Cult Corner: Catch All Of ‘The Musketeers’ On Hulu Before It Lands On British TV

When we talk about streaming culture, we’re usually enthusing about what’s new, but one of the best things about streaming is how it’s made old and obscure cult hits available to a new generation. Presenting Cult Corner: your weekly look into hidden gems and long-lost curiosities that you can find on streaming.

American Anglophiles know that the worst part of loving British TV is the long wait for a BBC hit to cross the pond. Fans have had to wait months to see the new Sherlock , Doctor Who, or Downton Abbey episodes air on American TV. However, there is one pulpy show turning the tables on this tradition. All three seasons of The Musketeers just debuted on Hulu this weekend — and the third season hasn’t even aired on the BBC yet.

Let me reiterate: Season three of The Musketeers hasn’t even secured a broadcast premiere date in the United Kingdom, but you can binge-watch the first, second, and third seasons on Hulu.

WE BEAT THE BRITISH! GEORGE WASHINGTON WOULD BE SO PROUD!

Okay, but what’s the big deal? What is The Musketeers and why should you watch it (aside for patriotic reasons)?

As the name suggests, The Musketeers is a pulpy adventure serial loosely based on the literary work of Alexandre Dumas. The pilot follows young (and hot) D’Artangnan (Luke Pasqualino) as he travels to Paris to avenge his father’s murder at the hands of “Athos, the Musketeer.” There, he crosses paths with a sexy assassin named Milady (Maimie McCoy), a nice lady named Constance (Tamla Kari), and the Three Musketeers: hot and brooding Athos (Tom Burke), hot and fun Porthos (Howard Charles), and hot and sexy Aramis (Santiago Cabrera).

As it turns out that D’Artagnan’s father was killed in a massive conspiracy hatched by Cardinal Richelieu (Doctor Who star Peter Capaldi). Natrually, D’Artagnan joins the Musketeers in their cause. Sword fights and shenanigans ensue. It’s cute. It’s fun. It’s full of hot guys. What more do you need?

One thing you should know about this series is that it’s not a stuffy take on French history. Sure, everyone’s wearing period dress and talking in British accents, but The Musketeers isn’t considered “prestigious” television in the UK. It’s basically a pulpy yarn designed to entertain families on Saturday night. It’s more in line with The Flash than Game of Thrones. If there’s anything particularly high-brow about this show it rests solely with the pedigree of its actors: Peter Capaldi is an critically-acclaimed thespian and Tom Burke is an Ian Charleson Award-Winner (which means he won this fancy British theater award that usually predicts future stars). And that’s not a bad thing! Whenever you’re watching a series that’s more concerned with fun than drama, it helps to have truly great actors there to anchor the emotional moments so you can believe whole-heartedly in the wild ride. That’s what these guys can do.

If you’re in the mood for a really fun summer binge, The Musketeers is a perfect slice of feverish fun (and really, really hot guys).

[Watch The Musketeers on Hulu]

[Photos: BBC]