I’d like to see Aidan Gillen in a role. He would probably work for Lascelle or Drawlight, though his recent pictures make him look older than I remember.
For the Gentleman With The Thistle-Down Hair, while I know you said you want him to be unique, I’d suggest Hugo Weaving precisely to capture the Agent V Elrond presence.
Also voting for Chiwetel Ejiofor for Black. Great actor, he’d be perfect.
What about Benedict Cumberbatch as the Gentleman with Thistle-down Hair? He looks pretty other-worldly to me.
Holy crap, you’d barely have to apply any makeup. Gets my vote.
AKA Bilbo Baggins. This is who I pictured as Mr. Norrell.
I like Bill Nighy for Childermass. Is he too old?
Generally speaking, this book did not strike me as one that would translate well to the big screen. Would be interesting.
Ideally, I think any cinematic adaptation should take the Game of Thrones route. If you could take a lot of time and do it episodically it could work very well as a mini-series.
Quite so - just what I said in the OP!
Just what I came in to post! I recently saw him in the BBC’s new Sherlock Holmes and I immediately casted him as the Gentleman.
Yes, that could work. Good idea. I could see him as Lascelles, too.
I also enjoyed the book, but I’m very dubious a film version will ever see the light of day, or that it can be made to work if it does.
Sadly, Nigel Hawthorn won’t be reprising his role as King George III, as he died 10 years ago.
Thanks - I hadn’t heard! Too bad. I would like to have seen him return to that role.
I have some very good news: http://www.denofgeek.com/tv/jonathan-strange-mr-norrell/23665/jonathan-strange-mr-norrell-coming-to-the-bbc
Interesting! I liked Sherlock, so hopefully the BBC can pull off a respectable effort. One also hopes they’re willing to pay more for a little cut above standard Doctor Who-level special effects. Not that you need a ton of them for this adaptation, but set design in particular should get some loving treatment.
Yay! 
I realize I’m responding to some zombie posts, but given the recent news it still seems relevant.
I forget if it was explicit or implied, but I remember Childermass as a hale man in his 30s or 40s. Very much in the prime of life.
As for Norrell, if we were to toss out faithfulness to literal details and just go with personality, I’d be very much in favor of Jonathan Pryce.
I think the new Q from Skyfall would make a good Jonathan Strange. He can pull off the Regency Era costumes as well.
Ben Whishaw (the new Q & Freddie Lyon in The Hour) is excellent but a bit frail for Jonathan Strange. Benedict Cumberbatch looks well in Regency attire & could even keep his natural hair color (dark red) for the role. Of course, he’s been very busy, too…
Whoever is cast, this project is great news! A miniseries is the best way to present the story.
Hmm. I see Benedict Cumberbatch more and more as the Gentleman with the Thistle-Down Hair.
Stephen Fry as the Duke of Wellington.
The Duke was never that plump, was he? Fry has gotten quite rotund.
