Aspiring directors, screenwriters, and producers should take a close look at episode one of year one; it's just about perfect, and I very rarely say that about anything.

From the first moody early morning shot of Oxford University, followed by the intriguing shot of Diana's scull passing under the bridge, the first quality production continues unabated throughout the eight episodes. The photography in particular stands out, with every scene carefully composed and shot to perfection.

The acting is equally well done; I have followed Teresa Palmer's career, from her cheesy early movies right up to the excellent Australian production "Ride Like a Girl," and am delighted that her merely good performances have progressed to excellent in every way. That she is one of the most beautiful creatures ever to exist is a big bonus.

As with all movies and TV, there are things to nitpick. The scene where the Book of Life burns her hand was definitely not in the book, though effective in showing that this is not a normal book. And the scene where she has a drink with her friend Sean and tells him that her parents were murdered in Croatia is plain wrong; the book clearly places that incident in Nigeria.

But, as I said, these are nitpicks inherent in any adaptation of a book (which is also excellent). And since the author of the All Souls Trilogy, Deborah Harkness, is an executive producer, I am inclined to be forgiving on this point.

In sum: Try it, you'll like it!