Patrick Melrose 

Based on the Patrick Melrose Novels by Edward St. Aubyn.

Stars:

Benedict Cumberbatch, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Sebastian Maltz

Cast

Series cast summary:
Benedict Cumberbatch	...	Patrick Melrose 5 episodes, 2018
Jennifer Jason Leigh	...	Eleanor Melrose 5 episodes, 2018
Sebastian Maltz	...	Young Patrick Melrose 5 episodes, 2018
Jessica Raine	...	Julia 5 episodes, 2018
Hugo Weaving	...	David Melrose 5 episodes, 2018
Prasanna Puwanarajah	...	Johnny Hall 4 episodes, 2018
Pip Torrens	...	Nicholas Pratt 4 episodes, 2018
Anna Madeley	...	Cousin Mary / ... 3 episodes, 2018
Indira Varma	...	Anne Moore 3 episodes, 2018

Storyline

This five-part limited series based on the acclaimed novels by Edward St. Aubyn, tracks Patrick Melrose (Benedict Cumberbatch) from a privileged but deeply traumatic childhood in the South of France, through severe substance abuse in his twenties in New York and, ultimately, toward recovery back home in Britain.

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Plot Keywords:

child abuse | father son relationship | drug addiction | 1980s | incest | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

12 May 2018 (USA)

Also Known As:

Melrose

Filming Locations:

Cochrane Street, Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Showtime Entertainment, Sky, Two Cities Television Ltd.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Atmos Dolby Digital Dolby Stereo

Did You Know?

Trivia

Both Hugo Weaving and Benedict Cumberbatch are cast in the MCU as Red Skull and Doctor Strange.

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Goofs

Young Patrick Melrose, played by Sebastian Maltz, has dark brown eyes. Adult Patrick, played by Benedict Cumberbatch, has blue/green eyes.

User Reviews

If only it weren't so true

I've never read the books prior to seeing this piece of work. The idea of a person from such a well off background suffering seems almost alien, almost contemptible. Who, as someone so fortunate can make themselves feel so small when those who have so little can be happy. It is this very dilemma which made me want to dislike the show. And yet, I found this episode, and hopefully the rest extremely touching. If you've ever had trouble with drugs or self-loathing you cannot help but feel the humanity and truth in the work. This work transcends class, the part where Melrose looks content after shooting up, staring aimlessly into the world is so understandable and relatable you can't help but feel compassion and emotion. If you've ever been high or on drugs and looked out to the world while sitting in your bed while content, you'll understand what it is like to be Melrose, that feeling is forever it seems. Yet, when you wake up, the fleeting happiness you felt dispels and you feel the sad self loathing of existence;the tomorrow.

Cumberbatch performs incredibly in capturing the second-guessing inner monologue of someone overwhelmed with emotions. His charisma and ability to act vividly using facial ques and ticks makes this work what it is, yes, the writing is fantastic, but the life Cumberbatch brings to those words is what makes it unique.