Kit Harington 'Gunpowder' Air Date, Plot News: Brutal Execution Scenes Shock Viewers
BBC's gripping retelling of the historical Gunpowder Plot of 1605 left some viewers shocked and uneasy. "Gunpowder," which features Kit Harington in the lead as the plotter and rebel Robert Catesby, had execution scenes that might have been too violent for television.
"Gunpowder," which premiered on Saturday, Oct. 21, via BBC, depicted how Catholics were tortured in the 1600s by the ruling Protestant monarch. Harington defended that the violent scenes were important to show the barbaric treatment of Catholics as it happened in England's history. It was, after all, what triggered the assassination plot against the king.
Despite this, viewers still tuned in to watch "Gunpowder." Fans applauded the show's gripping story and the violence was at least alleviated by Harington's presence.
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Harington, who shot to worldwide fame because of "Game of Thrones," starred and produced "Gunpowder" because of a personal connection to Catesby. The man behind the plot to assassinate King James I was Harington's ancestor and his story have never been fully explored in film or television.
"Many don't know the full story. Guy Fawkes was the tip of the iceberg," Harington said. "Little is known about the lead up to the night of November 5th, of what happened afterwards," he stated, adding, "In 'Gunpowder,' we show the whole story."
Fawkes (Tom Cullen), the triggerman, helped Catesby smuggle barrels of gunpowder that would have blown up the House of Lords before the king's guards caught him. He was forced to give up his fellow plotters and they were all executed.
The U.K. observe Bonfire Night every Nov. 5 as a reminder of the prevention of the Gunpowder Plot of 1605. Over the years, however, the plotters' story about rebellion became a story about resisting persecution. Some observers today light bonfires to pay respects to Catesby, Fawkes and the rest of the plotters who were killed because they won't renounce Catholicism.
"Gunpowder" has two more episodes airing on Oct. 28 and Nov. 4 at 10:00 p.m. on BBC. The series also stars Liv Tyler, Mark Gatiss, Derek Riddell and Edward Holcroft.
