"The Luminaries" continues to face criticism from viewers, with complaints ranging from a confusing plot and challenging dialogue to the dimly lit scenes that leave characters' faces indiscernible.
The BBC1 period drama, based on Eleanor Catton's popular book series set during New Zealand's 19th-century gold rush, features stars like Eve Hewson, Eva Green, and Himesh Patel. However, French actress Eva Green, in her role as American brothel owner Madam Lydia Wells, has sparked criticism for her "constantly changing" accent, leaving viewers puzzled as it seemingly shifts with "each sentence."
Social media echoes the sentiment, with tweets expressing uncertainty about Green's accent, questioning if she is Irish or American. Some fans acknowledge Green's undeniable talent but find her accent distracting, with one viewer humorously stating, "Eva Green is always a divine presence in any TV show, but her accent in this is all over the bloody shop. A shop where she reads cards in fancy dresses. I think."
In addition to the accent concerns, viewers voice frustration over the show's low lighting, making it difficult to discern characters and follow the plot. Complaints about characters "mumbling" and dialogue being hard to hear have persisted, leading to remarks like, "Ironic it's called #TheLuminaries when you can see b****r all because it's always dark."
While addressing the dim lighting, some viewers humorously suggest alternatives to watching the show in the dark or express the need for more illumination to better understand the on-screen events. The complexity of the plot, which jumps between different time periods, adds to the challenge, requiring viewers to pay close attention to avoid confusion.
In a recent episode, the narrative delivered more heartache for Anna (Eve Hewson), featuring a reunion with Emery (Himesh Patel) and unfolding tragic events involving attacks, pregnancies, and framed murders. Despite the compelling storyline, the viewers' discontent with accents and lighting remains a prevailing theme in discussions surrounding "The Luminaries."
