Shadow & Bone
FANTASY DRAMA Netflix EDITOR’S CHOICE
Set in a land cut off from the world, this fantasy series follows Alina (Jessie Mei Li) as she discovers her powers.
Shadow and Bone
NEW Genre: Fantasy drama Available: Friday 23 April Season: 1 Episodes: 8 Runs: 60min
TVSW says: Move over Westeros…
THE LATEST FANTASY series to be hailed as a potential successor to
Game of Thrones, Netflix’s Shadow and Bone tells the epic tale of Alina (Jessie Mei Li), an orphan who discovers she has special powers that could set her country free.
The eight-part series is based on a series of books by author Leigh Bardugo, set in the land of Ravka, which is cut off from the rest of the world by a dark no-man’s land called The Shadow Fold, where terrifying creatures prey on those bold enough to attempt a crossing.
‘The Shadow Fold is crawling with monsters that feast on human flesh,’ explains Bardugo. ‘In order for this country that is surrounded by enemies to have contact with the outside world, they have to send people through the Fold.’
As the series begins, Alina and her childhood friend Mal (Archie Renaux), who grew up together in an orphanage and serve in Ravka’s First Army, are sent on a mission to cross the Fold.
‘Alina and Mal are almost like family to each other,’ explains Mei Li. ‘I love their relationship. It’s essentially a friendship, which we don’t see much of between male and female characters. So this really gorgeous, platonic, slightly romantic relationship blossoms throughout the series.’
When Alina unexpectedly displays the abilities of the Grisha – Ravkan warriors with special powers that are connected to natural forces – she attracts the attention of Ravka’s mysterious General Kirigan (Ben Barnes).
At the same time, a gang of criminals from Ketterdam, a bustling island trade hub renowned for its gambling dens and brothels, is offered a large sum of money to bring Alina to another interested party…
‘There are other forces moving in this world, including a certain little crew of thugs and thieves from another country called Kerch – and they have a part to play in Alina’s story as well,’ reveals Bardugo.
The series reunites Archie Renaux with fellow Gold Digger actor Ben Barnes, and both play men who, for different reasons, loom large in Alina’s life.
‘These male characters represent different potential paths and choices for Alina and her future, and General Kirigan and Alina end up having a very intriguing relationship,’ says Barnes.
Despite the inevitable Game of Thrones comparisons, Barnes thinks Shadow and Bone has its own distinct appeal.
‘Game of Thrones is more of a story of political intrigue and violence and ambition,’ he says. ‘This doesn’t feel like any other show that I’ve watched. The land of Ravka is based on Tsarist Russia, and there is an Anna Karenina feel. Whereas over in Ketterdam, it all looks a bit Peaky Blinders!’