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Dr. Thorne

The new drama by Julian Fellowes might look the part, but doesn't live up to Downton Abbey's standards.


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It was once suggested that a good soundtrack should never be heard, the theory being that it is so in sync with the film that it is entirely unobtrusive.

It’s a point I was reminded of whilst watching the terribly distracting score to Doctor Thorne, the new 3 part drama by Julian Fellowes (Downton Abbey).

Based on the 1858 novel by Anthony Trollope, Fellowes’ screenplay is once again rooted in period England -this time looking more Merchant Ivory than his hit television series.

At the centre of the story is Mary Thorne (Stefanie Martini), whose father was killed when she was just a child and whose mother entrusted her to her uncle, Doctor Thorne (Tom Hollander). Twenty years later she lives under his guardianship, penniless but with a close bond that has served them both well.

Living nearby are the aristocratic Gresham family, comprising snooty sisters Augusta (Gwyneth Keyworth), Beatrice (Nell Barlow) and Alexandrina (Kate O‘Flynn), who have a penchant for gossip and flowers in their hair.

Their forthright mother Lady Arabella Gresham (Rebecca Front) has big marital plans for handsome single son Frank (Harry Richardson) -but Frank has his heart set on Mary. Perhaps playing hard to get she coyly declines his every approach, whilst Lady Arabella bans her from visits.

Meanwhile secrets from the past will return when Mary begins to ask about her birth parents, whilst local millionaire Sir Roger Scatcherd (Ian McShane) puts Thorne in a predicament about whether to divulge deep-seated truths or maintain the status quo.

In the pivotal role of Mary, Stefanie Martini is quite likeable, while Hollander remains grounded as the benevolent Doctor Thorne. Other key players are far more heightened. The Gresham sisters are positively grotesque, in this Cinderella-like saga. Rebecca Front fits the bill as the villain whilst a grandstanding Ian McShane rarely misses a beat. Phoebe Nicholls brings some much-needed comedic snobbery.

As you’d expect the costumes are pristine, the estates are dripping in money, there are parasols and croquet -all stock standard stuff from British drama. But I couldn’t help wondering if some of the cast were understudies from Downton Abbey, it’s like some are channeling their TV predecessors.

And then there’s that score, full of jolly, sprightly strings which would sound perfectly lovely at high tea, but intrude into the foreground of this ITV drama.

At three episodes Doctor Thorne at least won’t outstay its welcome, but it’s all be done before and better.  From one so skilled as Julian Fellowes, this has a lot to live up to.

Doctor Thorne premieres 8:30pm Sunday on ABC.

4 Responses

  1. I found the camera work intrusive, as well as that extremely loud ‘background music”; also, the editing of quick cuts from one speaker to another. Sheesh, settle down. (It eventually did, cut-wise, I thought.) Also, the titles and the font used in naming of each castle/grand house were so 1980’s, somehow. The script is probably sound – no glaringly awful dialogue or pointless scenes – so I blame the director for all the rest!

    Glorious costuming and interiors, grand houses and castles galore, and a nicely thwarted love story. liked the lead characters, the setting, and the story, and the estates and interiors really are marvellous to see, so I’ll put up with all the unnecessary flaws.

  2. I suppose that the big selling point of the series is that it covers a period of time that doesn’t get that much coverage compared to the early or late 19th century/early 20th as far as TV goes.

  3. Thank you David Knox for an informative piece….the story seems so familiar…
    Maybe Julian Fellowes needs a break…they have been pushing him to churn stuff out.

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