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TV PREVIEWS
The Devil's Whore, Wednesday 9pm, Channel 4 
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Now that's what I call a salacious title! Although this being Channel 4, it's slightly surprising this new English Civil War drama isn't called The Devil's Whore ON CRACK for that added punch. But hey ho.
If you don't know the story of the Parliamentarian uprising against oppressive king Charles I and the Royalists, shame on you for not paying attention in school. Don't worry, though, this four-parter centres on fictional woman Angelica Fanshawe (Andrea Riseborough) and her part in the events.
We find out in the opening scenes that as a child Angelica was deserted by her mother, who went off to become a nun. As the young 'un curses the heavens, declaring, "There is no God!" – and yes, she is a bit precocious for a pre-teen – she sees a jester-like devil (or devil-like jester) standing in the crook of a tree. What could it mean? You'll have to stick with the series to find out…
Flashback over, we jump forward to Palace of Whitehall in 1638, and Angelica is hanging out in the court of King Charles (a pale and beardy Peter Capaldi, upgrading his The Thick of It spin doctor monster a few levels) about to marry her childhood playmate (and cousin) Harry.
Things look good – and since they both have the same surname already, she doesn't even need to change her email address. Sorry, where was I? Right. Meanwhile, the mercenary Edward Sexby (John Simm) appears on the scene and introduces Ange to anti-monarchist pals Oliver Cromwell (Dominic West, aka Jimmy McNulty from The Wire) and Thomas Rainsborough (Michael Fassbender), who prophecies a new age – "the world will be turned," he says ominously. He's right, of course.
Clearly big bucks have been spent on this series, but its creators have resisted the temptation to glam things up; the fancy clothes don't preclude the feeling of the squalor of 17th century life. Angela Riseborough is an engaging lead and with his big hat and scar, John Simm looks almost iconic. Want an answer to the question: “War, what is it good for?” Here it is.
by Will Parkhouse, Wednesday 19 November 2008
