The Winter King brings the Dark Ages of 5th century Britain to life by offering a powerful new take on the Arthurian legends.
Based on Bernard Cornwell’s Warlord Chronicles trilogy of novels, the 10-part drama, which is dropping on ITVX on Thursday December 21 (available on MGM+ in the US), centres on young warrior Arthur (Iain De Caestecker), the illegitimate son of indomitable Uther (The Thief, His Wife and the Canoe star Eddie Marsan), the High King of Dumnonia, one of several warring regions of Britain.
Cruel Uther banishes loyal Arthur, but as tensions mount in Britain and Arthur’s mentor Merlin (Nathaniel Martello-White), a powerful pagan politician, has concerns about the future, can Arthur return to save the country?
What to Watch caught up with Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Roadkill and The Control Room star Iain De Caestecker to find out more about The Winter King…
The Winter King is full of action and adventure. How would you describe the show?
“It’s rooted in the reality of what it might have been like in that time period and it’s a grounded, human version of the legend. You've got the well-known characters, but with a different slant on them, so people like Merlin are more open to interpretation. And you have to see Excalibur [Arthur’s legendary sword]!”
Tell us about Arthur…
“We go into his earlier backstory and his relationship with Uther, who is ruthless. Arthur is Uther’s illegitimate son and he has never felt Uther’s love. When Uther banishes Arthur from this kingdom that he has devoted his life to, Arthur goes away to Gaul and comes back as a forward-thinking leader.”
What challenges does he face?
“He’s the person that Britain needs as danger’s brewing. It's a precarious position, paganism is competing with Christianity, there's an encroaching Saxon presence and in-fighting and the country is becoming fractured with power struggles.
“Arthur has to unite the different tribes but the stakes are high and you see the toll it takes to be a leader and the sacrifices and impossible choices you have to make. But he is also a man trying to reconcile the past and overcome childhood trauma."
How do you see his relationship with spirited noblewoman Guinevere (Jordan Alexandra)?
“Guinevere has this effect on him that is unexpected, his world is tossed upside down and it's impossible to make the measured decisions he's accustomed to. We see a chink in his armour, which could be exploited in the future and he may be led by his heart rather than his head, and that’s dangerous…”
And what do you make of his bond with Merlin and his protegés — druidess Nimue (Ellie James), and Saxon Derfel (Stuart Campbell), whose life Arthur saves?
“Merlin is a surrogate father who took Arthur under his wing. Arthur has always been cynical about the gods, but he's respectful of Merlin and Nimue and their powers. And he has an unbreakable bond with Derfel and is protective of him. Derfel sees Arthur as somebody that can hopefully save the country like he saved him.”
How have you found filming the brutal battle scenes?
“They are a challenge but it adds to the adventure. There's something different about the way Arthur and his men do things, they have more edge to them. They’re like the Navy SEALs or SAS of the Dark Ages.
"I’d never been horse riding before but they are amazing creatures and big, gentle giants. It’s like driving a sports car that's alive!”
The Winter King is available on MGM+ in the US and all 10 episodes will air in the UK from Thursday December 21 on ITVX. It will be broadcast on ITV1 at a later date.
