There’s not much Potter in Pagford.
For those believing she was a one-trick pony, there were very few similarities between Harry Potter and J.K. Rowling’s The Casual Vacancy.
The sleepy village of Pagford once had a case of tomato blight afflict its allotments in 1997 but that can’t be compared with the peril wreaked on Hogwarts by “He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named” and the Death Eaters.
Admittedly both places were presided over by Dumbledore (Michael Gambon) but he was less kindly headmaster, more conniving councillor.
Along with screen wife Julia McKenzie, he provided the humour as the middle class snob in this mildly absorbing adaptation of Rowling’s move into adult fiction (it may be listed as fiction on the bookshelves but there are enough stereotypes in Pagford to make it seem very real).
The premise is fairly simple, a good-hearted councillor dies suddenly, causing a casual vacancy on the parish council.
Death can bring out the worst in some people and the dastardly version of Dumbledore spots the opportunity to tip the council’s vote in favour of his redevelopment plans for Sweetlove House if he can fill the void with a sympathetic ear.
Just when we thought there wasn’t going to be anything other-worldly about this J.K. Rowling creation, the dead councillor’s ghost appeared in the final scene to send an email to warn the people of the village he’ll be watching them in the coming weeks.
It was enough of a tease to make me decide: “So will I.”
I’ve always liked Dragons’ Den but up against The Casual Vacancy, Channel 4’s new 10-part drama Indian Summers and Mr Selfridge on ITV, I’ve got no option but to say: “I’m out.”
If only there was a programme where I could present possible investors with my idea for a machine that can record four channels at once!
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