Kit Harington stars as Robert Catesby — from whom he’s also a descendant in real life — in “Gunpowder.” (Robert Viglasky/HBO)

“Gunpowder,” the HBO miniseries originally produced for BBC One, is a history lesson presented in the tone of “Game of Thrones.” It looks at the events leading up to the 1605 Gunpowder Plot in London that has become the British national holiday Guy Fawkes Day, despite the assassination attempt being a failure. The production has the attention to detail that has made projects from “The Tudors” to “The Vikings” so appealing. And, what has caused the most stir is no punches are pulled when it comes to showing the viciousness of this unholy war.

“Gunpowder” is a three-part miniseries that debuted at 10 p.m. Monday, and will continue at the same hour Tuesday and Wednesday.

The production reveals that while Fawkes is heralded each Nov. 5, it was Robert Catesby (Kit Harington), a 30-year-old Warwickshire gentleman who planned the ill-fated assassination attempt of King James I (Derek Riddell). Catesby was driven to such an extreme act because after the death of Elizabeth I, King James made it illegal to be Catholic. Those who would not declare their loyalty to the Protestant Church were harassed and taxed until they buckled (or were killed).

The majority of the story unfolds through the eyes of Catesby, played with both a deep warmth and firm convictions by Harington. His task is showing how Catesby is being torn apart by the conflicts he has as a father, the testing of his devotion to the church and his tested loyalty to his country. Harington’s well up for that challenge.

Catesby’s refusal to abandon his religion brings him to the edge of financial, social and psychological ruin. Harington is equally as in charge of the role when he’s having a quiet moment of reflection by a stream or facing the accusers who look to break his religious beliefs. The actor, best known for playing Jon Snow on “Game of Thrones,” has a personal reason for turning in such a compelling performance: He’s a descendant of Catesby.

It always helps when an actor has an equally strong counterpart, and in “Gunpowder,” that comes from Mark Gatiss as Robert Cecil, King James’ spy master, who directs efforts to hunt down, torture and kill priests, while rank-and-file Catholics are subject to oppression and the loss of their property.

The struggle between the two men — both loyally dedicated to their beliefs — gives the production a strong foundation. It also continuously serves as a reminder that history is not just words on paper, but the actions of men and women willing to die for what they believe is right.

Generally, the production written by Ronan Bennett and directed by J Blakeson is an interesting look at a moment in history given life by a solid cast. The biggest weakness is Liv Tyler, who plays Anne Vaux, Catesby’s cousin who becomes suspicious about his activities and fears the consequences will be the exact opposite of what Catesby intends. Tyler’s performance is so stiff that an animatronic version of her would have looked more lifelike. At least she’s surrounded by a solid cast that often lifts up her scenes.

All of this work goes into a history lesson that’s presented with the same kind of stark brutality that has become a trademark of “Thrones.” Scenes of torture, hangings and mutilations are so intense there was a backlash in England when the production aired there. The fact it’s being presented on a premium channel here eliminates the arguments that it is too brutally honest for TV. But, the persecution and execution of those of the Catholic faith in England at the time was intended to be so inhumane it would shake the faith out of the majority of believers. And the filmmakers don’t pull back in depicting that.

The most brutal moments come in the opening episode as the king’s men discover a young Jesuit priest (Thom Ashley) who has been in hiding. They arrest him and the lady of the house, Dorothy Dibdale (Sian Webber), where he’s found. Dibdale’s death has her stripped naked, placed under a massive plate and crushed to death while the priest is drawn and quartered. The scenes are incredibly difficult to watch, which goes to emphasize the lack of humanity that infected the country during the religious battle.

There’s very little — other than the violence — that sets “Gunpowder” apart from the continuing flow of dramas built around swords and sinners. Harington turns in a valiant effort, but “Gunpowder” is too limited in scope to give him enough material to fully form the character. Focusing on the assassination plot is too confining and should have just been the spark for a much broader tale of the religious conflict in England at that time.

Also starring in “Gunpowder” are Peter Mullen (“Ozark”), Edward Holcroft (“Kingsman: The Golden Circle”), Shaun Dooley (“Broadchurch”), Tom Cullen (“Downton Abbey”), Robert Emms (“War Horse”), Derek Riddell (“The Missing”), Sian Webber (“EastEnders”), David Bamber (“Rome”) and Kevin Eldon (“Game of Thrones”).

TV spotlight

“Gunpowder”
10 p.m. Tuesday, HBO