Starz 'Camelot,' Purefoy is pure joy, some thoughts on premiere

By April MacIntyre Feb 27, 2011, 19:47 GMT

After watching the premiere episode following the too brief six-parter prequel "Gods of the Arena," this sexed up, high-octane version of "Camelot" has me excited and fearful that the most exhilarating player in the cast, James Purefoy as King Lot, is a short-lived joy to behold based on past Arthurian legend tales.

Some early thoughts on 'Camelot," the new period drama from Starz, home of so many favorite original drama and comedy series.

Back when this series was first teased at the previous Summer Television Critics' Association (TCAs), with a remote appearance with co creator Chris Chibnall, and a panel that had Joseph Fiennes, I spied the brilliant James Purefoy in their brief clip, and asked the producer if we would get to see Purefoy in action throughout the first season.

The question was met with a bit of deflection, as Chibnall didn't want to give away too much, and Fiennes laughed and referred to his thespian friend as "James Purejoy."

James Purefoy as Lot

After watching the premiere episode following the too brief six-parter prequel "Gods of the Arena," this sexed up, high-octane version of "Camelot" has me excited and fearful that the most exhilarating player in the cast, James Purefoy as King Lot, is a short-lived joy to behold, based on past Arthurian legend tales of this brutal warlord King. 

I hope not. IMDB has him listed in only two episodes. Purefoy as King Lot commanded every scene he was in, and was the "best of the lot" for me in that first episode.

The writing so far is expertly crafted.  Actors James Purefoy as King Lot, Eva Green as Morgan and Joseph Fiennes as an eccentric Merlin just rock this cast. 

A key quality factor for this series is co creator Michael Hirst, who gave us the brilliant Showtime series "The Tudors." He brought some key below-the-line craftspeople with him to this effort, notably award winning costumer Joan Bergin and the team of Frank and Nualla Moiselle as casting directors.

The tale starts as more of a "Sword in the Stone" Disney classic moment, as Kay (Peter Mooney) and Arthur (Jamie Campbell Bower) are teenage boys horsing around in their village. Arthur is all about the girls; Kay is more serious and thoughtful.

Fiennes' brings a whole level of complexity, insecurity, cunning and cheeky charm to this classic sorcerer role.  And Eva rides King Lot like a crazy diamond in a lustful frenzy trying to win his loyalty in her wicked, witchy ways. Eva is extremely captivating in this role, and brings more huevos to the action than Arthur does (so far) as one of Uther's progeny.  Love her in this effort.

Purefoy just growls, swaggers and rolls as the fiercely masculine King Lot, who takes no prisoners and has little patience for Uther's children squabbling over a throne and kingdom he already feels is his own. He is electric in frame, and leaves us wanting more of his character's highly charged masculine presence that comes off just right, not too campy.

*Bonus: Merlin may have a sex life in this version of the Arthurian tales, as Merlin and Queen Igraine (Claire Forlani) foreshadow some sort of spark, hmm.

This series will be a no miss at the official premiere on April 1st, only on Starz.

What did you think of the premiere? Talk back and tell me what character caught your interest and why.