Having never read NA, I was all a twitter over the story line, and naturally because everyone in England can act, heartily approved of the casting.
Presently, I am listening to a reading of it at publicliterature.org whilst knitting.
Finally got around to watching it today
Yes.
That was a weird directing choice. I remember him being immature, a little rude, obnoxious, kind of rough around the edges. A fratboy. Not a bad guy - just a wrong-for-Catherine guy. The Thorpe in this production was scary and creepy and weird.
Other than that - not a bad job.