Death and Nightingales (TV series)

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]

Death and Nightingales
Title card
GenreHistorical period drama
Created byAllan Cubitt
Based onDeath and Nightingales
by Eugene McCabe
Written byAllan Cubitt
Directed byAllan Cubitt
StarringAnn Skelly
Matthew Rhys
Jamie Dornan
ComposersGerry Diver
David Holmes
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes3
Production
Executive producersJames Mitchell
Tommy Bulfin
ProducerJonathan Cavendish
CinematographyStephen Murphy
EditorSteve Singleton
Camera setupMulti-camera
Running time58 minutes
Production companiesImaginarium Productions (The Imaginarium)
Soho Moon
BBC Two Films
DistributorRed Arrow Studios
Release
Original networkRTÉ One, BBC Two
Picture format2K
Audio formatStereo
Original release26 November (2018-11-26) 
12 December 2018 (2018-12-12)

Plot

Set in the countryside of Ireland in 1883, the story follows a young woman, Beth Winters (Ann Skelly), and her struggle to control her own destiny. On her 23rd birthday she decides to escape her limited life and difficult relationship with her landowner stepfather, Billy (Matthew Rhys), with the aid of the charming Liam Ward (Jamie Dornan).

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 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]

Episodes

No.TitleDirected by[3]Written by[3]Original air date[7]U.K. viewers
(millions)
1"Episode 1"Allan CubittAllan Cubitt28 November 2018 (2018-11-28)2.73[8][9]
2"Episode 2"Allan CubittAllan Cubitt5 December 2018 (2018-12-05)1.90[8][9]
3"Episode 3"Allan CubittAllan Cubitt12 December 2018 (2018-12-12)N/A

Release

Red Arrow Studios distributed the series, and the first episode premiered on BBC Two on 28 November 2018.[2]

Critical reception

The series was met with lukewarm reviews from critics. On the review aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes, the series holds a 73% approval rating with an average rating of 6.0 out of 10 based on 11 reviews.[10] 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."[11] 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."[12] 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."[13]

References

  1. "Matthew Rhys, Jamie Dornan to Star in BBC Drama 'Death and Nightingales'". Variety. May 29, 2018.
  2. "Matthew Rhys, Jamie Dornan To Star In 'Death And Nightingales' For BBC Two". Deadline. May 29, 2018.
  3. "Matthew Rhys, Jamie Dornan and Ann Skelly to star in Allan Cubitt's Death And Nightingales for BBC Two". BBC. 14 August 2018. Retrieved 25 November 2018.
  4. Hanna, Aoife. "Here's Why Jamie Dornan's New BBC Drama Will Have You On The Next Plane To Ireland". Bustle. Retrieved 5 December 2018.
  5. "Death and Nightingales on BBC2 - What's it about, who's in the cast and when's it on TV?". Radio Times. Retrieved 2018-12-07.
  6. Smith, Neil (27 November 2018). "Jamie Dornan drama 'offers Brexit warning'". BBC News. Retrieved 5 December 2018.
  7. "Death And Nightingales Episodes Guide and Summaries". Next Episode. Retrieved 25 November 2018.
  8. "Four-screen dashboard BARB".
  9. "Death and Nightingales opens with 1.9m". Broadcast.
  10. "Death and Nightingales - Rotten Tomatoes". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango. Retrieved December 23, 2018.
  11. O'Donovan, Gerard (November 28, 2018). "Death and Nightingales, episode 1 review: Jamie Dornan reunites with The Fall's Allan Cubitt for this haunting new drama". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved December 23, 2018.
  12. Midgely, Carol (November 29, 2018). "TV review: Death and Nightingales; Vic & Bob's Big Night Out". The Times. Retrieved December 23, 2018.
  13. Cumming, Ed (November 28, 2018). "Death and Nightingales review: Jamie Dornan's cheekbones are more expressive than his expressions". The Independent. Retrieved December 23, 2018.
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