The story of a clash that defined the future of a continent for a thousand years, King & Conqueror is an epic eight-part series starring James Norton (Happy Valley) as Harold, Earl of Wessex, and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau (Game of Thrones) as William, Duke of Normandy, two allies with no designs on the British throne who find themselves forced by circumstance to take up arms against each other.
King & Conqueror brings to the screen the lives, loves and families of these two iconic 11th-century figures, and the gripping power game they are all caught up in, creating a bold, sweeping drama. The series culminates in one of Western histories most famous battles, the Battle of Hastings, but as Norton has said, this series is far from just "battle after battle and fight after fight". In King & Conqueror, we see the political forces and dynastic demands that shaped their lives, along with relationships between Harold and his wife Edith (Emily Beecham) and William and his wife Matilda (Clémence Poésy)
Here’s what we know so far:
Where can I watch King & Conqueror?
SBS has secured the exclusive Australian rights to the epic historical drama and will premiere the eight-episode series on SBS and SBS On Demand later this year.
Who stars in King & Conqueror?
James Norton as Harold, Earl of Wessex in 'King & Conqueror'.
Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, the Danish actor, producer and screenwriter who gained international fame as Jamie Lannister in Game of Thrones and has since starred in acclaimed dramas including God is a Bullet and Shot Caller, plays William, Duke of Normandy – better known to history as William the Conqueror – a vigorous and determined leader and distant cousin to Edward the Confessor, the King of England from 1042 to 1066. Coster-Waldau directs an episode of the series and is also an executive producer.
Nikolaj Coster-Waldau as William, Duke of Normandy. Credit: Lilja Jons
The strong ensemble cast also features Emily Beecham (Little Joe) as Harold’s wife Edith, Clémence Poésy (The Tunnel, In Bruges) as William’s wife Matilda, Juliet Stevenson as the powerful figure of Lady Emma, Eddie Marsan (Ridley Road) as King Edward, Jean-Marc Barr (The Big Blue) as Henry, King of France, and Luther Ford (The Crown) as Harold’s brother Tostig, plus Geoff Bell as Godwin, Elliott Cowan as Sweyn, 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 and Léo Legrand as Odo.
Is King & Conqueror based on real events and people?
Yes. Written by Michael Robert Johnson (known for the 2009 Sherlock Holmes film starring Robert Downey Jr) King & Conqueror brings to life a history-changing struggle for power that stretched across England and parts of modern-day France in the 11th century. When Harold succeeded his father as Earl of Wessex in 1053, he became one of the most powerful men in England. But his position was far from secure, with challenges from rivals and from within his own family.
William of Normandy, also know as Guillaume de Normandie and William the Conqueror, overcome illegitimacy to become one of the most powerful men in France, and eventually (according to Norman sources at least) was recognised by the then reigning English king Edward as his heir.
Their paths crossed in 1064 in Normandy, a meeting that initially saw the pair as allies. But just a few years later, upon Edward’s death, the pair found themselves forced by circumstances and passion into a war for the crown and a fateful meeting at the Battle of Hastings.
Nikolaj Coster-Waldau (left) as William and James Norton as Harold. Credit: Lilja Jons
Where was King & Conqueror filmed?
The series was filmed in Iceland, with Icelandic actor-director Baltasar Kormákur as executive producer of the series and director of the premiere episode.
What should I watch to get in the mood for Kind & Conqueror?
Love the intrigue of royal power plays? Dive into historical drama Margrete: Queen of the North: In 1402, Queen Margrete is ruling Sweden, Norway and Denmark through her adopted son, Erik, but a conspiracy is in the making. Based on the real-life queen who created lasting peace between the three nations.
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Margrete: Queen of the North
Historical drama • 2021
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Knights, murder, mystery ... and a crime-solving apothecary in medieval Tallinn? All that awaits in Melchior the Apothecary, the first in a trilogy of Estonian films based on the novels by Indrek Hargla (films two and three are also streaming at SBS On Demand).
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Melchior the Apothecary
Crime drama • Historical drama • 2022
Crime drama • Historical drama • 2022
A battle for a crown? Japanese historical drama Ran (inspired by 'King Lear') see the children of a Japanese warlord wage a bloody war for his throne.
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Ran
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Find more gripping series in the PREMIUM PERIOD DRAMA COLLECTION or see the past come to life in the movies in the PRIZED PERIOD PIECES COLLECTION. Explore lives, stories and events in the HISTORICAL DOCUMENTARIES COLLECTION.
