The Merchant (TV series)

The Merchant is a 2001 British television drama miniseries directed by James Cellan Jones and adapted by Alan Bleasdale from William Shakespeare's play The Merchant of Venice. It stars Henry Goodman as Shylock and Trevor Eve as Antonio. The series aims for a more historically accurate and nuanced depiction of the characters and themes present in Shakespeare’s original work, exploring the complex social and religious tensions of 16th-century Venice. Key plot elements remain consistent with the source material, focusing on Antonio's bond to Shylock, the elopement of Jessica, and the trial scene resolving the debt. This adaptation is notable for its attempt to present Shylock as a more sympathetic and less stereotypical character than in some previous interpretations. The miniseries was broadcast on Channel 4.