englert) back from the dead, opening a whole can of worms…
Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell also stars Alice Englert (Ginger & Rosa, Beautiful Creatures), Marc Warren (Hustle, Mad Dogs, The Musketeers), Samuel West (Mr Selfridge, Fleming), and Charlotte Riley (Wuthering Heights, Easy Virtue). It will air on BBC sometime in May.
Last Updated: April 29, 2015
Decembermaloy
April 29, 2015 at 15:26
Looks flipping excellent. Going to enjoy this and season 2 of Penny Dreadful.