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Gunpowder
Series title over smoke
Genre Period drama
Thriller
Developed by
Written by
  • Ronan Bennett
Directed by J Blakeson
Starring
Country of origin United Kingdom
Original language(s) English
No. of series 1
No. of episodes 3 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producer(s)
  • Kit Harington
  • Ollie Madden
  • Daniel West
  • Stephen Wright
Producer(s) Laurie Borg
Cinematography Philipp Blaubach
Running time 60 minutes
Production company(s) Kudos
Release
Original network
Original release 21 October (2017-10-21) – 4 November 2017 (2017-11-04)

Gunpowder is a British historical drama television miniseries produced by Kudos and Kit Harington’s Thriker Films for BBC One. The three-part drama series premiered on BBC One in the United Kingdom on 21 October 2017 and on HBO in the United States on 18 December 2017.

The series was developed by Ronan Bennett, Kit Harington, and Daniel West and is based on the Gunpowder Plot in London in 1605. It stars Harington, who is a direct descendant of his character Robert Catesby. J Blakeson directed the series.

Cast

Main

Recurring

Production

In February 2017, the BBC ordered Gunpowder, then announced the three-part drama series was to be developed by Ronan Bennett, Kit Harington, and Daniel West; written by Ronan Bennett; and produced by Kudos. The series stars Kit Harington, Peter Mullan, Mark Gatiss, and Liv Tyler, and is directed by J Blakeson. Filming started in late February 2017.

Filming locations included the National Trust's East Riddlesden Hall and Fountains Abbey, alongside popular visitor attractions such as Oakwell Hall; Ripley Castle; Haddon Hall; Kirkstall Abbey; Bolton Abbey; Lendal Bridge in York City Centre; and the famous Ilkley Moor. Beverley Minster depicted the regal splendour of the Palace of Westminster.

Episodes

All three episodes were available on the BBC iPlayer following the terrestrial broadcast of the first episode.

No. Title Directed by Written by Original air date UK viewers
(millions)
1 "Episode 1" J Blakeson Ronan Bennett 21 October 2017 (2017-10-21) 9.33
It is 1603, and as England wars with Spain and the bloody persecution of Catholics intensifies, a young nobleman resolves to avenge his kin and defend his faith by any means necessary.
2 "Episode 2" J Blakeson Ronan Bennett 28 October 2017 (2017-10-28) 7.49
As the king's network of spies close in on them, Catesby and Wintour attempt to raise an army for their plot across mainland Europe. Returning to London with Guy Fawkes in tow, Catesby assembles his gang of plotters for the first time. They know they must act fast, and the plan is formed—they will strike next week, 5 November, at the opening of Parliament.
3 "Episode 3" J Blakeson Ronan Bennett 4 November 2017 (2017-11-04) 5.25
On the eve of 5 November, Catesby, Fawkes and the plotters load the tunnels below Parliament with barrels of gunpowder. Across the city, Father Garnet is under pressure to reveal Catesby's plot for the good of the Catholic faith.

Broadcast

Gunpowder premiered on BBC One in the United Kingdom on 21 October 2017. The series premiered in the United States on HBO on 18 December 2017.

See also

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