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Original poster

Did you know that Disney are adapting the Shardlake books for TV?

107 replies

StrychnineInTheSandwiches · 09/01/2023 11:48

Oh, I’m excited! This series has been crying out to be adapted for the screen.

And now all we have to do is hope they don’t fuck it up.

What they really should do is involve me in the casting, so they don’t end up casting Channing Tatum or some other muscle bound American hunk as Matthew. And maybe give me script supervisory role too so I can ensure they don’t make too many alterations to the stories.

I'm now glad that the mooted BBC/Kenneth Branagh version never made it into production. I find him quite irritating.

deadline.com/2023/01/disney-adapt-cj-sansom-shardlake-tudor-detective-novels-1235211032/

OP posts:
Notonthestairs · 09/01/2023 21:33

This is great news. I hope they do the books justice.

Toby Jones is 56 and Eddie Marsan is 54 so not much between them in age. Either would be great.

(And yes Tombland was too long - glad it wasn't just me getting lazy!)

HowForNow · 09/01/2023 21:35

YolayCaprese · 09/01/2023 21:01

Aw, is Toby Jones a bit...old?
I'm slogging through Tombland and he's only 44 in it.
Anyone else find Tombland a bit...long?

Yes, me! To the point I've had to pause it at about 2/3 through because I just can't go on right now. If he bumps into the same 20 people he knows one more time I might have to give up completely. Shame, because I've loved the others so much & Kett's rebellion should have been as interesting a topic as the rest.

weebarra · 09/01/2023 21:38

Oh love these books. Toby Jones is a good shout and Brett Goldstein would be superb - and not just because I would like to look at him!

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HowForNow · 09/01/2023 21:40

Also don't shoot me but I don't see Toby Jones, he's too old. Plus I think Matthew is much more classically handsome, just with the hump. So my vote is Robert Pattinson. Would've suggested Matthew McFadyen from his younger years if a Time Machine was possible.

YolayCaprese · 09/01/2023 21:42

Glad it's not just me. It's very "this happened, then this happened" and it should be interesting and exciting and...it isn't.
I read loads of them on my two maternity leaves so Matthew and Barak have a very special place in my heart. I will plough on!

No thoughts about casting but hope they do it justice.

Bagzzz · 09/01/2023 21:43

Excited for this.I can’t really just another subscription though. If I hear great things I’ll reconsider.

weebarra · 09/01/2023 21:44

Or - don't laugh, Tom Hardy - as the type from Taboo or Peaky Blinders?

Changechangychange · 09/01/2023 21:46

HowForNow · 09/01/2023 21:40

Also don't shoot me but I don't see Toby Jones, he's too old. Plus I think Matthew is much more classically handsome, just with the hump. So my vote is Robert Pattinson. Would've suggested Matthew McFadyen from his younger years if a Time Machine was possible.

I was thinking Ben Whishaw actually! Attractive, but able to look convincingly small and beaten-down. Makes a good outsider. And he’s the right age, mid forties.

Coxspurplepippin · 09/01/2023 21:48

Such a shame Anton Lesser is too old (for the role). He would have been perfect. He's the most underrated actor imo.

MissHavishamsMouldyOldCake · 09/01/2023 22:30

I'm struggling to picture Robert Pattinson as Matthew! He'd be all pouts and cheekbones.

AffIt · 09/01/2023 23:01

HowForNow · 09/01/2023 21:40

Also don't shoot me but I don't see Toby Jones, he's too old. Plus I think Matthew is much more classically handsome, just with the hump. So my vote is Robert Pattinson. Would've suggested Matthew McFadyen from his younger years if a Time Machine was possible.

With all due respect, absolutely not.

Clawdy · 09/01/2023 23:11

Has to be Toby Jones, I've said that on previous threads! Just wish it was BBC so I could see it.

MissHavishamsMouldyOldCake · 10/01/2023 12:50

I feel like Harriet Walter would make a good addition to the cast. I'm just trying to think of any older female characters in the books.

longwayoff · 10/01/2023 13:44

Vile Laurence Fox as Richard Rich?. He must be in need of work by now. No, couldn't bear it, hes too unpleasant for that even. I love Shardlake. Please dont stuff it up Disney.

Sunnysunbun · 23/03/2023 07:56

Fabulous. So exciting.

MarkWithaC · 31/03/2023 17:22

Ooh, this is exciting! I keep thinking as I read them that they'd be good on TV.
Toby Jones is brilliant but yes, maybe a bit old? (sorry Toby).
How about Jack Lowden as Jack Barak?

MissHavishamsMouldyOldCake · 31/03/2023 17:25

Barak is supposed to be brawny and swarthy. I think Jack Lowdon is too fair and boyish.

BMW6 · 31/03/2023 17:30

Joseph Fiennes as Shardlake in my mind.
Tom Hardy as Barak.

TheCountessofFitzdotterel · 31/03/2023 17:30

I just hope they get someone decent as costume consultants.
Even though Sansom himself is actually rubbish at costume and describes a woman’s corpse in Tombland as having her drawers showing 🙄
A really big budget adaptation with lots of detailed setting would be amazing for this. Sansom is so good at researching places and conjuring up scenes on an epic scale.

MissHavishamsMouldyOldCake · 31/03/2023 17:34

BMW6 · 31/03/2023 17:30

Joseph Fiennes as Shardlake in my mind.
Tom Hardy as Barak.

Isn't Joseph a bit too hot? Ralph would be good but he's probably a bit old at this point. Although I doubt Matthew would have had a particularly youthful complexion.

Alighttouchonthetiller · 31/03/2023 17:36

Not Joseph Fiennes for me. I can't bear the idea of him being all actorish all over the place.

Toby Jones gets my vote. Not bothered about the age thing - our 56 is probably comparable to a Tudor 44 anyway

TheCountessofFitzdotterel · 31/03/2023 17:39

Joseph Fiennes is 52 so not that much younger than Toby Jones.
I reckon Toby Jones could look younger with a wig to disguise the receding hair.

darisdet · 31/03/2023 17:43

So exciting!

AdaColeman · 31/03/2023 17:55

Oh, I'm not sure that I will like this. I don't think Toby Jones is right for the part, much though I've admired him in other things.

BlobLobIaw · 31/03/2023 17:56

Ooooh! Wonderful. I read these soooo long ago.

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