Last year it was announced that The Mortal Instruments was going to get its own TV show (instead of a sequel to the 2013 movie). I was very excited about this news, the movie was one of my favorites (I can’t even tell you how many times I’ve watched it because I’ve simply lost count). I remember taking to my best friend about it (she is a fan too) and how excited we were. After a while, we found out that they were going to change the cast. At first I was on denial and could not believe it, then I knew they were going to mess it up. I was so negative about it but I just had to wait a few months to see for myself the turn out.
So far, five episodes have aired and let me say I am impressed. From the beginning I knew the actors that were perfect for their roles: Alberto Rosende as Simon Lewis, Matthew Daddario as Alec Lightwood and Harry Shum as Magnus Bane. I knew this trio was going to be absolutely amazing from the moment it was announced they were going to play those roles. The ones that had me skeptical were Dominic Sherwood as Jace Wayland and Katherine McNamara as Clary Fray. Taylor Swift’s music video “Style” and the movie Vampire Academy were the only works of Dominic that I had seen and even though I did like his performance in the movie, I did not believe he had the necessary sass and level of cockiness to play Jace. For Katherine, I knew she had minor roles for different Disney Channel shows but other than that, I just had an impression of a good girl.
The show aired on January 12th 2016 and boy, was I happy. My first impression was “this Katherine isn’t my Clary.” Lily Collins was so amazing in the movie, she was practically born for that role. Five episodes into the show and I believe she acts way too innocent and dumb for Clary but it could totally be worse. For Dominic, Jamie Campell Bowel was the absolute love of my life as Jace. He had the perfect amount of cockiness and was absolutely charming. Let me admit that at the beginning I did not like Dominic but he totally changed my mind (even though he should be more self-centered). Alberto, Matthew and Harry did not disappoint as Simon, Alec and Magnus. Their work has been extraordinary. The absolutely make justice for the characters just like Robert Sheehan, Kevin Zegers (that gorgeous boy) and Godfrey Gao (the cutie with the eye liner) did in the movie.
Other actors are Emeraude Toubia as Isabelle Lightwood, Alan Van Sprang as Valentine Morgenstern and Isaiah Mustafa as Luke Garroway. This three were played -once upon a lovely 2013 time- by Jemima West, Jonathan Rhys Meyers and Aidan Turner respectively. Emeraude has been great, even though I am not sure if I like the Latina touch they are adding for Isabelle. Alan is great, he is perfect for a villain but there is just something about Jonathan that is more edgy and crazy. Finally, Isaiah is very confusing. Having an african american play Luke is not bad, the race doesn’t matter because I don’t believe it was ever specified in the books, yet I was not expecting it. He is good but the whole police officer thing isn’t doing it for me.
So far I like every actor (but Katherine still needs to win me over) but it shall never compare to the original cast. God (and my best friend) only know how many times I wish they were still playing this amazing characters created by the one and only Cassandra Clare.
