The Pillars of the Earth

In 12th century England a sweeping drama unfolds where ambition, belief and violence collide. The story follows a diverse cast as loyalties shift under the pressures of war, church authority and political intrigue. A monumental building project, the dream of a great cathedral, becomes a magnet for power players and the ordinary people who fuel its progress. Friends and foes alike must weigh survival against conscience as factions rise and fall. Love, betrayal and sacrifice thread through a landscape of sieges, plagues and harsh justice, painting a vividly brutal portrait of medieval life.

Directed by Sergio Mimica-Gezzan and adapted from Ken Follett's novel, the series was developed for television in 2010. It brings together a notable ensemble including Rufus Sewell, Ian McShane, Matthew Macfadyen and Donald Sutherland, with a lush, meticulously designed score and period detail.

Critics praised the scope and production values, while audiences responded to the cast and rich medieval atmosphere. The show blends themes of power and faith with questions of loyalty, resilience and the price of progress, delivering a dense, character driven drama, and the score and production design deepen the sense of place. The 7.65 rating from 393 votes reflects engaged, opinionated viewing.

Even before streaming dominates, this ambitious adaptation signaled a shift toward prestige historical storytelling on television. Its high production values and ensemble cast helped raise the bar for period dramas and reinforced the appeal of Follett's novels on screen. The show demonstrated that large scale stories with interwoven families and political machinations could find a broad audience on TV rather than in theaters.

Awards: The series drew attention from award bodies for its production quality and acting, including nominations in technical categories such as art direction and costume design. While it may not have dominated awards season, its craftsmanship earned recognition among critics and fans who prize faithful adaptation and grand storytelling.