Viewers blown away by detective thriller starring Game of Thrones actor despite ‘book differences’

Sean Bean stars as a historic figure in the series (Picture: Adrienn Szabo/Disney Plus)

Fans of the late CJ Samson have been left blown away after the series adaptation of his much-loved books Shardlake was released on Disney Plus.

It was announced last year that the seven-part murder mystery novel series would be adapted into a TV show on the streaming service, with British actor Arthur Hughes playing the titular role of Matthew Shardlake and Game Of Thrones actor Sean Bean as Thomas Cromwell.

Now, following the heartbreaking news of Samson’s death aged 71 mere days before the show went to air, fans have taken to social media to share their opinions of the adaptation, with some claiming it is ‘very different’ to the first book in the series, Dissolution.

Despite the series including some disparities to the novels, overall, it has received rave reviews from viewers, and many have taken to social media to share how impressed they are.

On X, @AmandaPCraig wrote: ‘Started #Shardlake @Disney. Gripped, both by the pace and period feel, and by the way its handsome hero is actually disabled – a most moving and faithful piece of casting.’

While @eyemcd said: ‘Just watched Ep1 and it didn’t disappoint. Arthur Hughes is a brilliant Shardlake. Can’t wait to watch the rest of the series. Bravo everyone.’

The first episode of Shardlake paid tribute to author CJ Sansom after his death (Picture: David Levenson/Getty Images)

Shardlake star Sean Bean played Ned Stark in Game of Thrones (Picture: HBO)

@Jennipeg added: ‘The Shardlake show is good! Happy days! It will hopefully fill the void left by Shōgun.’

However, in spite of the adulation, there were some viewers who were less complimentary of the adaptation.

Taking to X, @JackmanNeil wrote: ‘Watched the first episode of Shardlake last night. I liked the books, but I’m not sure this is a good adaptation. From the crappy CGI abbey, to the lead having a very 2000s haircut and beard, the production values felt very like a BBC kids show. No comparison to Wolf Hall so far.’

Elsewhere, @JPB_Islington wrote: ‘Loved the books. Not sure about the show tho. Except the cast is good, and Anthony Boyle is fit…’.

Another fan remarked that they didn’t find the differences to be a bad thing. User @jack_sommers wrote: ‘Really enjoyed Shardlake and devoured it all last might [sic]. Very different to the book and better for it.’

Actor Anthony Boyle rose to prominence as Scorpius Malfoy in the stage production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (Picture: Adrienn Szabo)

While fans have not specified what exactly they found different from the book, stars Hughes and Anthony Boyle – who portrays Shardlake’s unlikely partner, Jack Barak – told RadioTimes.com that despite creating what they believe to be a ‘pretty faithful retelling of the book’, there is one significant difference.

‘I think one notable difference is that Shardlake meets Barak much earlier,’ Hughes explained. ‘In the books he’s met in the second book, but his original companion in the first book doesn’t come back – that’s kind of it. And with Barak, their relationship is, I think, so much more interesting.’

Series screenwriter Stephen Butchard had also revealed earlier this year that Mark Poer – Shardlake’s assistant in the first book – had been cut from the series entirely.

Speaking to Den of Geek, The Last Kingdom and Baghdad Central screenwriter explained why they cut the character, stating: ‘If you’re looking for drama, Mark wasn’t the place to go.

‘He serves a purpose in the book because there are a lot more internal things you can do in a book, but when you want something on screen, you very much need two people to butt up against each other. It felt the correct thing to do from a dramatic point of view.’

Despite the change seemingly upsetting some fans, it’s one that Samson likely would have welcomed.

During a 2010 interview with The Guardian, he said he ‘soon realised Mark wasn’t going to be a successful character’.

‘He was a bit wet, really; I had to get rid of him. And I enjoyed creating Barak, whom I like enormously. He stands up to Shardlake; they’re very different but they get on despite their quarrels.’

Shardlake is set in the Tudor era of 1536 and follows lawyer Matthew Shardlake, who is requested by Henry VIII’s right-hand man, Thomas Cromwell – played by Bean – to investigate a murder at the monastery of Scarnsea.

Teaming up with law clerk and investigator Jack Barak, the pair soon realise there is more than meets the eye and become entangled in a web of lies, deceit and corruption.

Shardlake is streaming now on Disney Plus in the UK.

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