Fans of the late CJ Samson were astounded when the series adaptation of his best-selling book Shardlake premiered on Disney Plus.
Last year, it was reported that the seven-part murder mystery novel series will be made into a TV programme for the streaming service, with British actor Arthur Hughes portraying Matthew Shardlake and Sean Bean from Game of Thrones as Thomas Cromwell.
Following the devastating news of Samson’s death at the age of 71, just days before the programme premiered, fans have gone to social media to voice their thoughts on the adaption, with some claiming it is’very different’ from the first novel in the series, Dissolution.
Despite certain differences from the novels, the series has earned high praise from fans, with many taking to social media to express their delight.
On X, @AmandaPCraig wrote: ‘Started #Shardlake @Disney. Gripped, both by the pace and period feel, and by the way its handsome hero is actually disabled – a most moving and faithful piece of casting.’
While @eyemcd said: ‘Just watched Ep1 and it didn’t disappoint. Arthur Hughes is a brilliant Shardlake. Can’t wait to watch the rest of the series. Bravo everyone.’
@Jennipeg added: ‘The Shardlake show is good! Happy days! It will hopefully fill the void left by Shōgun.’
Despite the acclaim, other viewers were less appreciative of the adaption.
Taking to X, @JackmanNeil wrote: ‘Watched the first episode of Shardlake last night. I liked the books, but I’m not sure this is a good adaptation. From the crappy CGI abbey, to the lead having a very 2000s haircut and beard, the production values felt very like a BBC kids show. No comparison to Wolf Hall so far.’
Elsewhere, @JPB_Islington wrote: ‘Loved the books. Not sure about the show tho. Except the cast is good, and Anthony Boyle is fit…’.
Another fan remarked that they didn’t find the differences to be a bad thing. User @jack_sommers wrote: ‘Really enjoyed Shardlake and devoured it all last might [sic]. Very different to the book and better for it.’
While fans have not specified what exactly they found different from the book, stars Hughes and Anthony Boyle – who portrays Shardlake’s unlikely partner, Jack Barak – told RadioTimes.com that despite creating what they believe to be a ‘pretty faithful retelling of the book’, there is one significant difference.
‘I think one notable difference is that Shardlake meets Barak much earlier,’ Hughes explained. ‘In the books he’s met in the second book, but his original companion in the first book doesn’t come back – that’s kind of it. And with Barak, their relationship is, I think, so much more interesting.’
Series screenwriter Stephen Butchard also disclosed earlier this year that Mark Poer, Shardlake’s assistant in the first novel, had been removed from the series completely.
Speaking to Den of Geek, The Last Kingdom and Baghdad Central screenwriter explained why they cut the character, stating: ‘If you’re looking for drama, Mark wasn’t the place to go.
‘He serves a purpose in the book because there are a lot more internal things you can do in a book, but when you want something on screen, you very much need two people to butt up against each other. It felt the correct thing to do from a dramatic point of view.’
Despite the change seemingly upsetting some fans, it’s one that Samson likely would have welcomed.
During a 2010 interview with The Guardian, he said he ‘soon realised Mark wasn’t going to be a successful character’.
‘He was a bit wet, really; I had to get rid of him. And I enjoyed creating Barak, whom I like enormously. He stands up to Shardlake; they’re very different but they get on despite their quarrels.’
Shardlake is set in the Tudor era of 1536 and follows lawyer Matthew Shardlake, who is asked by Henry VIII’s right-hand man, Thomas Cromwell (played by Bean), to investigate a murder at Scarnsea abbey.
Teaming up with legal clerk and investigator Jack Barak, the two quickly understand there is more to the story and become embroiled in a labyrinth of lies, deception, and corruption.
Shardlake is streaming now on Disney Plus in the UK.
