SHADOW & BONE
Created by Eric Heisserer Starring Jessie Mei Li, Archie Renaux, Ben Barnes, Freddy Carter, Amita Suman, Kit Young, Zoe Wanamaker
Released on Netflix April 23rd 2021
“Based on Leigh Bardugo’s worldwide bestselling Grishaverse novels, Shadow and Bone finds us in a war-torn world where lowly soldier and orphan Alina Starkov has just unleashed an extraordinary power that could be the key to setting her country free. With the monstrous threat of the Shadow Fold looming, Alina is torn from everything she knows to train as part of an elite army of magical soldiers known as Grisha. But as she struggles to hone her power, she finds that allies and enemies can be one and the same and that nothing in this lavish world is what it seems. There are dangerous forces at play, including a crew of charismatic criminals, and it will take more than magic to survive. - via Rotten Tomatoes”
Shadow And Bone is an absolute treat for newcomers and book lovers alike. The new, highly anticipated Netflix adaptation of Leigh Bardugo’s Grishaverse novels hits all the marks, and then some.
With immersive and at times intimidating world-building, Shadow And Bone depicts a new fantasy world (inspired by 19th Century tsarist Russia) which is incredibly rich in detail: from the perilous criminal underworld of Ketterdam to the monster-filled shadow Fold, the set design and scale of production is remarkable and complemented by the gorgeous cinematography and music. The pitch-perfect cast is costumed beautifully, with embroidered uniforms and fitted coats which help to establish the social status and identity of each character. Some viewers may grapple with the first few episodes as they learn of all of the different terminologies, countries, and the magical framework in which the world of Ravka is set - but overall the exposition is handled in a cohesive manner and becomes clearer as the season progresses.
Like its source material, Shadow & Bone remains in the vein of Young Adult, especially the 1st half of the 8-episode season. Many of these tropes, such as the Chosen One narrative, can be found in this show but the tone is darker than you might expect (do not let this dissuade you from watching it). It is rated 16+, and scratches the surface of more mature themes that will no doubt be explored in future seasons if Netflix is to renew it.
A SUCCESSFUL BOOK-TO-TV ADAPTATION : INTRODUCING THE CROWS
As a fan of the Grishaverse novels by author Leigh Bardugo, I was relieved to discover that the author herself would be very involved on set as a producer of the show. Shadow And Bone merges characters from both S&B and the Six Of Crows duology, despite the latter taking place chronologically after the events of the first trilogy. Not an easy feat, but one that pays off beautifully. This was a wise decision as Six Of Crows is the most critically acclaimed of all the Grishaverse novels, with the most fleshed-out characters each with their own in-depth backstory and character arcs. These beloved characters help keep the momentum of the show going when the weaker narrative parts of Shadow And Bone cause it to stagnate - especially in episodes 3 and 4 (mostly set in the Little Palace), which are a little wobbly compared to the others. Fear not, everything you see with the Crows in this first season is NEW prequel material, so the major storyline elements and backstories of the criminal Crows are yet to be revealed. With that being said, we do have a few little Easter eggs and even a glimpse of the brutal gang leader Pekka Rollins, played impeccably by Dean Lennox Kelly, who promises to be a dangerous figure in future seasons.
The fresh-faced cast were perfectly chosen, each inhabiting the Crow characters with such conviction and assuredness: Freddy Carter (Kaz Brekker), Amita Suman (Inej Ghafa) and Kit Young (Jesper Fahey) have chemistry that translates effortlessly on screen, with relationships that feel history-laden and authentic. There is nuance and acute attention to detail in their performances, from their body language to line deliveries, which makes these characters light up the screen whenever they appear.
Fans will be satisfied with this merging of storylines as it allows for these characters to interact in ways the books did not, whilst keeping true to the original story.
Again, season 1 is merely a showcase for the potential this new fantasy franchise is capable of bringing to life.
THE CHARACTERS OF THE SHADOW & BONE TRILOGY
As for the characters from the Shadow And Bone book trilogy, once again we have hit casting gold. From Ben Barnes’ portrayal of The Darkling to secondary characters such as Genya and Zoya, the casting of this show is impressive and one of the major reasons behind its success. Each performance is praiseworthy, and the dedicated writing for each character conveys the complexity and conflicts present in their world.
One of the biggest takeaways for many, myself included, is the casting of Archie Renaux as Mal Oretsev, a tracker in the 1st Army - a controversial character in the books who is often disliked or dismissed in favour of other characters. However, Shadow And Bone embraces the best parts of the source material and improves it, and Mal is no exception. Renaux brings a mix of charisma and emotional depth to the character of Mal which the books were lacking, resulting in a more gripping storyline and benefitting the show as a whole.
Another major change from the books is the casting of the lead character Alina Starkov, wonderfully played by Jessie Mei Li, who is half-English and half-Chinese. Alina’s ethnicity isn’t specified in the books, and so the show-runners re-wrote her as half-Shu in this Netflix adaptation (Shu are considered the enemy in their war-torn country). However, this choice wasn’t done for the sake of ticking a diversity box: Alina’s entire arc centres around identity and belonging, and being half-Shu amplifies this struggle of finding and forging herself in her new situation. Read what Jessie Mei Li had to say about her casting and this topic here.
Jessie Mei Li does a wonderful job of bringing Alina to life, capturing both her defiance and naivety. The last two episodes, in particular, show Alina at her best, with a gripping, satisfying finale: it sets the tone for future seasons and the challenges that lay ahead for these beloved characters.
The diversity of the cast, characters and the LGBTQ+ representation make Shadow And Bone stand out from other fantasy epics such as Harry Potter, Lord of The Rings and even Game Of Thrones, a very welcome progressive change in this beloved genre.
Although predictable at times, Shadow And Bone is a rare successful book-to-tv adaptation that you shouldn’t sleep on. The dedicated and nuanced writing is in perfect balance with the CGI/magical elements of the show: the first two episodes do a wonderful job introducing each character and their environment, capturing their essence and complexity. The tone shifts halfway through the season as secrets begin to unravel, resulting in a gripping finale which promises exciting challenges ahead. The Crows and the depiction of the Ketterdam criminal underworld are highlights, leaving the audience wanting more after every episode.
The high quality of the production, the talented cast and the rich tapestry of this magical landscape make Shadow And Bone an engaging fantasy epic. This first season builds the groundwork for future storylines, by establishing the major players and the political, war-torn landscape in which they are set. It feels like a preamble to something even greater, a showcase for the potential it still has to offer.