“Career of Evil” Positive Reviews Support BBC’s “Cormoran Strike Mysteries”
By Ani Bundel
Back at the end of September, the BBC announced that as part of their 2016 slate, they would be producing and airing a six part series based on Rowling’s latest venture. The Cormoran Strike Novels, penned under the name Robert Galbraith, had so far offered two installments The Cuckoo’s Calling and The Silkworm, both to decent reviews. Now with the third novel, Career of Evil, out to further high marks, it looks like the BBC is backing the right horse by bringing it to television.
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One note for those who were used to the rather bloodless world of Harry Potter (even the most horrific deaths, like that of Cedric Doggory, were done by magic, and therefore contained little to no blood and gore.) Every review seems to mention the grisly nature of the murders. The Boston Globe goes so far as to call it “copious bloodletting.” Those who were less thrilled with the novel (like the New York Times) go out of their way to note how much the Nick-and-Nora type relationship between detective Cormoran Strike and secretary Robin Ellacott, suggesting that as long as the show gets that casting right, they’ll be able to support just about any sort of mystery tale the show (or the books) comes up with.
The BBC certainly seems to understand that the show is less about a faithful retelling of the novels (though fans will certainly wish for it to start out that way) and more of capturing the feeling of the books in order to find itself with an order for Series 2. Their overview blurb actually does a better job at giving an description of the current trilogy than most accounts:
Steeped in the atmosphere of contemporary London, Cormoran Strike’s city is far from the bright lights and frenetic bustle, immersed instead in its darker, murkier side. War veteran turned private detective, Strike investigates shocking crimes together with his female assistant Robin, whose forensic mind and fierce determination he cannot ignore. The murders take them from the hushed streets of Mayfair to the literary haunts of Fitzrovia, exposing the seedy reality lurking beneath seemingly innocent societies. With each crime, they discover a little more about each other and both learn that appearances can be deceptive.
J.K. Rowling, who is executive producing the series, is sticking with her Brontë Film and Television company, who did The Casual Vacancy earlier this year. Sarah Phelps, who also worked on Vacancy, is slotted to do the writing honors for the Cuckoo’s Calling, while BBC veteran Ben Richards will be adapting The Silkworm. BBC One also named Julian Farino (from HBO’s Entourage, among other credits) as the director for the series.
We’re looking forward to casting announcements, which should be coming along in the next few weeks, and production for the series gets underway.
Career of Evil is out now. You can order a copy here.