dlxmarshall

Redmayne is a perfect choice. At least if you wish to give homage to the original film. I have read the novel but too long ago to reference that meaningfully. I won't reference the Bruce Willis version (nothing against it, it went a different route). This series is at times a little lax in terms of plausibiliy but that's not really a deal breaker in terms of the subject matter. The main issue is choice of lead actress. I understand the need for making sure that all bases covered from DEI perspective but surely someone better could have been found for the role of lead actress? I am not saying she is not capable of being fantastic in other roles, but this one, no. Of course the script and direction (in particular the heavy handed need to drive home the parallels/juxtaposition with the main role) will have played a part but it let down the whole thing. Had they got a decent or appropriate actress for the role this would have been a nine or more. Only other criticism is the soundtrack. Sometimes it works but mostly not and the Bond-esque opening sequence is irritating. Get a Tarantino disciple on the next series (with attendant cash). Overall, if you can overlook the main actress, a really great and enjoyable series.

Shame, could have been fun in a camp League of Extraordinary Gentlemen way but decided that pushing a somewhat tired anti-English trope even down to the bad teeth stereotype (never mind that the British empire was wholeheartedly English, Scottish, Welsh and until the 1920s, Irish (sorry Ireland for the record generally)) and, as another reviewer has quite rightly pointed out, most of their overseas troops where from the relevant country (it being a huge game of bluff if you will) and having the comical effect of everyone bad being white and male and everyone good being either female or of colour (all with good teeth regardless of background of course) means that it cuts across what could have been a fun show. Imagine it will do well with tweens and teens (nothing wrong with that of course).

First, superb acting by Ruth Wilson. She is simply excellent at encapsulating Emily Maitlis. She is both painfully arrogant and self serving and seemingly naïve without regard for her own family but laterly some regard for the daughters of the villain of the piece. Sheen is fine. I haven't watched enough footage of Andrew to say whether it is accurate. The story is almost sympathetic to him but perhaps that is as a result of the depiction of Maitlis as being so awful. He supporting cast are good (again no idea as to accuracy) and it is an engaging watch unlike (solely in my opinion) Scoop where the actors seemed more intent on forcing their own imprint (fair enough, not everything must be trying to adhere to realism). I liked the invisible but omnipotent hand of the queen and her influence via supplicants in the storyline. Essentially I enjoyed it and was supremely impressed with Ruth Wilson. She was simply incredible.