The television adaptation of Richard Flanagan’s Booker Prize-winning novel The Narrow Road to the Deep North has made its debut on Amazon Prime Video, marking a significant milestone for acclaimed Australian filmmaker Justin Kurzel. This limited series represents Kurzel’s first foray into television, as well as the first major Australian production led by Jacob Elordi, known for his roles in Euphoria and Saltburn.
Premiering on April 18, 2025, Narrow Road initially captivated audiences with its first two episodes showcased at the Berlin Film Festival earlier this year. Critics have been quick to praise the series, with The Hollywood Reporter’s David Rooney describing it as “big, bold and strikingly cinematic.” He noted, “Based on the first 90 minutes, The Narrow Road to the Deep North has potential to stand alongside films like Peter Weir’s Gallipoli and Bruce Beresford’s Breaker Morant as a nuanced and compassionate study of Australians at war.”
Set against the harrowing backdrop of World War II, the five-part series follows Australian surgeon Dorrigo Evans, who becomes a prisoner of war. Forced to build the infamous Burma Railway under brutal Japanese command, Dorrigo’s story intertwines themes of love, loss, and the psychological scars of war. The adaptation has been a long time in the making, with Kurzel working on it since 2019, and it is co-created and written by Shaun Grant.
As Kurzel explained, there was an “inherent” pressure to faithfully adapt Flanagan’s work, which has garnered international acclaim and is considered a national treasure in Australia. He expressed, “Richard always said to me the most important thing to him... was the tapestry of different time changes.” This intricate storytelling is reflected in the series, which shifts between Dorrigo’s traumatic past and his post-war life, where he grapples with guilt and memory.
The series stars a talented ensemble cast, including Odessa Young, Olivia DeJonge, Thomas Weatherall, Charles An, and veteran actors Ciarán Hinds, Heather Mitchell, Essie Davis, and Simon Baker, alongside Japanese actors Sho Kasamatsu, Taki Abe, and Akira Fujii. Each character adds depth to Dorrigo’s narrative, exploring the complexities of love and trauma.
In a recent interview, Kurzel elaborated on the challenges of portraying the horrors faced by POWs while also delving into Dorrigo’s internal struggles. He noted, “The opportunity of doing it on TV... allows enough time and space for the sort of tapestry of the older Dorrigo looking back in memory.” The series balances the brutality of war with Dorrigo’s poignant love story with Amy, portrayed by Young, who is depicted as a ghostly presence throughout his traumatic experiences.
Elordi, who plays the younger Dorrigo, shared insights into his character’s duality, stating, “The most humanity you’ll find in people is probably in their contradictions.” He emphasized that Dorrigo’s flaws make him relatable, noting, “If he was just this great heroic man... he would be flawed because there’s something quite indulgent about that as well.”
Filming intense torture scenes posed unique challenges for Kurzel and his team. He opted for long takes, often lasting five to ten minutes, to create an immersive experience for both the actors and the audience. “It’s immersive and it’s confronting... I wanted it to feel as real and immersive as possible,” Kurzel explained. This approach aimed to enhance the emotional weight of the narrative, allowing viewers to feel the gravity of Dorrigo’s experiences.
Critics have noted the series’ emotionally charged performances, particularly from Elordi and Hinds, who portray Dorrigo at different stages of his life. The narrative's depth is enriched by the contrasting relationships Dorrigo has with Amy and his wife, Ella, played by DeJonge and Mitchell, respectively. As the series unfolds, the complexities of Dorrigo’s love life become intertwined with the traumatic memories of his time as a POW.
Elordi reflected on the significance of the adaptation, stating, “It’s a deeply human book... because you strip away all the story elements, the historical elements, and there are these character studies that I think are relatable and relevant to every kind of person.” This sentiment resonates with the series’ exploration of the human condition amid the backdrop of war.
As audiences dive into The Narrow Road to the Deep North, they can expect a rich tapestry of storytelling that captures the essence of Flanagan’s novel while exploring themes of love, loss, and the enduring impact of war. The series not only highlights the resilience of the human spirit but also serves as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by those who served in conflict.
With its compelling narrative and strong performances, Narrow Road stands poised to leave a lasting impression on viewers, potentially becoming a defining work in both Kurzel’s and Elordi’s careers. As the series gains traction on Prime Video, it will undoubtedly spark conversations about the historical and emotional weight of its story.
