Kit Harington plays the man behind the gunpowder plot in Gunpowder, and he is the reason this BBC One drama works at all. The series, created by Ronan Bennett, Daniel West, and Harington himself, follows Robert Catesby, a Warwickshire gentleman in 1605, as he plans to blow up Parliament and kill King James I. It is a three-part, six-hour miniseries that premiered on BBC One on 21 October 2017 and later aired on HBO in the United States on 18 December 2017. It was produced by Kudos and Thriker Films, with J Blakeson directing.
The premise is simple. Catesby is a Catholic in a Protestant country, and he believes that the only way to change the religious landscape of England is through violence. He gathers a group of co-conspirators, including Guy Fawkes, Thomas Wintour, and Father Henry Garnet, and sets a plan in motion that involves barrels of gunpowder buried beneath Parliament. The execution is not simple, though. The series spends its runtime exploring the moral and emotional cost of that decision.
Trailer, via BBC.
Kit Harington Carries the Weight
Harington is a direct descendant of his character, which adds a layer of personal stakes to his performance. He plays Catesby with a quiet intensity that shifts from charismatic leadership to desperate fear as the plot unravels. The role requires him to balance the conviction of a man who believes he is doing God’s work with the guilt of a man who knows he is committing murder. Harington manages both, and his performance anchors the entire series.
The supporting cast is strong across the board. Mark Gatiss plays Sir Robert Cecil, the royal advisor who becomes the series’ antagonist. Edward Holcroft plays Thomas Wintour, one of the key conspirators. Tom Cullen plays Guy Fawkes, the man who gets caught in the cellar with the gunpowder. Peter Mullan plays Father Henry Garnet, the Jesuit priest who tries to stop the plot while also protecting his fellow Catholics. Liv Tyler plays Anne Vaux, a woman who loves Catesby and struggles with her loyalty to him. Derek Riddell plays King James I, and Shaun Dooley plays Sir William Wade. Robert Emms plays Father John Gerard, and Luke Neal plays Jack Wright. Luke Broughton plays Thomas Bates. David Bamber plays Lord Northumberland.
A Slow Start, a Strong Finish
The first episode of Gunpowder is slow. It spends a lot of time establishing the political landscape of early 17th century England, showing the persecution of Catholics and the growing tension between the crown and its subjects. This is necessary background, but it can feel like padding. The second episode picks up the pace considerably, introducing the conspirators and showing the planning in greater detail. By the third episode, the tension reaches a fever pitch, and the final act delivers a payoff that justifies the earlier setup.
The series does not shy away from the violence of its subject matter. There are executions, beatings, and the threat of torture throughout. It is not gratuitous violence, but it is unflinching. The show also handles the religious aspect with a degree of nuance. The Catholics are shown as persecuted and sincere in their faith, while the Protestants are shown as fearful and often cruel. This creates a moral ambiguity that keeps the audience engaged even when the outcome is known.
The Plot’s Flaws
The pacing issues in the first episode are not the only problem. The series also leans heavily on the idea that history is predetermined. Because the audience knows the plot fails, the characters’ actions can sometimes feel inevitable rather than motivated. This is a structural issue, not a flaw in the acting or the writing, but it does undercut some of the tension that the show is trying to build.
There is also a tendency to treat the conspirators as heroic figures. They are not presented as terrorists or villains in the modern sense, but as men of principle fighting against a corrupt system. This can be compelling, but it also means that the show never fully explores the horror of what they are planning. A bomb in Parliament is a terrible thing, and the series sometimes forgets to remind the audience of that.
The Craft Holds Up
On a technical level, Gunpowder is very well made. The production design recreates 17th century London with great attention to detail. The costumes are rich and period-appropriate, and the sets look lived-in. The cinematography is dark and moody, with a lot of candlelight and shadow. The score, composed by Max Richter, is atmospheric and effective, building suspense without overwhelming the dialogue.
The direction by J Blakeson is assured. He knows how to stage a scene, whether it is a tense conversation in a dark room or a crowd scene at Parliament. The editing is sharp, and the show never drags despite its long runtime. All of this contributes to a viewing experience that is consistently engaging, even when the plot is predictable.
What Works Best
The best parts of Gunpowder are the quieter ones. The scenes between Catesby and Anne Vaux, where she pleads with him to abandon the plot, are emotionally resonant. The scenes between Catesby and Garnet, where the priest tries to dissuade him, are intellectually stimulating. These moments are where the show finds its humanity, and they are far more memorable than the action sequences.
The show also benefits from its ensemble. Each actor brings something distinct to their role, and the chemistry between them is palpable. The relationships are complex and believable, which makes the eventual betrayal all the more devastating. The series does not rely on spectacle, and this is a strength.
A Mixed Verdict
Gunpowder is a flawed but ambitious piece of television. It takes a historical event and treats it with seriousness, refusing to reduce it to a simple morality play. The performances are uniformly excellent, especially Harington’s central turn. The production values are high, and the writing is thoughtful. But the pacing issues in the first episode, the overemphasis on heroism, and the inevitability of the plot all hold it back from greatness.
It is a show that rewards attention, but it is not a perfect one. It is worth watching for Harington’s performance alone, and for the craft on display. But it is a show that will appeal more to history buffs and drama fans than to casual viewers looking for an exciting thriller.
Key Facts Box
– Creator: Ronan Bennett, Daniel West, Kit Harington
– Network: BBC One / HBO
– Premiere: 21 October 2017 (BBC One), 18 December 2017 (HBO)
– Runtime: Three episodes, six hours total
– Cast: Kit Harington, Mark Gatiss, Edward Holcroft, Tom Cullen, Peter Mullan, Liv Tyler, Derek Riddell, Shaun Dooley, Robert Emms, Luke Neal, Luke Broughton, David Bamber
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