Premiered: May 25, 2018
On: Amazon Prime
Starring: Natalie Dormer, Lily Sullivan, Lola Bessis, Harrison Gilbertson, Samara Weaving, Madeleine Madden, Inez Currõ, Ruby Rees, Yael Stone, Philip Quast, Anna McGahan, Marcus Graham, James Hoare, Mark Coles Smith, Don Hany, Bethany Whitmore, Mayah Fredes, Alyssa Tuddenham, Kate Bradford & Markella Kavenagh
Based on Joan Lindsay’s novel of the same name, Picnic at Hanging Rock is full of mystery and intrigue and provides a great starring vehicle for lead actress Natalie Dormer.
On Valentine’s Day in 1900, the girls from Appleyard College go for a picnic at Hanging Rock. During the trip, Miranda Reid (Lily Sullivan), Irma Leopold (Samara Weaving) and Marion Quade (Madeleine Madden) wander off and go missing. As the search for them begins, secrets about their school and headmistress Hester Appleyard (Dormer) are exposed.
The mystery of the show is what drives the plot. Every moment is filled with suspense.
Dormer, who previously starred in The Tudors and Game of Thrones, shines as Appleyard. She starts off calm and in control, but slowly lets herself crack and descend into madness.
Final say: A stylish puzzle not to be missed. ★★★★☆