Movies

Another James Norton show not to be missed: The BBC’s “brutal” UK period drama to watch out for

BBG News

Actor James Norton, known for his role in “Happy Valley,” has been quite occupied lately. He’ll be gracing our TV screens once more shortly with the upcoming BBC series called “King & Conqueror.

In this historical series, the story unfolds around Harold from Wessex and William from Normandy – two individuals whose fates were intertwined, leading them towards a confrontation at the Battle of Hastings in the year 1066.

The summary portrays the duo as two individuals without any aspirations towards the British throne, yet they find themselves embroiled in a struggle for control over it. This conflict serves to determine not only the destiny of a nation but also that of an entire continent for a millennium.

What to Read Next

Instead of the battle itself, the series King & Conqueror offers an exploration into the events that culminated in this significant clash, “tracing its origins which span over several decades and encompass a pair of intertwined family dynasties, each vying for power across two nations, separated by a tumultuous sea.

Besides acting as Harold, Earl of Wessex, Norton is also taking up the role of executive producer in this venture, working together with Kitty Kaletsky and series creator Michael Robert Johnson, who was responsible for penning the script of the 2009 movie Sherlock Holmes.

Baltasar Kormákur, who is responsible for Netflix’s “Katla,” will take charge of the first episode and also supervise the series’ creative direction. On the other hand, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, a fellow actor in Norton’s cast, will helm episode five of the series on “Game of Thrones.

Filming is underway in Iceland now, and that provided ample topics for discussion at a recent London Screenings gathering, where Norton hinted at an anticipated BBC blockbuster series for the year.

Norton stated (as reported by Deadline) that the shoot was extremely intense. He was caked in mud, blood, and thick layers of leather, which turned out to be crucial for Johnson’s creative process. From the get-go, Johnson aimed to steer clear of creating a polished, comfortable period drama, instead opting for a distinct tone and visual style.

I spent hours each day meticulously getting dressed due to my numerous layers of genuine leather and chain mail, but it was all worth it for the authenticity it brought to the character. Director Kormákur insisted on this detail, and I can see now why – it truly made a difference in the end.

Despite the intense violence and high-octane actions, Norton assures us that the story will place significant importance on character growth, particularly focusing on the complex dynamics between the two main characters and their spouses.

One key aspect we aimed to steer clear from was transforming this into a raw, macho, testosterone-fueled adventure. We didn’t want it to be a constant string of battles and fights. Instead, one of the main elements [producer] Kitty Kaletsky introduced was emphasizing the personal aspects. The story is about William and Harold, but at its core, it’s truly a tale about relationships.

In addition to Norton and Coster-Waldau, who portrays William, Duke of Normandy and King & Conqueror, the cast also includes Emily Beecham (from Netflix’s 1899) and Clémence Poésy (known for her role in The Tunnel) in significant roles as the wives, Edith Swan-neck and Matilda.

As a gamer, I’m thrilled to learn that some key players have signed on for this upcoming game. Eddie Marsan, known from ‘Back To Black’, will be stepping into the role of King Edward, while Juliet Stevenson, famously recognized from ‘Truly, Madly, Deeply’, has been cast as Lady Emma.

Luther Ford from “Black Doves”, Jason Forbes known for “My Lady Jane” on Prime Video, as well as Indy Lewis from “Industry”, Elander Moore from “Interview with a Vampire”, and lastly, Elander Moore in Netflix’s “KAOS” complete the diverse ensemble of cast members.

When can we expect the series titled “King & Conqueror” to air? Although an exact date hasn’t been given yet, it is set to be released within the year 2025. Be sure to stay tuned as all eight episodes, each lasting an hour, will be broadcast soon on BBC iPlayer and BBC One.

For those residing outside the United Kingdom, ‘King & Conqueror’ will be distributed globally by Paramount Global Content Distribution.

Besides the mentioned project, James Norton is also set to appear in Steven Knight’s upcoming Netflix series titled “House of Guinness.” Additionally, he recently led ITV’s production “Playing Nice.” Therefore, it can be expected that fans of James Norton will have an abundance of content to enjoy this year.

In the interim, feel free to explore his main character performance in the British movie titled “Joy,” that was quite popular on Netflix. Alternatively, delve into a history book to learn more about The Battle of Hastings if you’re particularly interested. However, keep in mind that there might be spoilers dating back centuries!

King & Conqueror will be available to watch on BBC iPlayer and BBC One later in the year.

Read More

2025-04-04 18:19

Previous post Everything you need to know about Ariana Grande’s short film Brighter Days Ahead
Next post How Louise Thompson is Reclaiming Her Life After a Year of Health Struggles