Martin Clunes Drama ‘Arthur & George’ Set for Masterpiece Airing in 2015
During its bi-annual spin through upcoming programmng known as the Television Critics Association Press Tour, PBS and Masterpiece announced a few new titles coming our way later this year, one of which happens to be the intriguing period mystery series called Arthur and George. Clunes, as it happens, plays the titular Arthur, otherwise known to the masses as Sherlock Holmes creator Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
This is fairly exciting news because though this casting information was announced last year, there was no word of an American distributor for this particular property. Case solved!)
This three-part series is an adaptation of Julian Barnes’ novel of the same name, which is loosely based on an intriguing series of genuine events in the life of Conan Doyle.
Set in 1903, the story focuses on Conan Doyle’s real-life attempts to clear George Edaliji, an Anglo-Indian solicitor who is serving time in Pentonville Prison after being (falsely) accused of a series of attacks on livestock in Staffordshire that have become known as the The Great Wyrley Rippings.
On learning of George’s plight and glimpsing the headlines concerning the animal mutilations, Arthur joins forces with his trusted manservant Alfred “Woody” Wood to challenge what this miscarriage of justice. [Insert “The Game is On!” joke here.]
“How perfect that Arthur & George will air on PBS, as public television has been such a wonderful home to Doc Martin,” said Clunes. “I’m sure that our new series will be a treat for Doc Martin fans, and for everyone who enjoys a terrific drama."
Granted, it’s not quite as fun as Clunes landing a guest role on Sherlock with Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman would be, but it’s close. Plus, it just sounds like a really interesting show.
There’s no official airdate for Arthur & George yet on either side of the pond, though the Masterpiece press release simply says “later in 2015”. But we’ll keep you posted on that!
Thoughts?
