Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell (2015) User Reviews (74)

Truly Spellbinding

[askingalexandriawolf · 9/10 · 28 June 2015]

Jonathon Strange and Mr Norrell is a slightly glum, complex but ultimately intriguing drama about two magicians attempting to return magic to England. The plot itself is unpredictable with many compelling twists which result in massive impacts on each of the characters. Although, it can be rather confusing for me at times.

Speaking of the characters, they are superbly cast and believable. Bertie Carvel is excellent as the mysterious Jonathon Strange, Eddie Marsan fits the role of the reclusive Mr Norrell perfectly, and Marc Warren is exceptional as the malicious Gentleman. The other actors including Charlotte Riley, Alice Englert and Ariyon Bakare also give commendable performances.

The visuals are stunning and clearly the creators put a lot of money and effort into making them seem as realistic and jaw-dropping as possible. From the swarm of agitated ravens to the voluminous black tornado formed by Mr Strange himself, there is nothing to fault.

Overall, Jonathon Strange and Mr Norrell is an exquisite series which I'm sure admirers of the book will adore. As for those individuals who have not read the book, (such as myself) this is a fresh, thrilling and mesmerising story which will capture the imagination of all ages.

Great fun

[bogus-bogus-one · 9/10 · 31 May 2015]

After the first two episodes I'm hooked! The first episode started out a little slow, developing the characters and establishing the plot. I was sufficiently entertained and interested so that I watched the second episode. By the mid-point of the second episode the pace of the story quickly picked. The main characters feel real, as people, colleagues and competitors. The magic seems natural too. I found it very entertaining without being forced or too fantastic. The acting, costumes, locations, photography and CGI all are first class. I can't wait for the rest of the series and I will probably get the book too. I would consider this much more adult and better than the Harry Potter franchise. Which makes me wonder if we'll hear objections from religious conservatives? There's a lot of magic here but it's such lighthearted fun, I think it will be a shame if people miss this one.

Unique and Enthralling

[fatfil-414-451797 · 8/10 · 10 July 2015]

It is very difficult to sum up of even describe Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell without it sounding lame, which it most certainly isn't. I was unsure what to expect from the title and few screen shots I had seen. There was no promotion for it at all in Australia, as it has yet to be screened here on terrestrial TV. I wasn't sure whether to expect a comedy, a drama, or fantasy. In the end I got all three in some measure, and more. Set in the early 1800's, magic is known of, but rarely practiced in England, that is until a long time practitioner Mr Norrell arrives on the scene to try and bring credibility to real magic. Jonathan strange emerges around the same time, as a newly fledged Magician, and the two inevitably meet. I'll give away no more of the story, but it is written in such away that makes the occurrence of actual magic in the early 19th century believable, as it is accepted as fact by the general public. The weaving of the story with historical events and excellent acting throughout just sucks in those viewers who are willing to suspend their belief and enjoy the ride. Highly recommended, but you have to accept the premise to fully enjoy.

Excceeded My Expectations

[jarcheese2012 · 10/10 · 18 May 2015]

About seven years ago I had to work away from home for three weeks, so I needed a decent book to read. I decided on Susanna Clarke's massive, doorstop of a novel Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell. It was recommended with a glowing review by Neil Gaiman and that was a good enough recommendation for me. At over a thousand pages I thought that it would keep me company for the entire three weeks and more. After ten days I needed to find another book. It was the first book in years that I had been totally engrossed in and also one which has stayed with me for much longer than the ten days it took me to read it. I have championed this book wherever I've lived and it is certainly one of the top five books I've ever read. I'm not a huge fan of fantasy literature, finding most of it turgid and unreadable, but because Susanna Clarke grounds her fantasy firmly in its own reality it was totally original and unique, like nothing I'd ever read before or since, and so when I heard that it was being adapted for television I was at first excited then worried that they would mess it up. After watching the first episode I can now say that not only did the BBC NOT mess it up but it exceeded my expectations. It was brilliantly designed, capturing the the flavour of the book's feel and it was superbly cast - Eddie Marsan is good in anything he's in, and he perfectly captures Norrell's isolationist magician. Bertie Carvel, who I've never heard of, was the flibbertigibbet Jonathan Strange I imagined from the book and Marc Warren was suitably sinister as the Gentleman with the Thistledown Hair. A great start to a series that is going to get weirder and weirder as it goes on, if it continues to follow the book. Marvellous.

Outstanding, wonderful piece of work

[dookie_t · 10/10 · 8 June 2015]

Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell is set in the early 1800s, in a universe where historical events somewhat match our own but with the added dimension of magic, real magic which once ran rampant in ancient England. The only problem in the 19th century English magic is very much dead, that is until Mr Norrell appears.

This kind of fantasy is a fusion old folk tales such as the Grim brothers or fairy folklore set in a beautiful period drama, I love it.

If you cannot grasp this concept perhaps the fantastical isn't for you and it pains me to see people calling it an adult Harry Potter (not that I have anything against HP), as it shows what an utter lack of understanding and knowledge some viewers have. I have rarely ever come across an adapted show or film that captured so much of the original book and carried out with such care to detail and casting. The actors are are all outstanding, the storyline slowly reels you in and it looks beautiful too. I cannot praise this show enough.

Outstanding

[linnet100 · 10/10 · 19 May 2015]

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. Hats off to Peter Harness, Nick Hirschkorn and Toby Haynes for writing, producing and directing respectively such a complex book into television drama of the highest quality. Those who have read the complex and sonorous book will be aware of the feat this adaptation has required. This production oozes class and looks set to grip viewers under its spell.

And all this without a single shirt needing to be torn off. At least, thus far.

Spectacular book, good television

[LauraAnnG · 21 June 2015]

The book won the Hugo and was nominated for the Nebula, which is why I decided to read it. It is an awesome if extremely challenging read. It took me several passes before I was able to get into the meandering story and actually finish it. But, hey, it took the author a decade to write! Who am I to complain? One of the reasons the book is so challenging, if not off-putting, is its style. It is written in the venerable style of the great 19th century British authors, so if you hated reading Jane Austin in high school, you probably won't like this book, and you may not like the show.

For many reasons, I didn't expect the television show to be an easy, far less effortless, thing to watch. And it isn't. I can't quite imagine what it would be like to come into it without the benefit of having read the book. But I'm sure many have. Like the book, I think you need to be in a certain "suspend disbelief and be patient" mindset.

On the other hand, in the last decade since it was published, we've all gotten use to alternative histories, haven't we, with "Merlin" and "Atlantis" and "Dracula" -- the list goes on and on. The Brits do these exceedingly well. From that early and rather silly "Robin Hood" up to the present with "The Musketeers" (the latter sharing an actor with this show) these series are nothing but improving. The genre is getting perfected. We've grown accustomed to the idea of alternative histories.

And a retelling of the Napoleonic wars is basically what the story is about. It is an alternative history about a time that (to be honest) I'm not very interested in. But I am interested in fiction about magic -- from Butcher's Dresden books to the Neal Stephenson mystical masterpieces, and so this is right up my alley. I like the show, having watched the first two episodes. It is gearing up to do what the books do so brilliantly -- which is allow you to get lost in this strange universe where nothing is as you expect it or remember it, and where these two very odd (and very different) men partake in a very strange dance.

I'm impressed, actually, that someone even tried to put the book to film. One might wonder if a story about friendship and insanity would translate well, but with the wonderful actors and the fantastic writing, I am looking forward to see how this all shakes out. The story, if it follows the book, will just keep getting weirder and weirder.

Starts slow, but ultimately becomes a masterpiece.

[Kareneo · 10/10 · 28 June 2015]

After watching the first episode and wondering if the series was a little bit dry and a shade too dull for me, I had a feeling that it might just be taking it's time and laying a good foundation for what was to come, and I am so glad I stayed with it, because in episode two, Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell starts to reveal just how deep and interesting the story is to become. By the end of the third episode I was beside myself with excitement to see the next one - so deeply drawn into it's weirdly wonderful atmosphere! The actors here are first class, and all of them really know how to 'sell' a scene! I don't think this amazing story could have come to life quite so well and in such completeness if it weren't for the commitment of these incredible actors to the material. I am amazed that TV can still knock my socks off once in a while! Well done to all involved, I can't wait to get the set! SO much love for this show.

Intelligent & Magical

[ais-chuahiock · 8/10 · 22 June 2015]

It's very seldom we get shows that have a body of beauty and intelligence in them. Most of TV today is quick gratification, recycled imagery, and predictable turn of events. Strange & Norrel is like reading a Dickens novel... slow romantic build-up with thorough insight to its characters. It's not a show for everyone but for people who enjoy investing time on a good universe, this is it. I read the book a decade ago probably... and loved it. It's a joy to see it on screen, portrayed by the right actors. If you're looking for Harry Potter-esque or LOTR-esque magic, then this is NOT a show for you. But please do try watching Strange & Norrel, it will broaden your magical imagination to a more mature perspective ;)

Mr. Charles Dickens, may I introduce to you Mrs. Jane Austin

[thejobtime · 10/10 · 3 June 2015]

I was mesmerized by, and highly enjoyed, the snarky quality of Strange and Norell. Totally believable characters are developed within the context of an "alternate history" whereby magic, long dormant in England resurfaces in time to the first Napoleonic war. In this way, magic meets becomes tested in the "Sense and Sensibility" of that era.

The dialog and acting lends credibility to what would be unbelievable as we are challenged to think of magic in the gentile society of a previous era.

"This is most frustrating, I am of the opinion that a Gentlemen's dreams are of his own concern!"

"We should do all our power in time of war to make sure that English magic remains respectable."

"Mr. Honeyfoot, to think this house was built with stones from the Raven King himself."

Folks looking for "Harry Potter" won't find anything here, and they will think that Strange and Norrell is just too confusing!

Pretty good adaptation of a terrific novel

[cherold · 7/10 · 15 August 2015]

I read Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell about a year ago, which helped a lot in terms of following the story. My girlfriend, who read the book many years ago, found it more confusing.

The book is terrific, wonderfully combining history and fiction, and the author had a wonderful ear for writing of the time.

The movie generally tells the story well, but it can be episodic and at times truncates elements in a way that makes them seem almost extraneous.

The actors are quite good, particularly Marc Warren as "The Gentleman" and Ariyon Bakare as Stephen Black.

While it's all pretty good, the series never quite grabbed me as the book had. There is something a little murky about it all, both in the lighting and in the story. I would have liked it more if it had shown the meticulousness you get in series like Downton Abbey, but the series never quite felt like history and I wish it had.

I enjoyed it, but I didn't love it.

The have pitched this one perfectly

[Mr_Goose · 9/10 · 18 May 2015]

Of course when you have read the book, a television adaptation often disappoints. However, this is pitch-perfect. Tone, production and (above all acting) is bang-on.

This has all the qualities of a premium BBC costume drama title, but with the tongue in cheek, almost Blackadder style fantasy. Of course, the end of the first episode hints at the far darker turns ahead in the source material.

Like Mad Men, Game of Thrones and Chucklevision, this is what quality TV should be. My only concern is that the original source is not a doorstop of a novel and that the producers might be tempted to pad out some of the mid-section of the story.

Finally for those with an interest in script writing - even if you don't like this type of fiction, this is a absolute masterclass in adaptation.

Could Have Been Great But Isn't

[charles-limcw · 7/10 · 19 June 2020]

Good acting, captivating sets and cinematography. Unfortunately the sly magical promise of mystery and rivalry amongst wizards it suggests in the beginning never materialises and just wander around unsure of itself.

Scenes n scripting are disjointed, pacing is inconsistent, relationships and tensions between characters flips about and don't build properly, dialogue is often not focussed enough to provide clarity of flow and interest. The 'magic' is way over the top and jars badly with the underwhelming pooh-pooh reactions of all the witnessing characters who doesn't seem to care two hoots apart from the mundane. In one scene characters may scream grandiosity and immediately in the next they become silly and petty.

Many pretty interesting bits, but as a whole ... simply doesn't gel.... just feels flat and underwhelming.

Really could have been great but .... 😔

Personally, somewhat disappointed

[paulob160 · 5/10 · 16 July 2015]

The BBC made a big thing of trailing this show, so I thought it was reasonable to expect something a bit special. The book is one of my favourites, must have read it 10+ times, once or twice back-to-back. I suppose knowing the story so well I expected most or all of the detail and complexity to show up on screen. But it didn't. Some of the BBC's contractions were just crass and diminished the impact and importance of the event in the storyline. Still, the cast was pretty good...potentially. But not even a fine actor like Eddie Marsan could make a fist of Gilbert Norrell with the limitations of the role imposed. The Gentleman, Stephen Black, John Uskglass, Vinculus, Lascelles, Drawlight...all missed opportunities. Well, Bertie Carvel was a reasonably good Jonathan Strange and Arabella (Charlotte Riley) was very watchable for any number of reasons. So I will still stick to the book for my doses of English Magic, at least until somebody has a go at making it properly on-screen.

In a single word -- EXTRAORDINARY

[A_Different_Drummer · 10/10 · 31 July 2015]

No sir, I did not read the book first but in some circles of criticism that is not a detriment to the work of the writer, but rather an aid. That is, the work is seen with fresh eyes.

I ask you sir in the history of TV how many attempts have been made to tell a suspenseful tale, a tale that mixes the normal and the abnormal, the seen and the unseen, in just the right proportions to thrill and enthral the viewer? The answer, starting perhaps with Twilight Zone and jumping to the several series still in production even now, in 2015, is hundreds, possibly thousands.

Yet as many as they are, they all have a common goal, to keep the viewer interested, entertained, un-nerved and offguard at all times.

I watch a lot of TV -- friends say too much -- but this gem is in a class by itself. I never knew what was coming next but I was having much too much fun to care.

One of the best of the best in its class.

If all TV was this good, there would be no need for talk shows to discuss what people had recently SEEN because the time would be better spent actually WATCHING it.

Well, that was refreshing

[frode-hauge · 9/10 · 3 January 2016]

This will be spoiler free.

I only just finished watching this series over the course of the weekend. As is evident by my rating, I enjoyed it tremendously.

I did not know the book existed until I saw it mentioned in the credits, so I watched with no preconceived notions apart from what could be gleaned from the synopsis and cover image. In other words, a period piece set in England with magic playing some part. I did not know whether there would be magic performed, or just talked about. Whether it would be a costume drama, or something more.

What a ride it turned out to be. I enjoyed literally every single character, which is unusual for me. For the most part, there tends to be some that just annoy me for one reason or the other. In this case, I even found the character that appeared designed to be annoying to be strangely entertaining. Multiple characters were believably multifaceted and conflicted with regards to their place in the unfolding events. This is something the British seem to be consistently far superior at compared to the Americans' penchant for more caricatured portrayals.

I found the setting and world building to be a breath of fresh air. Granted, it touched on some familiar themes, but rarely in a straight forward fashion.

I so wish television were filled with shows of this caliber. Sadly, reality will likely remain that a show like this comes around once in a while, gets poor ratings in comparison to shows that are so bland they appeal to everybody, and then time passes until someone is brave enough to try something new once again. We can do little but treasure these rare gems.

Spellbinding

[emerylunday · 10/10 · 17 August 2015]

Having anticipated this show for quite some years, I was anxious about what the BBC would make of my 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. All of the cast are superb, never have I seen actors bring such life and vibrance to a character as Enzo Cilenti has done to the relatively small role of Childermass. Bertie Carvel is also an astounding Jonathan Strange, played perfectly alongside satisfyingly mousy Eddie Marsen as Mr. Norrell. Very pleasing performances by Charlotte Riley and newcomer Alice Englert as the two female leads. The combination of music and setting brings a wonderful charm to this work of art, creating an enchanting atmosphere. All in all 10 out of 10.

It's a kind of magic

[kosmasp · 8/10 · 19 May 2021]

Maybe it is two kinds of magic ... kidding aside, this is a very well written and filmed show about Magicians and how they might have been perceived. While it does name check real life figures/people (like Napoleon), I am not a scholar of the time to tell you what it does get right about the time this is supposed to play in.

Having said that, it does start quite slow (as I reckon almost anyone on here will have stated already too), but becomes quite the beast along the journey. It really ups the ante and it really has some high stakes when it comes to the characters and their fates. Intriguing storytelling mixed with really well thought of characters ... and a mini series too! For those who like to binge watch and all that. Costumes are great and performances are very good too. Special effects are decent as well - which was needed considering the nature of the show.

Better than Expected

[Samuel-Shovel · 8/10 · 25 March 2017]

Living in the U.S., I'm not able to keep up with what's on television across the pond but I was pleasantly surprised to find that someone had made a TV adaptation of this wonderful fantasy book. I figured it would be mediocre since I hadn't heard much about it up to this point but was pleasantly surprised. This miniseries exceeded my expectations.

The casting was great and the set design and direction really encapsulated the book's feel. I won't squabble over the parts it glossed over since it had to compact a 1000 page book into a 7 episode mini-series. Overall, I thought it did a fine job of keeping the important events. For television, the CGI and special effects are quite good. Despite the fact I already knew the plot, this series kept me on the edge of my seat.

High class production values, beautifully cast and directed, losing its way a little midstream

[rosie-brocklehurst · 8/10 · 8 June 2015]

Love so much about this series. (There is no plot spoiler in this and I only clicked on spoiler alert because my views may put off anyone who has not watched all episodes broadcast on BBC so far. This series is so beautifully designed, acted, costumed, directed and CGI'd that I have not the superlatives these aspects deserve with which to shower it. The novelist can't be praised highly enough. I did not read the book first but have watched this enthralling series. It is dark, but fun too. History buff that I am, this is saturated with historical atmosphere and has such a superb grasp of history while knowing that it cannot even attempt to be factually correct, for this is art. It is artful art. Both magicians are superb. Those settings - I am drawn into the turn of the 19th century. I also watched Bertie Carvel in Babylon (so good), and the hugely talented actor who plays Norrell was excellent in both Little Dorrit and Tyrannosaur. Whole thing is dotted with wonderful characters -like Dickens is from the Tarot reading Pedlar to the magician's circle, the puffed up charlatan, and so on. Wonderful cameos everywhere. I spurn the religious conservationists who must actually believe in magic hokum to object to it. I suppose they would object to Hans Christian Anderson -elements of which fairy tale sensibility are I feel palpable here : The Raven King/ hobgoblin types, the character who must be the man with thistledown hair that is referred to in another review. Everything is here, a melting pot of imaginative magical genres. This exposition of magic surpasses Merlinesque/Potteresque magic as it must, for it is sophisticated adult entertainment. It also avoids the clichés of Merlinesque symbolism. This is a Gothic fantasy, a dream state magical dance with send up horror. (Dead souls brought to life, so touches of Frankenstein, a creation in tune with the period, but Dracula too (a later creation). The Peninsula campaign scenes are done well too. So bold to bring the Napoleonic war into this. Good, and good BUT - from episode three onward, for me it has begun to lose shape. Something to do with the complexity, the script and editing perhaps? Some of the ideas it has to be said which are lurking there, possibly in the original novel, are not fully formed. Began to lose direction by episode three. Still, I will stay with it because it is fantastically well done BBC.

Starts brilliantly - ends terribly!

[Snowgoat · 6/10 · 2 July 2015]

What happened? The first five episodes of this series were absolutely fantastic! Like a Harry Potter for grownups (who don't like Harry Potter much). The alternative history aspects were intriguing, the production design and values were fabulous and the acting top-notch (especially from Bertie Carvel and Charlotte Riley, who were superb). I honestly thought it was the best thing BBC had made in years…

Then I sat down and watched the final two episodes. … And the whole thing just descended into utter nonsense. Everything promising about the show crumbled into dust, and it became like watching the last hour of one of the poorer Harry Potter movies. I haven't read the JS & Mr N novel, but can only imagine the overriding plot about the Raven King and the world of the Fairies was explained better in the book, because it made absolutely no sense at all here. After the show worked hard to establish some great characters and relationships, the final two episodes abandoned all this for a series of "get this thing here" "do this spell" and "fight this" set pieces, which made no sense at all.

Hugely disappointed. Can't remember seeing something so promising end so badly. What a missed opportunity.

Riley and Carvel were great though.

Simply Magical!

[SteampunkShinigami · 10/10 · 21 June 2015]

I've done it. I originally gave it a 9, but after tonight's penultimate episode, I HAD to give it a 10.

To put it simply, Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell is a MASTERPIECE.

Having never read the book, and primarily planning to watch it not only because of the trailers, but because I am a huge fan of Marc Warren, I came into the series knowing nothing about it at all. But that didn't matter. I was immediately swept away by the captivating visuals, characterisations filled with emotion and depth and the promise of a magical spectacle that has CERTAINLY been fulfilled!

I literally cannot express my love enough!

Bertie Carvel(Strange) and Eddie Marsan (Norrell) are both incredible actors and lead the drama flawlessly. I swiftly found myself rooting for Strange and against Norrell, becoming extraordinarily emotionally involved in their conflict and also in any tragedies that befall them. Carvel's portrayal of Strange's descent into madness is STUNNING.

Marc Warren is utterly PERFECT as the Gentleman-with-the-Thistledown-Hair; sinister, mischievous, sexy (although that's probably an acquired taste...) and absolutely EVERYTHING that you could want from a villain!

Enzo Cilenti, Charlotte Riley, Ariyon Bakare, Alice Englert, Paul Kaye, Edward Hogg and all of the other actors are fabulous. Just perfect! Special mentions also to Vincent Franklin and John Heffernan as Drawlight and Lascelles. Just some fine, fine work there!

The story is unique and thoroughly intriguing, the concept of faeries and magic in regency England (a time period that I love) creating such a wonderful aesthetic! The land of Lost-Hope is exquisitely designed! I have been also very impressed with the CGI- normally, the BBC aren't best known for their work in this field, but this was marvellous to watch (especially the sand horses and the hand reaching up from the mud at Waterloo)!

Ultimately, I would HIGHLY recommend this to anyone who loves period drama, or magic, or both! It is a perfect example of how television SHOULD be made- stirring and exciting, full of suspense, with absolutely nothing else like it!

If only there was a sequel to the book, so a second series could be made!

Good series, even though I thought the book was boring.

[beyer-sebastian · 7/10 · 7 April 2020]

Well, not exactly boring, but unnervingly slow in the beginning. So I never read all of it. The series though is interesting for me: Magic more of a philosophy than the way to gain power, used only by two people, who do not always get all the consequences of their actions. Good characters, interesting plot development and more detail than a movie could deliver. I like this one.

It's okay, just

[karloldham · 4/10 · 20 February 2021]

I really enjoy stuff like this. I've read the book so was looking forward to something magical. Unfortunately it's not that good. No really it's not. The chi is excellent and the sets impressive but Eddie Marsen, no not for me. I don't think it's raised the bar on a tv show as must of the reviewers here have stated. The story is okay but very slow I can't find a character to care about and the story seems rushed. Sorry but it's not what I expected.

Love, Love, Love this show

[extraplay-61838 · 10/10 · 30 April 2022]

I am so surprised that Amazon didn't bring another season of this show to light. The lead actors picked were amazing, and the emotional depth they gave outstanding. I am so sick of watching shows that go on forever with their fluffiness and no substance, and shows like this are cut after one season - shame on the makers for not fighting more for it.