Magicians have become old hat in 1806, the general masses consider that the art no longer has any worth. Mr. Norrell (Eddie Marsan) feels differently. He wants to return magic to the masses and be noted as the man who did so having his endeavours jotted down with the intention of publishing a book. Mr. Norrell is very serious about being taken very seriously and soon makes a name for himself after relocating to London from Yorkshire and has soon convinced the upper classes of his worth after spectacularly bringing back a government minister’s fiancée (Alice Englert) from the dead.
However Mr. Norrell is not the only magician making waves. Young Jonathan Strange (Bertie Carvel) married, charismatic and a more naturally gifted magician is the complete antithesis of Norrell. He becomes the older man’s novice and soon tensions rise between them as the younger magician voices out against the constraints the older man has on ‘old magic’. Elsewhere Paul Kaye’s Vinculus effectively lays out the plot arc in the first couple of episodes as Enzio Cilenti nails the role of Norrell’s manservant John Childermass and Marc Warren steals the show as the deliciously wicked Gentleman with the Thistledown Hair.
Based on Susanna Clark’s acclaimed novel Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell is without doubt the best piece of television this reviewer has seen in years. With just seven episodes in total, each roughly an hour apiece, this adaptation moves at a zip crammed with decent performances that are ably complemented by terrific effects work, costume and production design and the writing (congratulations to Peter Harness on his adaptation).
It’s a rare beast indeed that keeps you hooked and gagging to watch the very next episode straight after the one you’ve just watched. In fact it’s a shame that the series has had to finish at all. Despite praise from the critics this series has failed to find an audience on TV to match its worth. Here’s hoping that this release on DVD and Blu-ray helps readdress that matter and that Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell is embraced and enjoyed by the viewing public that have so far sorely missed out on a treat. This is the sort of magic I expected from the Harry Potter flicks and was sorely left wanting. Give it a whirl and you’ll see what I mean.