I love this book. Love. LOVE this book. So the fact that the BBC is adapting it into a seven-hour mini-series is a beautiful thing.
The BBC said its “Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell” mini-series would be presented in seven hourlong installments, adapted by Peter Harness (a screenwriter and playwright whose credits include “Wallander” and “Is Anybody There?”) and directed by Toby Haynes (“Doctor Who,” “Sherlock”). BBC America said it would show the mini-series during its Supernatural Saturday programming block, which includes science-fiction and fantasy-themed shows like “Doctor Who” and “Orphan Black.”
via BBC to Adapt ‘Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell’ as Mini-Series – NYTimes.com.
This is indeed a great book, and I think a miniseries is absolutely the right choice. I am really curious to know if they have a plan to adapt the distinct style and detail of the book which really make it stand out as a masterpiece.
When they first announced the possibility of a movie a couple of years ago, we sighed and said, “If only it were going to be a BBC miniseries. There’s no way a movie can do it justice.” We were also fresh from watching Bleak House and daydreaming that the BBC should adapt all books.