Pillars of the Earth -

Premise: Based on Ken Follett’s historical novel of the same name, “Pillars of the Earth” is an epic tale set against the backdrop of war, religious strife, and power struggles in 12th century England. The central plot revolves around the construction of a cathedral in the fictional town of Kingsbridge. The story intertwines the lives of its characters over decades, weaving together love, war, revenge, and betrayal.

Main Characters:

Tom Builder (Rufus Sewell) – A master builder who dreams of constructing a cathedral.
Prior Philip (Matthew Macfadyen) – A devout monk with the vision to build the cathedral and bring prosperity to Kingsbridge.
Lady Aliena (Hayley Atwell) – A noblewoman who faces numerous trials, eventually falling in love with Jack.
Jack Jackson (Eddie Redmayne) – An artistic builder, Tom’s stepson, who becomes instrumental in the cathedral’s construction and has a profound relationship with Lady Aliena.

Themes: “Pillars of the Earth” delves deep into the complexities of faith, both personal and institutional. It touches on the power dynamics of medieval politics, the contrast between ambition and morality, and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity. Themes of love, revenge, betrayal, and redemption also run prominently throughout the series.

Critical Consensus and Rating: 4 out of 5. Critics generally appreciated the series for its compelling character development, intricate plot, and grand set pieces. While it was praised for its faithful adaptation of the novel, some critics felt that certain narrative arcs were condensed to the detriment of character depth.

TV Parental Guidelines Rating: TV-MA for its mature content, including scenes of violence, sexual content, and the intense thematic nature of the series.

Broadcast Details: “Pillars of the Earth” originally aired on the Starz network in 2010.

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