Ranking Every Major Performance In Carnival Row
5. Tamzin Merchant (Imogen Spurnrose)
In a move she surely regrets, Tamzin Merchant asked to be removed from Game Of Thrones after shooting the pilot, with then unknown actress Emilia Clarke quickly cast as her replacement.
While there’s nothing here to suggest she would have done a better job than Clarke as Daenerys (nor will Carnival Row achieve the cultural impact of Game Of Thrones), Merchant plays a great part nonetheless. Imogen Spurnrose becomes a stronger character as the series goes on and finishes as one of the most developed in the whole show.
Beginning as a caricaturish portrayal of a spoiled little rich girl, Merchant is every inch the pampered, silver spoon brat. She’s not likeable at all as the season begins, but does a far better job than Arty Froushan at getting us to feel sorry for her luxurious lifestyle.
It’s clear that she’s deeply unhappy, and her cruelty towards Agreus slowly but surely dissolves into fascination. She trods the line carefully between progressive and patronising, and her measured performance is perfect for the character.
Unspectacular, perhaps, but one of the most grounded and developed stories on the Row. Season 2 looks promising as she leaves her comfort zone.