Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell

The reclusive Mr Norrell, who claims to be a magician, is discovered. He offers the government his services but politician Sir Walter Pole refuses to align himself with such disrespectable arts. This is until however, Mr Norrell makes a dangerous pact with a mysterious man to restore Sir Walter's sickly fiancé to life, proving magic to be respectable again.

Mr Norrell's magical illusions baffle the French navy and win him the loyalty of Sir Walter Pole. However, the magic he performed to revive Lady Pole released something unnatural into Sir Walter's home. Jonathan Strange's magical ability grows, and he comes to London to take up an apprenticeship with Mr Norrell, but Norrell is reluctant to share his knowledge.

Arabella Strange discovers that the recently resurrected Lady Pole has become dangerously unbalanced and her letters to her husband about this are intercepted by Mr Norrell. The mysterious gentleman enrols Sir Walter's servant Stephen to help him bewitch Arabella. As the war goes on, Jonathan accesses dark and dangerous magic.

Returned from war, Jonathan Strange joins Mr Norrell to try to help England's mad king, George III, but is frustrated at Norrell's refusal to discuss the magic and legends of the old times. Strange makes an enemy of the gentleman.

Jonathan Strange's remarkable magic helps England win the Battle of Waterloo and he returns to England to write a book, much to Norrell's displeasure who is intent on destroying it.

Strange discovers the essence of madness that will allow him to perceive the magical lands and summons the Gentleman. He secretly follows the fairy creature into the magical lands. Norrell destroys Strange's book, but his act undermines magic's respectability and the government breaks with him.

Strange and Norrell join forces to defeat the Gentleman, but nothing goes as planned. The prophecy of the Raven King means Jonathan and Arabella may never be reunited.