BBC period drama perfect for fans of Taboo declared ‘best mini series’
The BBC three-part miniseries starring Kit Harington has been praised by viewers
Gunpowder was developed and produced by Kit Harington who also starred in it (Image: BBC)
Period drama enthusiasts seeking a raw historical offering should watch this mini-series, reports the Mirror.
Historical drama Gunpowder is presently available to stream free of charge on Channel 4 and delivers an unflinching interpretation of the Guy Fawkes story.
The three-part BBC miniseries originally broadcast in 2017 and chronicled Robert Catesby (played by Kit Harington) alongside his Catholic accomplices in their notorious conspiracy to assassinate James I (Derek Riddell).
Alongside Game Of Thrones and Industry star Harington, the programme also features American actress Liv Tyler, Happy Valley’s Derek Riddell, Peter Mullan from Ozark, The Undeclared War’s Edward Holcroft, Downton Abbey star Tom Cullen, Mark Gatiss from Sherlock and It’s A Sin’s Shaun Dooley.
Gunpowder has garnered acclaim from numerous viewers on IMDb. One person titled their enthusiastic review: “Wolfe Hall + Taboo = Gunpowder [sic].”
Liv Tyler starred in the BBC drama (Image: BBC)
The user went on to explain: “Kit Harrington excels as the plot mastermind Robert Catesby and Tom Cullen tries his best to be Tom Hardy as the menacing Guy Fawkes [sic].”
“Overall a well made well acted piece which at three episodes does not outstay it’s welcome.” A second user titled their 10/10 review: “Almost a follow up in repercussions to Wolf Hall.”
They elaborated: “If anyone watched Wolf Hall, they should watch this. The religious fallout from Henry VIII breaking with the Church of Rome led to one of the bloodiest periods in our islands history [sic].”
Adding: “I would have to rate this drama series very very highly indeed.” Another 10/10 review hailed Gunpowder as a “brilliant and gritty British drama”.
The viewer lavished praise on the mini-series: “Harrington gives his best performance in the latter episodes, I was shocked at how good he actually was in this.
Gunpowder followed the tale of Robert Catesby and Guy Fawkes (Image: BBC)
“His scenes with his son were particularly moving. All in all, British Drama at its best!. 10/10.”
A third glowing review declared: “One of the best mini series I’ve ever seen, I don’t know if the story it shows is 100% accurate but it is simply spectacular, I just don’t understand why it has such a low rating in the audience.”
Beyond his starring role in Gunpowder, Harington also developed and produced the show, having long harboured ambitions to create a project centred on the historic plot.
Remarkably, the Game of Thrones star’s full name is Christopher Catesby Harington, and Robert Catesby was a distant relative of his.
Reflecting on the drama, Harington previously remarked: “The story follows such a fascinating, dark and twisted piece of British history which is very close to being forgotten in the fog of time.
“You may know the name Guy Fawkes – as it has been attached to all sorts of things, from Occupying Wall Street to V For Vendetta – but many won’t know the whole story.
“It goes far beyond the name Fawkes and examines many fascinating characters and their desperate, tragedy-strewn lives. Gunpowder is all about choices, and the reasons desperate men make such choices, and it makes for really great drama.”
Gunpowder is streaming on Channel 4 now for free
SOURCE: EXPRESS
