TV review: Gunpowder

Starring Kit Harrington, Liv Tyler, Mark Gatiss

BBC1 9:15pm Saturday

For those who think the true reason why November the 5th is remembered has been forgotten as some people take it as an excuse to set off fireworks will be glad that this 3 part series has been made. The first episode shows the politics of the time as Roman Catholics are prosecuted for following their faith. There is a scene which features 2 executions in which the victims are put through torture to recant their beliefs before they are killed. Harrington plays Robert Catesby (whom he is a descendant of) the mastermind of the plot, he goes a portrait of a man who has had enough of being punished for his belief's and Harrington through his performance makes us understand him. Tyler playing the role of Catesby's cousin is unreconsigble, though she didn't have much to do in the opening episode so we just have to see her full contribution.  Following on from his role as the Prince Regent  in Taboo Mark Gatiss plays an another historical figure through the use if make up in the role of Robert Cecil adviser to James I, Cecil comes across as a Machiavellian figure plotting to stir the plot of unrest for his own gain. Gunpowder provides a thoughtful look at one of the most turbulent times in British history.