A take a look at Stewart’s credit reveals one thing apparent: a dearth of alternatives to flex his romantic-lead appearing muscle tissues. The 1975 BBC adaptation of Elizabeth Gaskell’s “North & South” charges as a uncommon exception. Viewers glimpsed a special facet of Stewart, one that’s conflicted however romantic in the very best of the way. Within the miniseries, a spirited younger girl named Margaret Hale (Rosalind Shanks) finds her life considerably altered when her father strikes their household to the economic world of Milton. As she begins to acknowledge the brutal methods of her new residence, Margaret encounters varied fascinating figures that influence her, together with the chilly, calculated (however good-looking) mill proprietor, John Thornton, performed, in fact, by the longer term Sir Patrick.

At first look, Stewart’s portrayal of Thornton comes off a tad one-note and appears extra centered on highlighting the anti-social features of the character and nothing else. However as “North & South” progresses, audiences will notice the kindness on the core of John’s soul, which Stewart organically shows throughout the miniseries’ most emotional sequences. One such instance happens throughout the second episode when John heroically carries a fainted Margaret up the steps and whispers his love for her. And whereas this “North & South” has its messy and lackluster qualities in the case of its course, Stewart’s tackle Thornton stays one in all its higher features.