James Norton stars as Prince Andrei Bolkonsky in the BBC's acclaimed 2016 adaptation of War and Peace, which is now streaming for free on UK platform ULifestyle.
War and Peace Now Available on U
The gripping 2016 period drama, featuring actor James Norton, is currently experiencing renewed popularity on free UK streaming service, U. For those yet to encounter it, the series War & Peace deserves a place on your viewing list. Drawing from Leo Tolstoy's celebrated 1869 novel, the BBC production chronicles three young Russian aristocrats whose destinies are moulded by love, loss and the chaos of Napoleon's Russian campaign.
War and Peace had previously been adapted for television by the BBC in 1972, with Anthony Hopkins portraying Pierre Bezukhov. He was accompanied by Morag Hood as Natasha Rostova and Alan Dobie as Andrei Bolkonsky. The 20-episode production garnered praise for its bold scale at the time and faithful adherence to Tolstoy's source material.
James Norton Stars in the Epic War and Peace
The more recent adaptation proves equally dramatic and captivating as its predecessor. Set against the backdrop of the tumultuous Napoleonic Wars, the series tracks Pierre Bezukhov (Paul Dano), Prince Andrei Bolkonsky (James Norton) and Natasha Rostova (Lily James) as they traverse personal and political upheaval in imperial Russia.
Pierre is characterised as a "hot-headed" newcomer in society, "brimming with ideas but hopelessly lost as he seeks meaning in his life". His companion, Andrei, is portrayed as a "cynical prince" who yearns to escape his marriage and join the fighting. Parts of the synopsis reads: "Both their fates are bound to the beautiful, captivating and kindhearted Natasha Rostova (Lily James) – only a teenager when the series begins, but desperate to grow up and experience the world."
"Over eight years of peace and war that will change Russia and its people forever, we meet a vast cast of unforgettable characters, from peasants and soldiers to society hostesses and even Napoleon himself. But again and again, through marriages and affairs, battlefields and ballrooms, births and deaths, we will keep returning to Pierre, Andrei and Natasha as they confront life's great questions of love and destiny."
Fans Loved the Series Which First Aired on the BBC
The adaptation garnered favourable reviews upon its release, with one viewer commenting on Rotten Tomatoes: "Great adaptation, excellent visuals, excellent cast. The battle sequences were intense and grisly. Be warned if you're squeamish." While another enthused: "I loved it. The acting, the pacing, the cinematography. It was great." Viewers can stream War and Peace on U.
