I first heard about this when it was promo'd on The Movie Network here in Canada, which is a part of the package we recently got along with HBO and Mpix.
The Pillars of the Earth (premiering July 23) is a Starz original miniseries (who also produced
Spartacus: Blood and Sand). It has caught my attention because I love the medieval period, having studied and enjoyed English history and Geoffrey Chaucer and a few other writers of the period, and being a fan of fantasy as well.
This takes place in mid-12th-century England in a village trying to build a cathedral during a turbulent time: after the
sinking of the White Ship, which killed King Henry I's only legitimate son, and before the murder of the
Archbishop of Canterbury Thomas Becket, who was martyred in his conflict with King Henry II over the rights and privileges of the Church.
So...interesting times. But what has also caught my attention were two actors among the cast: Donald Sutherland and
Ian McShane (of
Deadwood Swearengen fame). Others on the cast seem to be of good quality as well. I hope this production has been put together well.
The story is based on
Ken Follett's celebrated historical novel of the same name.
Is anyone else going to be watching this? I mean, c'mon....Donald Sutherland....