Rediscovering David Tennant's Breakout Role in 'Casanova'
When audiences think of the iconic partnership between David Tennant and Russell T. Davies, the immediate association is typically with the beloved science fiction series Doctor Who. From 2005 to 2010, Davies served as showrunner and head writer throughout Tennant's celebrated tenure as the Tenth Doctor. However, what many viewers may not realise is that their creative collaboration actually began earlier, with a lesser-known but critically acclaimed BBC mini-series that has recently become available for streaming.
The Historical Drama Now Available on Amazon Prime
The 2005 period drama Casanova, which served as David Tennant's breakthrough role before he stepped into the TARDIS, is now streaming on Amazon Prime Video. This three-part historical series charts the extraordinary life of 18th-century Italian adventurer Giacomo Casanova, based directly on his own extensive twelve-volume memoirs.
The production features a remarkable dual casting approach, with legendary actor Peter O'Toole portraying the older Casanova reflecting on his life's adventures, while David Tennant embodies the younger version during his most daring escapades. The impressive supporting cast includes recent Oscar nominee Rose Byrne alongside Rupert Penry-Jones, Matt Lucas, Shaun Parkes, Nina Sosanya, and Laura Fraser.
Critical Acclaim and Fan Reception
On IMDb, where the series maintains a solid 7.8 rating, viewers have consistently praised the production. One fan described it as "a fast-moving and well-planned biopic," while another applauded "the scenery, costumes and colours along with the acting, directing and witty script." Multiple reviewers have called the series "brilliant," "marvellously engaging," and "a dazzling spectacle" that "will put a smile on your face."
The official synopsis captures the essence of the drama: "Tennant plays the 18th-century character as a young man whose extraordinary life takes him from Venice across Europe – much of it as a fugitive – an outlaw for 'offences' against the government and church."
Prime Video's Growing BBC Collection
The arrival of Casanova on Amazon Prime Video follows another significant BBC addition to the platform. Phoebe Waller-Bridge's critically acclaimed comedy Fleabag has been racing up the streaming service's rankings in recent weeks. The multi-Emmy-winning show, which originally aired from 2016 to 2019, has earned a rare 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes and continues to attract new audiences with its distinctive blend of dry humour, fourth-wall breaks, and candid exploration of complex relationships.
This expansion of quality BBC content on Amazon Prime provides viewers with an excellent opportunity to explore both contemporary classics and hidden gems from British television history. For those seeking sophisticated period drama with outstanding performances, Casanova represents a particularly rewarding discovery that showcases David Tennant's talents in a completely different light from his more famous time-travelling role.
