Ranking Every HBO Miniseries From Worst To Best
41. Gunpowder
It’s surprising no one had tried to make a big budget TV adaptation of the gunpowder plot prior to this 2017 attempt. The story has it all: memorable characters, political intrigue, a well known tale that many members of the public perhaps don’t fully know.
Unfortunately, this wasn’t that adaptation. Gunpowder was a BBC/HBO collaboration, but unfortunately it was relying on the budget of the former, and like a lot of BBC dramas, this meant an emphasis on dark sets with minimal detail and cutting costs wherever possible.
It’s still very much possible to make a great drama with such limited resources, of course, but they didn’t manage to do so here. Not the least of their problems was the fact that it hinged on star Kit Harrington (a descendent of his character, gunpowder plot conspirator Robert Catesby). While Harrington looks the part in any swashbuckling drama, he’s not been blessed with great reserves of charisma or acting skill, and isn’t the most engaging lead.
The show is decently gory and makes a valiant effort, but forces conspire to make it quickly forgettable, no matter how many times we’re encouraged to remember remember the fifth of November.