With so many streaming services adding new shows every month, it’s become incredibly difficult to find truly great content. Rotten Tomatoes has become a popular way to quickly check if a show is well-received, offering a general idea of its quality. Although critics and viewers don’t always agree, it’s usually a pretty good source for finding shows people genuinely love – or avoid. However, even high ratings aren’t always enough to guarantee a show finds an audience. This is what happened to a fantastic British fantasy series that earned impressive scores: 92% from critics and 87% from viewers.
Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell is a seven-part BBC miniseries that originally aired in 2015. It’s based on the popular novel by Susanna Clarke and takes place in an alternate 19th-century England during the Napoleonic Wars. In this version of history, magic used to be common, but has become mostly a subject for scholars. The story follows the return of real magic through two contrasting characters: the secretive and studious Gilbert Norrell (Eddie Marsan), who has collected old magic books, and the charismatic and spontaneous Jonathan Strange (Bertie Carvel), a beginner who unexpectedly has a gift for magic. They form an uneasy alliance that could bring magic back to Britain, but also risks awakening dangerous, forgotten powers.
Why You Should Give Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell a Chance
What truly captivates readers about *Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell* is how it avoids common fantasy clichés. Rather than focusing on grand battles with mythical creatures, the story is a carefully constructed historical drama with a touch of unpredictable magic. It feels less like a typical fantasy and more like a Jane Austen novel with faerie curses and reanimated soldiers woven in, which makes it unique. The show also excels in its realistic depiction of Napoleonic-era England, boasting beautiful costumes and sets that make even the supernatural elements feel believable.
The main conflict in *Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell* isn’t a battle between good and evil, but a clash of ideas and personalities between the two main characters. Norrell wants to carefully control magic and make it respectable, while Strange is driven to explore its wilder, more dangerous side. Their complicated relationship, evolving from a teacher-student dynamic to a fierce rivalry, is the core of the story. The series also portrays magic as a truly mysterious and risky practice with serious repercussions. Spells aren’t quick displays of power, but intricate rituals that often demand a heavy price, making every use of magic feel tense and significant.
The show’s format as a short, complete miniseries makes it easy to jump into. At just seven episodes, you can watch the whole story in one day on Prime Video, and it feels truly satisfying. It’s ideal for anyone wanting a smart fantasy story that doesn’t take years to unfold – you get a powerful ending without needing to commit to multiple seasons.
Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell is available to stream on Prime Video.
Did you see *Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell*? We’d love to hear your thoughts! Share your opinions in the comments below and join the discussion in the ComicBook Forum!
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2025-10-20 21:40