Death and Nightingales (TV series) explained

Genre:Historical period drama
Creator:Allan Cubitt
Director:Allan Cubitt
Starring:Ann Skelly
Matthew Rhys
Jamie Dornan
Composer:Gerry Diver
David Holmes
Country:United Kingdom
Language:English
Num Series:1
Num Episodes:3
Executive Producer:James Mitchell
Tommy Bulfin
Producer:Jonathan Cavendish
Editor:Steve Singleton
Cinematography:Stephen Murphy
Camera:Multi-camera
Runtime:58 minutes
Company:Imaginarium Productions (The Imaginarium)
Soho Moon
BBC Two Films
Channel:RTÉ One, BBC Two

Death and Nightingales (also written Death & Nightingales) is a 2018 television historical drama miniseries, based on the 1992 novel of the same name by author Eugene McCabe. The series stars Ann Skelly, Jamie Dornan and Matthew Rhys. It started broadcast on RTÉ One in Republic of Ireland on 26 November 2018, and two days later in the UK on BBC Two.[1] [2]

Cast

Production

Jamie Dornan and writer Allan Cubitt, the writer of the series, had previously collaborated on The Fall.[3] The show was filmed in County Fermanagh[4] and at Springhill House, near Moneymore in County Londonderry in Northern Ireland [5] Cubbit revealed that the series was a "Brexit warning", saying "we can't afford to go back" to how things were before the Northern Irish peace process.[6]

Release

Red Arrow Studios distributed the series, and the first episode premiered on BBC Two on 28 November 2018. In the United States, the series will begin airing on Starz on 16 May 2021.[7]

Critical reception

The series was met with lukewarm reviews from critics. On the review aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes, the series holds a 60% approval rating with an average rating of 6.0 out of 10 based on 15 reviews.[8] Gerard O'Donovan of The Daily Telegraph gave show four stars out of five, calling it "the rarest of dramatic gems - one that pushes and challenges understanding - and it's impossible not to be drawn in."[9] The Times' Carol Midgley was slightly more critical, deeming it "a heavy drama with lean dialogue and precious little mirth, but I'm being seduced."[10] Ed Cumming, writing for The Independent, gave the show three stars out of five, writing "The desired tone, I think, is a kind of Ulster version of Deadwood, a creation parable for the problems of the 20th century, but there is a fine line between powerful and self-parodic."[11]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Matthew Rhys, Jamie Dornan to Star in BBC Drama 'Death and Nightingales'. May 29, 2018. Variety.
  2. Web site: Matthew Rhys, Jamie Dornan To Star In 'Death And Nightingales' For BBC Two. May 29, 2018. Deadline.
  3. Web site: Matthew Rhys, Jamie Dornan and Ann Skelly to star in Allan Cubitt's Death And Nightingales for BBC Two . BBC . 25 November 2018 . 14 August 2018.
  4. Web site: Here's Why Jamie Dornan's New BBC Drama Will Have You On The Next Plane To Ireland. Hanna. Aoife. Bustle. en. 5 December 2018.
  5. Web site: Death and Nightingales on BBC2 - What's it about, who's in the cast and when's it on TV?. Radio Times. en. 2018-12-07.
  6. News: Jamie Dornan drama 'offers Brexit warning'. Smith. Neil. 27 November 2018. BBC News. 5 December 2018. en-GB.
  7. Web site: Starz Picks Up 'Death & Nightingales'; Sky Italia Chiefs Exit; 'Romulus' Renewed — Global Briefs. Deadline Hollywood. Jake. Kanter. 21 April 2021. 30 April 2021.
  8. Web site: Death and Nightingales - Rotten Tomatoes . 2023-05-28 . www.rottentomatoes.com . en.
  9. News: Death and Nightingales, episode 1 review: Jamie Dornan reunites with The Fall's Allan Cubitt for this haunting new drama. O'Donovan. Gerard. November 28, 2018. The Daily Telegraph. December 23, 2018.
  10. News: TV review: Death and Nightingales; Vic & Bob's Big Night Out. Midgely. Carol. November 29, 2018. The Times. December 23, 2018.
  11. News: Death and Nightingales review: Jamie Dornan's cheekbones are more expressive than his expressions. Cumming. Ed. November 28, 2018. The Independent. December 23, 2018.