The Pillars of the Earth is a Canadian/German historical drama television miniseries adapted from Ken Follett's novel of the same name which centres on the construction of a cathedral in the fictitious town of Kingsbridge during a tumultuous period of English history known as The Anarchy, in the 12th century.
The series aired in the USA on Starz from 23 July to 27 August, 2010. There are eight hour-long episodes in the series (or four 100-minute episodes).
The Pillars of the Earth premiered in South Africa on M-Net Movies Premiere (simulcast in HD) on Thursday 25 July 2013, at 20h30. New episodes broadcast in a double bill, weekly. It was followed by the sequel series World Without End.
Synopsis
The Pillars of the Earth is a sweeping epic of good and evil, treachery and intrigue, violence and beauty, a sensuous, spirited story set against a backdrop of war, religious strife and power struggles in 12th Century England.
This epic tale of passion and greed begins when a mysterious secret disrupts the succession to the English crown and an unlikely member of King Henry's family takes the throne.
A power struggle between Henry's daughter, Maud, and nephew, Stephen, causes England to be torn by war as battles rage for the rightful heir.
Meanwhile, Bishop Waleran Bigod and the Hamleigh family manipulate the conflict to satisfy their own ruthless ambitions.
Within this tumultuous setting, Prior Philip fights insurmountable obstacles to keep Kingsbridge and his dream of building a magnificent cathedral alive. The task is daunting, but master-mason Tom Builder, his gifted stepson, Jack, and noblewoman Aliena work together to achieve their dreams.
And in the process, the long-hidden secret is revealed.
The Pillars of the Earth stars Ian McShane as Waleran Bigod, Rufus Sewell as Tom Builder, Matthew Macfadyen as Prior Philip, Eddie Redmayne as Jack, Hayley Atwell as Aliena and Donald Sutherland as Bartholomew.
The series is a Starz Original produced by Tandem Communications and Muse Entertainment in association with Scott Free Films.