Shardlake - anyone watched

I read the book many years ago so didn’t remember all the ins and outs
Enjoyed it very much and will continue to watch

Loved those books too. Enjoyed the first episode. I always imagined Toby Jones in the lead role though!

We both enjoyed it. Much to Mr C’s surprise he didn’t need the iPad he had to hand .

I love all of CS Sansom's books.

I watched it on Disney when it came out and thoroughly enjoyed it. I am a big fan of the books. I thought the actor who played Matthew Shardlake was excellent. While I can see the attraction of Toby Jones, I think he's probably too old for that part now

I saw it on Disney when it came out, and was disappointed. I read the book ages ago, but couldn’t remember what happened, and it took me ages to work out who was who and what was happening, and I know a lot about that period of history. Sean Bean was miscast, I think.

I won’t bother watching on ITVX as much as I was looking forward to it on Disney I felt it didn’t live up to the hype.

The actor wasn’t my idea of Shardlake. Perhaps I will get used to him. He seemed to be sneering a lot and not at all the pleasant character in the books.

Have never read the books.

After working out who was who, I thought it was good.

I enjoyed it although dubious about the Disney influence. Not quite my idea of Shardlake but assuming a quiet authority by the end of the episode, and an Awfully Nice Cromwell from Sean Bean. Will continue to watch.

Has this version already been shown on TV? TIA

I enjoyed it. I will say I imagined Matthew Shardlake to be older than he appeared to be in the tv series. However, that aside, I enjoyed the first episode and will watch the next one.

I enjoyed it on Disney but unfortunately they will not be making another series as, I suspect, it didn't quite hit the spot with a "Disney" audience. Hence the rental to other channels.
This would have been a better bet for the BBC but they just don't have the money for this kind of drama anymore.
Loved the remark about OH constantly on his ipad while watching a tv programme; I have the same irritation with my DH (watching football, he tells me!!!).

I've read all of the books and loved them, so I was a bit dubious about the series when it was on Disney. However, I loved it too. Yes, there were some changes, but nothing I really hated.
I was very disappointed when I heard that Disney wasn't going to make any more. Hopefully, if it's a success on ITV, another channel might take it on.

Thank you, top recommendation, I'll wait to see if the main character resembles that picture in my mind!

I enjoyed all of the books, and felt that the programme did the book justice. I am sorry to hear that this is a one - off.
After the success of Wolf Hall, it would seem a logical piece of broadcasting for the BBC.

Another Shardlake fan here too. C J Sansom was such a brilliant writer and researched his books very well. Not sure about the TV series yet but will definitely keep watching.

Matthew Shardlake ages as the books progresses, so this depiction of him at the beginning is probably about right. Also, he was more sneering and less amenable in the earlier book, It is as they continue and life hits at him over and over again, that he becomes the nicer character he is by the end.
Sansom was able to see the filming of this, although not the screening.
We have all been so spoiled with the Wolf Hall Cromwell, that no other actor can really take on this role without criticism.
Excellent casting for Barak

I loved all the Shardlake books, but was disappointed in the TV programme. Matthew Shardlake was nothing like the way I`d pictured him.

If either the BBC or ITV were to scrap just a fraction of their daytime offerings and also ITV most early evening stuff imo …they would be able to make quality series such as this.

BBC in particular should stop throwing vast amounts of money at presenters maybe? as it seems the license fee is no longer enough to afford the “big personalities” anymore.

Watched a super live performance on BBC 4 last Sunday from Vienna, selection of classical faves orchestra/singers brought straight to my home. Go Beeb, what you do so well. Better than R3 where you can only listen or U tube where there are pesky adverts.

Thanks for the headsup about this being on ITVX - I will watch it next. I have several of the books on my Kindle, but haven't read any yet! This will be a treat, I hope!

Loved the books, and sad when he died.

I did try the series (just one) when first shown on Disney, but was so disappointed, as I think Sansom would have been with the characters.

But I will give it another go with an open mind.

I agree Franbern, Mark Rylance made such a wonderful Cromwell, he's an impossibly hard act to follow, and the casting for Jack Barak was spot on.

I loved the stories, very engaging.
I have just watched it, as I fell asleep within the first few minutes on Sunday.
Yes, the actor is nothing like I had imagined but he seems ok. We were thrown in the deep end with the story, which made it a bit confusing.
I’ll try the next episode before deciding to carry on.