Hulu’s Best-Kept Secret Is This Forgotten 3-Season Historical Drama

As a critic who’s seen a *lot* of period dramas, I know the BBC consistently delivers quality. While everyone talks about hits like *Downton Abbey*, *Poldark*, and *War & Peace*, there’s one series I feel really deserves more attention: *The Musketeers*. The BBC has a knack for historical storytelling, and even with all their other fantastic shows – think *Sherlock*, *Peaky Blinders*, and of course, *Doctor Who* – their period pieces are where they truly excel. It’s a shame *The Musketeers* hasn’t stayed in the cultural conversation as much as it should have.

I’ve always been impressed by the BBC’s consistently high-quality shows, both entertaining and educational. But when it comes to period dramas, they truly stand alone – nothing else quite compares! I recently found myself thinking about *The Musketeers*, a show that premiered back in January 2014 (July 2024 in the US, and later in 2014 elsewhere), and it struck me how often it gets overlooked. It ran for three seasons, wrapping up in August 2016, and it’s still available on Hulu. Nine years later, I think it’s the perfect time to rediscover this fantastic, yet surprisingly underrated, series.

The Musketeers Adapts A Classic Adventure Novel

If the title *The Musketeers* seems familiar, it’s because this show is based on the classic novel *The Three Musketeers* by Alexandre Dumas. Originally published in 1844, the story follows D’Artagnan, a young man who travels to 17th-century Paris hoping to become one of the King’s Musketeers – the elite royal bodyguards. Once there, he befriends Aramis, Athos, and Porthos, three experienced Musketeers, and meets Monsieur de Tréville, their leader. D’Artagnan, full of courage but a bit inexperienced, soon finds himself and his new friends caught in a dangerous conflict with the powerful Cardinal Richelieu and his cunning spy, Milady de Winter.

Although *The Three Musketeers* is a fictional story, Alexandre Dumas based it on actual people and events from 17th-century France. The character of D’Artagnan, for example, is inspired by the real Charles de Batz de Castelmore d’Artagnan, who became a Musketeer in 1632. Similarly, Cardinal Richelieu – whose full name was Armand Jean du Plessis, 1st Duke of Richelieu – was a powerful figure in French politics and religion, as was the character of Tréville, based on Jean-Armand du Peyrer, Comte de Tréville. *The Three Musketeers*, which grew into a series of three novels known as *The d’Artagnan Romances*, is a classic example of the swashbuckler genre, filled with courageous heroes who are expert fighters and defenders of justice.

The Musketeers Uniquely Covers French History

France is a truly captivating country, rich in history and culture. From its unique buildings and varied landscapes to its tumultuous past filled with revolutions, it’s a fascinating place to explore. Alexandre Dumas’ novel draws heavily on 17th-century France, referencing many historical events, both large and small. For example, the Siege of La Rochelle is a central part of the story in *The Three Musketeers*. The assassination of George Villiers, the 1st Duke of Buckingham, by English officer John Felton, is another significant historical event featured in the novel.

The TV series *The Musketeers* playfully reimagines French history, often featuring dramatic portrayals of real historical figures and royal families in its side stories. While full of exciting action and adventure, the show manages to feel realistic, striking a good balance between historical fact and fictional storytelling. For example, in the episode “The Good Soldier,” the Musketeers foil an assassination attempt on the Duke of Savoy, and in “The Queen’s Diamonds,” they investigate the theft of jewels belonging to Henrietta Marie, sister of King Louis XIII and future wife of King Charles I. Across the three seasons, the Musketeers consistently work to disrupt the schemes of Cardinal Richelieu and Milady de Winter, and these storylines are cleverly integrated to keep viewers engaged.

The Musketeers Features Top-Notch Cinematography

The BBC consistently delivers visually stunning productions, and the series *The Musketeers* is no exception – each episode is a treat for the eyes. While the story takes place in France, filming actually occurred mostly in the Czech Republic. France was considered, but its modern architecture, rebuilt after World War II, didn’t quite fit the 17th-century setting. Although some might question this choice, filming in the Czech Republic proved successful. The series’ sets and scenery feel authentic to the period, and the filmmakers skillfully used light and shadow to highlight key emotional moments and create a memorable viewing experience.

Though the show looks great overall, it’s the elaborate costumes that really make *The Musketeers* stand out. Costume designer Hayley Nebauer created armor for the Musketeers that, like the rest of the series, feels dark, realistic, and well-used. She paid close attention to historical detail, ensuring the costumes reflect the fashion of 17th-century France while still feeling fresh and modern. This attention to realism extends to the weapons – the swords and guns are impressive, but believable for the period.

The Characters In The Musketeers Are Well-Developed

The BBC’s recent adaptation of *The Three Musketeers* gives equal attention to Athos, Aramis, and Porthos, alongside the main character, D’Artagnan, creating a well-rounded story. The series isn’t just about sword fights and bravery; it takes time to explore the personal lives and challenges of all four men. For example, we see a deep dive into Athos’s complicated connection with Milady, and Aramis’s internal conflict between his life as a Musketeer and his religious calling as an abbot.

Although the show’s writers and production team deserve credit for developing the characters, *The Musketeers* truly shines thanks to its amazing cast. Each of the four main characters is memorable, but Tom Burke’s performance as Athos is particularly complex and captivating. Maimie McCoy as Milady and Peter Capaldi as Richelieu also deliver outstanding performances. Interestingly, Capaldi’s time as Richelieu was cut short when he was unexpectedly cast as the Twelfth Doctor in *Doctor Who*, a role he played from 2013 to 2017.

The Musketeers Has An Underrated Opening Sequence

While not strictly necessary, opening sequences can significantly shape how viewers perceive a show. A memorable detail, a striking color scheme, or a captivating musical score can be all it takes to elevate a series from simply interesting to truly iconic – think of shows like *The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air*, *The Sopranos*, and *Pachinko*. The title sequence for *The Musketeers*, created by Nic Benns, is a great example: it’s lively, visually appealing, and enjoyable for all audiences.

The show opens with upbeat music and a fast-paced visual sequence introducing the main characters. Each Musketeer gets a quick, action-packed moment, with their name appearing on screen. The opening also introduces key figures like Richelieu, Milady, King Louis XIII, Queen Anne, Treville, and Constance Bonacieux, giving viewers a glimpse of what’s to come.

The Musketeers Isn’t That Accurate, But It Is Entertaining

Over the years, *The Three Musketeers* story has been retold in many ways – in movies, on TV, and more. The TV series *The Musketeers* takes liberties with Alexandre Dumas’s original novel, so it’s not a strict adaptation. While it keeps the basic idea of D’Artagnan becoming a Musketeer and features many of the same characters, most of the episodes tell completely new stories that aren’t found in the book. The series prioritizes fresh storylines over a faithful recreation of the source material.

Despite its age, *The Musketeers* remains a really enjoyable historical drama from the BBC. It’s definitely worth watching – especially since there are only three seasons, meaning you could finish it in under a week. The characters are well-developed, the story is captivating, and the show strikes a good balance between action and pacing. For fans of swashbuckling adventures set in 17th-century France, *The Musketeers* is a standout series that deserves more recognition.

2025-10-19 00:41