Wolf Hall fans urged to watch BBC period show hailed ‘British drama at its best’

The three-part BBC miniseries starring Kit Harington has been praised by audiences as a must-watch

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Liv Tyler starred in the BBC drama(Image: BBC)

Enthusiasts of period dramas seeking a raw historical series should consider this miniseries, reports the Mirror.

Historical drama Gunpowder is presently available to stream without charge on Channel 4, offering a visceral interpretation of the Guy Fawkes story.

The three-episode BBC miniseries originally broadcast in 2017, chronicling Robert Catesby (portrayed by Kit Harington) and his Catholic accomplices in their notorious conspiracy to assassinate James I (Derek Riddell).

Alongside Game Of Thrones and Industry actor Harington, the programme also stars American actress Liv Tyler, Happy Valley’s Derek Riddell, Peter Mullan from Ozark, The Undeclared War’s Edward Holcroft, Downton Abbey actor Tom Cullen, Mark Gatiss from Sherlock and It’s A Sin’s Shaun Dooley.

Gunpowder has garnered acclaim from numerous viewers on IMDb. One individual headlined their enthusiastic review: “Wolfe Hall + Taboo = Gunpowder [sic].”

The reviewer continued: “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].”

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Gunpowder followed the tale of Robert Catesby and Guy Fawkes(Image: BBC)

“Overall a well made well acted piece which at three episodes does not outstay it’s welcome.”

Another viewer titled their 10/10 assessment: “Almost a follow up in repercussions to Wolf Hall.”

They expanded: “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 glowing 10/10 assessment praised Gunpowder as a “brilliant and gritty British drama”.

The viewer lavished praise upon the mini-series: “Harrington gives his best performance in the latter episodes, I was shocked at how good he actually was in this.

“His scenes with his son were particularly moving. All in all, British Drama at its best!. 10/10.”

A third top-tier review proclaimed: “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.”

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Gunpowder was developed and produced by Kit Harington who also starred in it(Image: BBC)

Beyond his starring role in Gunpowder, Harington also served as developer and producer, having long harboured ambitions to create a project exploring this historical conspiracy.

Furthermore, the Game of Thrones actor’s complete name is Christopher Catesby Harington, with Robert Catesby being a distant relative of his.

Speaking about the production, Harington previously commented: “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: WALESONLINE