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  • 2015
  • HBO
  • 2015
  • HBO
The Casual Vacancy

Summary The miniseries based on J.K. Rowling's non-Harry Potter novel is set in the English village of Pagford where parish council Chairman Howard Mollison (Michael Gambon) battles Barry Fairbrother (Rory Kinnear) over turning the charity Sweetlove House into a spa. When Barry dies suddenly, a heated election exposes secrets of many of the vill...

  • 2015
  • HBO
  • 2015
  • HBO

The Casual Vacancy

Season 1 Premiere: Feb 15, 2015
Metascore Mixed or Average Based on 24 Critic Reviews
60
User Score Mixed or Average Based on 17 User Ratings
5.5
My Score
Hover and click to give a rating Saved

Summary The miniseries based on J.K. Rowling's non-Harry Potter novel is set in the English village of Pagford where parish council Chairman Howard Mollison (Michael Gambon) battles Barry Fairbrother (Rory Kinnear) over turning the charity Sweetlove House into a spa. When Barry dies suddenly, a heated election exposes secrets of many of the vill...

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Critic Reviews

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Metascore
Mixed or Average Based on 24 Critic Reviews
60
46% Positive
11 Reviews
54% Mixed
13 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews

Critic Reviews

 View All
Metascore
Mixed or Average Based on 24 Critic Reviews
60
46% Positive
11 Reviews
54% Mixed
13 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews
83
Apr 28, 2015
Screenwriter Sarah Phelps has deftly adapted Rowling’s novel into a cautionary, metaphorical tale that pulls its weight and measuredly draws one in.
By Ed Bark FULL REVIEW
80
Apr 27, 2015
A three-hour miniseries that bounces between tragedy and comedy with ease.
By Sara Smith FULL REVIEW
70
Apr 28, 2015
The Casual Vacancy is more interesting than it is enjoyable, an unsparing look at the reality of English country life, not the reverie.
By Alessandra Stanley FULL REVIEW
60
Apr 27, 2015
The Casual Vacancy was riveting while it lasted. When it was over, though, I wanted to stick a fork in my face.
By Nancy DeWolf Smith FULL REVIEW
50
Apr 29, 2015
Writer Sarah Phelps has done her best, but short of throwing out Rowling's characters and plot, there was no real way to make The Casual Vacancy bearable.
By Gail Pennington FULL REVIEW
40
Apr 29, 2015
Despite its quaint picturesque town backdrop, The Casual Vacancy is an ugly little piece of work, filled with bitterness, sniping, selfishness, and cruelty. There is no character other than Barry who seems remotely appealing or interesting.
By Ken Tucker FULL REVIEW
40
Apr 28, 2015
Despite the treacly smugness, which doesn’t become fully evident until the third episode, it’s easy to get caught up in The Casual Vacancy’s soapy drama and to admire a number of the performances.
By Keith Uhlich FULL REVIEW

User Reviews

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User Score
Mixed or Average Based on 17 User Ratings
5.5
41% Positive
7 Ratings
29% Mixed
5 Ratings
29% Negative
5 Ratings

User Reviews

 View All
User Score
Mixed or Average Based on 17 User Ratings
5.5
41% Positive
7 Ratings
29% Mixed
5 Ratings
29% Negative
5 Ratings

There are no user reviews yet. Be the first to add a review.

Details

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Production Company:
  • Bronte Film and TV
  • British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)
  • Home Box Office (HBO)
Initial Release Date: Feb 15, 2015
Number of seasons: 1 Season
Genres:
All Details

Awards

Critics Choice Television Awards
• 1 Nomination
Satellite Awards
• 1 Nomination
Writers' Guild of Great Britain
• 1 Nomination

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