‘War and Peace’ Episode 5 review: Natasha is broken

I shouldn’t like to have lived in the Russia of War and Peace, as pretty as it may have been. The consequences of Natasha’s momentary lapse of sanity have come to light: James Norton plays Andrei here with a stoicism so fragile you can see his brokenness leaking out through the fractures in it – … >

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Win BBC One’s ‘War and Peace’ on Blu-ray!

Andrew Davies’ new adaptation of Leo Tolstoy’s classic novel War and Peace arrives on DVD and Blu-ray on Monday 8 February. Set in Russia, 1805 and starring Paul Dano (Love and Mercy), Lily James (Downtown Abbey) and James Norton (Happy Valley), the epic six-part series is also available to download and keep from BBCStore.com. > … >

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‘War and Peace’ Episode 4 review: This has become stressful television

So, sweet Natasha and nice Andrei get themselves engaged after all – but there’s a catch! At his grumpy dad’s insistence, he has to spend a year abroad first, backpacking through Europe, presumably. This will definitely end well for our lovebirds, won’t it? Meanwhile, Nicolai’s mum and dad politely request that he marry a nice … >

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‘War and Peace’ Episode 3 review: Andrei is a haunted man

I wished for more nice Russian songs in War and Peace, and last night’s third episode delivered! Pierre, thank goodness, decides to take steps toward being a better person, after shooting (but not killing) the very naughty Dolokhov in a duel, and later meeting a freemason and being invited to learn the secret handshake. Helene … >

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‘Billionaire Boy’ review: Very enjoyable, silly family fare

Based on David Walliams’ book of the same name, Billionaire Boy is the inspiring story of one man’s quest to unleash his potential to become an exceptionally terrible person with the help of a miraculous windfall – or possibly the story of one boy’s discovery that wealth isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. We … >

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Cast announced for ‘Downton Abbey’ creator’s new drama ‘Doctor Thorne’

Ian McShane, Tom Hollander and Rebecca Front will lead the cast of ITV’s Doctor Thorne. The three-part drama is adapted by Downton Abbey writer Julian Fellowes from one of his favourite novels by Anthony Trollope. The cast includes Alison Brie (Mad Men), Richard McCabe (Indian Summers), Phoebe Nicholls (Downton Abbey), Gwyneth Keyworth (Misfits), Kate O’Flynn … >

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‘Downton Abbey’ star Lily James in new ‘War and Peace’ promo pic

A brand new promotional photo for BBC One’s upcoming War and Peace adaptation has been revealed. Adapted from Leo Tolstoy’s 1869 literary masterpiece by Mr Selfridge writer Andrew Davies, the six one-hour episodes will “bring the classic to life for a modern audience on a truly epic scale”. Directed by Tom Harper (Peaky Blinders), War … >

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Watch trailer for BBC One’s epic ‘War and Peace’ adaptation

The first trailer for BBC One’s War and Peace was unveiled last night. Adapted from Leo Tolstoy’s 1869 literary masterpiece by Mr Selfridge writer Andrew Davies, the six one-hour episodes will “bring the classic to life for a modern audience on a truly epic scale”. War and Peace will star Lily James (Downton Abbey) as … >

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David Walliams adapting his ‘Billionaire Boy’ book for BBC One

BBC One has announced the cast for Billionaire Boy, the channel’s fourth dramatisation of a David Walliams book. The hour-long adaptation begins filming this week in Sheffield and Rotherham. Billionaire Boy is the story of Len, who makes a billion from inventing a new toilet roll, and his 12-year-old son Joe (Elliot Sprakes) who appears … >

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