James Norton Will Star in King & Conqueror, The BBC’s New Historical Drama
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1 month ago
The show recounts the story of the Battle of Hastings
From the upcoming thriller Playing Nice to the heartwarming new film Joy, James Norton has been taking over TV lately – and now he’s set to lead a brand new drama, King and Conqueror (alongside an array of other big names). We’ve got all the details.
King & Conqueror: Everything We Know So Far
James Norton in Mr Jones (2019). © 2020 Under Exclusive License to Signature Entertainment Ltd.
What Is King and Conqueror About?
King and Conqueror takes us all the way back to the 11th century, recounting the story of the Battle of Hastings. It brings to life the figures of Harold of Wessex (played by James Norton) and William of Normandy (played by Game of Thrones star Nikolaj Coster-Waldau). Written by Michael Robert Johnson (the writer of Guy Ritchie’s 2009 film Sherlock Holmes), it will air as an eight-part series on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
According to the official synopsis, ‘King and Conqueror is the story of a clash that defined the future of a country – and a continent – for a thousand years, the roots of which stretch back decades and extend out through a pair of interconnected family dynasties, struggling for power across two countries and a raging sea. Harold of Wessex and William of Normandy were two men destined to meet at the Battle of Hastings in 1066; two allies with no design on the British throne, who found themselves forced by circumstance and personal obsession into a war for possession of its crown.’
Who Stars?
- James Norton as Harold, Earl of Wessex
- Nikolaj Coster-Waldau as William, Duke of Normandy
- Emily Beecham as Edith Swan Neck, Harold’s wife
- Clémence Poésy as Matilda, William’s wife
- Eddie Marsan as King Edward
- Juliet Stevenson as Lady Emma
- Jean-Marc Barr as King Henry
- Luther Ford as Tostig
- Joseph Mawle as Fitzosbern
- Geoff Bell as Godwin
- Elliot Cowan as Sweyn
- Bo Bragason as Queen Gunhild
- Bjarne Henriksen as Earl Siward
- Clare Holman as Gytha
- Oliver Mascucci as Baldwin
Release Date
We’re not sure yet when King & Conquerors will land on the BBC; filming has, in fact, only recently kicked off in Iceland. Check back here for updates.
