One of the most famous events in English history will get its long-overdue adaptation in an upcoming series. The feud between William, Duke of Normandy (later William the Conqueror) and King Harold II is set to be portrayed in an upcoming eight-part drama series. The show is set to star Danish superstar Nikolaj Coster-Waldau (Game of Thrones) as William the Conqueror andJames Norton (Happy Valley) will claim his rightful heir to the throne as King Harold. The series will begin production in 2024, with the majority of filming taking place in Iceland. Michael Robert Johnson (Guy Ritchie’s Sherlock Holmes) will write the series and Baltasar Kormákur (Everest) will direct the piece.
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In a press statement, Sue Deeks Head of BBC Programme Acquisition commented on the highly anticipated show in a press statement. ‘In the UK we learn about William the Conqueror, the Battle of Hastings and King Harold’s gruesome death in our school history lessons – but those headlines are all most of us can remember.’ She continued: ‘King and Conqueror will bring Harold and William to life, depicting their lives, loves and families, and the gripping, high stakes power game that led to their fateful meeting in 1066.’
I’ve read a lot about the Anglo Saxon period and I’m surprised there’s not been some sort of effort to dramatise it before now. (See also, the early history of Scotland.) I guess people are too busy thinking about the Roman Empire x times a day.
There’s also a film in the works.
