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Season 1 – Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell

Play trailer Poster for Season 1 – Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell May 2015 History Drama Fantasy Play Trailer Watchlist
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92% Tomatometer 36 Reviews 87% Popcornmeter 500+ Ratings
This historical drama series is an adaptation of the international best-selling novel by Susanna Clarke. The story is set in 19th-century England during the Napoleonic Wars, a time when practical magic has largely fallen by the wayside. But the practice is resuscitated by two men -- Gilbert Norrell, a reclusive but highly skilled magician, and Jonathan Strange, a young and handsome novice who is exploring his capabilities. The relationship between the men intensifies as they battle to become England's greatest magician.

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Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell — Season 1

Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell — Season 1

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Critics Consensus

Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell sets engaging performances against an enchanting canvas, even if some of the magic from the source material gets lost along the way.

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Critics Reviews

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Tasha Robinson Polygon 05/05/2021
It's got a sense of humor I wasn't entirely expecting, but it's also a pretty dark fantasy, and a good reminder that there really aren't many fantasy tales about making well-considered, safe, drama-free deals with dark possessive powers. Go to Full Review James Poniewozik TIME Magazine 04/11/2019
Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell is a fleet, entertaining transfiguration that keeps Clarke's big ideas while pulling a few tricks from its own sleeve. Go to Full Review William Thomas Empire Magazine 11/06/2017
4/5
The deeper we get into its labyrinth of conflicted magicians, conniving faeries and period-piece-gone-mad atmosphere, the more you fall prey to its spell. Go to Full Review Jane Bowron The Post NZ 06/14/2017
Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell is a visual treat, a great original period piece that makes costume dramas seem absurdly stuffy and conservative. One episode down out of seven and already it's put a spell on me. Go to Full Review Gavia Baker-Whitelaw The Daily Dot 10/24/2016
We recommend persevering to the end of the first episode, because things get interesting -- and surprisingly hilarious -- soon enough. Go to Full Review Sean Axmaker Seanax.com 10/06/2016
... the mini-series / limited series-seven hour-long episodes, to be specific-appears to be the perfect format and BBC has given it the scope and texture of a film. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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chad D. @Chaddie Dec 28 This is an excellent show, everything you can ask for in a well acted, written, and filmed, old English fantasy that you only have to invest in a season for the whole story. See more Garry F @ZestyWiggle Jun 12 This show gets weirder and weirder and in such a good way. It's what I imagine if you had a book written by Edgar Poe and Lovecraft, then got the director of the show "The Magician" to produce it. I can't recommend this show more. See more Alex L @RT65112105 03/14/2025 I'm just about to watch it again (I bought it) and I have the 2 inch thick novel! This vision of English Magic is a delight. Few TV shows based on the craft add up to much more than high school fantasy. This series is both coherent and engaging. Sets and acting are breathtaking. The rich narrative make it feel like an historical re-enactment. The cold horror and textures of the Dark arts is luscious and bone chilling. So many layers and some degree of authenticity to a genuine grimoire. A masterpiece I feel. See more Sue B @RT57575603 07/30/2024 So so so so good. I'm on my 5th binge. I love all the characters. Where is season 2? I’m begging you! I have to know what happened to Strange and Norrell!! Where did the Raven King go? You can’t tell me that fairy died. He’s just trapped right? Does Stephen turn evil? Please do season 2!! Who do I have to call? See more 06/08/2021 Very entertaining. A fantastic merging of a period drama and fantasy that was a delight to watch. See more 02/15/2021 People's tastes differ. But if your taste runs in this direction it's better than Harry Potter. See more Read all reviews
Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell — Season 1

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Cast & Crew

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Eddie Marsan

Mr. Norrell

Bertie Carvel

Jonathan Strange

Marc Warren

The Gentleman

Charlotte Riley

Arabella

Alice Englert

Lady Pole

Samuel West

Sir Walter Pole

Episodes

Episode 1 Aired May 17, 2015 The Friends of English Magic Although magic's existence in England has faded, the reclusive Mr. Norrell is discovered in Yorkshire. Details Episode 2 Aired May 24, 2015 How Is Lady Pole? When Jonathan Strange's magical ability grows, he comes to London to take up an apprenticeship with Mr. Norrell. Details Episode 3 Aired May 31, 2015 The Education of a Magician As Jonathan Strange fights the Napoleonic armies, he accesses ancient, but troubling magic; Mr. Norrell tries to keep his secrets hidden. Details Episode 4 Aired Jun 7, 2015 All the Mirrors of the World When Norrell refuses to let Strange study disreputable magic, a rift forms between them; the Gentleman plans to enchant Arabella. Details Episode 5 Aired Jun 14, 2015 Arabella Jonathan Strange returns from the battle of Waterloo, but his hopes for a peaceful life with Arabella are destroyed when the Gentleman tricks him into a fiendish magical bargain that wrecks all his hopes of happiness. Details Episode 6 Aired Jun 21, 2015 The Black Tower Desperate to resurrect his wife, Strange drives himself insane to access dangerous fairy magic, but when the evil Gentleman discovers that Strange now has the power to enter his realm, he unleashes a terrible curse. Details Episode 7 Aired Jun 28, 2015 Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell With the country in chaos as magic returns, Strange comes back to England to face Mr. Norrell and rescue Arabella from the clutches of the evil Gentleman. Details

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Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell — Season 1

Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell <em>Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell</em>, Season 1 <em>Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell</em>, Season 1 View more photos

Season Info

Director
Toby Haynes
Screenwriter
Peter Harness
Network
BBC
Rating
TV-14
Genre
History, Drama, Fantasy
Original Language
British English
Release Date
May 17, 2015