This follow-up to the British House of Cards miniseries of 1990 is great entertainment, especially regarding the ever-delicious Ian Richardson in his role as the Machiavellian Tory politician Francis Urquhart. He is a well-established prime minister now, but the newly crowned king (modelled on Prince Charles) makes 'problems' by starting to interfere in the political sphere.
Many will compare this to House of Cards, so I may do as well. The previous series is certainly more focused storywise and has a clearer dramatic arc. Also, the affair between Francis and the young journalist Mattie is certainly more sparkling than the curiously unemotional relationship between Francis and his adviser Sarah Harding. Another weak point of To Play the King is the great number of characters and subplots, some of which seem to go nowhere. Especially the story of the press officer of the King, David Mycroft, who embarks after his divorce on a gay relationship, gets lots of screen time, but doesn't really add to the central conflict. And the fact that David resigns because he doesn't want his gay lifestyle to damage the King just seems incredibly dated today.
It would also be interesting to get to know the King a bit better, not only in his relation to public life. After his divorce, his main occupation seems to be fitness training, and his only social contacts are his staff. We don't even get to see him with his son. One scene seems to be like the start of a new romance, but it does not go anywhere either.
What I liked very much about this series though is the way the character of Urquhart is developed and deepened. While in HoC he was the invariably scheming villain, hiding behind a mask of respectability, he is now allowed to show genuine emotion, even remorse and regret. When he learns that some of the people closest to him are about to betray him, so he is compelled to have them assassinated, he simply goes to pieces for a moment - this is a scene most wonderfully acted by Richardson. It is also a nice touch that he is regularly haunted by Mattie's death - not for being found out, but rather for what he did to her.
Even Tim Stamper, who was only a sneering henchman in the previous series, gets his share of (wounded) feelings and even a moment of real emotion. Colin Jeavons plays the character brilliantly, almost on the same level as Richardson's genius.
All in all: To Play the King is worthwhile entertainment about political conflicts and intrigue, though does not reach the heights of House of Cards.
Many will compare this to House of Cards, so I may do as well. The previous series is certainly more focused storywise and has a clearer dramatic arc. Also, the affair between Francis and the young journalist Mattie is certainly more sparkling than the curiously unemotional relationship between Francis and his adviser Sarah Harding. Another weak point of To Play the King is the great number of characters and subplots, some of which seem to go nowhere. Especially the story of the press officer of the King, David Mycroft, who embarks after his divorce on a gay relationship, gets lots of screen time, but doesn't really add to the central conflict. And the fact that David resigns because he doesn't want his gay lifestyle to damage the King just seems incredibly dated today.
It would also be interesting to get to know the King a bit better, not only in his relation to public life. After his divorce, his main occupation seems to be fitness training, and his only social contacts are his staff. We don't even get to see him with his son. One scene seems to be like the start of a new romance, but it does not go anywhere either.
What I liked very much about this series though is the way the character of Urquhart is developed and deepened. While in HoC he was the invariably scheming villain, hiding behind a mask of respectability, he is now allowed to show genuine emotion, even remorse and regret. When he learns that some of the people closest to him are about to betray him, so he is compelled to have them assassinated, he simply goes to pieces for a moment - this is a scene most wonderfully acted by Richardson. It is also a nice touch that he is regularly haunted by Mattie's death - not for being found out, but rather for what he did to her.
Even Tim Stamper, who was only a sneering henchman in the previous series, gets his share of (wounded) feelings and even a moment of real emotion. Colin Jeavons plays the character brilliantly, almost on the same level as Richardson's genius.
All in all: To Play the King is worthwhile entertainment about political conflicts and intrigue, though does not reach the heights of House of Cards.