Plot | Cast | Facts | Trailer | Where to watch
Calling all historical drama lovers (and James Norton superfans) — we’ve got the teaaaa! This fresh and fiery war epic is marching onto your screens on the 24th August at 9pm on BBC One.
Get ready to be swept back to 1066 with King and Conqueror, the brand-new BBC drama that brings the Battle of Hastings to life in all its vivid, gritty glory. You’ll follow the riveting rise of Harold Godwinson and the daring, edge-of-your-seat invasion of William the Conqueror. With lush medieval sets, thunderous battle scenes, and a star-studded cast led by James Norton and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, King and Conqueror is shaping up to be the must-watch drama of the summer.
Read on to discover all you need to know about James Norton’s latest show!
What is King and Conqueror about?
Think you know the Battle of Hastings? Think again. King and Conqueror is not your classic history book retelling — it’s a captivating, character-driven epic that dives deep into the real people and high stakes behind a clash so monumental it shaped the future of not just a country, but an entire continent for the next thousand years. At its heart are two formidable figures: Harold Godwinson, England’s last crowned Anglo-Saxon king, and William, Duke of Normandy — the man we all know as William the Conqueror. Once allies, their relationship twists into a rivalry so fierce it changes the fate of a nation.
Created by Michael Robert Johnson and directed by Baltasar Kormákur (Everest), the drama was filmed in breath-taking locations in Iceland (standing in for medieval England), the series delivers gritty realism alongside jaw-dropping production design, right down to the period-accurate armour and weapons. But this isn’t just about swords, shields, and epic battles — it’s about ambition, betrayal, and the human cost of power. With James Norton not only leading the cast but also serving as executive producer, King and Conqueror promises high-stakes drama where history feels thrillingly, dangerously alive. If you’re not gripping the edge of your seat after 30 minutes, we’ll be sooooo shocked!
The cast of King and Conqueror:
- James Norton (Grantchester, Happy Valley) plays Harold Godwinson, England’s last crowned Anglo-Saxon king, fighting to hold on to his throne against impossible odds.
- Nikolaj Coster-Waldau(Game of Thrones) plays William the Conqueror, the ambitious Duke of Normandy with his sights firmly set on England.
- Clémence Poésy (Fleur Delacour in Harry Potter) plays Matilda of Flanders, William’s formidable and politically savvy wife.
- Emily Beecham (Little Joe) plays Edith Swan-Neck, Harold’s common-law wife, known for her loyalty and strength.
- Eddie Marsan (Gangs of New York, The Bombing of Pan Am 103) plays King Edward (Edward the Confessor), the ailing monarch whose death sets the crisis in motion.
- Juliet Stevenson (Truly, Madly, Deeply) plays Lady Emma, a noblewoman navigating the dangerous politics of the royal court.
- Luther Ford (young prince Harry in The Crown) plays Tostig, Harold’s own brother, whose loyalties may not lie where you’d expect.
- Geoff Bell (Mean Machine) plays Godwin, patriarch of the powerful Godwin family.
- Elliott Cowan (Lost in Austen) plays Sweyn, another of Harold’s brothers, a wildcard in the family saga.
- Ingvar Sigurdsson (The Northman) plays Fitzosbern, protector of William of Normandy.
Interesting facts about King and Conqueror
- The series was shot in Iceland at locations like Heiðmörk and around Reykjavík, standing in for medieval England. The production team constructed defensive walls and utilised around 180 actors and 50–70 horses for the battle scenes.
- The series draws inspiration from the Bayeux Tapestry, an 11th-century embroidery that chronicles the events leading up to the Battle of Hastings. The tapestry is renowned for its depiction of the Norman Conquest and is considered a significant historical artefact.
- Some genealogists believe that as much as 25% of the English population is descended from William the Conqueror, highlighting the continuing legacy of the Norman Conquest.
- If you’re a fan of atmospheric music, get excited because the score composed by Högni Egilsson is so powerful you’ll feel you’re really there!
The trailer for King and Conqueror:
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When and where can I watch King and Conqueror?
The countdown is onnnnnn! You will be able to watch King and Conqueror on BBC One at 9pm on Sunday 24th August or stream on BBC iPlayer.
If you’re a James Norton fan be sure to read about all his best shows to stream on Freely!
