I don't know about you, but darn near anything from BBC America comes pre-sold for me.
And that's the case with the channel's new original seven-part miniseries, Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell.
The series is based on the best-selling, Hugo Award-winning 2004 novel of the same name by Susanna Clarke. Her epic "alternative history tale of magic and fantasy" was inspired after she reread J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings.
Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell is set in 1806 during the Napoleonic Wars in an England where magic once existed and is about to return. All the above ought to be enough to have you preset your DVR, but here's the background.
The nation is battered and weary by the long conflict, and centuries have passed since practical magicians faded away. However, scholars discover that one magician remains in Yorkshire -- the reclusive and skillful Gilbert Norrell (Eddie Marsan, Ray Donovan), who comes to London to offer the government his magical services.
But rising politician Sir Walter Pole (Enzo Cilenti, Rome) refuses to align himself with anything so disreputable as magic. Disconsolate over his lack of success, Norrell ponders returning home.
Then comes news of the death of Sir Walter's wealthy fiancee (Alice Englert, Beautiful Creatures). Norrell makes a dangerous pact with a mysterious man known as The Gentleman (Marc Warren, The Good Wife) and restores her to life, proving magic respectable and establishing himself as the greatest magician in the land.
Norrell's magic soon helps the nation in the battle against the French, but his fame is challenged by the emergence of another magician -- the brilliant, charming and dissolute novice Jonathan Strange (Bertie Carvel, Restless), who is more interested in drinking and winning the hand of the beautiful Arabella (Charlotte Riley, Wuthering Heights) than reading dusty magic books.
Young, handsome and daring, Strange is the polar opposite of Norrell. A dangerous battle ensues between the two great magicians that evolves into a series of obsessions and secret dabbling into the dark arts.
Big trouble follows and we get to go along for the wild ride.
Added bonus: The series was adapted by Peter Harness (Wallander, Doctor Who) and directed by Toby Haynes (Sherlock, Doctor Who).
PROGRAM NOTES
• Party on. Nick Jonas is the host for the iHeartRadio Ultimate Pool Party at 8 p.m. today on The CW. The performers include Nicki Minaj, Kelly Clarkson, Chris Brown, Echosmith, Shaggy and David Guetta.
• Flashback. CNN rolls out its eight-part documentary series The Seventies at 8 p.m. today. Part 1 is close to my heart -- the TV shows we watched. The '70s corresponded to my 20s, so I'm expecting fond memories.
• Still on. Season 3 of Defiance begins at 7 p.m. Friday on Syfy. Confession: I quit watching halfway through last year when I couldn't remember which aliens were good and which were bad. But, if you've kept up, enjoy.
• Spaced out. Dark Matter, a new drama from Syfy, debuts at 9 p.m. Friday. It deals with six folks who wake up on a spaceship with no memories of who they are or how they got there. Nasty stuff ensues as they "face threats at every turn and work together to survive a voyage charged with vengeance, betrayal and hidden secrets."
• Orange returns. Netflix begins streaming the entire Season 3 of Orange Is the New Black at 1:01 a.m. Friday. Binge on, Arkansas!
• Martin honored. The stars turn out and Mel Brooks hosts AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to Steve Martin at 9 p.m. Saturday on TBS.
THEN THERE'S THIS
• Inconceivable. Speaking of BBC America, one of the most delightful movies ever to grace the big screen airs at 7 p.m. Friday. If you haven't seen The Princess Bride, here's your chance.
The film, a sort of Errol Flynn meets Monty Python homage, is the swashbuckling tale of Westley (Cary Elwes), the beautiful Buttercup (Robin Wright), the vengeful swordsman Inigo Montoya (Mandy Patinkin) and the giant Fezzik (Andre the Giant).
Released in 1987, it is a love story, a satire, an adventure tale and fun for the entire family.
Say it with me: "Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die."
The film gave us the Dread Pirate Roberts, the horrific Fireswamp (with its rodents of unusual size), Miracle Max and the pop culture saying, "As you wish."
Want to feel old? Wright was 21 when the film came out and Princess Buttercup is 49 years old now, goes by the name of Claire Underwood and is the country's first lady on House of Cards.
The TV Column appears Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday. Email:
mstorey@arkansasonline.com
Weekend on 06/11/2015