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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think the Cormoran Strike/Robin chemistry doesn't come across in the TV show?

42 replies

Homeworkandholidays · 15/12/2022 10:51

For instance the buying perfume scene. In the book I was desperate for them to get together but watching it on TV I wasn't feeling it.

OP posts:
Parmavi0lets · 15/12/2022 10:58

I absolutely love these books but honestly the TV version isn't great imo. I sometimes think if you hadn't read the books, you might be wondering what was going on half the time. The books are long and detailed - maybe the series need to be longer? Dunno, but I agree that they miss the mark somehow.

Janieread · 15/12/2022 11:00

I only watched it for Tom Burke and they've managed to kill off any sex appeal he had in The Souvenir.

Allmyfavouritepeople · 15/12/2022 11:03

I've not read the books but I love the slow burn of the TV show. I think the chemistry is there 100pc but maybe thats because I've not got the book to go off?

WandaWonder · 15/12/2022 11:10

Individually I like the actor and actress but not together in this show, we still watch it though, i just dont think they fit

Hbh17 · 15/12/2022 11:12

Oh it definitely does! I think they are great together, & both fantastic actors.

Mumsafan · 15/12/2022 11:13

I always think the TV show is too quick. It doesn't show half the work they do, and it certainly doesn't capture the feelings they have for each other.

Oblomov22 · 15/12/2022 11:15

Hmm. Was hoping for better. Like both actors. Can't grasp why they haven't developed it more, from the green dress.

Guardup · 15/12/2022 11:16

I don’t think they could have been any better cast. I love the books and imagine them in my head when I’m reading the books.

SierraSapphire · 15/12/2022 11:18

I've read the books, but the actor doesn't look anything like I imagined Cormoran Strike to look, so I'm reticent to watch the TV programme in case it's spoils the books for me!

Beanbagtrap · 15/12/2022 11:18

I've not watched the latest one as I'm still reading the book, but lethal white had some high tension moments. I like that it's quite British and subtle though, I think maybe we are attuned to American dramas where they'd have to make it very very obvious.

I don't think the TV did a very good representation of why Matt was a twat though.

AtomicBlondeRose · 15/12/2022 11:21

The good thing about the books is that there will be some very small thing happen, literally just a moment or a sentence, and then you find out the thoughts of each character and how they’ve interpreted it completely differently! And neither of them are good at communicating that or even showing it so they never know. That’s the frustrating/gripping part of the relationship imo and it can’t come across well on screen.

Beanbagtrap · 15/12/2022 11:22

SierraSapphire · 15/12/2022 11:18

I've read the books, but the actor doesn't look anything like I imagined Cormoran Strike to look, so I'm reticent to watch the TV programme in case it's spoils the books for me!

I imagined him to look like Ricky Grover but I think he has to look a bit sexier for TV as you just don't have the time to build the understanding.

Kanaloa · 15/12/2022 11:24

I couldn’t get into the books. I don’t know why, I’ve tried loads. I always joke with DH that the library think the first one is my favourite book of all time because I’ve borrowed it loads to try it again. But I always get a few chapters in and think ‘no.’

I couldn’t get into the TV show too much either to be fair, although I’ve liked the actors in other stuff. I did watch the first series and thought it was basically ok.

SierraSapphire · 15/12/2022 11:37

I didn't know who Ricky Grover was, but yes, he looks more how I imagined Strike too Beanbagtrap

Parmavi0lets · 15/12/2022 11:45

I thought they were really well cast until I just googled Ricky Grover! Yep, missed a trick there.

I don't know if it's the Harry Potter connection but I always find myself picturing a young Robbie Coltrane as Strike when reading the books.

Beanbagtrap · 15/12/2022 11:50

Kanaloa · 15/12/2022 11:24

I couldn’t get into the books. I don’t know why, I’ve tried loads. I always joke with DH that the library think the first one is my favourite book of all time because I’ve borrowed it loads to try it again. But I always get a few chapters in and think ‘no.’

I couldn’t get into the TV show too much either to be fair, although I’ve liked the actors in other stuff. I did watch the first series and thought it was basically ok.

I said I 'read' but actually I hide in the utility room listening to the audiobooks pretending to fold laundry to avoid the DC

holidayelbow · 15/12/2022 11:50

I didn't know it was in a tv show????

FOJN · 15/12/2022 11:51

I think the casting is perfect and I think the chemistry is really apparent.

Homeworkandholidays · 15/12/2022 11:52

Interesting to read these and glad it works for some people. I think I also pictured my Cormoran differently, I don't feel like the TV one is an ex army guy somehow, and it doesn't come across enough that he fancies her. I think she's especially well cast and matches the book character.

OP posts:
Beanbagtrap · 15/12/2022 12:25

I think in the book there's a lot more "her shirt clung to her and strike deliberately tried to focus on her face" type situations but there isn't enough time in the TV series to show these small interactions. I wish the TV series were longer. The 4 episode ones are good but I think each series could have been 6 episodes quite easily.

OtleyRunning · 15/12/2022 12:42

FOJN · 15/12/2022 11:51

I think the casting is perfect and I think the chemistry is really apparent.

Me too!

Bluevelvetsofa · 15/12/2022 13:01

Me three!

MontanaRivers · 15/12/2022 13:09

Haven’t read the books but enjoy the series, really like both leads. It works for me, agree it’s subtle and a slow burn.

takealettermsjones · 15/12/2022 13:19

I love the books and the TV show. I think their chemistry is fantastic.

purpledalmation · 15/12/2022 13:56

I'm reading one of the books now, and think the first 2 series captured it fairly well. Not seen new series yet.