Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell: A Timeless 92% RT Fantasy Gem

By Mary Kassel

Published Aug 26, 2025, 3:30 PM EDT

Mary Kassel is a Senior Writer & Critic who joined the Screen Rant team in 2023.

After graduating from Emerson College with a degree in Media Arts Production, Kassel started at Screen Rant with a focus on the critical analysis side of movies and television while continuing to work on set in film production.

At Screen Rant, Kassel primarily writes for the Classic TV section, mining their encyclopedic knowledge of television history for content. However, they also contribute to the Books team and review both film and television as a critic.

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There are a lot of factors that determine how a TV show will age, but this fantasy series has only gotten more thrilling ten years after it first came out. Though it's still an underrated addition to the genre, Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell shouldn't be overlooked, as it tells a richer and more complex story in just seven episodes than many of the flashiest fantasy projects of today.

As a miniseries, this is an excellent short fantasy TV show that viewers could easily binge-watch in just one day. While it can be exciting to start a series that has many seasons to dig into, Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell stands out because it has a tight, well-crafted narrative that draws you in and pays off with a satisfying ending that will stay with viewers for a long time.

Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell Remains Underrated, But It Has Aged Really Well

It's been a decade since Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell premiered, and it's incredible how well the miniseries holds up today. Based on the novel by Susanna Clarke, a strong voice in contemporary fantasy, Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell follows the title characters on their misadventures in a reimagined version of early 19th-century England, where magic is real and so are supernatural creatures.

Balancing the period and fantasy genres can be difficult for some shows, as the magical elements alter the ways that the historical designs and sensibilities appear onscreen. However, Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell finds the perfect blend of both story types, making it easy to adjust to the scope of the narrative, which grows as the series progresses, bringing the vivid characters into focus.

Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell is an overlooked miniseries that never got enough attention, but this doesn't mean that audiences can't enjoy it today. It's no secret that some speculative fiction series don't hold up because their visual effects are dated or they have antiquated viewpoints, but this couldn't be further from the truth in this BBC show. Additionally, fans of the book will be pleased with how the story unfolds on television.

Title	Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score	Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score
Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell (2015)	92%	87%

Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell Escaped An Issue That Plagues Too Many Fantasy Shows

Still from Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell

Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell is a fantasy TV show everyone should watch, no matter what kind of fantasy audiences enjoy. Even if viewers think that speculative fiction isn't for them, they should try checking out Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell, as it's just as compelling a character study and relational drama as it is a magical tale of adventure.

It's rare for a fantasy series like this to never fall short in terms of the effects, as though it can be campy or nostalgic for a beloved series to look a little silly, it can take the audience out of the action and drama. Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell has a sense of humor and is self-aware enough to play with its premise.

However, it has enough darkness and adult themes to be taken seriously as well. The fact that it's also a fantasy show that doesn't tread problematic territory is also a relief. Some of the best series of the genre have their moments of alienating audience members because of their topics or dated references and jokes, but not Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell.