Ranking Every Major Performance In Carnival Row
11. Arty Froushan (Jonah Breakspear)
Though Arty Froushan’s Jonah Breakspear is in Carnival Row right from the beginning, it isn’t until he’s freed from capture that we really see him in action. Given the fairly flat scenes he gets from then on though, there doesn’t feel like there’s much of a difference.
Jonah is an utterly spoiled brat, one who goes on to become the Chancellor of the Burge after his father’s murder. Whether we’re supposed to gain some sympathy for his gilded cage or admire his ambition is anyone’s guess, as the performance barely changes throughout.
When he realises his mother was the one who kidnapped him, there’s barely a reaction. The same goes for when he learns his political rival and lover is his sister, and when he found out she knew all along.
Froushan is given a lot of chances to ham it up, but he just never takes them.
Froushan’s Breakspear does gain a few points for fully embodying the foppish, naive, silver spoon lifestyle of a successful politician’s son, and is a good foil for brilliant scenes with Jared Harris and Simon McBurney. On his own though, there’s nothing too special.