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Shardlake - anyone watched

(39 Posts)
Fluffyjumper Tue 10-Jun-25 12:08:34

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.

Boz Tue 10-Jun-25 11:49:41

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!!!).

Ziplok Tue 10-Jun-25 11:37:44

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.

Maremia Tue 10-Jun-25 11:26:34

Has this version already been shown on TV? TIA

eazybee Tue 10-Jun-25 10:35:56

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.

Calendargirl Tue 10-Jun-25 09:59:46

Have never read the books.

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

Lovetopaint037 Tue 10-Jun-25 09:44:33

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.

Doodledog Tue 10-Jun-25 09:33:37

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.

Grandmabatty Tue 10-Jun-25 09:31:34

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

dragonfly46 Tue 10-Jun-25 09:28:41

I love all of CS Sansom's books.

cornergran Tue 10-Jun-25 09:25:14

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

Clawdy Tue 10-Jun-25 09:23:04

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

luluaugust Tue 10-Jun-25 09:18:49

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

Franbern Tue 10-Jun-25 08:47:07

The wonderful books about Matthew Shardlake, written by CS Sansom are amongst my all-time favourites. Sadly, he died before he could write the final book in the series. They are readable over and over again, always getting something new from them.

Like many of their fans delighted when we heard that Disney purchased the rights to film them. However, only the very first book in the series 'Dissolution' was actually made and with alterations to the plot and characters that had the fans seething|!!!

I never pay for anything I watch on tv, so did not see this when it went out, and was delighted when I learned that ITV was showing it. First episode last night.

I watched with trepidation, knowing in advance where they were going to deviate from the original book. Actually, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Managed a lot in the first 50 minutes episode. Okay, I knew all the characters, knew the plot, knew exactly what was going to happen, etc. etc. so just wondering how other people watching this without all that prior knowledge found it.