I think there is so much to enjoy and so much also to be nervous about with this adaptation of Shardlake. Regarding Jack Barak, I think they are setting up major character development, which Stephen Butchard is great at, but that means there NEEDS to be a second series at minimum so this MUST be good enough to get it.

If Disney had only sat down and watched the bbc adaptation of Hillary Mantel novels about Thomas Cromwell this was a lesson in how to adapt a book historicaly correct I’m not holding much hope out for this series sadly

The wonder of books is everyone "sees" the characters in their own way. I'll just re-read the books.

First of all this is Disney - big bucks and it needs to appeal to the masses. I think this is going to be where we have to look at this as something separate to the books and let it go and try and enjoy it. Great to see an actor with a disability getting the leading role. (Arthur has radial aplasia) I’m a die hard Shardlake fan but willing to give it a try for what it is. I think the black work on the collar is period appropriate - Katherine of Aragon was famous for this. The man in red is Abbot Fabian and the man you recognise is Paul Kaye playing Brother Jerome, the displaced Carthusian. I think that Mark was a weak character who wouldn’t transfer to the screen very well. St Donatus is the saint of the Abbey - all Abbey’s have patron saints. I agree re the monastery but Henry razed them to the ground so options are limited 😂 Agree re lack of robes and very much agree that we will probably have 2 Shardlakes in existence in our mind and on screen. Or 3 even if you listen to the Radio series 😊 So exciting!!

The guy cast as Barak is brilliant. I even tweeted him years ago saying he should play Barak if there ever was an adaptation!

I can't wait to watch it!! I'm also a fan of these books series and it's been a long wait

Your remarks were intersting and reflected most of mine. To me, Shardlake is miscast as is Guy (if that actor is Guy). A more thoughtful, measured and intellegent actor was needed for Shardlake (Mark Rylance would be my choice). Similarly a serene, inteligent actor with presence like Idris Elba would have been great for Guy. Tom Cullen would have been great as Barak. Sean Bean, I fear, will be the only actor worth watching in this.

Historical accuracy can (and will) get chucked out the window. As long as the fantastic characters, story and pacing carry over from the books I’m in!

Thank you Charlotte, excellent review. I have concerns similar to you, but as you say, we all have our own version of the characters in our heads. This is looking very good though, all be it a fleeting glance . Can’t wait to see it.

Irish actor Anthony Boyle 🇮🇪

Heartstone will be interesting. I want to see their rendition of the Mary Rose.

Sooooo good!

Came here to see this reaction! I KNEW you'd be all over this trailer as soon as I heard about it. Can't lie, I'm so excited for this!! Sean Bean eeeeeeeeee. Also I spotted an actress who played Amy Robsart in Becoming Elizabeth.

Is Alice played by Gollum's daughter? 😃 At least I think that was Ruby (Andys daughter) Serkis in the trailer. 🤔 Costuming seems to be quite mixed accuracy-wise, but that I can get past if the show itself is good. (Let's face it: costuming rarely is super accurate in most period shows) Got the same cardinal vibes from the red clothes though. 😅 No one looks exactly like my headcanon, but I dont usually mind that, since I would always rather take a good actor that plays the character well over someone who 100% looks the part. Must wait for the full performances to judge that. Hard to say with only a minute+ trailer to go by

I can't find this trailer online.

I am not sure about the Shardlake character yet, my first impression here is just not right, as well as costume and beard, he looks too sharp, warrior-like, that is not Shardlake, he is gentler, a deep thinker. He hates physical fighting, this chap looks ready to grab his sword and do battle. And the earring...no, no, no!

Guys Malton is to young, fingers crossed the rest will be something that stands up to the books.

Ah, yes. We all know about the influential black males of this period in English history. This is ridiculous.

Just hope that Disney dont do the usual: take a great story and then turn it into a woke shit-show.