To hate when a television adaptation uses actors who look nothing like the description in the book

[Vintagejazz]

I was watching an Agatha Christie adaptation last night and two of the main characters looked absolutely nothing like the way they're described by AC. In fact one looked the exact opposite. I know casting directors have to take account of other things besides looks, but I find it irritating when there seems to be no resemblance between the book description and the actor chosen.

AIBU?

'He was meant to be sexy, and instead he was Gary Oldman.'

There's something uniquely and utterly crushing about that statement.

I haven't read the Shetland books but I find the casting of Douglas H mystifying if that's what Jimmy is supposed to look like. Taken alone, though, he's pretty good IMO.

Christ Parsing if you haven't seen it definitely keep it that way! I wish I could bleach my brain - Tatum Whatshisface as Marcus is a crime against nature ...

Alpaca completely agree re Tom Cruise/Jack Reacher - the books make such a feature out of his size!

I agree. Reacher's size is an inherent part of the book character.

But sometimes, the physical description of the character can be ignored to good effect. Sometimes, it doesn't matter if the actor conveys the spirit of the character.

I'm thinking Jack Nicholson in "One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest". In the book, McMurphy's physical description bears no relation to Jack but it doesn't detract from the film one little bit.

Well, speaking of Austen adaptations, Hugh Grant as Edward in Sense and Sensibility. Terrible, terrible, terrible casting. And he looks sooo uncomfortable, I almost cringe when he comes on screen.

Also Daniela thingy as Margaret in North and South looked nothing like she was supposed to. Iirc, wasn't she supposed to be tall and beuatiful with dark hair ( although I may have made that up).

I'm so glad that someone mentioned JRM as Henry 8th - really pisses me off when ginger characters aren't played by ginger actors. Believe me when I say it matters to those of us who are ginger ourselves!

Was Sirius really meant to be sexy? I don't remember that in the books

And YY to GoT casting. Part of my love for the show is that they almost always get the casting spot on. Apart from Daario Naharis - don't like the second actor.

See I thought Daniela D-A was spot on as Margaret effin. It's been a while since I read the books but wasn't she supposed to be handsome but not gorgeous? If that makes sense.

Book, not book. As far as I know there isn't a N&S sequel.

The casting of Emma Thompson in Sense and Sensibility was ridiculous as well. She was far too old for that part.

Possibly anna it's been a while since I read it.I thought Richard Armstrong was perfect for the part btw. Anna Maxwell Martin was also excellent in that too.

YY to Donald Sutherland's teeth! Put me off the whole film, which is a great shame.

Oh Richard Armitage was so smouldering. Yum. Lovely adaptation of a great novel.

North & South was marvellous casting! Loved it loved it loved it!

Inc the wonderful Mr Bates (whose name I shall remember shortly) in N&S.

Not TV, but perhaps the best all time casting award should go to the film version of To Kill a Mockingbird, especially Gregory Peck as Atticus. In fact, I think that may be the best film adaptation of a book for all time.

I really like Daniel Radcliffe but Harry Potter was supposed to have GREEN eyes! Love that his mother was played by DCI Penhaligon from Cracker. She fit the description beautifully!

As for when they get it right - the Muppet Christmas Carol. The ghosts of Christmas are bang on. Stanley and Waldorf as Marley and Marley, rather less so

Worst for me was David Jason in the TV adaptation of The Colour of Magic, totally miscast to the point I couldn't watch it.

GoT very very good on the whole, but I don't like Alfie Allen as Theon at all . Also think Rory McCann nothing like the Hound as described in the books, but I get around that one by considering him a similar but different character altogether - I like the TV character just fine, but he is not the one in the books.

Agree with a PP Mia Wasikowska pretty good as Jane Eyre, I watched that version a few days ago and really liked it.

The bloke who played Angel Clare in the Gemma Arterton version of Tess of the d'Urbervilles - very badly miscast IMO.

Oh no tulip I think Alfie Allen captures the cringey, tragic, annoying Theon perfectly!

Agree with all the austen miscastings. Especially Hugh Grant as Edward! He was shite!

Sirius and Lupin in Harry Potter films were nothing like how I'd pictured them. Really didn't like Tonks either.

Agree that game of thrones is pretty much spot on (especially all the Lannisters) but Theon and his sister don't match their book descriptions very well and I'm fairly certain Robb is meant to be ginger.

His performance is fine, and getting better - he was very good in the most recent season, acting-wise. I just struggle with how much his appearance differs from the version I had in my head...the description in the books isn't the most detailed, but it is rather more like this

I can't believe we've got this far and no-one has mentioned tom cruise as The vampire L'estat.

Best casting for me was Claire and Ruth Fisher in six feet under. I can absolutely believe they are mother and daughter, same for Nate snr and Nate jnr.

Mostly it doesn't bother me too much but Tom Cruise as Reacher (and Lestat come to that) was like going for a nice country walk, previously enjoyed, with an irritating stone in my shoe.

Funnily enough though I think I am one of the few who really loves Margaret Rutherford in her Marple films. Not the definitive Marple of course but rather jolly and not as far off the character in the first book imo.

(As a total aside, I have just finished re reading Crooked House after many discussion with my DM, and am still adamant the storyline was used as a film. No joy on 'tinternet but maybe one of the many AC fans on MN has an idea or my imagination as a child might have just been phenomenal )

Ooh, agree about Alfie Allen. He's a good actor but I just can't watch him on screen, he really creeps me out for some reason (realise that's my issue rather than him).

Vintage I was coming on to say exactly the same about Ballet Shoes.

It's funny but things like Famous Five they've got the characters looking pretty much as I imagine.
Both adaptations of Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe, have had Lucy as dark haired, and it says clearly Lucy was fair haired.

Sacre, I think there was a TV adaptation of Crooked House not so long ago (Mark Gatiss wrote or directed, or maybe both). I didn't see it personally, but is that what you're thinking of?