Hey, everyone! How’s it going? Today I’m here to review the miniseries The English, which delivered six episodes of absolutely stunning revisionist Western storytelling that redefines what the genre can achieve in terms of social commentary and visual artistry.
The English premiered on BBC Two and iPlayer on November 10, 2022, and on Amazon Prime Video on November 11, 2022, featuring 6 episodes of approximately 60 minutes each. This revisionist Western television miniseries was written and directed by Hugo Blick, starring Emily Blunt and Chaske Spencer. The series follows an Englishwoman who travels to the American West in 1890 to seek revenge on the man she blames for the death of her son.
Billed as “an epic parable on race, love and power,” the miniseries explores one woman’s quest for vengeance in 19th Century America. Set against the backdrop of the violent American frontier in 1890, the story weaves together elements of revenge drama, social commentary, and cross-cultural partnership that challenges traditional Western narratives while delivering exceptional cinematography and performances.
Lady Cornelia Locke: An Englishwoman’s Deadly Mission
Emily Blunt portrays wealthy English woman Cornelia Locke, who arrives in the United States in 1890 with a bag of cash, hell-bent on killing the man responsible for the death of her child. Her character represents a fascinating subversion of typical Western protagonists – an aristocratic woman driven by maternal grief and armed with both money and determination rather than traditional gunslinging skills.
Blunt’s performance transforms what could have been a simple revenge narrative into a complex exploration of grief, class privilege, and cultural collision. The English showcases how her refined exterior masks a steely determination forged by unimaginable loss, making her journey both compelling and unpredictable as she navigates the brutal American frontier.
Eli Whipp: The Pawnee Guide with His Own Journey
Chaske Spencer plays Eli Whipp, a Pawnee ex-cavalry scout who comes together with Lady Cornelia Locke in 1890 mid-America to cross a violent landscape built on dreams and blood. His character brings authenticity and depth to the Native American experience, avoiding stereotypes while exploring the complex position of Indigenous people in the post-Civil War American West.
The partnership between Cornelia and Eli forms the emotional heart of the series, with their cultural differences and shared experiences of displacement creating compelling dramatic tension. Spencer’s performance brings dignity and complexity to a character caught between worlds, making their unlikely alliance feel both authentic and necessary.
A Landscape Built on Dreams and Blood: The Brutal American Frontier
The series presents the American West as a place where violence and beauty coexist in equal measure. Hugo Blick’s direction creates a visual feast that captures both the stunning landscapes and the horrific realities of frontier life, from systematic racism to economic exploitation to the environmental destruction left in the wake of westward expansion.
Tackling themes like colonization, institutional racism, and the general disempowerment of women in the 1900s, The English might just be one of the best Western shows to have taken streaming platforms by storm. The series uses its historical setting to examine contemporary issues while maintaining respect for the complexity of the period.
Race, Love, and Power: The Ultimate Confrontation
The climactic episodes bring Cornelia face-to-face with her son’s killer while exploring the deeper systems of power and oppression that enabled his death. The series builds toward a confrontation that feels both personal and political, as individual revenge intersects with larger questions of justice and systemic change.
These pivotal moments demonstrate how personal vengeance can illuminate broader social issues, with the series using Cornelia’s quest to expose the interconnected nature of violence, racism, and economic exploitation in the American West. The English proves that the best revenge stories are also the most politically aware ones.
Success on BBC/Amazon Prime
The English received positive reviews from critics, particularly for Blunt and Spencer’s performances, establishing itself as one of 2022’s most critically acclaimed limited series. The co-production between BBC and Amazon Prime demonstrates how international partnerships can create content that serves both British and American audiences while maintaining artistic integrity. The six-part miniseries burst out of the gate with some of the best small-screen moments on TV in 2022, proving that revisionist Westerns can find contemporary relevance.
A Western That Rewrites the Rules of the Genre
If you love stories that challenge genre conventions, feature exceptional performances, explore themes of grief and justice, and deliver stunning visual storytelling, The English is the perfect miniseries to experience on BBC iPlayer or Amazon Prime Video. The combination of Emily Blunt’s powerhouse performance with Hugo Blick’s visionary direction creates a viewing experience that will redefine your expectations of what Western drama can achieve.
Why This BBC/Amazon Masterpiece Demands Your Immediate Attention
Positive Points:
- Emily Blunt delivers a career-defining performance that balances aristocratic refinement with primal grief
- Chaske Spencer provides authentic and complex representation of Native American experience
- Hugo Blick’s writing and direction create a visually stunning and thematically rich narrative
- Tackles contemporary social issues through historical lens without feeling preachy or anachronistic
- Six-episode format allows for focused storytelling without unnecessary padding or filler
Negative Points:
- Graphic violence and mature themes may be difficult for sensitive viewers
- Some may find the pacing deliberate compared to more action-oriented Westerns
- Complex themes and historical references require attentive viewing to fully appreciate
- Limited episode count may leave some viewers wanting more character development time
- Revisionist approach might not appeal to fans of traditional Western storytelling
The English proves that revenge is a dish best served with social consciousness, delivering a masterclass in how genre television can tackle serious themes while maintaining compelling character drama and exceptional visual artistry.
Series Details
- Number of Episodes: 6 episodes
- Platform: BBC Two/iPlayer (UK), Amazon Prime Video (US)
- Release Year: 2022
- Current Rating: 7.8/10 on IMDb
- Genre: Western, Drama, Limited Series
- Production Type: British/American co-production miniseries
- Status: Completed limited series
- Protagonist: Lady Cornelia Locke (Emily Blunt) – English aristocrat seeking revenge
- Co-Protagonist: Eli Whipp (Chaske Spencer) – Pawnee ex-cavalry scout and guide