When I started watching New Worlds it was mostly to see if Jamie Dornan could act his way through a costume epic (which I am happy to say he does admirably) but then I found myself actually getting into the story which is basically a sequel to the mini-series The Devil's Whore.
The action here takes place in the 1680's on two fronts, in England and in the New World, Massachusetts. It's a bit atypical from how the era is depicted which means that the writers did their homework.
It is by nature still a historical drama and at first seems a bit dry until the action gets ratcheted up in England with those outlaws who want to kill the current tyrant king and those feisty Americans in the New World who are feeling more certain that they don't need England holding their hand anymore.
If you can get through the first episode it's well worth it.
The female actors are unfortunately the weakest link in the story, especially the one playing Beth (Freya Mavor), who hooks up with a hot Native American chief. She's just got all the men falling all over her (originally she plays Jamie Dornan's character's love interest in England) and she's kind of, well, yes, she's just terrible.
I recommend fast-forwarding through all the parts with her staring blankly when she is supposed to be actually expressing some level of emotion (which she does not except to make her voice louder).
Otherwise the acting is pretty fair for all participants, though Jeremy Northam as the King is somewhat underused and does a bit of scenery chewing.
The male wigs are dreadful and fortunately Jamie Dornan doesn't have one but does sport an ill-suited mullet that is a little distracting. He has some nice moments here and there getting convincingly beat up, being a bit of a hellion but then ultimately is the only person (besides the poor homely girl Agnes who saves his character and loves him and meets a brutal end) who shows actual depth and emotion. Worth it to watch those baby blues tear up and spill over.
That's me being cheezy so I apologize; if you like historical adventure with good pacing and drama, you will definitely enjoy New Worlds.
The action here takes place in the 1680's on two fronts, in England and in the New World, Massachusetts. It's a bit atypical from how the era is depicted which means that the writers did their homework.
It is by nature still a historical drama and at first seems a bit dry until the action gets ratcheted up in England with those outlaws who want to kill the current tyrant king and those feisty Americans in the New World who are feeling more certain that they don't need England holding their hand anymore.
If you can get through the first episode it's well worth it.
The female actors are unfortunately the weakest link in the story, especially the one playing Beth (Freya Mavor), who hooks up with a hot Native American chief. She's just got all the men falling all over her (originally she plays Jamie Dornan's character's love interest in England) and she's kind of, well, yes, she's just terrible.
I recommend fast-forwarding through all the parts with her staring blankly when she is supposed to be actually expressing some level of emotion (which she does not except to make her voice louder).
Otherwise the acting is pretty fair for all participants, though Jeremy Northam as the King is somewhat underused and does a bit of scenery chewing.
The male wigs are dreadful and fortunately Jamie Dornan doesn't have one but does sport an ill-suited mullet that is a little distracting. He has some nice moments here and there getting convincingly beat up, being a bit of a hellion but then ultimately is the only person (besides the poor homely girl Agnes who saves his character and loves him and meets a brutal end) who shows actual depth and emotion. Worth it to watch those baby blues tear up and spill over.
That's me being cheezy so I apologize; if you like historical adventure with good pacing and drama, you will definitely enjoy New Worlds.
