The 1990s series “Jeeves and Wooster” starring Stephen Fry as the inimitable Jeeves, and Hugh Laurie as the likable lay about Bertie Wooster, is one of the most true-to-the source adaptations of a book series. The beloved book series is known by audiences worldwide, with naturally quite a large fan base in the United Kingdom, where the books predominantly take place. The book series consists of 11 novels, though there are also a number of short stories. They were written by P.G. Wodehouse in the early 1900s and continue to be read and loved by millions. The show ran for four seasons and was very well received.
The series revolves around two main characters, Wooster and Jeeves. Wooster, being a rather helpless bachelor, fully reliant on generational wealth, with no job of his own. Jeeves, however, is quite the opposite of Wooster, a valet whose primary responsibilities would typically be caring for his boss. But, in the case of Jeeves and Wooster, his primary responsibility is extricating Wooster from his constant flow of mishaps and blunders (and constant unwanted engagements).
In all but one of the novels, the stories are told from the perspective of Wooster. In this way, we are positioned inside his brain, which makes for very entertaining reading, with a lot of comedic scenes and charm. What the television series offers is more of an opportunity to see the situations for what they are, as opposed to from the biased perspective of Jeeves or Wooster. It can be fun for the viewer to think along a scheme, or piece one together as the story unfolds, which is oftentimes less doable in the novels seeing as much of the information Jeeves uses to devise his course of action is not given to the reader until the reveal of said stratagem.
The casting for the series couldn’t have been more perfect. While reading the novels I can’t help but hear and see Laurie and Fry. Laurie masterfully portrays the clueless but amicable Wooster, with his ability to contort his facial features with ease, particularly his eyes and eyebrows allow him to play the part perfectly. He shows his range, as he’s best known by Americans for his portrayal of the genius character Dr. House, managing to play the idiot well too. On the other side, Fry seems to have been made for the part of Jeeves, with his cunning and intelligent air mixed with his stone face that he expertly controls for Jeeves’ judgmental expressions.
Like the novels, the series is a fun and easy watch, made truly for entertainment. Viewers and readers alike don’t come out of the experience feeling pessimistic or angry, rather they feel lighter having watched or read a clever and witty series that doesn’t feel the need to speak on divisive matters. The episodes are about an hour each, filled with constant schemes, comedy, and judgmental glares from Jeeves.
If you’re looking for the perfect onscreen adaptation of a treasured book series, look no further than “Jeeves and Wooster” with its constant laughs and amazing acting, you really can’t go wrong. If you haven’t read any of the books, I can’t recommend them enough if you’re looking to add a bit of joy and whimsy into your life. I can’t think of any other books that have me laughing aloud while reading them, and the show does this wonderful book series justice.