Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell

Adapted from the dense, richly-woven 2004 debut novel by Susanna Clarke, filmmaker Toby Haynes' 2015 BBC miniseries takes a different approach to fantasy and magic in the real world. Set in 19th-century England at the start of the Napoleonic Wars, it weaves together the tale of two magicians—Gilbert Norrell (Eddie Marsan), a gentleman and scholar of the history of English magic, and Jonathan Strange (Bertie Carvel), a novice with a natural ability for magic—creating a mix of historical drama, alternate history, and fantasy fiction. The two men bond thanks to a shared love of magic but clash over philosophy—a conflict that soon puts them at odds, while a demonic faerie (Marc Warren) threatens them both. Marsan is marvelous as Norrell, the magician as fussy scholar and socially awkward intellectual, while Carvel brings Strange to life as an eccentric but passionate student who dares to experiment and explore. Featuring a magnificent love story, a furious battle of wills, a drama of friendship and betrayal, and a tale of redemption all in one, this originally aired in the U.S. on BBC America. Compiling all seven episodes, extras include a “making-of” featurette. Highly recommended. (S. Axmaker)