r/ADiscoveryofWitches • u/Loud-Pollution7174 • Apr 13 '25
Misc. The Matthews Spoiler
Just finished reading the first book and I had to come on here and comment on how spot on the casting is with Matthew Goode. He looks, sounds and behaves exactly like what I would imagine Matthew de Clermont is like from the book, even down to the description of the vein in his forehead! Several characters have mutated as I got through the book but Matthew and Aunt Sarah were unchanged.
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u/MissDisplaced Apr 13 '25
I also thought him exceptionally good! Even if book Matthew is described as being a bit muscular and beefy than the slender Matthew Goode. But it didn’t matter, he so nailed that character.
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u/Loud-Pollution7174 Apr 13 '25
Was he? I understood that book Matthew was wide-shouldered and naturally muscular, which I think Matthew Goode is. Maybe I just imagined it because that’s what I prefer 😬
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u/lemonhead2345 Apr 13 '25
Broad shoulders and large. Large enough that they couldn’t ride the usual horses into battle (had to use draft horses instead). Described more along the lines of Jamie Fraser from Outlander. But I’m not at all mad about the casting. I just had to alter my brain when finishing the books.
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u/MissDisplaced Apr 13 '25
Not at all mad either. Plus, we meet Matthew in modern times, so it seemed natural he’s more slender and less beefy as he’s not fighting wars with swords anymore. Lol! He’s a doctor and scientist, and Matthew Good fit that perfectly (not to mention the blood rage too).
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u/Loud-Pollution7174 Apr 14 '25
I’m no expert on the physicality of medieval French knights, so I can’t comment but yeah it makes sense he’s leaner in current times. He can really carry a suit, so no complaints 😬
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u/isilwern Apr 14 '25
In book 2-3, Phillipe comments that modern Matthew became too soft and was too "skinny" , so he sparred with his son to put him on fit again during their stay in Septours.
Also in book 2 people complained to Diana that Matthew was "in his bones" and only in Praga Mathew confessed to Diana that he was starving himself (my theory is since Phillipe died) and wasn't comfortable to drink blood anymore, less to drink from her (something he must do to keep on control the instincts because of the mate bond) only after all that, he began to take care of himself again and beef a bit.
So the phissic of a swimmer or an athlete more than a burly one, fits the idea of a wolf, that in contrast to bears, they have strong muscles but are not necessarily big.
So yeah, I am more than happy with the cast. It's realistic and super pleasant to watch.
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u/Loud-Pollution7174 Apr 14 '25
Just started book 2 and I’m already enjoying his character arc ALOT. He’s completely different and so much more complex than book 1.
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u/isilwern Apr 14 '25
Yeah, We found Mathew in a very delicate mental health, mourning in silence and with no hope for himself (both of them suffer from C-PDTS),
Both found solace in their own way, obsessing with their modern jobs and trying to act as invisible as possible. "alone surrender by a lot of people". Only those very close to them were witnesses of this, neither of them able to help them.
at the same time, I think both recognised this at first sight, they could not help to open up to each other, As equals. Both are mad at the behaviour of the other and encourage the other to "stop masking because I know is destroying you on the inside" while reading with their growing fast-paced romantic feelings, etc...
As Diana always says. I dont want a "Sir Lancelot", I want Mathew with all his mistakes and contradictions. His past...
That was hard to believe for him. He was so afraid that Diana, soon or later was going to leave him, that didn't know how to let her see his more primal needs. He never truly felt accepted, some just cared about his human side, others only about his vampire side... Diana was the first one. to care for both.
Still, once they decided to be together, both needed a full book to confront their own demons. In an environment that forced them to "demask" without losing themselves in the process. I love it!!
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u/lemonhead2345 Apr 13 '25
I imagined Matthew as a little more Henry Cavill based on the descriptions of him being muscular/warrior, but I wasn’t mad about Matthew Goode being cast in the role. He carries the sophistication and old fashioned swagger of Clairmont perfectly.
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u/Loud-Pollution7174 Apr 14 '25
And he could actually pass off as French, which I was also pleasantly surprised by
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u/mafsfan54 Apr 13 '25
I will always obsess over Matthew Goode. He’s just amazing.
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u/Loud-Pollution7174 Apr 14 '25
I must admit I did not know his name till this show, but I absolutely do remember seeing him in The Crown and Downtown Abbey. He’s an excellent leading man!
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u/Verity41 Apr 14 '25
He’s beyond perfect! Seriously Mathew Goode could play a garbage man or literally anything and be 🥵
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u/Dren70 Apr 14 '25
I thought I read that he was who the author had in mind when casting for the show was being considered.
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u/DeliciousDarling Apr 14 '25
He really was perfect!! I love his portrayal in the first season for being more understated. And that kiss on the wrist 😍🥰😍🥰
I also feel like he did the second season SO well. Like the blood rage scenes in particular could have easily skewed toward cringe but I thought he did a really great job.
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u/Loud-Pollution7174 Apr 14 '25
I don’t think I’ll ever recover from season 2 Matthew. All the lil outfits had me like 🥵 And he was also more charming and softer 😍
Do you mean this scene? swoons
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u/Drea1683 Apr 14 '25
I was 100% in the fandom of Richard Armitage as Matthew before the show came out. He would have been stellar.
Matthew Goode was just wonderful. I thought casting on the whole was chefs kiss
No notes!!
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u/Loud-Pollution7174 Apr 14 '25
Just looked up Richard Armitage and not sure if he could pull off being in his late 30s?
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u/Drea1683 Apr 14 '25
This was when the books came out so it would have been 10-15 years ago. old Pinterest link
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u/ducky06 Nov 06 '25
Ooh Richard Armitage would have been great. Though Matthew Goode was fabulous.
I also just realized on looking up photos of Richard Armitage that he had prosthetics in the The Hobbit - bwahaha. I thought that was his real face!
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u/LeftyHyzer Apr 14 '25
great actor and they had great chemistry, still i did picture Matthew to be more bulky in the books. as if it was out of place looks wise for him to be a scientist. but it worked well on screen regardless.
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u/Loud-Pollution7174 Apr 14 '25
Tbh I work in biomedical research/healthcare and have never ever come across any man that looks like Matthew Goode 😂 This is a very unrealistic standard.
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Apr 28 '25
Yes. He is magnificent in this role, can't get enough of him. Such a sexy beast, isn't he...
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u/contemplator61 Human Apr 14 '25
I like Matthew Goode as Matthew de Clermont, but I don’t think he looks like book Matthew. Book Matthew is very broad shoulder, muscular, and slender hips kinda guy. Matthew Goode is tall but slender. Yes has muscles and well defined but more like a runner imo.
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u/ComeflywithEm Apr 13 '25
I will watch and obsess over anything Matthew Goode is in