Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell
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Who would you cast in a BBC series based on this novel?
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message 51:
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Brooke
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rated it 5 stars
Apr 04, 2013 09:21PM
Really?!! Benedict Cumberbatch for Strange?!! I've read this book 3 times and i'm sorry, but no way. I love him as Sherlock, but never as Strange.
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Deirdrebunny wrote: "Hippystick wrote: "Beth A. wrote: "Definately like Stephen Fry...not sure who either. Perhaps as one of Jonathan's servants? Might be too small a role for him though..."Perhaps Fry as one of the ..."
Yeah that was him. What do you think of Fry as Honeyfoot?
Stephen Fry as Honeyfoot or Segundus would be good.
Ricky Gervais in any role wrecks it for me.
They should use unknowns, instead of turning it into some luvvy-fest, where the actors overshadow the characters. Worked well on Watchmen. Spend the money saved on sets, wardrobe, effects, production etc.
I see Alan Cumming as Jonathan Strange and David Suchet as Mr. Norrell. Cant wait :-)
Hope wrote: "I see Alan Cumming as Jonathan Strange and David Suchet as Mr. Norrell. Cant wait :-)"Alan Cumming I can TOTALLY see that, he's got that geek chic thing going on!
Tehanu wrote: "I pictured Mr. Norrel as Timothy Spall, I think he could easily bring out Norrel's personality.I've seen people cast Tom Hiddleston as Strange, but it doesn't feel exactly right for me. Cumberbatc..."
YES! I totally pictured Bowie too!
Timothy Spall seems a bit "chunky" for Mr. Norrell. A character with "little man" syndrome. Aiden Gillen, Tim Roth or John Hurt better fit the bill.
Wow, David Suchet is a great idea. Just tone down his eyebrows. :) I like Tilda Swinton or James D'arcy for the man with the thistle down hair.
I think Cumberbatch is ideal for Strange, but they'll never get him, so I'd go with Ben Whishaw (although he's a little frail). They need someone good natured and charismatic, but a little bit arrogant. I'm surprised at how much trouble I'm having thinking of someone.
Cate Blanchett is way too old for lady Pole. They'll go with someone like Gemma Arterton. They'll probably save their money on her and go for someone unknown. She doesn't have to talk much.
Alan Rickman needs to be in there somewhere.
Would love to see Alan Rickman. Mr. Honeyfoot or Mr. Segundus?
Julian Rhind-Tutt as Jonathan Strange
Yulia wrote: "Julian Rhind-Tutt as Jonathan Strange"that could work.
Hippystick wrote: "Yulia wrote: "Julian Rhind-Tutt as Jonathan Strange"that could work."
I second that.
Michelle Dockery as Arabella, anyone? (Although maybe she'd make a better Lady Pole...)
John Hurt and Jude Law. The former may be a bit old and Mr Law a bit too pretty, but both excellent actors in my opinion. I have Man With the Thistledown hair with a very Cumberbatch esque face, and Lady Pole would be a good role for someone with a ethereal presence, maybe Andrea Riseborough.
seconds, thirds, fourths for:benedict cumberbatch -> jonathan strange
tilda swinton -> man with the thistledown hair
tilda swinton out-bowies david bowie for that role :)
NibbledToDeathByCats wrote: "seconds, thirds, fourths for:benedict cumberbatch -> jonathan strange
tilda swinton -> man with the thistledown hair
tilda out-bowies david bowie for that role :)"yes she does!
Harry Lloyd as the Gentleman with the Thistledown Hair.
Surely Richard E Grant has got to be included somewhere in the cast?!
If Sylvester McCoy doesn't play Norrell, it's ruined.
Patrick wrote: "If Sylvester McCoy doesn't play Norrell, it's ruined."i could see that..
I was just wondering about John Hurt with the announcement that he will play possibly a missed doctor who? Not to distract the thread but since apparently he definately won't be a replacement(last I heard the current actor is returning next year)if the filming is done or won't contridict I think he would fit well somewhere.
Also agreed on Norell...
I am loving these ideas--especially Tilda Swinton! Out-Bowies Bowie; exactly. :)I can't help picturing Alan Cumming as Drawlight and Rupert Everett as Lascelles. I do love Richard E. Grant, so we have to find him a part too. Will keep considering cast ideas as I re-read the book, which I started doing earlier this week.
I think Albert Finney and Michael Caine would be a little too old for the majority of the plot. I actually think that Johnny Depp would make a good go at Strange, based on some of his past keys with a shot of the absurd in them.
John wrote: "I think Albert Finney and Michael Caine would be a little too old for the majority of the plot. I actually think that Johnny Depp would make a good go at Strange, based on some of his past keys w..." Much as I love Johnny Depp, I think he's a little old for Strange.
Someone has suggested Eddie Redmayne as Strange, and I rather like that. He's even reddish-haired.
Molly wrote: "I am loving these ideas--especially Tilda Swinton! Out-Bowies Bowie; exactly. :)I can't help picturing Alan Cumming as Drawlight and Rupert Everett as Lascelles. I do love Richard E. Grant, so we..."
Seconds on Alan Cumming as Drawlight and Rupert Everett as Lascelles.
Lately I'm considering Carey Mulligan as Arabella. And perhaps a Downton Abbey daughter (Sybil or Mary) as Lady Pole. Though either of them could make a good Arabella too, really. Childermass is harder for me to decide upon. Maybe that's where Benedict Cumberbatch would be well cast (he seems a tad too sinister to be Strange, for me), though I doubt they could get him for the part. He seems rather busy. :)
Txkimmers wrote: "Michael Kitchen for Norrell --someone suggested this to me and ever since that is the face I keep seeing for Norrell.Tom Hollander or Andrew Scott for Drawlight, leaning towards Andrew Scott.
As f..."
Michael Kitchen, Andrew Scott, David Harewood, Tim Hiddleston all brilliant suggestions. And yes Tilda IS MWTDH!
Jesse wrote: "Willem Dafoe, every single character. Even the ladies."Personally I would have Chris O'Dowd as Johnathan and Terrence stamp as Mr Norrel
Personally I would have Chris O'Dowd as Johnathan and Terrence stamp as Mr Norrel
For any of you guys still following this thread, they've announced that Jonathan will be played by Bertie Carvel and Norrell will be played by Eddie Marsan.
I approve...they'll be better with makeup and such as well. Here's the first source I
found to confirm this info...
http://m.bwwtvworld.com/article/Berti...
I really like Eddie Marsan as Norrell, he will be great.Bertie Carvel looks Strange's part, too bad he's not a few years younger. However, it's a great cast!
Thanks for the update! They do look the parts pretty well. Will be interesting to see who they cast for the rest of it.
Yes, I'm back. Can't keep away and that sort of thing. Re-launched The Friends of English Magic again (probably 3rd or 4th time in six years it's been running).
*Anyhow*, I've pieced together the current known cast list that supersedes info from the official press releases and IMDb:
http://www.foem.tv/the-cast/
Further more, I have an interview coming up with the historical consultant on the TV series - who is an accomplished author and TV broadcaster in her own right.
Exciting times, people, exciting times. I'm generally very pleased by the casting so far. While I haven't heard of all the cast before, their resumes are excellent.
*Anyhow*, I've pieced together the current known cast list that supersedes info from the official press releases and IMDb:
http://www.foem.tv/the-cast/
Further more, I have an interview coming up with the historical consultant on the TV series - who is an accomplished author and TV broadcaster in her own right.
Exciting times, people, exciting times. I'm generally very pleased by the casting so far. While I haven't heard of all the cast before, their resumes are excellent.
Just bring in the Les Mis cast plus maybe with Anthony Hopkins doing Norrell. Hugh Jackman or Gerard Butler as Strange. Ann Hathaway as Lady Pole, Amanda Seyfried as Mrs. Strange.... god what fun it would be to cast all the wonderful supporting characters.
Thank you, Martyn! Sharing your page with some other friends (or Friends in this case, I suppose). The miniseries is shaping up nicely so far, indeed.
I always imagined Jonathan Strange looking like Eddie Redmayne. Maybe just because the illustration gave that impression.So excited for the series though!
Maybe a younger Malcolm McDowell for the Gentleman with the thistle-down hair. And I do like everyone's choices of Timothy Spall as Norrell and Idris as Stephen Black.
I pictured Jason Flemyng for Jonathan Strange as I read it.
I already knew the casting for Strange and Norrell when I read it so I saw them both in my head from the start, but I was really hoping John Heffernan would be Lascelles so I'm so happy he is! He's going to be perfect!
A tv series of this would be baller.
I've seen some pictures of the filming and I really can't wait. Couldn't find the actor who will play the Gentleman with the thistle down hair on the IMDB page yet. I so want to know who they have cast.Edit: I just saw on wikipedia, they cast Marc Warren as the Gentleman.
This wouldn't work as a big screen movie, I don't think, due to the rather large cast. A BBC series is more approachable, but I agree that it has to be a most brilliantly and carefully well-executed series in order to succeed - no shortcuts! I would definitely cast Cumberbacht, because I quite like him as an actor, though he reminds me of more of a Childermass than a Johnathan Strange. I would probably choose a relatively unknown actor for Strange, and then stuff the majority of the cast with those beloved household names as much as I could. Keep in mind that not every celeb will bite. Stewart and McKellan and Irons and all of those classic winners might not find the novel to jive with them, or as others have pointed out, they may be busy with other projects. Serious acting chops, known or unknown, have to be present to avoid a mere game of talking heads, because the novel is simply thick with detail and scenes that are largely based in conversation and/or active observation.
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