Any Human Heart (2010– )

A novelist's life ricochets from 1920s Paris to '50s New York and '80s London. Along the way he meets Ernest Hemingway, Ian Fleming and the Duke and Duchess of Windsor - the exiled British king and his mistress Wallis Simpson.

Stars:

Jim Broadbent, Matthew Macfadyen, Conor Nealon

Nominated for 4 Primetime Emmys. Another 4 wins & 9 nominations.

Cast

Series cast summary:
Jim Broadbent	...	Logan Mountstuart (Older) (4 episodes, 2010)
Matthew Macfadyen	...	Logan Mountstuart (Middle) (4 episodes, 2010)
Conor Nealon	...	Logan Mountstuart (Child) (4 episodes, 2010)
Hayley Atwell	...	Freya Deverell (4 episodes, 2010)
Sam Claflin	...	Logan Mountstuart (Young) (4 episodes, 2010)
Ed Stoppard	...	Ben Leeping (Older) (4 episodes, 2010)
Samuel West	...	Peter Scabius (Older) (4 episodes, 2010)
Julian Ovenden	...	Ernest Hemingway (3 episodes, 2010)
Ken Bones	...	Mr. Mountstuart (3 episodes, 2010)
Flaminia Cinque	...	Mrs. Mountstuart (3 episodes, 2010)
Emerald Fennell	...	Lottie (3 episodes, 2010)
Gillian Anderson	...	Duchess Of Windsor (3 episodes, 2010)
Tom Hollander	...	Duke Of Windsor (3 episodes, 2010)
Kim Cattrall	...	Gloria Scabius (2 episodes, 2010)
Holliday Grainger	...	Tess Scabius (2 episodes, 2010)
Hugh Skinner	...	Lionel Mounstuart (2 episodes, 2010)
Stéphane Dausse	...	Cyprien (2 episodes, 2010)
Rupert Vansittart	...	The Earl (2 episodes, 2010)
Yolanda Vazquez	...	Encarnacion (2 episodes, 2010)
Freddie Fox	...	Peter Scabius (Young) (2 episodes, 2010)
James Musgrave	...	Ben Leeping (Young) (2 episodes, 2010)
Kulvinder Ghir	...	Subadar Singh (2 episodes, 2010)
Tobias Menzies	...	Ian Fleming (2 episodes, 2010)
Poppy Epstein	...	Stella (Age 6) (2 episodes, 2010)
Richard Schiff	...	Dr. Byrne (2 episodes, 2010)

Storyline

A novelist's life ricochets from 1920s Paris to '50s New York and '80s London. Along the way he meets Ernest Hemingway, Ian Fleming and the Duke and Duchess of Windsor - the exiled British king and his mistress Wallis Simpson.

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Plot Keywords:

ernest hemingway | memoir | author | 1940s | title same as book | 

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

2010 (UK)

Also Known As:

Any Human Heart - Eines Menschen Herz

Filming Locations:

Knebworth House, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Carnival Films, Channel Four Television, Masterpiece

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The music used in Channel 4's promotional trailers is "Einaudi: Nightbook" from the album 'Nightbook' by Ludovico Einaudi.

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Connections

Featured in The Wright Stuff: Episode #14.75 (2010)

User Reviews

Classy, entertaining and with heart

I read somewhere that Any Human Heart had poor viewing figures. If so, that's quite sad, because this series was excellent. Ridiculous sometimes yes, but it was also a classy and entertaining series and I actually think it did have heart.

The book is a beautifully written and compelling one. And I think this series does a respectable job adapting it. Is it as good? Probably not, but the characters are faithful and great to watch and the story is told in an adept way. The script is often funny, touching, edgy, heart-warming and especially in the final episode reflective.

That's not all. The production values are exquisite. The scenery is beautiful, the photography stunning and the costumes ravishing. The music fits the mood of each scene perfectly, while the direction is fully competent and the pace right on the money.

The acting is excellent across the board. Julien Ovendon is good as Ernest Hemingway, while Kim Catrall's Gloria is the epitome of class and Gillian Anderson's Duchess of Windsor pinched and terrifying. Though it is the character of Logan who drives the drama, a very interesting if flawed character Logan is played by a different actor through different stages of his life. Logan as a child is played appealingly by Connor Nealon, while Logan as a young man is nicely portrayed by Sam Claflin. Matthew McFadyen is dashing, sympathetic and very convincing as a more middle-aged Logan, while Jim Broadbent comes off best in a brilliant, heartfelt and very reflective performance as Logan in his older age.

In conclusion, I thought it was wonderful especially for the production values and the acting. 10/10 Bethany Cox