The Teaser Trailer for Prime Video Western 'The English' is Tense and Atmospheric
When we think of the phrase "period drama," our minds tend to embrace specific (and generally very British) imagery: fancy ball gowns, strict class rules, the occasional inclusion of royal or at least extremely upper class (read: rich) characters. Rarely do we consider the fact that stories set in the American Old West are in fact the distant cousins of stories like Bridgerton and Downton Abbey with their own set of specific rules and tropes. (See also: lonely prospectors, sharp-shooting sheriffs, and rugged cowboys.)
On the surface, it feels like the two subgenres have very little in common, which is why the upcoming Prime Video and BBC collaboration The English is so intriguing. An American-set story told with a distinctly British feel, the series seems geared to mix the best of both worlds, full of sweeping visuals and focused character work.
Set in 1890s America, the story follows aristocratic Englishwoman Lady Cornelia Locke (Emily Blunt), who recruits Pawnee Nation ex-calvary scout Eli Whipp (Chaske Spencer) to help her to cross a dangerous and unforgiving landscape built on dreams and blood. As they travel, the pair will face increasingly terrifying obstacles that will test them to their limits, both physically and psychologically. (You can clearly see hints of this transformation reflected through Cornelia's changing appearance, as her outfits shift from proper lady's attire to more traditional Western wear.)
