BBC drama fans have praised the western series 'The English' as a show that rivals hits like 'Yellowstone' and 'American Primeval,' with one viewer calling it an "under-the-radar masterpiece."
Plot and Performances
Hugo Blick's western series transports viewers to the final chapter of the Old West for six gripping hours, anchored by a remarkable performance from Emily Blunt. The series centres on the reserved Pawnee native Eli Whipp (Chaske Spencer), a former U.S. Army scout who travels to Nebraska to claim territory pledged for his military service, facing treachery, dispossession, and the hollow commitments of a declining empire, and Lady Cornelia Locke (Emily Blunt), an Englishwoman arriving in America to seek vengeance against her son's murderer.
'The English', aired on BBC Two and Amazon Prime in late 2022, comprises six episodes that have earned acclaim from traditional Western enthusiasts and newcomers to the genre.
Comparisons to Other Westerns
Westerns are enjoying a resurgence in popularity, thanks to hit series such as 'Yellowstone', 'American Primeval', and '1923'. Emily Long writes for Screen Rant: "Fans of American Primeval should watch The English. Both are great Westerns featuring a strong female lead," adding "Though each of the shows have their own stories and unique characters, The English and American Primeval are surprisingly similar."
Long continues: "Both shows centre on a woman trying to make her way across the American West with a travelling partner, encountering numerous challenges along the way."
Viewer and Critical Reception
Despite its parallels, admirers of 'The English' have raised questions about why it does not attract the same recognition as other contemporary programmes, despite being "Western in all the right ways." One IMDB reviewer described in a 10-star review: "Instantly, The English has made my top 10. I have seen a lot of movies and series over the many many years I've walked this earth. And seldom have I been struck so profoundly."
The reviewer added: "Every scene, every word, each gesture, to a person reaches out, aiming for the heart. Relentlessly uncovering a story that weaves beauty and horror in equal measure. It never waits for you to catch up. But rather pulls you along as you follow- never really knowing what will happen and carefully doling out what has happened."
Both Chaske Spencer and Emily Blunt earned nominations for Best Actor at the British Academy Television Awards and Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series at the Screen Actors Guild Awards, respectively. Stephen Rea earned an Irish Film and Television Award for his portrayal of Sheriff Robert Marshall.
The more than 67,000 r/Western enthusiasts on Reddit have also taken a shine to the programme, with one user, apswim22, remarking: "This was an amazing under-the-radar series. One of the better Western series in a while."
Hundreds have praised the series' storyline, with BeautifulDebate7615 telling the Western subreddit: "We did not see the twist coming but kept wondering why things weren't developing the way we expected. Then the twist perfectly explained things."
Beyond the outstanding performances from the cast, Arnau Valls Colomer's breathtaking cinematography is exquisitely complemented by Federico Jusid's classical score, together creating an utterly captivating atmosphere. Some critics have taken issue with the show's tempo, with the opening episode labelled as a slow-burner, yet such grumblings quickly fade once the second episode hits its stride. 'The English' is available to stream on both BBC iPlayer and Amazon Prime.
