If, like us, you’ve were glued to ITV1’s mind-bending drama Playing Nice earlier this year, you might be craving a bit more James Norton on your screen and, thankfully, he’s not going anywhere. The Happy Valley star taking on a major royal role in BBC One's eight-part historical drama, King and Conqueror – and the new trailer (which you can watch below) is telling us we're going to seriously like it.
The series takes us back to the 11th century (oh, how we love a period drama) and will see Norton play Harold, Earl of Wessex as he prepares to face Nikolaj Coster-Waldau’s William, Duke of Normandy, at the famous Battle of Hastings. “I’ve been developing it for about six, seven years, and it’s been percolating," Norton, who has also produced the series, told Radio Times.
"We’ve been having meetings. We’ve been talking to directors, writers. It's been a long, long journey. I can't wait for it to be seen. Although I'm very nervous because the stakes are so high, it's been a long journey!" he said.
Perhaps we’re biased, but we can’t think of anyone better to produce and star in an English national epic. Ahead of King & Conqueror's arrival on the BBC, here’s everything you need to know about the series, including the cast, plot and release date.
What’s the plot of King & Conqueror?
The eight-part historical drama tells the story of a clash that defined the future of a country – and a continent – for a thousand years. The roots of the battle stretch back decades and it charts the lead-up through two interconnected family dynasties, struggling for power across two countries and a raging sea.
The two men at the fore of course were Harold of Wessex (James Norton) and William of Normandy (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) and we’ll see the pair’s fateful meeting at the Battle of Hastings in 1066. Though they’re allies with no design on the British throne, they find themselves forced by circumstance and personal obsession into a war for possession of the crown.
Who’s in the cast of King & Conqueror?
The cast of King and Conqueror includes:
- James Norton as Harold, Earl of Wessex
- Nikolaj Coster-Waldau as William, Duke of Normandy
- Emily Beecham as Edith Swan-neck
- Clémence Poésy as Matilda
- Eddie Marsan as King Edward
- Juliet Stevenson as Lady Emma
- Jean-Marc Barr as King Henry
- Luther Ford as Tostig
- Geoff Bell as Godwin
- Elliott Cowan as Swey
- Bo Bragason as Queen Gunhild
- Bjarne Henriksen as Earl Siward
- Oliver Masucci as Baldwin
- Clare Holman as Gytha
- Elander Moore as Morcar
- Indy Lewis as Margaret
- Jason Forbes as Thane Thomas
- Ingvar Sigurdsson as Fitzosbern
- Ines Asserson as Judith
- Sveinn Ólafur Gunnarsson as Hardrada
- Léo Legrand as Odo
Is there a trailer for King & Conqueror?
Yes, the BBC has just released the first trailer for King & Conqueror, which you can watch below.
When can I watch King & Conqueror?
It's almost here! King & Conqueror will air on BBC One and iPlayer this August. As soon as we have a confirmed date, we'll update you here.
