Jamestown

If you expect a factual, realistic and historically based drama, this is not the show for you. If you are looking for simple entertainment value and not having to think too hard, this show does pretty good. The characters are good if a little caricatural with the obviously good and honourable James Read, the nasty greedy Governor Yardley and the scheming and sneaky Widow Castel. There is a hint of depth to them but nothing that will make you wonder very much. Yet you start to like some of them and hope they'll prevail.

As stories go this was very well written and the acting was exemplary. Once again however we are reminded of why we should not learn our history from Hollywood. As far as to history this show is extremely inaccurate. Only one of the characters (James Reed) was actually on the censor from Jamestown at the dates listed. Jamestown was founded by the London Company not the Virginia Company as the show narrates. It was originally known as James Fort during the time this show takes place. Life in Jamestown was also a lot harder than shown in the show with almost 80% of the inhabitants dying from starvation, dysentery, or disease over the first three decades of the colonies formation with the colony actually being abandoned twice, the second time after the colony was burnt to the ground. None of this is mentioned in the show.

I thought, "oooh, from the producers of Downtown Abbey, that bodes well." I quickly decided that the producers should have stayed in the 19th - early 20th centuries, and across the pond. There's only so much suspension of disbelief one can expect from a viewer, and this is Historical Fiction not SciFi/Fantasy.

Examples: There was no gold in or anywhere near colonial Jamestown. Wolves do not spontaneously attack humans. Clothes do not walk themselves magically clean after a struggle in a swamp. In a society where men are so terribly starved for women, how is it there's a handy ladies' maid waiting patiently for an imported mistress to serve? No idiot would publicly admit that he cheats at dice in a culture that hangs thieves. And another reviewer mentioned the nagging detail about an ocean-going vessel docking in obviously shallow water at a small upriver pier. Even the music sounds unoriginal--I swear it's recycled from the show, Hell on Wheels.

I sincerely hope they get a script writer who has read some history. The cast deserves it. (And note to the reviewer who complained about the bleached blonde: that actress is actually blonde. It's the red head who was dyed for the part.)

I thought the acting was very good and the characters worthy, but right from the beginning the script was lacking and you notice things are off. Coming out of the water or the woods and the character is spiffy clean? the clothes are not perfectly period, though that won't bother many, the ship mooring as some others have mentioned, and honestly, a gay man wearing an earring in the open, in such a tough society? he'd have been flogged and tossed off the ship before it even landed. I found too many things that were not believable and a script lacking. Too bad because I love period drama's.

Am now halfway through box set of Series 2 on NowTV and loving every minute of it! I am addicted to historical drama / fiction but if you are expecting much accuracy in 'Jamestown' then forget it. The acting quality ranges from excellent to poor but any shortcomings are compensated for by the attractive ensemble cast and lush photography that makes full use of the stunning scenery - this show is beautiful to look at. It's very easy to become totally involved in the life of the characters as this is purely and simply a soap opera in fancy dress. Don't bother to analyse - switch off your brain for 50 minutes sit back and enjoy!