-- Parade's End (HBO): Based on Ford Maddox Ford's four book series, Benedict Cumberbatch (Sherlock) plays the role of Christopher Tietjens, an English gentleman, employee of the Imperial Department of Statistics, husband in a dysfunctional marriage, and soldier in the trenches of war. The original story, very broad and complex, was adapted for the screen by Tom Stoppard and primarily covers the first three books. The 5-part drama will show over three consecutive nights. You can see a trailer on HBO is you want to see the quality of the production. This is a much deeper look a the British than the surface dwelling Downton Abbey (and we already know what Cumberbatch thinks of Downton Abbey). Parade's End was broadcast in Great Britain last summer and was well received. The Guardian noted:
Parade's End looks beautiful, is wonderfully made and has some fantastically resonant and descriptive language: Tietjen's comparison of the noise on the Western Front to a "wet canvas being shaken out by a giant" just one of many sublime moments of dialogue. I've also enjoyed getting to know a source text that is not, perhaps, as well known as others.
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