Shardlake Review: Hulu's Frantic Historical Murder Mystery Is A Missed Opportunity

Summary Convincing performances elevate Shardlake, but its world lacks the authenticity of the source material.

Pacing issues and lack of character development prevent Shardlake from reaching its full potential.

Jarring creative decisions distract from the compelling central presence of the protagonist, resulting in a show that falls short.

Like the murder mystery that runs through the heart of the show, Shardlake season 1 is a frustrating enigma. On the one hand, the series represents the first adaptation of C.J. Sansom's acclaimed and entertaining Tudor detective novels – a highly anticipated moment for the books' many fans. On the other, the source material is distorted to such an extent that some aspects are almost unrecognizable, like a bloated corpse that's escaped the notice of a hapless investigator. The result is a miniseries that veers between exhilaration and exasperation.

Shardlake’s sheltered life as a lawyer is turned upside down when Cromwell instructs him to investigate the murder of one of his commissioners at a monastery in the remote town of Scarnsea. The commissioner was gathering evidence to close the monastery and it is now imperative for Cromwell’s own political survival that Shardlake both solves the murder and closes the monastery. Pros Strong performances, particularly from Arthur Hughes

Compelling story, thanks to the great source material

Entertaining action and relentless narrative Cons Ineffective world-building and inauthenticity

Prioritization of story over character, with little room for development

Jarring creative decisions that prevent full audience engagement

Starring Arthur Hughes as lawyer and proto-Holmes Matthew Shardlake, the show follows the same basic premise as the first entry in Sansom's series, Dissolution. Set amid the conspiratorial atmosphere of 16th century England, Shardlake quickly establishes a religious war that threatens to divide the nation, between the old Catholic ways and the radical powers of reformation – embodied by King Henry VIII's malevolent enforcer, Thomas Cromwell. It is Cromwell who sends Shardlake on a mission to the monastery of Saint Donatus in Scarnsea to uncover who is responsible for beheading one of his commissioners.

Related 15 British Murder Mysteries You Need To Watch Distinctly British shows sometimes don't translate to other audiences, but here are some British murder mystery series that deserve a watch.

Shardlake Fails To Live Up To Its Source Material

Its world does not feel realistic

Close

This premise places Shardlake within the potentially claustrophobic confines of a hostile abbey, surrounded by sinister monks, festering marshland, and potential assassins. It's a setup that, as in the book, should be a recipe for thrills and intrigue. And, in some cases, the show succeeds in living up to its salacious premise.

Hughes is believably intense as the dedicated Shardlake, whose physical disability earns him the cruel moniker "crookback" from his enemies. Cast members David Pearse and Brian Vernel are also suitably sinister as clergymen who fulfill every negative stereotype of Catholicism. However, while generally strong performances ensure the action is engaging, Shardlake's litany of other problems halt any momentum.

The London scenes look like they were filmed on an unwanted Game of Thrones set, while the monastery itself variously resembles a castle, a cathedral, and a village pub

The show's most obvious issue is atmosphere. In Sansom's novel, Tudor England is vividly brought to life on every page, from London's sewage-soaked streets to the prison-like walls of Saint Donatus. In Shardlake, however, any sense of history has been stripped away. The London scenes look like they were filmed on an unwanted Game of Thrones set, while the monastery itself variously resembles a castle, a cathedral, and a village pub. Given that realism is one of Dissolution's greatest strengths, this feels like a real departure from the source material.

Shardlake (2024) Cast Arthur Hughes , Sean Bean , Anthony Boyle , Babou Ceesay , Paul Kaye , Ruby Ashbourne Serkis , Peter Firth , Matthew Steer , Brian Vernel , Irfan Shamji , David Pearse , Miles Barrow , Mike Noble , Kimberley Nixon Release Date May 1, 2024 Seasons 1 Streaming Service(s) Hulu Writers Stephen Butchard Directors Justin Chadwick Main Genre Drama

Pacing & Lack Of Characterization Make Shardlake Suffer

The show suffers from jarring creative decisions

Image via Hulu/Disney

Worldbuilding isn't Shardlake's only parallel with HBO's series. Much as Game of Thrones season 8 threw all sense of pacing out the window with Bran Stark, Shardlake literally gallops along. Journeys that should take days on horseback take seconds, leaving the impression of a rushed story with no time for trivialities like character development and motive. Within a breathless opening episode, Shardlake is parachuted in to see Cromwell – a figure whose true power and ruthlessness is never fully explained – before being whisked off to Scarnsea and surrounded by strange monks. It's enough to confuse anyone, even a detective.

Hooded monks who look like they've wandered straight off the set of Hot Fuzz distract when they should disturb

This isn't to say Shardlake doesn't have effective moments. Scenes that take their time to explore the methodology of Hughes' esoteric protagonist help establish Shardlake as a man of principle and integrity, giving the narrative a compelling central presence. Unfortunately, every time the show is in danger of building any impetus, a jarring creative decision jolts us out of immersion. Hooded monks who look like they've wandered straight off the set of Hot Fuzz distract when they should disturb. A lawyer's humorous attempts at French land like a lead balloon. At every turn, Shardlake stumbles when it threatens to run.

Your browser does not support the video tag.

Ultimately, Shardlake is a prime example of a show that prioritizes story over character. Certainly, it is not short of action. The bodies begin to pile high from the very first scene, setting the tone for what's to come. However, the series' breakneck speed makes it almost impossible to grasp individual character's stories, motivations, or even their names. Where Samson's plotting is deliberate and confidential, Shardlake tears through the narrative like a Tudor king through wives. The result is a show that bears the likeness of the books, but lacks any of their depth, subtlety, or authenticity.