M.C. Beaton's Agatha Raisin comes to the small screen (Sky1-UK) for the holidays. Not exactly the perfect casting for the books, but still looks like a fun production. Lots of my fave British actors. Hope we get it here in the U.S.
I have already sent my thoughts of this casting disaster of Agatha Raisin to a woman much younger than the character she plays. I would have chosen Jenny Funnell from 'As Time Goes By' she played Sandy who would be perfect to play Agatha and told Sky TV this. Not that Ms Jensen isn't a good actress but why cast the wrong person as Agatha isn't young her character is in her 50's it should be someone in their fifties playing her. Otherwise it's a slap in the face to readers who are expecting accuracy. If you're going to do someone who has been read by Penny Keith or Davina Porter then do it properly then.
According to IMDB, Ashley Jensen was born in 1969. If she doesn't 'look her age' ...well, we all know why actresses in TV and movies don't.
My concern is that I've only seen her play ineffectual, sentimental characters. Agatha Raisin is basically a pushy jerk. I suppose they are trying to soften that for a TV audience.
Guess we'll find out -- if the show ever makes it to the USA, lol.
Very disappointing cast. Agatha was not only older but had glossy dark hair, small eyes and a sumptuous figure. Although she was wealthy, she came from a rough background and was a bit of a daredevil rough diamond . Roy looks too normal, not camp enough in the series. I won't watch this as it will spoil reading the books.
Characters have disappeared and those left i.e. Agatha and Roy are nothing like in the books. The disappeared Mrs Bloxby was the care and voice of reason forthe Agatha character.Agatha is frequently mentioned as having bobbed shiny dark hair. Well the bob was there the least they could have done was put a wig on the actress. As for Roy, well what's happened to him? In all the books he's very camp and dresses according to who he is representing at the time. Also he is shown on screen as being gay with a boyfriend. This has never been mentioned it has been left to the reader. If M C Beaton had any hand in cast approval then it only adds to my complete and utter disappointment with what they have done. I doubt very much I will be watching any further episodes if the same cast appears. It needs a drastic overhaul
I would love a PBS series about Agatha Raisin. I hope producers of such a show will not make the kind of mistake Ron Howard did when he directed "The Da Vince Code". He didn't read the book! Millions of fans of the book were severely disappointed. Agatha Raisin is not a spring chicken. She is pushy, arrogant and oblivious to the feelings of others. She is caring when she wants to be, desires a long lasting relationship with a handsome man and, in spite of her years, has great legs. Her eyes are small and bearish. A pretty 30-something woman will not be a wise choice. The UK abounds with amazing character actors...much better than here in the US where we tend to put women out to pasture once they are in their 40's. Make Agatha Raisin's fans happy and the word will spread...you will have a hit on your hands!
I've read all the Agatha Raisin books. I won't be watching any DVD about her with a blond, young woman playing the title role. No thanks! Agatha is older, slightly overweight, busty, with "good legs", dark shiny hair, small eyes.
I agree. Totally ineffective casting. Didn't casting people read the books? Agatha is older dark brown hair pushiest with posh accent. Bill Wong is chubby and her cleaner Doris s married and older. Mrs zbloxsy older and vicar a mild mannered. Very disappointed. Terrible casting and obviously they never read the books. A real shame. I'll never buy the DVDs.
I have already sent my thoughts of this casting disaster of Agatha Raisin to a woman much younger than the character she plays. I would have chosen Jenny Funnell from 'As Time Goes By' she played Sandy who would be perfect to play Agatha and told Sky TV this. Not that Ms Jensen isn't a good actress but why cast the wrong person as Agatha isn't young her character is in her 50's it should be someone in their fifties playing her. Otherwise it's a slap in the face to readers who are expecting accuracy. If you're going to do someone who has been read by Penny Keith or Davina Porter then do it properly then.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read any of the Agatha Raisin books, but the trailer was very humorous. I think i'll enjoy this new series.
ReplyDeleteIcewineanne
Lakebotany@hotmail.ca
According to IMDB, Ashley Jensen was born in 1969. If she doesn't 'look her age' ...well, we all know why actresses in TV and movies don't.
ReplyDeleteMy concern is that I've only seen her play ineffectual, sentimental characters. Agatha Raisin is basically a pushy jerk. I suppose they are trying to soften that for a TV audience.
Guess we'll find out -- if the show ever makes it to the USA, lol.
Very disappointing cast. Agatha was not only older but had glossy dark hair, small eyes and a sumptuous figure. Although she was wealthy, she came from a rough background and was a bit of a daredevil rough diamond . Roy looks too normal, not camp enough in the series. I won't watch this as it will spoil reading the books.
ReplyDeleteCharacters have disappeared and those left i.e. Agatha and Roy are nothing like in the books. The disappeared Mrs Bloxby was the care and voice of reason forthe Agatha character.Agatha is frequently mentioned as having bobbed shiny dark hair. Well the bob was there the least they could have done was put a wig on the actress. As for Roy, well what's happened to him? In all the books he's very camp and dresses according to who he is representing at the time. Also he is shown on screen as being gay with a boyfriend. This has never been mentioned it has been left to the reader. If M C Beaton had any hand in cast approval then it only adds to my complete and utter disappointment with what they have done. I doubt very much I will be watching any further episodes if the same cast appears. It needs a drastic overhaul
ReplyDeleteI would love a PBS series about Agatha Raisin. I hope producers of such a show will not make the kind of mistake Ron Howard did when he directed "The Da Vince Code". He didn't read the book! Millions of fans of the book were severely disappointed. Agatha Raisin is not a spring chicken. She is pushy, arrogant and oblivious to the feelings of others. She is caring when she wants to be, desires a long lasting relationship with a handsome man and, in spite of her years, has great legs. Her eyes are small and bearish. A pretty 30-something woman will not be a wise choice. The UK abounds with amazing character actors...much better than here in the US where we tend to put women out to pasture once they are in their 40's. Make Agatha Raisin's fans happy and the word will spread...you will have a hit on your hands!
ReplyDeleteI've read all the Agatha Raisin books. I won't be watching any DVD about her
ReplyDeletewith a blond, young woman playing the title role. No thanks!
Agatha is older, slightly
overweight, busty, with "good legs", dark shiny hair, small eyes.
I agree. Totally ineffective casting. Didn't casting people read the books?
ReplyDeleteAgatha is older dark brown hair pushiest with posh accent. Bill Wong is chubby and her cleaner Doris s married and older. Mrs zbloxsy older and vicar a mild mannered. Very disappointed. Terrible casting and obviously they never read the books. A real shame. I'll never buy the DVDs.