Pillars of the Earth Set to Premiere

Can you imagine an eight hour miniseries about the building of a Gothic cathedral? If it sounds boring, think again! The Pillars of the Earth, set in 12th century England, is more than the story of stone mason Tom Builder. It is a tale of intrigue, sex and violence, based on the best seller by thriller writer Ken Follett. The book has been translated into thirty languages, sold over 14 million copies worldwide, and was a featured selection for Oprah's book club. At almost a thousand pages, the novel ranks among the top 30 in a list of the "101 Books to Read Before You Die."

The story begins with the sinking of a ship carrying the only heir of King Henry I, a time of great unrest known as The Anarchy, or The Nineteen-Year Winter. After Henry dies of poisoning his nephew Stephen claims the crown, backed by the Archbishop of Canterbury. Henry's daughter Maud, who has just given birth to Henry II, swears she will win back the throne for her son. She seeks the aid of the Earl of Shiring, and the two get ready to raise an army to ride against King Stephen.

Woven into the historical plot is the story of Tom Builder, a man down on his luck but holding strong to a great dream. He and Prior Philip share a common vision to build a cathedral the likes of which no one has ever seen. But building on such a grand scale takes money, and both Tom and the Kingsbridge Priory are broke. These honest men must learn the art of politics in order to get the resources they need to realize their dream. Tom's lover Ellen, mother to his apprentice Jack Jackson, is a woman with a past that threatens the powerful Bishop Waleran. The family lives amongst the monks at Kingsbridge, an uneasy arrangement for a number of reasons.

The television adaptation of Follett's historical novel is a Canadian-German collaboration, filmed in Hungary with an ensemble cast. Rufus Sewell stars as Tom Builder and Matthew Macfayden is the honest but ambitious Prior Philip. Gordon Pinsent is the scheming Archbishop of Canterbury, and Ian McShane is the shifty Bishop Waleran. Donald Sutherland plays Bartholomew, the Earl of Shiring. Eddie Redmayne is the awkward but brilliant Jack, and Hayley Atwell is the proud and fiery Aliena, Bartholomew's daughter. Sarah Parish plays the greedy and conniving Regan Hamleigh, a woman who wears the pants in her family. Natalia Woerner is the sexy Ellen, a renegade novice who left her convent after becoming pregnant.

Pillars of the Earth will air over six consecutive Fridays, beginning July 23rd. The premiere can be seen across Canada at 9 pm eastern or mountain time. Watch for the show on The Movie Network in the east, and on Movie Central in the west. In the United States watch the premiere on Starz at 10 pm eastern and pacific.

Source:
"The Pillars of the Earth" miniseries web site