King & Conqueror Brings 1066 to Life
The new BBC drama King & Conqueror takes one of the most pivotal moments in English history—the Battle of Hastings—and turns it into an epic story of ambition, rivalry, and human complexity. Rather than presenting a simple tale of good versus evil, the creators set out to show a balanced portrait of two men, Harold of Wessex and William of Normandy, whose choices reshaped the course of Europe for centuries.
The series stars James Norton as Harold and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau as William. Both actors were drawn not only to the scale of the history but also to the chance to explore the inner lives of these legendary figures. Norton explained that Harold began as a brute in early drafts but evolved into a more layered character, shaped by his family ties and unrelenting pursuit of power. He recalled reading scripts and being surprised to find that many of the wildest moments were historically accurate, even if timelines had to be condensed for storytelling.
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Coster-Waldau, on the other hand, approached William as a survivor who had faced eight assassination attempts before the age of sixteen. By the time we meet him in the show, he is secure as Duke of Normandy, supported by a strong marriage to Matilda, played by Clémence Poésy. The actor was fascinated by William’s paradox—both a ruthless warrior and a devoted husband and father. He described William’s drive for the English crown as born from both personal ambition and a desire to protect his family.
A central aim of the production was authenticity. The battle scenes were crafted to feel raw and messy, not stylized. Norton spoke about heavy costumes, slow movements, mud, and blood that grounded the action in reality. The actors trained hard, rode horses, and worked with stunt teams to capture the grit of eleventh-century warfare. But just as much attention was given to quieter, domestic scenes. For both Harold and William, the women in their lives—Edith, played by Emily Beecham, and Matilda—played a vital role in shaping decisions.
The show also highlights how history often erases women. Beecham noted that Edith existed in a precarious position since her marriage to Harold wasn’t recognized by the church, leaving her vulnerable. Through her performance, she aimed to fill in those gaps, portraying Edith not only as Harold’s companion but as a landowner with instincts of her own. Similarly, Poésy embraced the challenge of giving Matilda depth, emphasizing her influence as William’s partner.
Behind the camera, both Norton and Coster-Waldau took on roles as executive producers, with Coster-Waldau even directing an episode. They described the experience as collaborative and energizing, with cast members forming close bonds that carried beyond the set.
At its heart, King & Conqueror is not simply about 1066—it’s about power, ambition, and the dangerous ways human ego can shape history. The creators wanted audiences to debate, to choose sides, and perhaps even to see themselves reflected in the struggles of these long-dead figures. As Coster-Waldau pointed out, William is the 26th great-grandfather of King Charles III, proof that the legacy of Hastings still echoes today.
All episodes will be available on BBC iPlayer from August 24, giving viewers the chance to step back into the world where England, as we know it, was born.
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