Jekyll
BBC America DVD
Starring: James Nesbitt

BBC America is really starting to make waves. What with shows as diverse as Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares, Dr. Who, and Hotel Babylon, the audience reaction and viewing figures are consistently going in an upward direction.

Jekyll, which debuted on the cable channel in late summer this year to almost unanimous critical approval, is now out on a shiny, sparkly 2-disc DVD set; and a more entertaining package it could hardly be.

Starring the unreasonably talented James Nesbitt (of Murphy’s Law fame), it retells the tale of Jekyll and Hyde in a modern setting and with no small amount of style across six pulsating and furiously paced episodes.

Nesbitt’s portrayal of the troubled Dr Jackman, and his brutal, child-like and sex-driven alter-ego Hyde (who also has a healthy penchant for the blackest of humor), is generous, touching tragic, utterly believable and not easy in this particular genre.

Nesbitt jumps from the humble Jackman to the utterly vile, yet undeniably compelling Hyde, in an instant and the change is both terrifying and unmissable.

The supporting cast is also magnificent. Gina Bellman (Coupling) and the consistently superb Denis Lawson, as Nesbitt’s long suffering wife and best friend respectively, are a treat to watch and play marvelously underscored roles in this whole compelling drama.

The greatest accolade, however, must surely go to writer Steven Moffat. Moffat, easily one of the most talented drama/comedy writers of the last five years or so, has re-worked this whole ancient saga and given it such a massive boost, it is a joy to behold.

Add to that, almost all of his Dr Who episodes have been the most impressive of the three seasons thus far, (not to mention the fact that Russell T Davies, the lead writer of both Who and the abysmal Torchwood, would do well to take writing lessons from Moffat), it seems that British dramatic writing is in good hands.

Jekyll veers from scary, to comedic to dramatic with consummate ease, is a fantastic thrill-ride, and will keep the viewer on the edge of their seats throughout. Unforgettable.

Jekyll is out now on BBC America DVD priced $29.98.

Technorati Tags: Jekyll, Jekyll and Hyde, BBC America, Dr. Who, Torchwood, British, TV Show, DVD Review

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