With 45% on RT, Kevin Costner's New Show Is a Bold Historical Gamble That Won't Work for Everyone

The Gray House, a historical drama with the potential to be a breakthrough, has quietly debuted on Prime Video. The project is backed by Kevin Costner and Morgan Freeman, and two-time Oscar nominee John Sayles is among the screenwriters.

However, the series has flown almost unnoticed, and for good reason – The Gray House is a leisurely, plodding, old-fashioned historical drama that requires the utmost patience from viewers.

Here's what makes this project special and whether it's worth watching.

What Is 'The Gray House' About?

On July 4, 1860, the US was on the brink of a civil war. In Richmond, the Van Lew family hosts an Independence Day celebration for the nobles. The hostess, Eliza, and her daughter, Elizabeth, are friendly with their guests, creating the illusion of a carefree atmosphere.

However, behind the mask of Southern hospitality, the Van Lews harbor abolitionist beliefs. They will soon organize a spy network that will transmit classified information to the federal government.

'The Gray House' Is a Realistic Historical Drama Based on Real Events

The Van Lews and their accomplices were real people who, during the Civil War, intercepted Confederate secrets and transmitted information to the North via a complex system of couriers. The writers based the story on real events but took artistic liberties.

The main problem with The Gray House is its disastrous slowness – episodes last over an hour, the writers are distracted by numerous secondary characters, and viewers must pay close attention to follow along.

It seems the creators aren't realizing the project's full potential. The Gray House lacks the dynamism characteristic of the spy genre. However, the show really shines in the tense moments when women risk their lives and hide notes in their voluminous hairstyles and skirts.

Is 'The Gray House' Worth Watching?

Even the most patient viewers may find the first few episodes of The Gray House off-putting – the writers don't seem particularly focused on capturing your attention. However, if you stick with it, you'll be rewarded.

First, the second half of the series is clearly better than the first – perhaps because you develop a strong connection with the characters. Second, The Gray House is a solid historical drama that touches on key episodes of the Civil War, albeit extremely old-school.

It can serve as a reference for the period or inspire exploration of real-life stories. The project's main goal is to honor the courageous female spies whose names are unknown to the general public.

If you're looking for a leisurely and thoughtful experience and you're interested in history, you may find The Gray House revelatory. Otherwise, it's best to pass on it.

What Did Critics & Viewers Think of 'The Gray House'?

• The Gray House has 45% from critics and 68% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.

• On IMDb, the series has a score of 6.6/10.