Not read the book, so based on the drama alone. Very enjoyable yarn with an unusual plot. Generally well cast and well acted. McGregor is excellent and carries the Count's breeding, eruditeness and whimsy well. The supporting cast also work well. I love Johnny Harris's performance - his Osip is scary. I don't mind the varied accents (I don't want cod Russian accents). Unfortunately, I cannot get over the (African) elephant in the room. The black actors are good actors and their performances are good, and in any modern or unspecified setting i am happy with "colour blind" casting. But, even though the story is fiction, it is a historical drama and so has a "mise en place" - it must reflect the historical setting and have some realism (a black minister of culture in 1930's Soviet Union?).
