'Masterpiece' period drama starring Game of Thrones royalty is perfect viewing

Set in 18th-century Australia, this period drama has viewers claiming it's a "joy of a series", with an impressive cast made up of a Game of Thrones legend.

The BBC Two show, Banished, is a seven-part TV series first launched in 2015, starring Rory McCann from the fan-favourite fantasy series Game of Thrones. He was best known for playing Sandor Clegane in the decade-defining show, but in this lesser-known series, he can be seen starring as a blacksmith named Marston.

Inspired by real-life events when Britain established a penal colony in Australia, this short series encapsulates the controversies and tensions of the time in an action-packed single series. Across seven episodes we see British convicts living in New South Wales alongside Royal Navy marine guards in harsh conditions that lead to widespread cases of polyamory and rape.

A satisfied viewer left a 10 out of 10 review and took to IMDb to say: "Fantastic setting, blue skies, green jungles, sunny beaches. The acting is first-rate; the script is challenging enough to be fun without being too cerebral. That's what entertainment is supposed to be. It's one of those series where an hour is not long enough."

Another fan claimed that this show was "different" compared to others in the genre. They wrote: "Unlike some of the other dark historical dramas, there is a more humanistic element. It feels like real people, real damaged and imperfect people. The characters, so many of them, were all intriguingly complex and dynamic.

"Perhaps that was the due of the amazing actors. Everything about them made me look for more, curious and drawn in. I found myself yelling at the screen, going from cheering to jeering in a second. And crying a lot."

Although, many viewers were sad to learn that the series was not picked up for a second season. Despite its great casting and dramatic retelling of events, it wasn't enough to get the BBC bosses on board.

An IMDb viewer wrote: "My wife and I sadly just finished the last episode only to discover no more seasons are coming. Hopefully BBC will correct this and produce another season. While a few historical licences were taken for the drama, the acting, the scenery, the story lines, etc., were all outstanding."

Another disappointed fan shared: "I wish I hadn't started watching. I didn't realise it was cancelled after one season. This was a great show. Well done, and some of the best actors were unknown to me (which always makes the drama better, in my opinion).... I wonder what network genius decided this had to go."

Despite many viewers claiming Banished is a "masterpiece" of a show, leaving it perfect ratings, it did receive criticism about its historical accuracies. Some viewers were quick to differentiate that the show is "not a historical drama, just a period drama".

One viewer shared: "I am not all that knowledgeable on the settling of New South Wales, but from the first episode, it didn't appear to be historically accurate, nor did I really expect it to be. That being said, I did enjoy the series."