Klondike (miniseries)

***Klondike*** is a three-part miniseries about the Klondike Gold Rush, based on the novel *Gold Diggers: Striking It Rich in the Klondike* by Charlotte Gray and following Bill Haskell, a real-life adventurer who travels to the Yukon, Canada during the Gold Rush in the late 1890s. It is the Discovery Channel's first scripted miniseries and aired from January 20-22, 2014.

## Premise

Friends Bill Haskell and Byron Epstein travel west from New York City to Yukon, Canada when they learn of the Klondike Gold Rush. The two men must contend not only with harsh conditions and unpredictable weather as they took to profit from a mining claim in Dawson City, but also find themselves threatened by desperate and dangerous individuals who share their pursuit of riches.

## Cast

### Main

* Richard Madden as Bill Haskell, a recent college student who travels west from Brooklyn with Byron to take part in the gold rush.
* Abbie Cornish as Belinda Mulrooney, a powerful entrepreneur who later allies herself with Bill.
* Sam Shepherd as Father Judge, a humanitarian priest seeking to establish the first church in Dawson City.
* Tim Roth as The Count, an immoral, self-proclaimed aristocrat and Belinda's chief business rival.
* Tim Blake Nelson as Joe Meeker, a bartender employed by Belinda who becomes Bill's partner.
* Marton Csokas as The Superintendent, the head of Dawson City's North-West Mounted Police department.
* Conor Leslie as Sabine, a courtesan and later assistant to Father Judge.
* August Stew as Byron Epstein, Bill's ambitious friend and traveling companion.
* Ian Hart as Soapy Smith, a conman looking to profit from Dawson City's visitors.
* Johnny Simmons as Jack London, a young adventurer and aspiring writer.
* Greg Lawson as Goodman, a former military sharpshooter participating in the gold rush.

### Guest

* Michael Greyeyes as Cheyeho, the chief of a Tlingit leader tribe.
* Brian Markinson as Cavendesh, a government official.
* Colin Cunningham as "Swiftwater" Bill Gates, a prospector.
* Ron Selmour as Dan Condon, the leader of the Count's henchmen.
* Adrian Hough as Dan Condon, Belinda's loyal right hand.

## Episodes

Josh GoldinRachel Abramowitz

January 20, 2014

 Bill Haskell and Byron Epstein begin a journey towards the Yukon when a prospector informs them of the ongoing gold rush. Persevering through natural hazards, they eventually reach Dawson City. On their way to town, they meet Father Judge, Sabine, and Soapy Smith. Belind Mulrooney introduces herself to Bill as the owner of Dawson City's lumber mill. Bill and Byron purchase mining claims to begin their search for gold.

 3-4

Josh GoldinRachel Abramowitz

January 21, 2014

 Dawson City becomes afflicted by a typhus outbreak. Father Judge brings the sick into his church to be treated. After the Count publicly degrades Sabine, Belinda takes her to Father Judge to change her life. The superintendent develops doubts towards Tlingit native's guilt, which grow when the Tlingit man is unable to perform the shot that killed Byron. When Bill's lumber supply runs low, Belinda personally delivers a new supply. An accident forces Belinda to spend the night with Bill and the two have sex. Shortly afterwards, Bill learns that Belinda sold the claim to Soapy, who intends to foreclose the next day.

Paul Scheuring

January 22, 2014

 Bill learns that Goodman is Byron's killer. Goodman admits that he killed Byron and is behind the attempts on Bill's life because he believes Bill's claim belongs to him. While pursuing Goodman through the wilderness, Bill is cornered by the Count and his men, seeking to steal his gold. The Count is betrayed by his men, who abandon him and Bill in the wilderness. The Tlingit attack Dawson City to rescue their captive tribe members, killing Soapy and three Mounties in the process. Mounties led by the superintendent pursue the Tlingit. Belinda also goes into the wilderness when she learns of Bill's whereabouts.

## Production

*Klondike* was greenlit by the Discovery Channel in December 2012, with the network believing that it would complement their other offerings such as the reality shows *Gold Rush* and *Jungle Gold*. Production began in March 2013 in Alberta, and it was expected that it would take 54 days of shooting in order to get six hours of footage. Some filming took place in April on Fortress Mountain in Kananaskis County, where the cast contended with "frigid" conditions. A set was created on the CL Ranch to represent Dawson City. There, the crew experienced warm weather, which created problems as the actors were forced to wear many layers of clothing and pretend they were cold. Richard Madden, the actor playing Bill, agreed to join the miniseries as he was impressed with the script and enjoyed Discovery's *Gold Rush*. Madden had to learn mountaineering in Alberta for the role, and at one point was required to jump into river rapids with a grade of four. He also made sure to research his real-life counterpart in books and biographies, had to contend with high altitudes and wind machines, and noted that the adverse conditions helped him get into character.

## Reception

The miniseries received positive reviews from critics and holds an 80% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 15 reviews. The site consensus reads: "Discovery Channel's first scripted drama, *Klondike* not only contains an admirable adventure plot, but a masterful exploration of landscapes and cinematography." On Metacritic, the miniseries holds a score of 74 out of 100 based on 19 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews."

### Ratings

 Part Two
 Part Three